Post by Urban Warrior on May 16, 2006 15:09:02 GMT
Keep slugs off your prize plants by surrounding the plant with a layer of crushed eggshells or copper sheeting / items. Alternatively feed them something tastier than your prize plants - the slugs in my garden love pumpkins and melons!~
Milk is an effective organic fungicide / germicide - useful for protecting vegetables, plants and roses. Try mixing one part cow's milk to nine parts water and pouring this over the affected plants. ~
Plant Garlic near your Rose bushes to discourage aphids~
If you grow Tomatoes try growing some Basil alongside them, apart from keeping flies and mosquitos away the Basil will also enhance the flavour of the Tomatoes~
When frost is expected spray plants late in the evening with cold water - the heat generated as the water evaporates helps prevent frost damage~
Rainwater is better for plants than tap water - [rainwater can be collected in a barrel, but do keep the barrel covered to keep the water fresh longer and to prevent insects laying their eggs in it]. If you only have tap water fill up a watering can / container and leave to stand for a few hours before using on your plants. [This will allow the chlorine to evaporate].~
Comfrey makes an ideal natural fertiliser. The quick method is to boil some water, pour onto dried Comfrey and leave to infuse overnight. Strain and use to feed plants. The more traditional method is to steep plenty of comfrey leaves in a covered tank for a few weeks. Use in the garden or for houseplants~
Water used to cook vegetables in makes a nourishing drink for houseplants and garden plants.~
Cardboard egg cartons can be recycled into environmentally-friendly seedling pots. When it's time to plant the seedlings out simply cut the container into separate containers and plant in the ground. Grapefruit and Orange rind halves also make useful natural seedling pots.~
Banana skins are rich in potassium - place a banana skin underneath rose bushes or under vegetables when planting up, or place around plants as a mulch - the skins decompose quickly and supply the soil and plants with a boost of nutrients, including sulphur, magnesium, calcium, phosphates, silica and sodium. Also an excellent compost ingredient which reputedly helps to speed up the composting process.~
Lawns grow well during the waxing moon period - if you are looking for a lush, thick lawn mow it during the waxing phase. If you prefer a slow growing lawn, it is best to mow during the waning moon. [For more Moonlore click here].~
Aromatic herbs such as Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, Lemon Balm and Geranium make additions to bonfires - they not only smell good but help deter mosquitos and midges.~
Information taken from Gaias Garden~
Milk is an effective organic fungicide / germicide - useful for protecting vegetables, plants and roses. Try mixing one part cow's milk to nine parts water and pouring this over the affected plants. ~
Plant Garlic near your Rose bushes to discourage aphids~
If you grow Tomatoes try growing some Basil alongside them, apart from keeping flies and mosquitos away the Basil will also enhance the flavour of the Tomatoes~
When frost is expected spray plants late in the evening with cold water - the heat generated as the water evaporates helps prevent frost damage~
Rainwater is better for plants than tap water - [rainwater can be collected in a barrel, but do keep the barrel covered to keep the water fresh longer and to prevent insects laying their eggs in it]. If you only have tap water fill up a watering can / container and leave to stand for a few hours before using on your plants. [This will allow the chlorine to evaporate].~
Comfrey makes an ideal natural fertiliser. The quick method is to boil some water, pour onto dried Comfrey and leave to infuse overnight. Strain and use to feed plants. The more traditional method is to steep plenty of comfrey leaves in a covered tank for a few weeks. Use in the garden or for houseplants~
Water used to cook vegetables in makes a nourishing drink for houseplants and garden plants.~
Cardboard egg cartons can be recycled into environmentally-friendly seedling pots. When it's time to plant the seedlings out simply cut the container into separate containers and plant in the ground. Grapefruit and Orange rind halves also make useful natural seedling pots.~
Banana skins are rich in potassium - place a banana skin underneath rose bushes or under vegetables when planting up, or place around plants as a mulch - the skins decompose quickly and supply the soil and plants with a boost of nutrients, including sulphur, magnesium, calcium, phosphates, silica and sodium. Also an excellent compost ingredient which reputedly helps to speed up the composting process.~
Lawns grow well during the waxing moon period - if you are looking for a lush, thick lawn mow it during the waxing phase. If you prefer a slow growing lawn, it is best to mow during the waning moon. [For more Moonlore click here].~
Aromatic herbs such as Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, Lemon Balm and Geranium make additions to bonfires - they not only smell good but help deter mosquitos and midges.~
Information taken from Gaias Garden~
