Comments on: May Garden Party Contest

By: Adrienne Cook

Adrienne Cook — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:06:42 +0000

A roll of black bird net blew into our yard after a large storm last year – source unkn. The deer take a huge toll on all our plants. This past fall it appeared as if someone had string-trimmed everything down to bare ground.

This spring I put up a few stakes at the edge of my planting bed near the patio and draped the netting from the ground over the stakes and small brick retaining wall of the patio.

IT WORKED!! I have beautiful Spring flowers that I can see from the house and not a daylily nor hosta is eaten! All the perennials are making a comeback and even the lone remaining azalea is looking perky.

This year – more bird netting for my garden. It’s inexpensive and has totally saved my plants. Had I known this, I’d have bought rolls years ago and save lots of beautiful flowers.

By: Jeffrey Hebert

Jeffrey Hebert — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:10:04 +0000

I am a new gardener (my wife and I just purchased our first home!). And I am always trying to be resourceful. I purchased a 10.00 32-gallon plastic trash bin that I drag around the yard and post at various locations when I am weeding or trimming plants and hedges. Well, after a while I started getting tired of hauling all of these handtools around with me so I had an idea. I went to Lowes and bought a caddy that hangs on the outside of the can for 12.00 and now I can hang all of my little tools and shears and various spray bottles on it when I tote it around. We were thinking of buying a wheelbarrow or garden barrow but this worls perfect. I know it isnt homemade but it is inexpensive and really works great. Have a great day!

By: Melissa J Bond

Melissa J Bond — Wed, 27 May 2009 03:52:23 +0000

I recently re-purposed a take-out container from PF Chang’s. My son works there and brings home dinner at least once a week. I found a place to recycle them, but thought I would try it as a planter. I’ve planted one with mixed greens every week, and trim them when small for tender baby salads! Hope they last into the heat of June.

They also make great greenhouses for seed starting. I make my own seed pots from newspaper.

http://green-house.tv/photo/salad-to-go

By: K. Notman

K. Notman — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:55:56 +0000

Empty kitty litter buckets are indispensable! I store my tools in them (can leave it outside since it has a lid) and take them around with me. Take out the tool you want and put the lid back on and it’s a seat to sit on while you weed or dig holes for perennials. I keep a bunch in my potting shed and mix soil with manure in them, etc. etc. I know it’s just a bucket, but it’s recycling and it’s so darned handy….

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:49:44 +0000

I love how much re-use happens in the garden.

I got tired of flimsy watering wands and made a nearly indestructible one out of copper pipe. I posted a quick how-to here:
http://www.closertothedirt.com/making-a-garden-wand/

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:58:12 +0000

My mom always used the egg cartons for starting seeds, and tin cans with both ends cut off for collars around the plants, and along with composting, always threw the egg shells after cooking and used coffee grounds into the garden.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:31:25 +0000

Wet paper towels to germinate seeds.

Lame, but the only thing I could think of. We’re on vacation in Victoria B.C. to see Butchart Gardens. Tomorrow, Tomorrow….Can’t wait!!!

By: Chris Chihrin

Chris Chihrin — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:43:29 +0000

I have tried using a variety of plant markers or labels over the last few years and was inspired a couple of years ago on my way home from work. Someone had thrown out thin Venetian blinds made out of metal. With a sturdy pair of snips, the thin metal strips were quickly cut down to size, and with a sunlight proof black marker I now have plant labels that winter over.

By: ronnie k endre

ronnie k endre — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:46:43 +0000

it was 6′ wire, not 6″.

By: ronnie k endre

ronnie k endre — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:45:34 +0000

i am in the process of making a “green” privacy fence. i am financially strapped and priced out the wood swayed fencing and couldn’t afford it. so i can up with plan “B” which i think is much better. i bought treated posts and 6″ wire fencing and decided to plant various vines along it to create a natural privacy from sanford and son next door.