Guest Author - Sue Walsh

Get in the red. For some reason, Tomatoes love red plastic-it makes them ripen more quickly. Lay it around the plants in an even, single layer, being sure to make slits in it to allow water through. This also helps deter weeds!

Give old pantyhose a new life. Old pantyhose make great plant ties because they are soft and stretchy. Simply cut the to the length you need and tie. They are also great for storing bulbs and supporting pumpkins and melons and keeping them off the ground.

Create a cat free zone. To keep cats out of houseplants, cover the soil with aluminium foil or broken eggshells. Cats dislike the sound the foil makes and the way the shells feels on their paws-the eggshells will also help enrich the soil. If cats are munching on your plants, plant a tray of catnip or oat grass especially for them.

Give clay pots a soak. Soak your clay pots in a warm water bath before planting in them so they won’t suck all the moisture out of the soil.

Turn mistakes into treasures. If a stem accidentally breaks off a plant, put it in a glass of water or dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil. Once it roots you can pot it up and enjoy your new plant or return it to the ground.

Ward off pests with garlic. To repel pests, plant garlic around your garden beds. . Bugs hate the smell! Marigolds are also great pest repellents.
Protect hands with newspaper. To repot a cactus, use a ring made up of several layers of newspaper to lift it up and into its new pot. Twist the ends to make a handle.

Aloe plants are a kitchen must. Every kitchen should have an aloe plant in it. In case of minor burns, snap off a leaf and apply the clear gel inside. It has healing and moisturizing properties. They are easy to grow too. just give them lots of bright light and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Provide a good home. Toads are great friends of the garden-they eat lots of pests. To encourage them to hang around your garden, bury an old teapot half way with the spout side up. This will give them a nice house to cool off in!

Screen them- Old window screening makes a great barrier against birds and squirrels. Just lay it over areas where you’ve planted seeds or bulbs. It’ll let sun, air and water through but prevent critters from digging.