Mark inches off inside a can w/permanent marker and sink partway in the ground to measure rainfall.
Punch holes 2" apart w/large nail in a plastic milk jug. Bury in the ground and fill w/water. It will seep out gradually to water surrounding plants.
In late fall dig a shallow trench and plant sweet peas. They will set roots, lie dormant and come up in early spring.
Sow small seeds with a salt or other type of shaker that sprinkles.
Fall is the best time to reseed the lawn.
Trees and shrubs have property value. If one gets damaged by winter ice or accident, see if your homeowner's policy covers it!
Cut a plastic milk jug into strips to use for garden labels.
Dampened newspaper rolled into a tube left in the garden will provide daytime hideout for sow bugs. Then you can just pick it up and trash.
Mulch the garden when seedlings are 4-6" tall.
Spider plants are very good at purifying your indoor air- they absorb many toxins. Be sure they are well-watered to avoid the tips going brown.
Preserve herbs by freezing. Chop herbs, put in ice cube trays, fill w/water & freeze. Later you can easily add to soup and sauces.
When you buy leeks from the store, plant the discarded root and it will grow again.
When it is wet and muddy spring, lay potato cuts on top of soil & cover w/6" dirt or leaves instead of digging a hill or trench.
Green potatoes, which are bitter and toxic, caused by too much sun. Heap up more dirt or mulch.
To keep cauliflor heads white, fold several of the large outer leaves over the head and secure w/ a clothespin.
Bring green tomatoes indoors to ripen. Pick when turned from dark to light green, or a hint of red. (If still dark green will just rot). Place in sealed container w/a ripe apple to instigate ripening.
Extend asparagus harvest by only removing mulch from half the bed in spring. Several weeks later, uncover the rest of the plants.
for my garden