Helpful Gardening Hints
Now that we’re into the dog days of summer (aren’t we always?), many among us are spending our afternoons with our knees in the dirt, hoping to make a garden and yard that our neighbors will envy. But do you need some help? We at Avondale Nissan have some experience in this area, so we’re here for you. Here are some helpful gardening hints, courtesy of your friends at Avondale Nissan.
1) Do you demand to know what plants you’ve planted, but you hate those white little tags that come with the plants when you buy them? We do too. So take some smooth, medium-sized stones, and on the smooth side, write the species of plants you’re growing in permanent marker. Place them near the base of the plant–it’ll look natural, and you won’t have those tacky tags to look at.
2) Weeds driving you crazy? Take a piece of cardboard, cut it to fit between your plants (where weeds often thrive), and place on the dirt surface. Then cover the cardboard with more soil and/or compost. The cardboard will smother the weeds, and will decompose naturally, leaving you weed-free.
3) Do you hate getting dirt under your fingernails when you work? Simply take a bar of soap, and rub your fingertips along the outside of it, forming a film of soap at your fingernails. It will keep dirt from getting under your nails, and when it’s time to wash up, you’ll already have soap!
4) Do you know what plants like to drink even more than water? Veggie-fied water! Next time you boil or steam veggies, don’t dump the water as you normally would. Instead, use it to feed your plants. You’d be amazed how much the plants react to this fortified water.
5) Have an old hose you don’t use? Here are two cool uses: One, it can be used to hold garden tools. Simply cut it into 8-12” lengths, then cut it lengthwise, before nailing it to a board and hanging it in your garage or shed. The handles of rakes and hoes will fit neatly in the hose. And two, leave 8-12” lengths in your garden or flowerbed. Aphids enjoy cool, dark places, and will hide in the hose. Then, rinse it out and do it again. Die, aphids!
We hope you have a productive garden this summer, and when it’s time to get advice on more automotive things, pay us a visit at Avondale Nissan, located just west of downtown Phoenix.