Archive for March, 2009

Garden Tools From the Kitchen Drawer

Bare Bones Gardener asked:


Why go and spend a fortune at the nursery on new tools, when there is probably a wealth of unused stuff tucked away unused in your own kitchen, or someone you knows kitchen that will more than adequately do the exact job you want, without having to spend a cent.

Just make sure that anything taken from the kitchen really is not wanted there. As well as the fact that such stuff is on a one way permanent trip out to the garden shed.

Here are just a few suggestions of stuff that are useful kitchen refugees,

Old dinner knife for digging weeds out from between concrete sections or pavers.

Old kitchen fork for light weeding in around tight places or where you do not want to disturb root systems that are close to the surface.

Good sharp kitchen knife or a pair of kitchen scissors are great fro dividing up clumps of plants, or for taking cuttings off of a branch.

Kitchen tongs can be used to pick up thorny cuttings or to help you repotting thorny plants like cacti.

Serving tray or placemats to keep things organised or for carrying produce, cuttings or even weeds.

Potato Masher for pushing past a thorny plant or rose.

BBQ or Carving Forks for digging out stubborn rooted weeds and root vegies.

Kitchen funnels for pouring various liquids into containers or for accurate pouring around plants. or to get seed or even small screws & nails into storage packets or bottles.

Chopsticks make great little pot stakes (metal and wooden skewers work too), or construction sets even for some jobs.

I've seen bamboo placemats and chopsticks cut down to make scenery pieces for bonsai planters, along with old aquarium ornaments.

Set of measuring cups and measuring spoons are great as scoops for fertilizers and potting mixes.

Icecream or soup scoops for measuring and scooping potting mix in around new potplants.

Egg rings and biscuit cutters for shaping growing fruit just for fun, or as a simple handheld hoe for light weeding in around plants.

So theres a few things which can obtain a second life out in the gardenshed and garden, nstead of being stored for years in a drawer, or being thrown out or passed on to a charity store.



 

logo Garden Tools From the Kitchen Drawer
TERMIDOR 80WG 2 BAGS NEW UNOPENED LOW SHIPPING
TERMIDOR 80WG 2 BAGS NEW UNOPENED LOW SHIPPING
Paypal   US $25.00
New Riddex Plus Electronic Pest Rodent Repeller JLB
New Riddex Plus Electronic Pest Rodent Repeller JLB
Paypal   US $.01
Rechargeable Electric Swatter Bug Fly Bee Zapper Killer
Rechargeable Electric Swatter Bug Fly Bee Zapper Killer
Paypal   US $1.00

Make Gardening a Family Event

Organic Gardener asked:


Show them how much you enjoy gardening. Spend time in your garden. It is especially easy to stimulate a child's interests when they see you having fun.

Make gardening easy. Don't expect a perfect garden. Allow your family to work at their own pace and within their attention spans and age range, especially children.

Dig it! Kids love to dig. This is a great way to teach the basics while letting them play and just have fun. 

Let them play an active role in planning. Take your children to the local nursery and let them pick seeds or transplants to start their garden. Take your time and let them browse and enjoy all of the beautiful plants.

Grow a theme garden. This is a great way to let your children use their imagination and express their creativity. The sky is the limit. Some great ideas are gardens that coincide with the holidays, alphabet gardens, a garden themed in their favorite colors, a sensory garden where you can experience different smells, tastes, textures and sights, or a "Freedom Garden".

Give children their own "kid sized" tools. They don't have to be expensive. You can go with an old spoon and a bucket that you have around the house or you can venture down to the garden center and purchase garden tools made for children's hands.

Give them a space to call their own. It doesn't have to be big. This will teach them ownership and responsibility, and your children will be able to take credit for their own little space.

Get crafty! Press or dry flowers to make a beautiful arrangement, make potpourri, or make a pomander ball. Children love making things and will be amazed at the crafts and gifts that they can make from the garden.

Grow a vegetable garden. Your children will be amazed that they can grow their own food. Be sure to use organic pesticides.

Use gardening to brush up your children's math and science skills. Let them count the seeds they are planting, or teach them how plants are living things. Not only will you capture their attention, you will be polishing their skills as you go.

Have a contest. Kids love to be rewarded. Be sure to give each child a reward; the biggest tomato, the prettiest flower, or perhaps the best tasting herbs (a little Spray-N-Grow will help!)

Don't try to do it all! Pick a few of these tips that you know are best for your family and have fun with them. After all, gardening is meant to be fun and easy. And with a little help, something the whole family can enjoy.

Original Article



 

logo Make Gardening a Family Event
Mosquito Insect Bug Fly Killer Catcher Trap Zapper Lamp
Mosquito Insect Bug Fly Killer Catcher Trap Zapper Lamp
Paypal   US $.01
Green Eco Fly Catcher Trap Dry Attractant Lure BAIT 50g
Green Eco Fly Catcher Trap Dry Attractant Lure BAIT 50g
Paypal   US $.01
KILLEM ALL GUARANTEED CHEAP WEED KILLER RECIPE
KILLEM ALL GUARANTEED CHEAP WEED KILLER RECIPE
Paypal   US $.99
  

Powered by Yahoo! Answers