Garden Hacks--1

I am indebted to so many gardeners who have shared their collective wisdom and experience with me over the years. They are family members, neighbors, Master Gardeners, garden writers, bloggers and gardeners on social media. Sharing this knowledge was an initial motivator for beginning my blog, ten years ago and now over 1300 posts later.

I plan to offer occasional posts of garden hacks I use. Some are ones I’ve learned from others. Some I’ve developed to solve a problem. Here are a few of my favorite garden hacks that are useful this time of year.

Pill bugs (roly polies) are always a problem in my garden. Admittedly they do break down organic matter in my compost bin and in the garden but they also nibble on seedlings especially in wet conditions. In preparing garden beds, I add a generous layer compost. Pill bugs come with the compost. Before planting seeds or transplants, I try to get the pill bugs under control.

In the thumbnail above I placed a measuring cup with cornmeal in the trash can where I store my finished compost. The pill bugs thrive there—hundreds of them around the edges and more appear as I remove compost. A small lid or cap filled with cornmeal will often be emptied overnight. Apparently the cornmeal expands in the stomach of the pill bug and causes the demise.

In my garden beds if I note an infestation of pill bugs, I’ll set up an arrangement as in the above photo. The plastic container keeps the cornmeal dry and suitable as “bait.” Another solution for pill bugs is Sluggo Plus. Considered an organic method, it is wildlife and pet safe and takes out snails, slugs, earwigs, sow bugs and cutworms.

This time of year I’m frequently tying up my staked tomato plants and trellised cucumber plants. I have the remnant of a basketball-sized ball of twine that belonged to my father. To keep it manageable and easy to transport to the garden, I put it an empty plastic cookie container. A hole in the lid makes it easy to pull out the needed length of twine. If you have a regular ball of twine just drop it in. It rolls about inside but stays manageable.

Do you have any garden hacks to share? Please add a comment. I can learn from you too.

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