Betcha didn't know that you may already have the solutions you need for many of your garden woes. Look to your pantry, many of our everyday pantry staples are powerful allies in the garden!
I learned of these things from P. Allen Smith's cat Marge, apparently she writes articles for P. Allen. Title of the article: Marge says, "From Kitchen to Garden". She thinks he's a knucklehead, I think he's adorable!
Let's look at a few of these solutions. I may throw in a few of my own too.
1. Hot Pepper Spray to Keep Dogs Away - Puree a hot pepper and add an equal amount of water and, a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. The dishwashing liquid helps the solution stick (reminiscent of vinegar weed solution eh?). Strain and spray on plant leaves, NOT the dog or cat.
Rox concurs.
2. Garlic Insect Repellent - To discourage pesky bugs make a garlic cayenne pepper spray. Chop up a head of garlic, add 1 T. of cayenne pepper and mix with one quart of water. Set this aside to steep for an hour. Strain and spray on buggy plant leaves. *Red Alert* This will repel ALL insects, even pollinators like bees. Use wisely! Any leftover spray will keep for 2 to 3 weeks in a mason jar in the refrigerator.
3. Fruit Cocktail Japanese Beetle Trap - Open a can of fruit cocktail, set outside in a sunny spot for week to ferment (no sipping). Place a brick in a bucket and the can of questionable fruit cocktail on the brick. Fill the bucket with water up to the rim of the can. Beetles trying to get to the fruit cocktail will fall into the pail and drown.
4. Vinegar Weed Killer - Vinegar can be used as a broad spectrum herbicide. It's not selective, so be careful to only spray weeds with this. Fill a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar, add 1 T. of dishwashing liquid and spray weeds in the heat of the day. This will kill foliage but not necessarily the roots. Tough weeds will need repeat applications.
5. Vinegar Azalea/Gardenia Fertilizer - The acetic acid in vinegar that can be a weed killer can also be beneficial for acid loving plants! Gotta love vinegar. If you notice leaves on your azaleas or gardenias starting to yellow, it could be a symptom of too much lime. Mix 2 T. of vinegar to one quart water. Pour one cupful around the base of the plant. Repeat every 2 weeks until the yellow is gone.
6. Boiling Water Weed Killer - Even easier that the vinegar weed killer is boiling water. Pour boiling water over weeds sprouting up through walks or patios and they will wilt instantly! Personally, I like this better than vinegar on concrete because the vinegar tends to leave a white residue behind.
7. Give Tomatoes some Salt - Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, which plants use to develop stronger root systems and to help with the uptake of chlorophyll. When planting tomato plants, sprinkle a teaspoon of Epsom salt in each hole. Bonus! If you have pesky squirrels that dig up spring bulbs, a pinch of salt added to the planting hole will keep them away.
8. Keep Rabbit and Gophers at Bay with Talcum Powder - Talcum powder may not be in your pantry but, it's an effective repellent! Dust leaves and surrounding area with talcum powder.
9. Clean Dentures AND Your Glass Flower Vases - Don't you just hate it when your vases get that milky residue inside? Pop an effervescent denture tablet in with some water and the glass will rinse sparkly clean!
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I was really happy to come across this information as it arms us with even more information for ways to overcome challenges in our gardens naturally and economically without relying on chemicals.
Bookmark this post for future reference when something is going wrong in your garden. Now you can look to your pantry for solutions.
Have a great weekend everybody!
Rebecca
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