Gardening Help is as Close as Your Cupboard

Gardening experts claim that common household products can solve a slew of gardening issues from controlling weeds and deterring pests, to promoting foliage and boosting soil, but the first step is to test your soil. The experts suggest testing soil every year or two to determine its relative acidity. To obtain a complete analysis, send a sample to a professional testing lab. You can also purchase a kit from garden centers or buy a pH meter. Testing is important because adding too much of a product can change the soil’s pH. The most fertile soil has a pH range of 6.2 to 6.8. 

Most garden plants like roses, rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as root vegetables like carrots and radishes, prefer an acidic soil. An occasional dressing of steeped tea applied in moderation is said to add a boost to the soil and deter pests. Coffee grounds are slightly acidic and are rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen. A thin layer worked into the soil acts as a fertilizer and a deterrent to weeds. Avoid applying grounds close to roots, directly on plants and on freshly seeded areas. Earthworms love coffee so add it to your compost pile too. 

Epsom salt is reported to encourage lush foliage and enhance seed germination for plants like roses, tomatoes and peppers that require extra magnesium, but use sparingly to avoid negatively impacting soil pH levels.

Crushed eggshells added to your compost can improve the texture of your soil. When sprinkled around plants, slugs and snails have difficulty navigating.

Ants dislike the smell of orange. Dry and finely grind the peels before applying to soil. To deter aphids, mix water with a small bit of dish soap, add an orange peel and spray periodically. Half an orange with pulp removed can be used to start seedlings. Fill with soil and transplant when leaves appear. Add chopped banana peels to your compost bin – they’re rich in potassium and magnesium and repel aphids and snails.

For plants like lavender, thyme, daylilies, lilac and salvia that thrive in alkaline soil, baking soda is said to boost flower production and deter slugs and ants. Use a flour sifter to lightly dust on soil (careful not to use too much), or mix a few teaspoons into a liter of water and spray on flowers. 

For plants showing powdery mildew, mix a few drops of dish soap and a dash of baking soda with water, spraying both sides of leaves. Cornstarch also treats powdery mildew. Make a spray of one tablespoon cornstarch,1/2 tsp. dish soap and one gallon of water. Cornstarch also improves water retention in planters. Mix 2 tablespoons into one gallon of compost, but be mindful, too much can create poor drainage.

Cinnamon can deter pests like mice, moles, mites, aphids and fruit flies, and can prevent mold. It also provides instant care for a plant wound from overzealous pruning or storm damage. Apply cinnamon powder directly to the pruned or damaged area.

Cayenne pepper’s strong smell and burning taste discourages squirrels, mice, raccoons and deer as well as aphids, fruit flies and slugs. To prevent new bulbs from being dug up by critters, sprinkle pepper on the surrounding surface, being extremely careful that the pepper doesn't touch the plants. But note, while birds have no adverse reaction to eating pepper, it negatively affects good bugs and can be toxic to honeybees.

Vinegar can control wild areas and is useful for eliminating the trail of ants. To clean a bird bath, use one part vinegar to four parts water, then scrub. 

And finally, a Martha Stewart trick for potted plants – place a coffee filter over the drainage hole. It helps retain moisture without the risk of root rot and reduces soil loss. 

The most important thing when applying any of these products in your garden is to use everything sparingly.