Handy Hints from our Facebook Friends

• Soak seedlings in Seasol before planting to give them that extra boost and a great start especially in summer, it works a treat! And also remember that what you put into (time, energy, feeding, watering) your garden you will get back in return! – Zelda

• My tip is when planting seedlings put one tsp of Epsom salts and one tsp of sugar into the hole before the seedling. I’ve tried this numerous times and my plants with this added are at least one third bigger than those without. – Sonya

• Cut the bottom leaves off on tomato plants especially in glass/tunnel house to let better air circulation and so avoid any fungal problems. – Maree

• Try not to discourage yourself by working too long on at a time on uninspiring jobs (like weeding). Just weed for a shorter period of time and go on to something else - and back to the weeding later... mix and match to keep up your interest! – Joan

• Don’t pull your spring onions out of the ground, just cut off the top about 2 cm above ground level and they will grow new tops. – Merrin

• Put cut up banana skins around rose bushes they love them. – Beryl

• Pick the laterals of your tomatoes when they get about 2 inches big. Sit in water to grow roots or plant straight into soil and you’ll have a whole new tomato plant for free. – Breanne

• Plant basil between your tomatoes – they are besties. – Amanda

• Keep a diary of what you plant where and when so when you are doing crop rotation you don’t accidentally plant tomatoes where potatoes were the year before. – Amy

  

• I just drilled some holes in the lid of a large fizzy drink bottle, filled it with water and hey presto squirty water bottle for watering the patio pots. Also ideal for any liquid fertilisers. – Shirley

• When planting out new seedlings I poke small twigs and branches around to stop birds from digging them up. – Claire

• An organic way to get rid of aphids on roses is spray soapy water. Use this over the dry season to conserve water by using your dishwashing water. – Jo

• Keep an eye out what grows in your area before buying plants that don’t survive the heat or cold. Ask at your local gardening centre too. – Amanda

• Have a diary of plantings and names. It is interesting looking back on previous years, when you dug your first new potatoes, when were certain items ready in the garden, it can be so different. – Frances

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