Kill Weeds Naturally
There’s nothing more frustrating that taking time and money to create a beautiful garden only to have it taken over by weeds. Here are a few effective ways to get rid of and prevent weeds without using harmful chemicals.
Mulching
After planting your garden, cover the soil with an extra layer of organic matter such as compost, bark, wood chips, straw, etc. This can smother existing weeds and prevent others from sprouting.
Dig ‘em Up
You can use a hoe or shovel to remove all weeds. However, this method requires constant attention. If you don’t put in the time, the weeds will come back and need to be dug up again. On the bright side, constant hand-weeding will prevent the weeds from reproducing.
Cram Packed Plants
Weeds can’t grow if there’s no room for them to do so. Planting dense ground covers and perennials will make it harder for weeds to grow underneath.
Bake ‘em
If you have a large area of weeds in an area that don’t have a lot of plants, you can cover the impacted area with heavy plastic sheeting. This works best in an area that gets full sun. Cover the area with plastic and let it sit for 4-6 weeks. When the area underneath is brown, you’re ready to move forward with planting your goodies.
Vodka, Man!
Mix 1 oz vodka, 2 cups water, and a couple drops of dish soap for an excellent natural weed killer. Spray the mixture on weeds that have good sun exposure. Keep in mind, this doesn’t work too well for weeds in shady areas.
Fire
Flame weeding is a the process of passing a flame briefly over an area to kill the weeds. A flame weeder is usually a wand connected to a propane tank. Please not this method only kills the weed plant on the surface and not the roots so you would have to do this on a regular basis. As with any fire-related activity, please take safety precautions.
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Watering Your Fern
We love ferns here at the Greenhouse! Their full, lush fronds can be beautiful options for hanging plants or for planting in shady areas of your garden. In addition to lots of shade and indirect sunlight, ferns needs tons of moisture. Here are a few ways you can keep your fern’s conditions moist.
Double Potting
Select a second pot slightly larger than the container your fern is potted in. Fill the larger container with water-soaked moss and place your second pot inside. Cover the fern-filled pot’s soil and rim with wet moss. Add water to the moss every few days.
Water Tray
To create a humid environment for your fern, fill a tray with pebbles and add water until the water is just below the top of the pebbles. Place your potted fern in the tray. As the water in the tray evaporates, it will add moisture to the air around your fern.
Humidifier
Another easy way to keep your fern happy is to place a humidifier by your plant. Simple!
We also recommending misting your fern with room-temperature water on a regular basis. For better results, spray the area above your fern and let the mist settle onto the leaves.
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Grow A Grill Garden
The weather is warm and the sun is out! It’s grillin’ time, folks! Whether you’re grilling shish kabobs or burgers, herbs are key to adding a punch of delicious flavor to your meals. Plant a grill garden and enjoy mouthwatering dishes all summer long. Start with these flavorful herbs!
Thyme is the most versatile herb when it comes to grilling and works great with fish, poultry, and veggies. To successfully grow thyme, plant the herb in well-drained soil in an area that gets a lot of sunlight. Thyme can be planted with our next favorite herb, rosemary.
Rosemary is particularly tasty with chicken. The stalks can be used as tasty skewers for shish kabobs. Just like thyme, rosemary likes well-draining soil and oodles of sunshine. Be sure to give your plants room to grow as rosemary can grow up to four feet high and four feet wide.
Italian oregano is absolutely perfection when paired with veggies! Oregano loves well-draining soil and sunshine. For bushier plants, let your oregano grow to about four inches tall and then pinch or trim them. Regular trimming will increase branching and reduce legginess. When it comes to watering, water thoroughly and less often. If you’re container planting, water until it comes out of the bottom of your planter.
We have a great selection of herbs here at the Greenhouse. Stop by to pick up a few and visit us on Pinterest to try out a few delicious recipes!
Best Perennials For Lazy Gardeners
Let’s be real. Not everyone enjoys the digging, kneeling, and rough hands that comes with gardening. However, you have to put in a little elbow grease in order to reap the benefits of all the glorious blooms. If this is you, hardy perennials are your best friends. They bloom every year and will save you time and money. Try these tough-to-kill options!
Obedient Plant
Featuring snapdragon-like flowers, obedient plant is fast-spreading and does well as long as you give it some room to travel as it can grow up to 4 feet tall and wide. It does well in full sun and part shade with moist soil. Pair it with Black-eyed Susans as they both bloom in late Summer thru Fall.
Ajuga
The green, burgundy or bronze ground cover adds a splash of color to your garden from Spring to Fall. Little blue flowers bloom in the Spring. Growing up to 6 inches tall and 3 feet wide, this easy-to-grow plant likes the shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Phlox
Invite bees and butterflies to your garden with this flowery plant. Blooms begin in early Summer and continue their show thru the season. It’s lovely fragrant will waft through the air especially on warm evenings. You can even cut the flowers and bring them inside to freshen up the house. Plant this beautiful bloom in full sun or part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Not sure what low-maintenance perennials to use in your garden? Visit us at the Greenhouse and our experts will help you out!
