It’s easy to step on early spring bloomers such as daffodils while cleaning up mulch and winter clutter. To prevent damage, mark the plants with something like the branches from a recently pruned crape myrtle. Cut them in 12-to-14-inch lengths, tie a small piece of bright ribbon on one end and place the other end in the ground. Once the growth is tall enough to be easily seen, the sticks are moved to later bloomers, emerging perennials or saved for next year. Lois Kaivani, Charlotte
Another use for pantyhose
My father taught me to cut pantyhose into strips of any size to use as ties for plants that need support. These ties are strong and plant friendly. Plus, you recycle those old runny hose! Sybil Huskey, Rock Hill
Recruit the kids
Our yard fills up quickly with painful “pricker balls” (gum tree balls) and pine cones. Raking is very time consuming and picking up by hand is quite a burden on the back. Mowing creates woody projectiles. I recruit my preschooler and her house guests to see how many they can collect. It keeps them entertained – and outside – and I get a hazard-free lawn. Jessica Norman, Charlotte
Simple tool multitasks
My old cultivator is my garden friend. Being older, I need extra support. It’s a walking stick, a brace for kneeling, a stick picker-upper, a branch grabber, and even a clod buster.
I also drape a bandana around my neck that has been sprayed with DEET, as the bugs like me. Carol Dzvonik, Davidson
An essential for organizing
I’m a Mecklenburg County Extension master gardener, so I spend a lot of time volunteering and on my own gardening projects. Years ago, my brother and sister-in-law gave me a Bucket Boss, which is a pocket-filled canvas sleeve that fits over a five-gallon bucket. I’m able to organize all my hand tools and small accessories like gloves, safety glasses, insect repellant, even my lip gloss in the bucket, which is then my portable carry-all.
There’s no running back to the utility room for items left behind. It’s a dream for pruning, planting and cleanup chores. And it travels with me to various projects. Amazing how a plain, inexpensive tool has become so indispensable! Tonya Banbury, Indian Land, S.C.
Caffeinate your plants
Save money on plant fertilizer! Ask your favorite coffee shop for their “Grounds For Gardeners.” I have been doing this for years and have had huge blooms on my roses, perennials and flowering shrubs. Here’s how to spread them: Just before a good rain, sprinkle the coffee grounds around the perimeter of the plants (but not on the crowns). In about two weeks you will see a happier plant!
Save the filters for your compost bin if you like. E.J. McGee, Charlotte
A binder for gardening articles
I have a three-ring binder to organize gardening and similar articles (including Nancy Brachey’s gardening articles in the Charlotte Observer). I categorize it with plastic dividers with pockets for each subject, such as soils and mulch, annuals, perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, groundcovers and vines. Fred Sutton Jr., Clover, S.C.
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