Check out our reader tips to help you garden efficiently
Winning reader tip: Dry garlic bulbs quickly
I found after lifting garlic bulbs that a fast and easy way to dry them is by suspending them with clothespins to a clothesline. They were dry and ready to be brushed off for storage in a very short period of time.
—Ann Keir, Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada
Second life for fallen trees
I live on a 2-acre wooded property in North Carolina where I have an established bonfire area complete with benches made from fallen trees. Recently I added three high-top tables made from tree trunks. I cut the disks with a chainsaw to about 2 inches in depth and then affixed each one to a 4×4 post. A coat of epoxy helps to preserve the tops. This is a great way to repurpose fallen trees.
—John Matthews, Raleigh, North Carolina
See more from this reader in Garden Photo of the Day: John’s Bonfire Hangout and Woodland Hideaway
Upcycled dahlia plant labels
I recently purchased and planted a couple of varieties of dahlia tubers, but I didn’t have any way to label them. I decided to use small recycled planting containers with drainage holes that I cut in half, labeled with a permanent marker, and staked into the soil using landscape pins. They don’t blow away or get disrupted by nosy animals, and water does not collect inside. Now when the new growth shows up, I will know where each variety was planted.
—Arna Deter, Statesville, North Carolina
Move mulch more easily
I’ve found a couple of ways to make moving and using a heavy bag of mulch easier.
First, I nudge a bit of mulch into the top corners of the bag and twist the corners into “ears.” These ears give me a better grip on the bags and are much easier on my hands. I find a clump of mulch about the size of a ping-pong ball is a good size for me.
Once I’ve dragged the bag where I need it, I lay it flat and cut it all the way across the middle. I grab the bag at the middle of each side and lift up. The bag will fold open and stand up on its ends. This gives me two shallower pouches of mulch—much easier to scoop from than one deep bag.
The bag stands up on its own and is easy to move if needed.
—Connie Balek, Mahomet, Illinois
Give your potted plants more sun
My small lanai garden gets limited sunlight from the east. To increase the amount of light, I prop my pots toward the sun.
I use doorstops or shims—anything that gives the plants longer exposure to the sun.
—Mary Crum, Bonita Springs, Florida
See More Reader Tips: Budget-Friendly Garden Tips from Our Readers
An easy upgrade for a sun hoodie
I have a couple of hooded sun shirts that offer lightweight, full-coverage UV protection. To make it easier to keep the sleeves tucked into the tops of my gloves, I cut a small thumb hole about 1 inch from each sleeve hem. My sleeves stay tucked into my gloves all day, protecting my wrists from ant bites and sunburn.
—Sandy Collins, Carol Stream, Illinois
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Gilmore Rubber Hose Washer 10pk
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Lee Valley Garden Obelisks
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Sturdy yet lightweight, these obelisks provide ample support for climbing plants while being easy to install and move. The medium obelisk stands 68 1/2″ high overall with a diameter of about 9 1/2″, compact enough for smaller containers indoors or out. The large size stands 86 1/2″ high with a diameter of 15 3/4″, ideal for larger outdoor spaces and containers.
