1. From dry cleaner to garden –Winning Tip

To keep cervid from browse the leaves of genus Hosta and other plants in my garden , I often blow lightweight bird clear on top of them . To secure it in place and keep it off the ground so that snakes and other critter do n’t get catch up in the veiling , I use garment hanger for slump that have been wry pick . I murder the sturdy cardboard bar at the bottom , squeeze the sides of the hanger together , and then straighten out the come-on ( top ) of the hanger . With this straightened come-on enter in the ground , I secure the veiling over the trivial hook at the top . This solution has work really well and is also a great way to repurpose garment hangers .

— Esther Davis , Salem , Virginia

2. It works both ways

I ’ve always thought that cone - shape love apple cage look too top - punishing . This year when placing a John Cage in a container for a cherry tree tomato plant , I make up one’s mind to flip the cage upside down so that it had a more appealing frame ( like a tipi ) . I brought together the prongs and secure them with wire . At first I used landscape painting staple to hold the cage in place . However , I eventually did n’t involve them because the root system of the tomato plant , as well as the neighboring basil plant , cursorily grew around the top stave of the cage , which I had buried just below the soil surface , and harbour it securely in place . you’re able to buy “ inverted ” tomato batting cage , but if you already have the traditional fashion , just flip them over .

— Joan Bentley , Franklin , Ohio

3. Lightweight plant-pot fillers

I am a pickleball player . Unfortunately , I see muckle of break egg that are throw away by other player . I have found these crack balls to be useful in large industrial plant pots to fill the lower share . They are lightweight and can be rinsed off and reprocess .

— Debra Dewispelaere , Mercer Island , Washington

4. Mailbox tool storage

I keep my small gardening tools close at hand by storing them in a letter box in my garden . These tools are always useable when I need them , so I do n’t have to run to the garage every time I require a unlike tool .

— April Leavy , Richmond Hill , Georgia

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gardening tips

metal hanger holding up bird netting over hostas

tomato cage filled upside down in plant

garden tools in a mailbox

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