Summer gardening often involves a mix of maintenance and creativity. Readers have shared practical ways to handle common problems, including pests and limited space, while keeping costs down.
Slugs and snails can quickly damage plants, especially tender leaves like those on hostas. One gardener found a low-cost method to stop them. Constance Larson mixes ground eggshells to deter pests from her hostas. To make the application easier, she reuses a grated parmesan cheese shaker. The container must be washed and fully dried before being filled with clean, dry eggshells. She then sprinkles the mixture around the plants.
Using a cheese shaker for garden tasks is a simple trick that saves time and effort. The hard shells create a rough barrier that pests do not like to cross, which helps protect the garden without using chemicals.
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Scaring Birds From Nesting Spots
Birds often choose convenient spots to build nests, such as rain gutters or light fixtures. This can create messes or damage. Jim Fameree uses two household items to prevent this. He balances an old tuna can on surfaces where birds try to land, such as where a gutter attaches to siding. The can makes a loud clanging noise when the birds knock it over.
For flat surfaces like light fixtures, Jim secures the can to the top and places a golf ball inside. The ball rolls around when the birds try to settle, startling them and driving them away. This method relies on noise and movement rather than chemicals to keep the area clear.
Maximizing Garden Space With Neighbors
Not everyone has enough room for a large vegetable garden. Kent Young and his neighbor in Iowa faced this issue. They decided to share a space along the property line where the ground was flat and received the most sunlight. They built a raised bed in three stair-stepping sections to match the slope of the yard, adding trellises to each section.
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Each neighbor tended one section for their own use. The middle section remained shared. They planted pole beans and cucumbers on the 7 ½-foot-tall trellises, which also supported tomatoes and peppers. Flowers were added for decoration. This arrangement allowed both gardeners to grow more food than they could have alone.
Upcycling Rusty Firepits
Old metal fire pits can take up space in a garage or shed. Instead of throwing them away, Anna Ellenberger turned hers into a planter. She lined the fire pit with setting fabric or coir. If the pit had holes for drainage, she used them. If not, she drilled new holes to ensure water could escape.
Rust on the exterior can be covered with spray paint to give the planter a fresh look. This project allows gardeners to reuse an old item while adding greenery to their outdoor space. It is a practical way to manage clutter and improve the garden.
