More Tips
New pots can be given that ‘old’ appearance quite simply, without the need to wait many years. After soaking the pot in water take some yogurt, or buttermilk, and paint it onto the surface of the pot. Leave it in a cool shaded place for a few weeks and hey presto, a pot that looks like it has been in the garden for years. You can also enhance the pot by rubbing mud and grass on to it.
To kill weeds, particularly stubborn ones, cover them with several layers of newspaper or black plastic bin liners. This will kill existing weeds by starving them of light, and prevent the germination of seeds. Weeds beneath will rot. Boiling water can be poured onto weeds that are against walls or in difficult places to reach. If you use weedkillers try to use them whilst the ground is wet. Dig the less stubborn ones out, ensuring that you remove all the roots.
When sowing seeds, as a rule of thumb bury them the depth of their own diameter. Mix fine seeds with sand for easier sowing to ensure they are spread evenly over the compost surface. Always sow seeds in new compost, do not try to make do with potting compost that has been used before - this will contain various soil borne diseases which will cause problems. Trials show that seeds germinate best in seed compost so try to use this if you can, but in saying that I have used a ‘DIY’ store brand for many years and have had no trouble.
Plastic plant labels that have been written on using permanent ink can be brought back to new if they are soaked in a 75% bleach solution for a couple of weeks. Make sure they are thoroughly washed before using again. Alternatively, use a pencil to mark labels, these can then be used again by simply using a rubber (eraser) to remove the name. Labels made from coloured plastic containers, such as clothes softener, can be used for labelling different types of plants, ie;. blue for hardy, yellow for trailers etc.
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