123 Tips

Thinning vegetables is one of the most important follow-up activities in gardening. Most gardeners use more seed than necessary for a healthy plant stand. This is a good idea since some seeds may not germinate and grow. Extra seeds will insure enough plants. However, having too many plants in an area is just as bad, if not worse, than having too few. Plant thinning or removal is necessary to insure a successful garden. Properly spaced plants also make insect and disease control easier.

consider using plants that naturally repel insects. These plants have their own chemical defense systems, and when planted among flowers and vegetables, they help keep unwanted insects away. Some of these are:

Ants - mint, tansy, pennyroyal
Aphids - mint, garlic, chives, coriander, anise
Mice - onion
Squash Bug - radish, marigolds, tansy, nasturtium

Leave the grass clippings to decompose on the lawn. Annually, this will provide nutrients equivalent to one or two fertilizer applications. Set mower at 2 inches to reduce water use during hot weather.

Early moring or night is the best time for watering to reduce evaporation.
To help control where your water goes, water when it’s not windy.

To measure the water, put an empty tuna can (or cat food can) on the lawn while watering. Stop watering when the can is full or if you notice water running off the lawn.

One deep watering is much better than watering several times lightly.

Lawns need about 1 inch of water each week. If the weather is very hot, apply an inch of water about every 3 days.

Watering to a depth of 4-6 inches encourages deeper, healthier root development. It allows longer periods between watering.

Wait until the gallon size of windshield wiper fluid goes on sale and stock up. I’ve seen it as low as 69 cents quite often. Refill the Windex bottles you have and save lots of money:)

Here’s a good tip. Most online stores have a box to enter a coupon code. With these codes you can get money off and free shipping. So there’s no reason not use use them especially since these discount codes are listed on sites like JuicyCoupons.com and EmmasCoupons.com . You should bookmark sites like that and get the saving whether you are shopping for yourself or doing Christmas shopping.

Put some tea leaves into a pair of stockings and stuff each into a shoe. Leave for a day or two and the smell just vanishes.

Use a mixture of Cream of Tartar and hydrogen peroxide. By the time the paste dries, the stain should be gone.