useful tips

It will not deter slugs or snails it just feeds them with calcium, it will gorge them out and it also attracts them to the plant more and more.

How do I know this I hear you say. Well I have two African land snails and they love eggshells .

So this maybe a tip in some way I hope

 

Off topic:

Jimbo, I have a giant African land snail too! Did have two - but after getting friendly, there were thooosands of eggs, so am down to one (found good home for other one). Aparently after one mating, they can produce several lots of eggs - I can vouch for that!

Back on topic - great thread!

 

A couple of useful things I do (not original ideas - but may help someone!)

Cut the top off a 2 litre juice bottle, and use to scoop up birdseed, then place the bottle top end in the feeder, and release the seed.

Use pondliner offcuts to line terracotta pots.

Put vine weevil larvae in a shallow bowl to feed the birds - it was so satisfying last spring watching a songthrush gather them for a brood!

 

Yes! I agree... when repotting plants or digging I collect any nasties in a container for the birds. I don't like killing things but the poor birds have to eat :D

 

I lined my hanging baskets with old jumpers, it allows water out, although retaining alot at the same time. Hubbys old woollies do very well
A copper scouring pad unravelled and stuck round pots, table legs etc stop snails climbing, Don't pull it too tight.
Use old tights / stockings to tie trees or shrubs to their stakes.
Polystyrene packing shapes make brilliant crocks in pots.
Old raspberry canes pruned and kept, make brill piggy twee sticks. (that always comes out as that. i mean tiggy pwee sticks, oh well i know what i mean)

 

Take an empty lemonade (or similar) bottle with you when you go to the pub. Ask the bar-person to fill it with slops from the beer tray. Use for your slug pubs.

 

Thanks for the tip about copper scouring pads compostee, i was reading about copper rings on another thread but thought it would cost me a lot of money to buy them as i have such a lot of pots, so ta for that.

I was going to suggest using polystyrene for drainage in pots but you beat me to it, boo hue.

 

When ever you buy a Thermometer, whether it be outside or min / max for g/house. Check all the thermometers on the stand. They will no doubt vary in readings, but choose one from the few that have the same or very similar readings. No good getting one that is several degrees out compared to the others.

 

For those like me who do not have a greenhouse, mini tomato containers make excellent mini propagators



I've put some overripe raspberries in this one and am trying my luck.

 

good idea lol

 

You lot probably already know about this tip but I've only just discovered it and I haven't seen it mentioned on here yet.

When its time to move your tomato plants from pots to grow bags simply cut the bottom out of the pot then cut a hole in the grow bag and just stick the pot into the growbag. Means you dont have to faff about taking the plant out of its pot, they are easier to water, they get extra room to grow and the canes are really sturdy with the extra depth.

This isnt my garden by the way

 

That is a good idea and the grow bags could no doubt be used several times.

 

I have heard that planting chives under roses will deter some pests and will prevent the black spots on the leaves.

 

brilliant thread, lots of info for me to write in my book!
as for my tip, make sure you plant bulbs the right way up (yeh well i never knew ok! )

 

a few more tips i know

plan your garden with winter in mind - if it looks good in winter it'll look good all year round

put egg shells in pots

if using wood mulch i found it kept better looking by having a layer of peat underneathe it, plus cos the peat is brown meant i could get away with using less wood mulch on my paths