Today I have some great garden tips from readers.

FERNS & EPSOM SALTS
I have been using Epsom Salts on my outdoor ferns for years. It keeps them nice and green in the hot sun. Use 2 Tbsp. salts to 1 gallon of water. ~Bethany

GARDEN REFERENCE TIDBIT
When I purchase a new Perennial plant, I copy the front and back of the tag with my printer and place it in a 3-ring binder. I also use the plastic sheets to keep them nice. Record the Date, and where in the garden it was planted, and if it was a gift, who gave it to me. It makes a "handy~ dandy" reference for what plants that I have. I also used wooden shims that you can purchase at a hardware store, and wrote on them with a permanent marker for garden markers. ~Ginny

REUSING SODA BOTTLES IN YOUR GARDEN
Because I am caring for extensive gardens, I do not always have the time to nurse along slip cuttings--some require high humidity and some take a long time to root.

I use 2 liter very clean soda bottles as mini-green houses. I personally do not drink a lot of regular soda, but when I want something bubbly I get seltzer (no sodium like club soda) which has flavors added to it without sugar. Any 2 liter bottle will work, the point is that the gardener needs to make sure it is really clean of the sugar or bacteria will spoil the cuttings.

I remove the label, and cut the top almost all the way off at the shoulder of the bottle, leaving it connected like a little hinge. The cuttings should have leaves stripped from the bottom two leaf nodes and enough water placed in the bottle to cover the nodes. It helps the cuttings if you re-nip the ends under water immediately before placing them in the bottle. Leave the bottle in bright indirect sun. The cap can be used to regulate moisture. Pot up the plants when rooted and introduce to full sun for 1 hour the first day, 2 hours the next day (called hardening off), etc. until they are fully in the fun for 6 hours. About 2 weeks after that the plants can be transplanted to their permanent location if desired. You can use the liter-bottle green house for small potted plants too-reduces the stress of moving them from place to place. ~Catherine the Herb Lady

MORE: Make your own self-fertilizing container!
http://oldfashionedliving.com/vegetablegarden.html
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I hope your day is calm and productive! ~Brenda

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