Through preparation for your gardening experience it is a great idea to search through others experiences of gardening and learning from their mistakes. In doing this you are able to learn little short-cuts and tricks that provide an easier task than it would have been without.
Over the years Matt Leacy has picked up a few tips and tricks to make your pleasurable gardening time happen with ease.
SHOVELLING
Shovelling can be a task, especially when you come across course soil that sticks and makes a mess. Leacy has experienced gardens that needed a large amount of digging and he finally has worked out a way of doing this strenuous task with just a bit more fluency. Leacy sprays his shovels with a silicone or Teflon lubricant in order to slide through the soil smoothly without any mess or struggle.
POT WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Another way to avoid strain in the garden is to decrease the weight of your pots. In doing this, pots are able to be more portable and you can have them in more areas of your garden. Leacy has discovered an innovative way of doing as such. Leacy recommends undertaking the following steps:
- Filling the bottom of the pot (approx. 1/3 of the way) with packing peanuts.
- Place a piece of landscape fabric on top of the peaking peanuts
- Place a top layer of potting soil over the fabric and packing peanuts
- Plant your flowers
When using potting mix, use a brand with a lot of vermiculite and peat moss for a lighter pot again.
RESTRICTING AN AGGRESSIVE PLANT
A tricky hurdle to overcome in your garden is containing those wide spread plants. Luckily Matt has the perfect solution. Leacuy tells us to plant the aggressive plant in plastic container. Then cut the bottom of the container with a knife. This way the roots will grow directly down into the soil and the underground roots won’t quickly crowd your entire garden.
PROTECT THE BULBS
When it comes to protecting newly planted bulbs Leacy recommends that you stake netting over the bed of bulbs when newly planted. This way animals, weather or even humans are restricted to the bulbs until they begin to grow. Come spring time, remove the netting or even cut holes in the cloth and let the plants grow through. Providing complete protection to the plants entire lifespan.
REMOVE THE SALT FROM CLAY POTS
Salt on the clay pots have the ability to drain plants of water, minerals and chemicals in the fertilizers. Leacy stresses that it is essential that the clay pots must be cleaned before planting new plants. If not done and left you may even find that the build-up of fungus over time infects your plants or even damage the container and a complete replacement will have to take place. Leacy tells us that the easiest way to prepare your clay pots; you must combine white vinegar, alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Then apply the mixture to the pot and continue to scrub with a plastic brush.
It is ideal to note that leaving the pot to dry overnight before planting, will prevent mold and fungus build up for a longer period of time.
DEEP WATERING
If you are newly planting seeds, Leacy recommends digging a hole in the ground that would fit both an empty pot and seedlings around it. Fill the hole in until the only thing showing is the opening of the empty plastic pot. When it comes time to water your seeds, fill the pot with water and the water will except through the bottom, therefore being able to water the seeds to their full potential.
By following these tips and tricks, gardening will be a breeze, and you will gain more satisfaction out of your gardening experience.
ABOUT Matt Leacy
Matt Leacy has an established 16 year career in the Australian landscape and design industry.
Landart Landscapes Sydney provides award winning Landscape Design, Construction and Maintenance services to residential and commercial properties.
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