Weatherproof Plant Labels
Weatherproof Plant Labels
An old window bullheaded can fit in perfectly in the garden
My wife and I share a multi-acre garden with friends, and over the past several years nosotros've tried all kinds of products to characterization the rows, including Sharpie permanent markers, UV-resistant markers and even plain pencil. But none of them could stand upwards to constant sun and moisture. We finally discovered the solution: a label maker and recycled vinyl window blinds. I cutting the slats into nine-in. lengths and stick on the labels. They stand upward to whatsoever kind of weather condition without smearing, dissolving or rotting away. — Mike Murdock
Brand sure yous see these 15 other ways to repurpose blinds.
Plus: The Frugal Gardener: 10 Ways to Relieve Money in the Dwelling house Garden
Buy Offseason
Await for sales. Go the all-time deals when the traffic has died downward at the garden centers: in the domestic dog days of summer, afterward major holidays, and in fall. If your local supermarket has a temporary garden center in the parking lot (many practice), find out when it closes for the season (likely midsummer) and testify up and then. Y'all can go some amazing discounts because they have to movement the inventory.
Gratuitous Mulch
Grass clippings hold both nitrogen and moisture, so they're a good summer mulch when used correctly. First, if y'all're putting clipping effectually edibles, brand sure the clippings are from an untreated lawn—you don't want to mulch with pesticides and herbicides accidentally. Second, spread the clippings lightly so they tin dry and don't compact into a evil-smelling mess. In fall, you can add shredded leaves to the mix. They'll ameliorate soil texture, fertility and wet-holding capacity every bit they break downward. Photograph: Luke Miller
More Gratis Mulch
Store-bought mulch has its place—the compatible material looks great up close by the front end door where you can see it—simply information technology's a money drainer when information technology comes to big beds. Nearly municipalities accept gratis supplies of wood fries for the taking. If not, simply call a tree service in your area and ask if y'all tin can accept some of theirs. Most will happily oblige, some may even evangelize information technology if they're grinding a tree in your surface area. You can also relieve money gardening past buying mulch in bulk. Learn more about different mulches.
Grow Self-Seeding Flowers
Self-seeding flowers, similar the hollyhocks seen here, are a real money saver for the home gardener. Buy a bundle of seeds at present and have flowers forevermore. The underground is to sow them where they have a chance to succeed (consult seed packets for recommendations) and then allow some of the fading flowers to go to seed. Resist deadheading—at least near the end of the flavor, when a new crop of seeds is needed. Some corking cocky-seeders include rudbeckia, sunflower, cleome, zinnia, calendula, available'due south buttons, poppies and cosmos.
Reuse Nursery Containers
Plastic nursery pots accept and so many uses that it's a shame to throw them away. Recycling them is good, reusing them is fifty-fifty better! You tin can save money gardening by reusing plastic nursery pots and cellpacks to raise new plants. Larger containers can agree hand tools. Or remove the bottoms and identify the pots upside down around prized plants that are prone to rabbit browsing, as seen hither. Click here for more tips on easier gardening.
Buy Damaged Goods
The term "damaged goods" tends to take a negative connotation, but frugal gardeners might disagree. Retailers oft sell broken numberless of soil mix and mulch at half cost. Those same retailers may put out a sale rack of distressed plants, too. This five-human foot-tall tricolor beech was marked down to $22 from $88 considering it had a broken stem. That damaged stem tin can be cut off and replaced by a side branch. But necktie the branch to a back up (see photo) for i year, then remove it. The stem will abound up on its own and get the new leader. Photo: Luke Miller
Cutting the Backyard (Down to Size)
Who needs a huge lawn to mow, fertilize and h2o all the time? Cutting it down to size and supercede with low-maintenance shrubs, succulents, or groundcovers. Utilise some of that gratis mulch we talked nigh before to smother the remaining grass. Tip: flatten former paper-thin boxes or spread out newspapers below the mulch. This layer prevents weeds from poking through. Demand to repair lawn edging? Check out this quick, easy projection!
Save on Potting Mix
Name-brand potting mixes can fix you back quite a few dollars when you're filling big containers. Use less of the expensive soil mix (and salve weight so y'all can move the containers more easily) by lining the lesser of large containers with packing peanuts before filling with soil mix. Put the packing peanuts in a sealed plastic bag or comprehend with landscape fabric to forbid them from mingling with the soil (a hassle if you lot ever dump the pot). Read more.
Create Your Own Rain Butt
With many municipalities now using special bins for trash pick-up, a lot of old garbage cans are looking for a new purpose. Salve yourself $100 or more by turning a large plastic trash tin can into a rain barrel. Position it under a drainspout that'southward been shortened and directly the flow of water into a pigsty you cut in the plastic top. Cover the opening with a piece of window screen to keep mosquitoes out. Learn more than about edifice a rain barrel.
Save Your Tender Bulbs
A lot of northern gardeners treat tender bulbs — such equally calla lilies, caladiums and gladiolus — as annuals, allowing them to die at season's end. Instead, overwinter them and then they'll be fit and healthy in the spring. To make it simpler, establish tender bulbs in containers. Afterward frost kills the tops, whisk the containers into cool storage in a basement or fastened garage. Water sparingly — possibly in one case a calendar month — while they're dormant then the soil doesn't totally dry, and bring the containers back out in spring.
Originally Published: December 04, 2018
Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/weatherproof-plant-labels/
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