Latest news with #GardeningKnowHow
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Households urged to dissolve 54p tablet in water and feed to certain plants
Gardening can be a massive headache when your plants are struggling - fortunately this easy hack involving one popular tablet will have them growing bigger and healthier If you want your plants to grow bigger and stronger this summer, experts say you can feed them this one common headache tablet. Summer has finally arrived and many of us are stepping back out into our gardens to enjoy them in full bloom. It's also the time of year when many crops begin to ripen and trees bear fruit. However, if you're looking to get the most out of your plants, it's usually best to give them a little boost. A popular way to do this is by adding fertiliser or compost to the soil. However, it can be time consuming to purchase or make your own – which is why gardening experts recommend using Aspirin. Commonly used as a painkiller for issues like headaches, aspirin actually contains properties that can be hugely beneficial to certain plants. This is because it's made from salicylic acid. This is a compound which is actually naturally produced by many plants. The experts from Gardening Know How explain: 'Plants produce minute amounts of salicylic acid on their own when they are stressed.' They continue: 'This tiny amount helps plants cope when they are under insect attack, dry, underfed, or maybe even experiencing a disease issue.' They also add that it helps boost the plant's immune system. Aspirin dissolved in water is touted as remedial for plants that are in need of a boost specifically, such as those that are diseased and in need of urgent attention. Aspirin must be used sparingly In order to give your plants a dose of aspirin, it's recommended to dissolve a tablet in water first. Generally, one tablet should be mixed with 4.5 litres of water, although this may change depending on the plant. Be careful not to overdo it with the aspirin, either. Typically, you should only spray plants with an aspirin solution every few weeks to avoid damaging them Gardening Know How warns that there are potential side effects if aspirin is used improperly. Too much may lead to plants developing brown spots or having a 'burnt' appearance. To avoid this, they advise that it's best to spray the aspirin solution early in the morning. This is because it gives plant leaves the best chance of drying off before evening. They also recommend spraying early to avoid harming any beneficial insects. They write: 'Bees and other pollinators are most active once sun has touched the plants, so a period of time prior to that sun's kiss is the best. You should also wait to see how plants respond to the treatment, aspirin may not be suitable for all flora. However, the nightshade family, which includes aubergine, peppers and tomatoes, can 'benefit greatly'. If you don't have any Aspirin lying around your medicine cupboard, no need to worry. You can pick up a pack of tablets from Boots for a bargain 54p.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Households told to put one £1.20 kitchen item in plant pots before adding soil
This common household kitchen item is the perfect item for your plant pots, by also helping you take care of your plants in a more environmentally-friendly way. Coffee filters are a household staple, but they also have another use for your plants. If you've been noticing soil coming out from your plant pots, there's one item that will solve all of your problems. According to Gardening Know How, coffee grounds work well on plants, but coffee filters can also benefit your plants - and here's how. Lining the bottom of your plant with a coffee filter before adding the new soil will ensure that the soil is well secured by acting as a barrier to let the water drain freely - just like it would with freshly brewed coffee. All plant pots need a drainage hole to get rid of the excess water. The site explained: 'Without some drainage, plant roots will sit in that excess water and rot. But when that extra moisture moves through the hole, it takes with it some of the potting medium.' It also explained that if the plant doesn't have enough soil to hold nutrients and moisture, it will likely suffer, potentially leading to death. Gardeners have been told to repot their plants. However, it has to be done with caution, as it can affect the plant's overall health by causing stress. This is where the coffee filter comes in. Not only does it avoid waste, but it also keeps the soil inside by being a compostable solution. Water is important for the plant's health, but without the right drainage process, the soil washes over time. This leaves a big mess on the floors, which leads to gardeners having to regularly to top it up or even replace it. By using a coffee filter, gardeners will prevent this from happening, by also ensuring that their indoor areas remain clean. Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the UK and millions of coffee filters are being thrown in the bin. Using this hack will give a second purpose to reusing your coffee filters rather than just getting rid of them. It will also help the environment by reducing the amount of food waste. If you're not a coffee drinker, there are other items which are as effective, including: landscape fabric, newspaper, compostable packing material, coconut coir, pine cones, wood chips, peat moss or paper towels. The options are endless!
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Everyday £3 household product can be used to fertilise your garden's grass this summer – it also works in flowerbeds
IF your lawn is looking a little a dry and sparse after the recent sunny spell, don't fret. A simple trick can help to transform your grass ahead of summer, and it works on flowerbeds too. 2 The experts at Gardening Know How recommend sprinkling this budget-friendly buy across your lawn for the perfect green look. According to the pros, it can help to fertilise the soil, increasing seed germination, nutrient absorption, growth, and general health of your lawns and plants. And the secret ingredient is Epsom Salt, which you can pick up for just £3 from Asda. It is also known as magnesium sulfate, which proves to be an important component in chlorophyll. Magnesium deficiency is common in light, sandy, or acidic soil, so if this applies to your garden, it may be worth picking up. Tell-tale signs include yellowing or patchiness across your lawn. And there are a variety of ways you can apply this DIY hack to your garden. You can create a homemade fertiliser by dissolving one tablespoon of Epsom salts in about four litres of water before applying it to the lawn. Or you can opt to dissolve a small amount of Epsom salts in water and spray it on your lawn to ensure thorough coverage Lawn spreaders can also be utilised to apply the salt solution to your grass. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either And if your grass is particularly struggling, you can sprinkle the salt solution across your lawn, aiming for about two pounds of Epsom salt per 1,000 square feet. According to experts, now is the best time to take action as spring and early summer is the time when grass actively grows. As well as ensuring green grass and a lush thicker lawn, this trick also helps to improve root growth. Since magnesium contributes to stronger root systems, this allows the grass to withstand weather and stress better. Making it an ideal step for the unpredictable British weather. Home Bargains has a budget-friendly buy that helps your knees while tending to your flower beds. The budget retailer is also selling a budget buy guaranteed to brighten up your space. Another garden light from the store is described as having a "cute" twist. And shoppers can also pick up a £9.99 novelty decor buy that adds character to flowerbeds. A £7 gardening gadget is also available from Home Bargains and is guaranteed to transform your lawn.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Banish slugs for good using a 50p drink you may already have in the fridge – it works on wasps too
THERE'S nothing better than sitting outside in your garden on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, there are plenty of pesky bugs to ruin it for you. 2 Fortunately, a gardening expert has shared a simple hack to keep wasps away while you enjoy an al fresco dinner and stop slugs destroying your plants. While many gardeners reach for harsh chemicals to get pest problems under control, they can also harm the garden. However, there's a super simple solution that you probably already have in your fridge. With a common drink we all love in summer, you can lure and eliminate these annoying garden pests. Experts at Gardening Know How revealed that using cola can banish slugs from your garden for good. They said: "Apparently, using Coke in the garden is nothing new to some folks. "Some people poison their slugs, and some drive them to drink by luring them with beer. Just fill a low bowl with Coke and set it in the garden overnight." The cola trap works as the sugar attracts pests to it while the acid from the drink kills them. Slugs often come out to eat during the night, so keeping the trap out will keep your plants safe. According to the experts at Gardening Know How, this method can also get rid of pesky wasps. They added: "Since cola is attractive to slugs, it stands to reason that it might be enticing to other insects. "Seems this is true, and you can build a cola wasp trap much the same way that you did for your slug trap. Again, just fill a low bowl or cup with cola, or even just set the whole open can out." Wasps are also addicted to the sweet drink and once in the can or bowl will drown in the acid. The expert continued: "There are additional reports of coke being the death of other insects, such as cockroaches and ants. "In these cases, you spray the bugs with Coke. In India, farmers are said to use coke as a pesticide. "Apparently, it is cheaper than commercial pesticides. The company denies there is anything in the beverage that could be construed as useful as a pesticide, however." You can pick up a 2 litre bottle of Cola from Tesco for just 49p. IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know. Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Banish slugs for good using a 50p drink you may already have in the fridge – it works on wasps too
Read on for more tricks to keep pests away this summer BUZZ OFF Banish slugs for good using a 50p drink you may already have in the fridge – it works on wasps too Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE'S nothing better than sitting outside in your garden on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, there are plenty of pesky bugs to ruin it for you. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Gardening pros share how to get rid of slugs for good Credit: Getty 2 It even works on wasps too Credit: Getty Fortunately, a gardening expert has shared a simple hack to keep wasps away while you enjoy an al fresco dinner and stop slugs destroying your plants. While many gardeners reach for harsh chemicals to get pest problems under control, they can also harm the garden. However, there's a super simple solution that you probably already have in your fridge. With a common drink we all love in summer, you can lure and eliminate these annoying garden pests. Experts at Gardening Know How revealed that using cola can banish slugs from your garden for good. They said: "Apparently, using Coke in the garden is nothing new to some folks. "Some people poison their slugs, and some drive them to drink by luring them with beer. Just fill a low bowl with Coke and set it in the garden overnight." The cola trap works as the sugar attracts pests to it while the acid from the drink kills them. Slugs often come out to eat during the night, so keeping the trap out will keep your plants safe. According to the experts at Gardening Know How, this method can also get rid of pesky wasps. Nature's Defenses: Organic Solutions to Garden Pest Problems They added: "Since cola is attractive to slugs, it stands to reason that it might be enticing to other insects. "Seems this is true, and you can build a cola wasp trap much the same way that you did for your slug trap. Again, just fill a low bowl or cup with cola, or even just set the whole open can out." Wasps are also addicted to the sweet drink and once in the can or bowl will drown in the acid. The expert continued: "There are additional reports of coke being the death of other insects, such as cockroaches and ants. "In these cases, you spray the bugs with Coke. In India, farmers are said to use coke as a pesticide. "Apparently, it is cheaper than commercial pesticides. The company denies there is anything in the beverage that could be construed as useful as a pesticide, however." You can pick up a 2 litre bottle of Cola from Tesco for just 49p.
