Plumbing Tools for GardeningLet's think outside of the box. I love using things for other than their original purpose. A pipe cutter can be used to cut branches just as easily as it cuts pipes into pieces.
Team Gloves, or No Gloves?Is wearing gloves a necessity during your day in the garden? Or do you get right to work sans protection, to feel the earth in real time?
Insulated Plant CoverSpecial plants call for special measures when it comes to protection from the cold. Try this boxing technique.
Get Extra Discounts on Your Gardening Needs Online from the Big Box StoresNot only can online shopping sometimes be cheaper than shopping at the store, but sometimes your selection is better and there might be FREE delivery to your door!
Using Your Digital Camera To Get a Good LookWhen I can't see what I need to see, I use my digital camera or the camera on my phone to get a better look.
Cold-Protect Your PlantsWhen a rare freeze hits the Southern states, simple covers, such as sheets, may not be enough. Take a few extra steps to protect the most tender Tropical plants in the yard.
Those Very Special LiliesI have five or six very special lilies that have been with me since before my first child was born 24 years ago. I am sure they have a botanical name, a very special cultivar name, and all that. However, I only know that they came from a Daylily farm in Pearland, TX.
Help for Droopy Elephant EarsThose wonderfully large Elephant Ear leaves can grow so large that they start to droop and fall to the ground. Here is an easy solution to keep your "ears' standing up and off the ground.
Plant Shippers Save the Earth IdeaI know many plant shippers use boxes to shop their plants around the world. Here is a way to reuse a shipping carton that has print on the outside, or maybe has one too many labels on it.
Unconventional Plant TiesLook around. A lot of things can be used as plant ties.
Finding Pots in Odd PlacesLook past the plant departments for your plant containers. Find the best pots at the hardware store!
Winter Garden: An OpportunityWinter gardens with their dormant trees and shrubs, twiggy bushes and empty space often present a depressing view. Here's what we do.
Look for the Bar CodeThere's lots of plant information at your fingertips when using your Smartphone. Look for a bar code on plant tags, particularly the Exotic Angel Plant brand, found at Lowes. Download a free Bar Code Scanner and scan the bar code. You can see if the plant is right for you with the information that comes up on your phone. Practice with the bar code below.
More Accurate Hand WateringUse a squirt bottle to control the amount of water and prevent over-watering for seedlings and small plants.
Tutorial: Newspaper PotsWe simply never have enough pots to share our cuttings or for our seedlings. But yes, we do! All you need is a stack of newspapers and these instructions, then get folding.
Quick Tip: Stop Sweat in Your EyesSweat in your eyes not only interrupts your working in the yard, but it also can be painful, especially if you wear sun screen. Here are a couple of ideas that work for me.
Indestructible Plant ID TagsThis idea is all over the gardening web, but here is my visual interpretation for tagging those tiny cuttings that all gardeners like to share.
Deep Watering TipUse plastic/milk cartons for deep watering by heating a Phillips head screwdriver (I use the gas stove and a hot mitt) and punching several holes in the bottom and sides (3" from the bottom) of a plastic jug or milk bottle. Bury the jug around the tree line or around the base of a shrub. Bury it so that the opening is just above the soil level. Bury as many jugs as you wish around the tree/shrub line. Fill the jugs with water for a slow deep watering. Add liquid fertilizer as needed for deep feeding.
