Online Reporter
Andrew Mangwarara
GARDENING is both a science and an art.
To achieve success, there are ideas that some gardeners use but keep secret, even if you ask them.
Let us explore some of them so that we can use them in our green-up projects.
To start plants from seed, you can first sterilise the soil by baking it in an oven for 30 minutes at 175°C. Once it cools, plant your seeds. Adding ground cinnamon to the soil can help prevent fungal growth.
When starting plants from softwood and hardwood cuttings, adding one or two aspirin tablets to the water can help them root more quickly.
For tomatoes, pinch off all the leaves except the top ones to encourage growth. To grow sweeter tomatoes, add two tablespoons of baking soda to the planting hole. Cover it and then plant the seedling.
The easiest plants to grow are tomatoes, peppers, corn, beans, cucumbers and potatoes. You should also consider growing plants that store well, such as beans, garlic, onions, sweet potatoes and butternut squash.
Always grow plants from the solanaceae family, like tomatoes and peppers, in full sun for optimal growth.
To enrich your soil, grind kitchen scraps in a food processor and add them to your garden while they are still fresh — Your vegetables will thank you. You can also shred newspapers to use as mulch or add them to your compost.
For a nutrient-rich fertiliser, add cow or goat manure to a drum with water, stir for three days, and then apply the mixture to your plants to make them healthier.
Water your garden early in the morning or late in the afternoon, rather than during the day when the sun is at its peak. Make use of rainwater after harvesting it in closed drums from your gutters.
There is need to weed your garden early. This prevents weeds from taking over.
Vinegar is an effective weed killer compared to many commercial products, but be careful not to spray your plants, as it will kill them too.
To attract birds that eat pests, always have a birdbath in your garden. Planting marigolds and mint around your plants can also help repel many pests.
To prevent mosquito breeding, ensure there are no empty containers in the garden that collect water. Encourage natural insect predators like frogs and spiders, as they will eat many harmful insects.
For aphids, you can spray them with water that has had crushed garlic or onion in it for a week.
If you have a snail or slug problem, simply place small saucers filled with beer in your garden overnight; you will catch many of them.
Finally, always wash your tools after use and apply a thin film of oil to them to prevent rust.
If you would like to be featured in our green-up campaign, contact us on the number provided above. Feedback: [email protected] or [email protected]
