Once the snow melts and we get closer and closer to spring, it’s time to start thinking about planting herbs and plants in your garden. There’s nothing like gardening to set your mind clear and spend some quality time outdoors. More and more millennials join the trend every year and take upon gardening as a hobby, which not only relieves them of stress but also can do wonders for their diet.
While there’s definitely some fun to gardening, the truth is that it can also be very challenging. Many plants require special attention and specific conditions in order to get going, so we’ve collected the ten ultimate tips to help you improve your gardening results.
The Pot-in-Pot Planting Method
This method can help you solve a whole lot of gardening problems you might be having. It’s a great and easy way to have a flexible garden, one where you won’t need a lot of work just to move plants around if you have a need for it. Not only will you be able to switch plants instantly, but you’ll also get to experiment with different lighting conditions. Some spots in your garden might have too much shade, so switching plants regularly will ensure that they all get enough light, even the ones that are currently in the dark.
PVC Bottle Water Reservoir
This is probably the easiest way to get a slow-drip going and help your plants grow. All you need to do is cut the bottom off a plastic bottle (make sure it’s similar in height as your planter) and then put the bottomless bottle into the soil before planting a new sprout. Once you fill the bottle with water, it will slowly hydrate the soil and especially help the roots of your plant. If you’re planting directly into the ground, most plants will require two to three reservoirs for best results, while trees may need as many as five to get enough water.
Rain Collector
Gardening can be quite harsh on your water bill, plus we’re currently wasting too much clean water. Luckily, there’s an easy solution for this, as you can install a rain collector system that connects your water collection simply with water storage (it can be a simple barrel). You can then use this non-drinkable water to water your garden, which requires quite a lot of it. You can install a system like this on your own – which will make it extremely cheap, or you can pay for professionals to do it for you – which will make it a bit more expensive.
Use Wine Corks as Plant Markers
It can be difficult to remember where you’ve planted which plant, especially if you do it often and have a huge garden. Well, for anyone who enjoys having a glass of wine in the evening, here’s a quick fix for that. You can save all the wine corks that you’d usually throw and then put them on a stick. Write a name of the plant (or herb) that’s in the planter and you’ll always know what’s going to grow in front of you. It also looks rather good, if I may say so.
Check if the Seeds Are Still Good
Most people keep old seeds that might not grow once you plant them. Instead of wasting your time and effort, you can easily check if the seeds are still good. All you need is a paper towel, get it wet and put it somewhere warm. Now place a couple of seeds on top of it and wait a few days to see if they’re sprouting. If not, you can throw them away. If yes, you can go on and plant a whole batch. Some seeds might surprise you as they can last for years, while others can’t even sprout after a few months.
A Pallet Planter
Pallets have so many uses outside of their original purpose that it’s impossible to name them all. Not only can you use them as furniture for your garden, but you can also turn them into planters. This is probably the cheapest thing you’ll do for your garden and it’s extremely easy to do. And the best thing about it? You can put them on top of each other in a vertical fashion to conserve a lot of space. If you really want them to look good, you can also paint them to your liking.
Don’t Throw Out Broken Pots
Broken pots are a normal thing when it comes to gardening, but what’s amazing about it is that you can actually use them to your advantage. You can use pieces of broken pots as markers for your plants, but even better – you can use broken pots to create an amazing fairy garden. You’ll save a lot of money by not having to decorate your garden besides this, and it’s going to look better than anything you can buy in a shop.
Declutter Your Yard
If you really want your garden to look good, the last thing you need is clutter lying around. The problem isn’t only in the chaotic looks, but also in the fact that clutter takes up so much space that can be used for planting that it’s simply not worth it. If you’ve got stuff that you don’t want to throw, you can find a storage unit and check their prices on a website. Storage units are usually very affordable and you can even have their employees come over and transport your things to a storage facility.
Create a Birdfeeder
Having birds in your garden is something that can add a touch of nature to it, which is something most of us are looking for. Today it’s extremely easy to create a birdfeeder out of the stuff you have in your house. Whether it’s a teacup or a shoe – a custom birdfeeder will look great while you’ll also get birds to spend some time in your garden, which is just priceless.
Use Coffee Filters to Stop Planters from Leaking Dirt
If there’s one thing that everyone hates about planters, it’s that when you move them they usually leak the dirt through their bottom. It’s a mess that no one likes to clean, especially when you’re dealing with dozens of planters.
An easy fix to prevent this from happening is to put a coffee filter at the bottom of each pot. This won’t affect the drainage of your houseplants, while it will allow your young plants to grow without leaving a trace when you move them. Coffee filters are biodegradable, but you won’t have to replace them since the roots will develop before they disappear.
Bottom Line
Gardening is one of those activities that have a meditating effect on your psyche. It’s not only about the process either, as you’ll get a beautiful garden where you can spend time with the people you care about.
The tips we’ve highlighted in this guide are all extremely affordable and won’t put a strain on your budget, so all you need is a bit of motivation and effort to get the best out of your plants. Also, the best way to personalize your garden is to try out some new things yourself. Experiment and you might be surprised how many things work when it comes to growing plants in your garden.
