Growing a successful garden doesn’t have to be difficult. Check out this youtube video below for some garden hacks that will save you time and money. Try these ten simple tips for a successful vegetable garden designed to give you a better harvest with less effort.
1. Turn any long-handled tool into a portable measuring stick
Line up a measuring tape with the handle, and use a permanent marker to make marks on the handle. When you need to know how far to space plants or how deep to plant them, you already have a measuring stick in your hands.
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2. Re-use plastic plant labels or create your own
Rub old plastic labels with sandpaper to get rid of previous markings. Or make your own labels by cleaning yogurt pots, trimming them to size, and labeling them with permanent marker. Broken roof tiles with white paint are a charming option, or write on smooth flat stones with permanent marker for a more natural look.
3. Use a terra cotta pot for a cloche in case of a late frost
Pop them over your tender shoots to protect them overnight but don’t forget to remove them in the morning
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4. Remove aphids with sticky tape
Wrap several wide strips of tape inside out around your hand and rub it along the plant. The aphids will stick to the tape. Make sure you get underside of leaves as they particularly like those spots.
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5. Reuse plastic water bottles for water reservoirs
Drill a hole in the cap, cut the bottom off the bottle, turn it upside down, and then sink it into your pot. Fill the bottle with water, and it will gradually drain out as needed to keep the soil moist. This is a great option for vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers that appreciate a consistent source of water.
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6. Reuse kitchen water
You can water your garden with water you used to boil veggies, just make sure you wait until it’s cooled. You can also use wash water if you used plant-based detergents. Do not use water that has washed pots with lots of dairy or meat.
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7. Soak hard-coated seeds, like peas or sweetpeas, overnight for faster germination.
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8. For plants that don’t like their roots disturbed, like peas and beans, make planters from cardboard tubes
Cut ends for flaps and fold in to make a bottom, fill with potting soil, and store in a tray until they’re ready for planting. Plant the whole tube in the ground. The cardboard will rot and roots will find their way out into the soil.
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9. Go vertical in a small garden
Cut guttering to length, drill drainage holes along the length, and mount on the wall with brackets. Pick plants that have shallow roots like salads or strawberries. Make sure to use moisture-retentive potting soil and water frequently.
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10. Garden planning software
A good garden software program helps reduce plant loss by helping you to design with consideration for spacing, timing, crop rotation, and succession planting.
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Follow these tips, and pretty soon your garden will reward you with a season full of luscious vegetables.