Tips for caring for gardening supplies
As spring approaches, make sure your gardening equipment is in good working order so you can complete all your garden chores.
The best way to accomplish that, according to Martha Stewart, is to take care of them in three simple steps:
- remove rust
- sharpen the iron
- Trim the scissors with a file
Preventing critters from entering: Scented soap
Gardeners have been using scented soaps like Irish Spring to deter pests like raccoons from scratching and chewing on trees.
The scent of the home product is bergamot and citrus, with a floral scent.
Although there is no scientific evidence, the experts at PestPointers believe this is a good tool to keep deer out of your garden.
Bars of soap should be cut in half to prevent raccoons from scavenging the tree.
Then tie it with twine or rope 3 feet away from the trunk.
Alternatively, you can put the soap in a bag and hang it on a branch.
Prevents critters from entering: Cayenne pepper
According to experts, cayenne pepper is widely used in spicy sauces and sometimes added to dishes to add flavor, but it's also effective as a pest repellent.
This spice is disliked by creatures such as raccoons and squirrels.
If you try to eat leaves covered in pepper, you may get a shock.
Amazing natural herbicide
According to Midwest Grows Green, corn gluten, available on Amazon, is a winning formula for eliminating weeds.
However, the opportunities for using the powder are very limited because if the powder is applied too early, dormant weed seeds will bypass the preventive effects of corn gluten.
If it is applied to established weeds, it only builds resilience to pre-emergency herbicide effects.
The key is to apply corn gluten when it attacks weeds, at or just before germination.
Continuing group planting to prevent pests
The experts at Old World Garden Farms suggested growing basil next to tomato and pepper plants.
Basil is a deterrent against tomato hornworms, aphids, and beetles, so planting it next to other plants can also help protect them.
Green experts suggest planting them “close to tomato or pepper plants” to protect them naturally.
“In fact, as an added benefit, growing basil nearby is thought to further enhance the flavor of the tomatoes.”
They also suggested growing onions and garlic near the cabbage.
“Both onions and garlic are known to be excellent repellents for cabbage moths, insects and loopers, and can help protect cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower from pests.”