An old set of mini-blinds can be cut up to make hundreds of plant markers 👍
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant!
@sacredcowbbq13262 жыл бұрын
Absolutely brilliant!
@nicoleconley98182 жыл бұрын
Wish I had know before I threw them out last month, thanks for the tip.
@sacredcowbbq13262 жыл бұрын
@@nicoleconley9818 Bummer.
@gomester16822 жыл бұрын
I cut up yogurt cups and use a sharpie
@caroldragon75452 жыл бұрын
Since you asked for some helpful tips, here are a few': Since pots are a pain to move around, if you have crops that need to be moved frequently, such as in and out of shade, into cooler or warmer areas, or for protection of some sort, use buckets. The handles make it easier to move them. Also wrap the handles with cloth to make it easier on your hands. I grow my carrots in buckets in a fluffy, sandy soil mix that allows them to be unimpeded. Carrot seeds are tiny and easily washed away by rain or watering. I sprinkle a very thin covering of sand over them so I can easily see any spots that I missed. When watering them, I put a layer of paper towel on them and water them through the towel, so they don't get washed away. Then I remove the towel and set it aside for the next time I water. Almost no sand sticks to the towel. I use tulle instead of row cover to cover plants. No insects get through its tiny holes, and deer can't munch on the tender shoots. I use dark green tulle and it's almost invisible, so my garden doesn't look like a sea of white sheets.
@Twistnsine2 жыл бұрын
Great advice 😃🙏
@caroldragon75452 жыл бұрын
@@Twistnsine Thanks
@smile309812 жыл бұрын
Great tips, thanks for sharing. I especially like the dark green tulle!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Great advice Carol - thank you!
@iampetz2 жыл бұрын
the tulle idea is brilliant! The deer have been a real pest and there haven't been any good solutions other than building a giant fence or growing in a greenhouse. Will try it this season thanks =)
@MasterovD.Skies42_4112 жыл бұрын
If anyone has a problem with aphids and ants defending them, and have tried everything from dawn soap to vinegar, try placing a smoldering piece of wood upwind from where they are. The ants will think there's a fire and will try to find a new location, leaving the aphids for predatory insects to pick away. Did this last year when they were demolishing my squash plants. Smoked 'em out, and about a week later I had aphid wolves everywhere. Edit: upon further research, I've come across a particularly valuable piece of information: 'Smoke from oak leaves kills aphids' You can use a soup can as miniature fire-pit and place it next to the pest-ridden plant
@sanctifiedpath2 жыл бұрын
WOW!
@rogerwalker42162 жыл бұрын
I used to think that I was cursed with an overabundance of Oak leaves (10M3 every autumn!) Now I collect them in one cubic metre rubble bags, rot them down and use them as a soil improver. With the oak-smoked aphids tip, I'm in clover!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
What a great tip!
@gb98772 жыл бұрын
@@rogerwalker4216 haha I like the pun👌👏👏😂😂😂
@dustyflats38322 жыл бұрын
@@rogerwalker4216 I know, same here. I also read that ground up oak leaves are great at keeping cut worms at bay.
@hbrws8132 жыл бұрын
I LOVE the idea of storing seed packets in the photo albums!!
@annalevenson72349 ай бұрын
I’m going to do that tomorrow ❤
@MomIrregardless6 ай бұрын
doesnt work if you have big seeds, or lots of seeds. unless you dont need to try to close them. hehe
@petereng74972 жыл бұрын
Cardboard boxes are plentiful in cities, and work well as temporary plant boxes. I remove the tape, fold the flaps in on top and bottom, then place them on bare dirt. Fill them like a raised bed, and they last six months or more. When I'm done with one, I pull up the box to empty it, flatten it completely, and top it with a little compost for the winter.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
What a great idea!
@mysticalstarchildshay9368 Жыл бұрын
Also you can wrap cardboard with chicken wire so when cardboard starts to break down you can then wrap burlap around chicken wire or remove chicken wire add burlap then rewrap with chicken wire instead of having to re-pot plants
@Wonderland_Homestead6 ай бұрын
Cracker Barrel has incredible catering boxes sans tape. Super useful for all sorts, and I plan on using one as planters this year.
@rogerwalker42162 жыл бұрын
I used to hate molehills. Then I started harvesting them - the mole does a good job of granulating the soil so all I have to do is sift it through a riddle to get rid of stones and suddenly, it's A-grade topsoil. Then I add 50% compost, mix it up with my hands and bingo! I have a perfect medium for growing vegetables in pots or for use as a top dressing. On a good day, I can get a large wheelbarrow load, free.😁
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Making the most of nature's gift Roger - smart move!
@VWilt-so3ws2 жыл бұрын
Don't they eat your new plants? My brother-in-law if having them eat his plants down to nothing. Or they just pull the roots up thru the ground.
@TheRealHonestInquiry2 жыл бұрын
@@VWilt-so3wsAs OP mentioned grow in pots. Otherwise 1/2" hardware cloth /gopher wire under growing area. Or some form of consistent animal control etc.
@rogerwalker42162 жыл бұрын
@@VWilt-so3ws I am lucky enough to have a big garden so Mr. Mole is currently active in an area of grass pasture rather than in the kitchen garden. I do get moles in the cultivated area sometimes, but feel that I get far more of a bargain from Mr. Mole's digging activities than any plant damage he causes! I am less kindly disposed to cabbage white butterflies, slugs and snails however . . .
@jwrightgardening2 жыл бұрын
@@VWilt-so3ws Moles don't eat plants. They are carnivores and eat bugs. They will sometimes dig up plants accidentally as they are digging their tunnels though. Voles will destroy and eat everything in your garden, as will gophers and mice and rats. Maybe one of those ate his garden.
@patriciahartner73362 жыл бұрын
thanks! I use white clover or crimson clover, lentils [right from the bag!] as living mulch, preventing weeds from growing between plant and drawing up the nitrogen from the deep soil, and acting as companion plants. The bees love the flowers. I also use flax seeds for living mulch, producing beautiful blue or yellow flowers.
@toniedalton54482 жыл бұрын
Love this idea. I’m gonna try the lentils.
@a_noelles2 жыл бұрын
Flax seeds?!? Hmm. Maybe I'll go sprinkle some in with my Summer Bouquet mix I've just planted in a pot. 🤔
@patriciahartner73362 жыл бұрын
@@a_noelles I sprinkled them generously around in my elephant ear/zinnia pots, and they sprung up so quickly. It's so nice to see them waking up while I wait for those sleepy elly ears to appear, they may take a while and it's been very cold. Glass cloche on, but still waiting.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant idea!
@sacredcowbbq13262 жыл бұрын
@@patriciahartner7336 Thanks for the encouragement on the sleepy elephant ear. I was about to reuse the pot I'd put it in, tipped it out and the roots had gone crazy. I thought it had just been sitting there!
@edemyre89932 жыл бұрын
I have a variety of flat stones that I use for plant labels and row markers, and I use a paint pen to write on them. Just one thing to add: get the kiddos involved by inviting them to help paint and label the rocks. As much as we'd like youngsters to get involved, let's face it watching plants grow can get boring to them, so this gets them engaged. Cheers!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
What a great idea Ed. :-)
@neeway16202 жыл бұрын
I did the upside down bottle last year. When cutting the bottle I only cut 90% of the way around the bottle leaving a hinge of plastic. Lift the lid and water and it falls back into place after watering keeping out debris and bugs. If it's loose and flappy I just placed a stone on top.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Great tip! :-)
@lenac35872 жыл бұрын
What a great idea. Was wondering about leaving the water in the bottle exposed as it attracts mosquitoes larvae in our tropical climate
@TheRealHonestInquiry2 жыл бұрын
@@kandy7581 Thanks for the great tip, I thought a $6 Harbor Freight soldering iron was the cheapest option for melting holes in plastic but it sounds like that might have it beat!
@pooleyclan1 Жыл бұрын
@@TheRealHonestInquiry May I ask what Kandy uses as her comment is gone? Maybe she isn’t on here anymore.
@terry2346 Жыл бұрын
@@pooleyclan1 a small metal wire held in a vice grip and then heated with a match works well for poking very small holes in a plastic bottle! Helps you to control the feed rate of the water.
@anneterry36602 жыл бұрын
I do not mulch with wood chips, rather newspaper covered with soil which decomposes. Many soft bodied insects are lost with heavy mulch leaving birds with less for hatchings, especially for songbirds. Keep bag for egg shells to be crushed and added to garden. Fine dirt for mason bees and birds to dust bath. Insect housing in protected areas. Now learning about the English stumperies coming back into favored garden use. When a neighbor warned me that a squirrel took a bit our of a veggie or fruit, my response is, "Another one for the jam pot/soup pot". I love a 'loud' garden with birds and a variety of insects. Was gratified to see Prince Charles supporting the restoration of hedgerows.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
I love loud gardens too Anne - they're much the best!
@WhatAboutZoidberg2 жыл бұрын
My grandfather has used the buried water bottle trick for many years now and swears by it. He's always had the best tomatoes and cantaloupe so I'll tend to agree. I'm trying it this year for the first time in my own garden. Thanks for all the tips.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
You're welcome. I'm the sure water bottle trick will serve you well. :-)
@livefromtheground72742 жыл бұрын
Its caller an ola
@dustyflats38322 жыл бұрын
@@GrowVegyears ago when they had cans you could take the top and bottoms off, my dad used them around our plants. It served to keep the water in place, but also prevented cut worms, wind and birds wrecking the plants.
@Angie_P2 жыл бұрын
I love the photo album idea. You can easily see what you have and quickly flip to what you're looking for.
@microsteadinguk2 жыл бұрын
Growveg is my favourite gardening channel! Thank you Ben for all your tips and tricks. I love your garden!
@lisagarris25332 жыл бұрын
Whenever plastic cutlery is used ( office, picnics, etc) the forks and spoons always get used up leaving an abundance of plastic knives. I use these as plant markers rather than just throwing them away. Simply write and poke in the ground,they don't rot.
@chantellechantelle29552 жыл бұрын
Fab idea, I have a lonely lunchbox full of plastic knives in my cupboard that I didn’t know what to do with.
@ginninadances2 жыл бұрын
Omg all those plastic knives! Good one!
@christinebrooker50502 жыл бұрын
So do I. Got loads of them so never buy labels.
@MajorIllustration2 жыл бұрын
I’ve tried, but pencil won’t write, and market fades off.
@MajorIllustration2 жыл бұрын
Marker
@davekent81932 жыл бұрын
With lack of rainfall on my allotment I have tried this with my water barrels which are on my plot With hosepipe bans re filling the barrels is a problem so I placed upturned large old umbrellas on the barrels when it rains. Their large surface area captures more rain - that drains into the barrel. Tried it this week -it worked! Tie the apex of the inverted brolly to a brick at the bottom of the barrel so it doesnt blow away Dont throw out old brollies!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
What an ingenious idea Dave!
@carolineowen78462 жыл бұрын
Wow, I never knew you could use honey as a rooting starter. (I knew about the antiseptic bit). I love the idea of storing seeds in a CD wallet. You have so many great ideas !
@rogerwalker42162 жыл бұрын
Brilliant idea!
@TexPR12 жыл бұрын
Honey is also a wonderful for wounds. I had a cat who had a wound on his head. We couldn’t get the wound to heal. My vet even took the cat in to her clinic and kept him there for over a month just to keep an eye on him. He came back home after a month and started back messing with his head again scratching on it. I decided to put honey on his head just to keep him from scratching it and it worked. His head healed up beautifully.
@loventa2 жыл бұрын
I hadn’t thought about using a CD wallet for seeds. I store mine in a Recollections photo and craft keeper box. It has 16 plastic snap clip boxes that are about the size of a seed packet (4x6) that are all contained in a bigger snap enclosure plastic box with a handle. Works great to take it to the garden with individual 4x6 boxes or the entire thing. Works well if planting in rain/drizzle since the plastic bin keeps the rain out of it when it’s closed.
@farialmab47232 жыл бұрын
Yes, also banana can be a rooting agent, with cinnamon is even better, of course! 🙂
@ralsharp60132 жыл бұрын
Also, you can make your own by placing raw honey on a gauze, put on a wound. Wonderful for burns
@catfunksfabulousfinds2 жыл бұрын
Great ideas, I really love the photo album one for seeds. I cut up old white window blinds for plant markers. Happy gardening from Oregon!
@sharonfox56432 жыл бұрын
I did this last year and used a permanent marker with the color of my iris I was surprised it was still there and readable this spring.
@justsayin56092 жыл бұрын
Vinyl blinds work best. The metal ones allow the writing to fade by the next year.
@gingermcgrath36022 жыл бұрын
Hi Ben, thank you for sharing the sponge idea. We live in a desert area and have been in a drought for two years. I will put sponges in the bottom of my pots for sure
@hereholdthiswillya2 жыл бұрын
For food crops, rotten wood or wood rich compost like happyfrog soil ammender will do the same job. Just put an inch or 2 layer at the bottom and that wood grabs the water "like a sponge."
@TheRealHonestInquiry2 жыл бұрын
@@hereholdthiswillya Exactly, you can make a "mini-hidden-hugel" with all your containers and that holds water as well as releases nutrients
@jturtle53182 жыл бұрын
I use shredded office paper and the non-recyclable paper egg cartons and fast food drink carriers in the bottom of the pots for water retention.
@dustyflats38322 жыл бұрын
@@TheRealHonestInquiry along the cattle panels where I am planting I did hugelkulture in hopes that the soil will hold more water and less work as I age as it improves the soil for 15 to 20 years so I've read.
@barbarabarham30112 жыл бұрын
I live in the countryside of Ireland so it's easy for me to find and cut brambles which I cut into manageable six inch lengths to protect newly planted crops from slugs, rose cuttings also it work really well and when the crops reach the point where they are no longer tender enough to interest slugs they can be scooped up and used elsewhere, as they age they grow brittle even more effective ,they can be used from year to year I store them in an old barrel but plastic feed bags are also good.love your ideas, thank you .
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
I've heard of spiny stems helping to keep slugs off, but have never tried it. Great to hear it actually works!
@saiorsecaldwell62212 жыл бұрын
I live in Oregon and we have an abundance of pesty blackberry brambles always trying to come up in the wrong places, and I use them just like this too! I call it my slug fencing.
@ChrisReher2 жыл бұрын
I always let some radish go to seed. Bees like the flowers and the resulting seed pods are delicious. Needs staking as they get surprisingly tall.
@debbieporter86102 жыл бұрын
Thank You
@yeevita2 жыл бұрын
Also a great plant to trap aphids and the ladybugs seem to adore them, too.
@johnbaxter1892 жыл бұрын
I bought a pack of radish from Aldis just to plant so they run to seed bcuz I hadn't got any of my own in seed and their shooting up.
@carolbellinger2 жыл бұрын
Did you know when you let radishes grow to seed if you allow the seeds to keep growing until approximately 3/4 in long you can pick them and eat them. To me they are more tasty than the radish and more tender. I have a friend that is a cook in a fancy restaurant in Cali and they grow radishes and other plants to use in their dishes. They are excellent in a salad. They also grow acres and acres of things to put into their recipes. They grow flowers to that are edible to make dishes more appealing. They grow tons of squash plants for squash but also for their Male blooms. They pick them and deep fry them . I forget what they put in them but they are amazing.. just something I wanted to let yall know about the radish seeds but went a little to far.. have a great day.. Oh thank you for the tips and tricks.❤💯❤
@johnbaxter1892 жыл бұрын
Seed pods wen young are truly delicious.
@Chris-pv2ht2 жыл бұрын
Great tips. If you save water always cover it up if its outside dont let it go green. I was seriously ill 7 years ago, pneumonia because I believe dirty water somehow go into my body, possible a small cut when I used to clean pots in it for garden. I cover my IBC tank at allotment with black plastic and the water is always crystal clear now
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
That's a really great tip, cheers Chris.
@MariaLuciaGomezGreenberg2 жыл бұрын
I do love the idea of placing plastic bottles near plants to keep them moist. We are going to such a severe drought in California that water evaporates really fast. So I made holes at the bottom of plastic bottle, filled it with water after placing next to plant and put lid back on. It takes a little longer, but I do my stretching exercises as I move around my garden. ☺️
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
What a great idea. :-)
@realandimaginedxyz9 ай бұрын
Please don't use plastic in your soil...
@CyberSERT2 жыл бұрын
A couple hacks for starting seeds indoors: 1. Put warm-germinating seeds on top of your (high efficiency) furnace. Mine is at around 25°C, which is perfect for tomatoes and peppers. I use the baggie and paper towel method, and place the bags upright in a cookie tin. 2. If you have grow lights and shelves, hang reflective emergency blankets (the type you can get at the dollar store to keep in your glove compartment) on both sides of your shelf to reflect more light towards your plants.
@wrongwayconway2 жыл бұрын
I use cardboard box lids covered in tin foil as a light reflector for my seedlings. It keeps them from getting too leggy.
@CyberSERT2 жыл бұрын
@@wrongwayconway I was just about to do that when my wife suggested the emergency blankets. Less effort.
@earthwyrm67562 жыл бұрын
Everybody's furnaces are different. Mine doesn't have a flat area like rhat. But most importantly, for any thinking to do this please check the temperature of your own furnace in case it's mych hotter.
@nancyspruiell347 Жыл бұрын
@earthwyrm6756 top of refrigerator can work too :)
@nz-nz2 жыл бұрын
The flower-heads when they go into seed is ideal food for your parrot to nibble on! My birds love lettuce seed-heads, broccoli, and spinach/silverbeet 👍 Please try using water from cooking your vegetables for stock/gravy. I keep all mine from the week, and use in a soup.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Great idea re the seed heads. :-)
@gillianbc2 жыл бұрын
When spacing out seeds, place all the seeds before pushing them down, otherwise it's easy to forget which slots have seeds and either double up or miss slots. I do that when seeding into cell units.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Smart move Gillian!
@ralsharp60132 жыл бұрын
That's a good idea, I've lost placing of seeds from covering them over or pushing them down too soon. Love the idea of the muffin tray as well
@jturtle53182 жыл бұрын
For permanent labels, I cut up soda cans into strips, rounding the edges. Lay them on a few layers of paper and write on them with an embossing stylus from the craft section at the discount store, or a ballpoint pen. I use a paper hole punch in one end and soft aluminum wire, and twist it loosely on tree branches or more firmly onto the base of dahlia stems in the fall so I know what I have in the spring. For herbaceous perennials, I twist the wire into a stake and push it in the ground next to the plant.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Great idea, thanks for sharing. :-)
@deeferry65202 жыл бұрын
Brilliant tips, thank you. I live in a retirement complex so when I plant large perennials, I use old wooden spoons. (I make a lot of curry to they get stained and I go through a lot). I bleach the wooden spoon and add the name of the plant on to it so the gardeners know its newly planted. (I have my own little patio and grow containers with plants, so then I use the normal plastic strips lol. Thank you so much for sharing and I got a lot more tips from the comments.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
What a great idea! :-)
@mistsister2 жыл бұрын
While in the garden this morning I was thinking about you. Your love of life and nature, compassion for planet Earth. It stays with me long after the video is over and I'm sure you do that for others too. Thanks for being you, it is what is needed.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
That's so kind of you to say and means a lot, thank you. I hope you are enjoying a thoroughly productive growing season so far. :-)
@davidthescottishvegan2 жыл бұрын
Ben has a well maintained and organised garden. These tips are excellent Ben. Another fantastic video to help us in our garden adventures. Keep safe, well & happy gardening.
@Tan_Z2 жыл бұрын
He's amazing.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Cheers guys - much appreciated. :-)
@zubeennaushad55162 жыл бұрын
Oh my Gardening Gods. I'm completely blown away by your tips. Thank you.
@bethhubbs99372 жыл бұрын
Ben! You put a smile on my face at the opening of this video when you said you've been gardening since you were eight years old. I've been gardening since I was nine (now 45). It is wonderful to have gardening as part of one's life. I really like your idea about using a little photo wallet/album for seed storage. That will be so easy to see! And I am totally going to start using water bottles for watering many of my plants. Thanks for the tips.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
You're welcome Beth. Thanks so much for watching - and very happy gardening to you! :-)
@lanetower34112 жыл бұрын
I’m a veterinarian and we have lots of old iv bags with drip sets. I cut a hole in the side and hang them in the garden . Homemade drip irrigation. Can fill with water or dilute liquid fertilizer. Dunk in a large bucket or barrel to fill quickly.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant idea!
@claireskrine48372 жыл бұрын
I'm a balcony gardener - I have old, chipped plates under all my pots to catch water. Wagamama takeaway plastic bowls are good to place under small pots (that's quite specific but if you're urban like me and like Japanese food....).
@goodstar111002 жыл бұрын
Does anyone else use a bulb planter to create the hole to plant things from the same size pots? The hole left is the exact same size as many of the pots with small plants you buy from garden centres and supermarkets e.g individual strawberry plants - so the root ball fits perfectly into the hole thats created. I often use those pots knowing that when it comes to planting it'll be a lot easier to transplant into the ground. I then drop the soil from inside the bulb planter around the new plant to drown any weed seedlings. plus the transplanted soil is broken up as it falls out giving it a nice tilth.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Yes indeed. Check out our next video which demonstrates exactly that! :-)
@almostoily754110 ай бұрын
I have a hand held one and one with a long handle 😊
@danilueloo2 жыл бұрын
I over winter my kale every year. When it bolts in the spring, I leave them alone. They are one of the first flowers besides my daffodils! I also let my ancient rhubarb flower too. I love seeing all the pollinators showing up and taking their fill of pollen. Thanks for all the great tips. Especially the using cinnamon and honey for root tone! I love your videos and share them all the time on my Gardening, Quilting and Crafting page.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing the videos, that's hugely appreciated.
@caroldragon75452 жыл бұрын
Try eating the kale flowers before they open. Very tender and yummy.
@danilueloo2 жыл бұрын
@@caroldragon7545 Thanks! Did not know that. Will try them.
@happyfeetdanceNF2 жыл бұрын
I love your enthusiasm and I am so glad I found your channel! As an intermediate gardener, I am always trying to learn more about growing veggies. Thank you for sharing your tips and knowledge!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome. Cheers for watching!
@trapped75342 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ben!!!! I use many of these hacks. Great info!! I have used the “innards” of new disposable baby diapers in my planting holes. The stuff that wicks away fluids from baby’s bum,also retains water for your plants.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
I've seen that done before - will have to try it out myself one day.
@shinnam2 жыл бұрын
Love the terracotta pots for protection. Micro plastic pollution worries me, so I wouldn't use cut up plastic bottles, only cellulose sponges. Would love a video on reducing plastic use in the garden. Managed to find bulk , unbagged soil, so not consuming that plastic.
@danaodom10102 жыл бұрын
I have a paper shredder that can take 12 sheets of paper at a time. I shred cardboard boxes free from stores to use as mulch prefer brown with black or green so it blends in. It breaks down to improve soil, keeps weeds down and conserves water. It is recycling and it is free mulch. Texas
@julianikonova9026 Жыл бұрын
Я тоже избегаю пластик в огороде любыми методами, использую железные ведра и лейки , глиняные горшки и джутовые покрывала для защиты растений, растительную мульчу вместо агроволокна . Всем мира и хороших урожаев ❤
@John-fo4pi2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for giving measurements in metric and imperial. It is so helpful.
@katebettesworth26388 ай бұрын
The plastic bottles for watering the roots of plants is great, I use it in my containers. I cover the top with fine netting or tights (pantyhoes) and secure with a rubber band to stop leaf litter and mini-beasts getting in. Thanks for your videos Ben, you are a breath of fresh air. 👍👍👍💚
@GrowVeg8 ай бұрын
That’s a great idea to stop the minibeasts falling in. Love it! :-)
@tamigreever68522 жыл бұрын
Plastic, disposable spoons are my go-to plant label markers. Yes, I’m guilty of collecting them from “garbage” after potlucks and gatherings.
@karensabolcik2511 Жыл бұрын
Amazon boxes - fold in the sides and then cover the inside w a broken leaf bags or garbage bags or what I did; left over greenhouse plastic. used packing tape to secure to the box. I use this for my seedling cups as a seed tray to fill w the water for the pots to soak up.. also use old pizza dough trays and aluminum baking trays no longer needed. Dollar stores are great for finding items for seed trays and so is the second hand stores. I also used a 5 tiered metal storage unit no longer needed and wrapped it with greenhouse clear plastic and tucked the plastic under the stand legs to secure it in on the sides and back. Velcro the front flap to the sides so it is draft free and secured and also can be opened easy - instant mini greenhouse.
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
What great ideas for repurposing items - really smart! Thanks for sharing. :-)
@ValerieHarristhefoodiemedic2 жыл бұрын
I love the muffin tin idea. There are usually tons of them available at the thrift store, lest the baker in the family gets miffed ;-)
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Good suggestion Valerie!
@Lstn2urmama2 жыл бұрын
This country girl grew up just using a finger poke in the ground only and can then also do what design you choose...
@RichWoods232 жыл бұрын
@@Lstn2urmama Yeah, same here. I don't want to put a downer on any idea, but I'm pretty sure I'd fully mastered the 'estimate short distances' skill by the age of seven.
@3v3882 жыл бұрын
Love the natural way of dipping cuttings in honey! Such a sweet idea! Thanks. 😄
@stuartvalentine53102 жыл бұрын
Ben - this is an absolutely brilliant collection of hints and tips. Thank you so much for all of your efforts. A big fan from Florida, USA.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Cheers Stuart - that's kind of you to say. Thanks for watching!
@wulfshead2 жыл бұрын
That sponge hack blew my mind! What a great hack! Thanks for sharing.
@juliethenham19542 жыл бұрын
To remove ink from old labels so that you can reuse them, use a dab of hand sanitizer and see the lettering disappear.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Great tip Juliet, thank you!
@amandacurtis7245 Жыл бұрын
Rubbing alcohol works too
@k.p.11392 жыл бұрын
Saving this video! Ben, you are a gardening genius! 😃
@Twistnsine2 жыл бұрын
Ben, I could watch you all day long! So many helpful tips 😃🙏 I especially appreciate the honey/cinnamon advice since we don't have hormone rooting powder in Denmark 👏 I wish you a fruitful and vegetableful Summer 🤩
@dianeladico17692 жыл бұрын
vegetableful...I love it!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much - and a vegetableful summer to you both too! :-)
@CaponeCabin2 жыл бұрын
So many tips I had to get out my notebook to jot them down! Thank you!
@damicolicious2 жыл бұрын
I have also been gardening since I was a kid, and these are great tips, even for an experienced gardener! I recently bought a pack of solo cups for germinating seeds up to small plants, and then I realized I could have just made my own out of materials I have - for free.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Gardeners are always learning Michael - it's half the fun! :-)
@johnransom11462 жыл бұрын
You can use the cups for beer…
@naturalwitchery9 ай бұрын
My favorite tip in here is the old photo album!❤❤❤❤❤
@dustyflats38322 жыл бұрын
Great tips, thank you! Love the muffin tin spacing. Marking the tool handles is something I always think about when I'm planting and never seem to get done. It would be so handy to just grab the tool when you need a measurement. The photograph storage works great. I purchased the full page clear photo holders for a large 3 ring binder. It is so much easier now to see what seeds I may have or need. The larger seeds I put in separate plastic bags by category as they don't fit well--like corn, legumes and squash. I store with a rechargeable humidity reducer. I never understood why some suggest to store seeds in the fridge. Fine for stratifying seeds that need it, but I have no room and I think it is too humid. Off to find room to plant squash and a few tomatoes to isolate for seed saving. Have a great day!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Have a great day also. Thanks for sharing our experiences on seed storage - it's a great method.
@christinej23582 жыл бұрын
I had seen some of these hacks and used a couple this year when I planted my garden. The muffin pan hack worked great, but now I need to buy a new muffin pan because I messed mine up. I highly recommend going to a thrift store and buying an old rusty one so not to mess up your good one. Last year I used the plastic bottle hack planting it in the garden next to plant root, but it didn’t work for me as well because it got dirt and bugs in them which clogged up the drainage. This year I’m trying to leave the plastic cup I had transplanted the plant in around the plant since I had cut off the bottom of the cup before transplanting to bigger pots. The cup makes a rim around the plant so when I water I know the water is going directly to that plant and not just running everywhere else. I saw this on another gardeners channel, so did it on several of my plants to test it out. I may try the plastic bottle again but do your hack of putting holes in the lid and leaving more of the bottle above the ground. When I did this hack last year I didn’t have the cap on when I tried them and they were buried further in the ground, so I’ll give it another try doing it your way. Thank you for sharing all your hacks and tips. They are much appreciated!
@neeway16202 жыл бұрын
I did the upside down bottle last year. When cutting the bottle I only cut 90% of the way around the bottle leaving a hinge of plastic. Lift the lid and water and it falls back into place after watering keeping out debris and bugs. If it's loose and flappy I just placed a stone on top.
@mathewabbey91492 жыл бұрын
When using the plastic bottles I do not cut the bottom off entirely. I leave it attached by a flap so that I have a lid to keep out unwanted dirt and bugs.
@claireskrine48372 жыл бұрын
@@neeway1620 that's genius!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Love the idea of leaving a flap to keep the dirt out - smart move!
@dustyflats38322 жыл бұрын
In the days where the soup and coffee cans could be cut off top and bottom my dad would place around our plants. It serves to protect the plant and a water reservoir.
@toniedalton54482 жыл бұрын
I wish I had the time to make my garden look so pretty ! Mine is more haphazard, but it works. Waiting for the last cold night (tonight). Then tomorrow I can plant my plants out ! Happy Mother’s Day to all !
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant - the warm weather's finally arrived Tonie!
@danikashton132 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing! Also thank you for bookmarking your videos, it makes it easy for me when I go back to take notes. I really appreciate the extra effort you put into your videos.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Danika, so pleased you enjoy the videos.
@kettleisalwayson2 жыл бұрын
Wet bottom of cardboard pot and let it dry and it helps the compost mix from falling out.
@akbadbear2 жыл бұрын
I save large wide-mouth glass jars and Costco nut jars to use as garden clotches for early planted veggies that I want to protect from the possible late frosts and spring winds. Once the seedlings are established and there's no danger of frost, I wash the jars up and store in the shed for the next year.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Great tip, thanks for sharing!
@seiashun2 жыл бұрын
I love the terracotta pot idea! I have a ton of those in different sizes and never thought to use them as protection for seedlings, thank you!
@LiamBurke-qc1dq Жыл бұрын
I know that it is early days yet, but later on melt a cup full of Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate) in a watering can with a small amount of hot water. Fill to the top with cold water, and spray onto your roses in April and August. Roses love magnesium so a healthy leaf will have less black spot. You can also put a handfull of Epsom salts around each rose early in the season. Also a mixture of 50% water and 50% milk sprayed on with a watering can will help prevent Black Spot. Liam Burke
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
Awesome tips, thanks Liam.
@Tan_Z2 жыл бұрын
I want a yard like yours, it's beautiful. I'm finding out just how much work goes in to it though. It's hard work but I know it will all be worth it.🌻🌷🌼🥦
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
So worth it!
@kristinafriedrich516610 ай бұрын
Brilliant tips, thank you! I tried companion planting tomatoes and cabbage, and it works like a charm. They seem to like each other help to use the space in the bed efficiently. Also, the cabbages cover the ground pretty completely with their large leaves and act as a living mulch. Even though we had draught-like conditions for most of the summer, I needed a lot less water. And if you leave the stalks off the cabbage in the bed, you get a bonus crop of cabbage shoots the next spring. Super tender, delicious, and a great way to fill the hungry gap.
@GrowVeg10 ай бұрын
What a fantastic idea, thanks so much for sharing this. :-)
@deebrown5863 Жыл бұрын
A great video.Thank you for your cheerful delivery.I ask all my Friends for their egg shells and crush and use them constantly in my compost and also the dried yeast and sugar mix to add to the watering can when growing tomatoes and cucumbers for the best trunks and growth I've ever seen. 🥂
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
Glad you found the video handy. :-)
@helenwatt5172 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ben, I also love the wisdom and enthusiasm in your videos. I found the small drinking yoghurt pots (like mini milk bottles) really useful for putting over cane tops - they're usually white so easy to see and prevents poking oneself in the face. I also successfully grow lettuce and strawberries in hanging baskets to keep away from pesky slugs and snails (but may need to check if hung near a wall as snails can climb quite high!).
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for those extra ideas Helen - brilliant! :-)
@shonalewis17872 жыл бұрын
Slugs love beer! I wash small catfood cans and pour a little beer in them at the end of the day. Overnight the slugs go into the cans instead of my Plants. They don't come back out. I read that crushed eggshells on top of the soil keeps slugs away from the plant, so I tried it. Kept the slugs away, but attracted a skunk who dug up the whole area!!
@sherryroberts77162 жыл бұрын
Happy that you want to save water, but was surprised to see your water RUNNING while you were washing your utensils. Perhaps in UK water isn't a problem, but in other parts of the world, it truly is! Save water everywhere and in everthing that you do. Thanks very much!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Yes agreed.
@carolinedenis62732 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for all those fantastic videos!! I am beginning to learn all about gardening as we are about to buy a house :) and I just simply adore all your tricks and advice!! THANK YOU
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome Caroline - and thank you for watching. :-)
@ashman4809 Жыл бұрын
Loved the idea of toilet roll pots... I would have never thought of that and will definitely be using it from now on.
@lynnrushton74582 жыл бұрын
Love the photo album for seeds......thanks Ben‼️🙏😁
@isabelladavis1363 Жыл бұрын
Love the photo album storage for seed packets as well as the cinnamon honey stem root starters genius…quite a few great time saving And recycling ideas thanks so much for sharing …blessings wished
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
Thanks Isabella - and to you.
@stephenhope73192 жыл бұрын
Lots of great ideas both in your video and in the comments. The US Forest Service recommends rooting hormone be in an airtight container in a fridge where it may last 18-24 months. After that it is junk. Not cheap either, so I do like the cinnamon and honey idea, those ingredients are alway available!! Thanks.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
I didn't realise that - thanks for sharing that Stephen.
@juneramirez85802 жыл бұрын
Oh my goodness, your tip about storing packaged seeds gave me the idea of a not used, dust collector, small photo album I wasn't using and thinking about getting rid of!!! Thanks for all the tips. First time seeing you!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Glad to have inspired something there June. Thank you for watching.
@evangelistangelbowman31222 жыл бұрын
Labels: get wooden batons (no bark on the wood) spray with a clear top coat or clear paint sealant or paint with clear nail varnish, write directly onto the wet sealant, leave to dry and spray or apply more sealant on top. No fade label! Takes more work than normal but you'll get a bigger, easier to see sign :)
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant tip, thank you!
@downundervlogs2 жыл бұрын
Fabulous hack about the muffing tray spacing .
@DailyLifeandNature2 жыл бұрын
Very nice tricks in your garden BEN , i will learn something new from you and thanks for sharing gardening tips to us such useful
@soniatriana90912 жыл бұрын
Great tips! Especially liked using old sponges at the base of flower pots!!
@eclose09232 жыл бұрын
HI - I've used discarded mini-blind blades as plant markers for years - just cut to length. Use the trowel to cut a notch in hard garden soil to get them down in without bending.
@theolderwomansviewagematte22182 жыл бұрын
I had a giant plastic plate pot given to me, an old rotary clothes line without the line bit in it. I used a piece of plastic tube to fit the bottom pole of the rotary, I cemented that tube into the bottom of the plant pot, once dry drilled drainage holes just above, then put in the rotary pole. When splayed out I used garden twine to string through the holes, filled the pot with a few stones then my compost mix and soil, planted my runner beans and hey presto had myself a runner bean umbrella. Packs away easily in winter too! Not bad for a novice
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
What an awesome idea - genius!
@lorainel17112 жыл бұрын
Ben, I would like information about annual crop rotation. I have raised beds and grow brassicas, roots, legumes and finally potatoes in a 4 year rotation. In the hot area of my garden I rotate beds with pole beans and cucumbers on a tall frame, tomatoes with basil, collards with rosemary in a pot, beets/carrots/leeks with marigolds, final rotation in fifth raised bed is squash with borage. Do you see any obvious mistakes? Please teach us more about this subject. I have learnt a lot from your videos. Thank you from a beautiful Gulf Island in B.C. Canada.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
I think your rotation sounds top notch. So long as you're delaying the period veggies in the same crop family are in the same piece of ground for, you're doing a grand job. You can learn more about crop rotation in general in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGW8kqOdg5t6aNk
@debbiel1228 Жыл бұрын
Brilliant ideas! Thank you so much for sharing with the world.
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
You're welcome Debbie - thanks for watching. :-)
@DawnieRotten2 жыл бұрын
LABELS: Use your old plastic mini blinds. Just cut the plastic strips in to the desired size(s). Also, save all of the 'strings' from the mini blinds, which can be used to tie things up, in the garden.
@susancross7222 жыл бұрын
I love these videos 👏with their cheerful presenter and loads of good ideas.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Susan! :-)
@nilkolllu50362 жыл бұрын
So brilliant and sustainable!!! I enjoy each one of your videos, thank you for teaching and sharing!!!
@leslieanne4472 жыл бұрын
Thisans a genius and my favorite fun find for today....Thank you Sir and have a blessed day
@neeway16202 жыл бұрын
Water often runs straight off my hanging baskets when dry. I've stuck short lengths of water pipe in the centre and fill with extra water to guarantee some water to the roots.
@sailorgirl2017 Жыл бұрын
In long veg beds we placed half of the soil down in the whole bed, then we laid PVC irrigation pipe down the centre of the bed (lengthwise), with a cap on one end and an elbow piece on the other end, and filled the rest of the bed with the soil, leaving the elbow exposed by 1/2 to 1 inch. We would water and fertilize through the pipes. Worked fabulously!
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
What an incredible idea! :-)
@sailorgirl2017 Жыл бұрын
@@GrowVeg Thanks, coming from you I take that as a huge compliment. :) Hopefully, others will find it helpful too.
@danderegil2 жыл бұрын
I really enjoy your videos, Ben! Congratulations on your excellent work. Have a blessed weekend :)
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Cheers Daniel! :-)
@jaaadeee938 Жыл бұрын
A wealth of information. Thanks for not being stingy.
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
You are most welcome. 😀
@Stealyblaid2 жыл бұрын
I have one question about the paper and cardboard tube pots - should I not be concerned with the chemicals from manufacturing these items? I think the plants could uptake them during growth. I always wonder this when using newspaper for like blacking out a weedy area for planting ornamental plants, letting the newspaper decompose and digging it in over time. But with those plants I'm not ingesting them....and btw I was very surprised by the honey and cinnamon idea - really cool! Love your videos!!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the kind comment. :-) It's fine to use newspaper - the inks used are plant-based and not toxic in any way. Plain cardboard (plain brown) is fine too.
@anjkovo21382 жыл бұрын
Using a Photo wallet to store seeds is a great tip. THANKS👍👍
@violethomesteadgeorgia72782 жыл бұрын
So many good ideas. I'll be using the honey hack in the near future.
@patrickhoy2475 Жыл бұрын
Add river sand to soil around grapes, Roses love blood & bone - add in ealy Spring. I toss stawberry straw over the potatoes growing. Rosie Hoy New Zealand
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
Great tips, thanks Rosie. :-)
@CraftTeaLady2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the inexpensive tips!
@NotoriousEgg892 жыл бұрын
You have a very lyrical way of speaking and spittin' pure knowledge, great content.
@juliekraft41022 жыл бұрын
Always such great ideas. Thank You.🤗
@booyah2u2962 жыл бұрын
I thought I have seen it all with gardening tips, then you raise the bar. Thanks for those tips like photo album. Love it. ❤️🤗
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching, and so pleased you've found them useful. :-)
@margueritecawood88432 жыл бұрын
Where does the vegetable arbour come from? Can you please do a video about it and how you made it?
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Of course. It's from Agrs: www.agrs.co.uk/products/elegance-round-arch And here is the video where I popped them into place: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXvQoqN3rreGhKM
@janetroberts22622 жыл бұрын
Great information for making eco friendly pots, saving water, seed planting and lots more ❤️
@Spinozin2 жыл бұрын
Plastic bottles, plastic labels. Could you do a "time travel' episode where you do a 18th century garden show using only tips from that century? xxx
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
That would be quite an interesting one for sure.
@Spinozin2 жыл бұрын
@@GrowVeg Ben bro, awesome you like the idea. Please give me a shout out if you ever do the episode 🙏xxx stay awesome
@darlenebradley6756 Жыл бұрын
Great ideas!! I already keep bees (although they are probably in the fruit orchards down by the river) I do find a few of them in their own back yard. I have been growing vine crops like pumpkins and watermelon as an edging plants along my flower and shrubbery beds. I just train the vine along the ground at the edge of the bed. I planted Moon &Stars watermelon like this and was delighted to find that the leaves of the vine also featured the yellow spots that give the plant it's "Moon & Stars" name! I like the water saving idea, too. This year I am buying a rain barrel. Instead of going to the trouble (and expense) of cutting it into my gutters, I'm going to fill it with the used water from the kitchen, and whatever I catch in pails set about the yard. (Water is heavy! 1 L equals 1 Kg. That's 2.2 lbs! So, I have to be able to lift it!) I just love your channel and your cute little dog!
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
Great to be saving water - a rain barrel will make such a difference. :-)