Gardening tips

26 April 2005 - Carole from Gloucestershire wrote: To stop wood pidgeons and rabbits eating plants in your garden put some toy rubber snakes around. It works a treat and they only cost about a pound.

24 April 2005 - Evelyn Banna from Edinburgh wrote: I've got quite a lot of tubs and containers in my garden and have found in the past that they are quite fiddly to weed. I've found the perfect answer! - an old fork from a fondue set. Its long fine handle and tiny little fork can get right in between the foilage without doing any damage. Now my tubs are weed free.

22 April 2005 - Jayne from Hatfield Heath wrote: Use grated soap on areas that cats have been fouling, it works a treat. Use Vitamin C powder instad of rooting owder for your cuttings and see the difference Sprinkle uncooked pasta (any type thats cheap) onto the compost, in layers as the compost builds up, this stops the flies.

19 April 2005 - Fathima wrote: I use vaseline or petroleum jelly smear this along the edge of your plant pots and slugs and snails wont be able to climb over this to eat your plants works very well and it is waterproof.

17 April 2005 - Mark Henderson from Malahide wrote: Mixing old sponges in with potted plants helps maintain water. Break up into small peices and put in with compost or soil when replanting and water as normal. Especially good when going on holidays the sponge will swell with the water and help to keep the plant fresh while away and much cheeper than buying the alternatives from garden ctrs.

11 April 2005 - Sue Schofield from Manchester wrote: I have found that using cat litter around my plants prevents slugs eating them. The litter absorbs moisture so the slugs don't like it. This is a cheaper option than many slug repellents sold in many garden centres. Remember to top up after heavy rainfall.

11 April 2005 - Margaret from South Shields wrote: One thing is great I have found and works better than paraffin heater in greenhouse - cover plants with fleece every night and it keeps seedlings free from frost. great.

8 April 2005 - Marther from Chorley wrote: Bulb planters are ideal for making holes for bedding plants. Lift out a plug of soil the depth of the plant pot & pop in the plant, it's so easy.

4 April 2005 - Claire from Chelmsford wrote: Garden centres are a lifesaver and always a source for essential information about what to plant and when. Some gardening specific websites are a great help too. However, as my small garden is part-paved, I find that using pots full of colourful plants help brighten corners that I don't know what to do with.