If you have a passion for gardening but find your schedule too hectic, these fantastic gardening tips are just what you need. They will help you plant, weed, and water your garden more efficiently.
Whether it’s transporting plants from the nursery or simplifying your watering and pruning routines, these tips make it easier to create and care for a beautiful garden with minimal effort.
Spend less time weeding and more time enjoying your garden—now that’s what we call great gardening!
Handy Gardening Tips for Busy People
1. No-Stick Shovel
When tackling wet snow or sticky soil, a quick spray of lubricant on your shovel or garden spade can make a world of difference.
The lubricant, ideally containing silicone or Teflon, will help the sticky materials slide right off.
Just remember to reapply the spray every so often to keep your shovel in top shape.
2. Protect Bulbs from Pests
To prevent animals from munching on your newly planted flower bulbs, cover the bed with poultry netting.
You can either remove the netting in early spring or allow your plants to grow through the holes and leave it in place for the entire growing season.
3. Prevent Invasive Plants
Create a barrier by inserting a “collar” into the soil around the plant, using a mallet if necessary, to contain its invasive roots.
If the soil is compacted, use a spade to cut around the plant before installing the collar.
Keep in mind, this method won’t work for plants that spread above ground, such as strawberries and mint.
4. Portable Potting Shelf
Transform your wheelbarrow into a mobile potting station by cutting a piece of plywood to fit its back end.
Attach a few wood cleats along the sides to secure it in place while you move.
This way, you’ll have both soil and a convenient potting surface wherever your gardening takes you.
5. Plant Portfolio
Keep your plant tags and sticks organized in an inexpensive photo album.
You can also jot down details like the purchase date and location, special care instructions, or even include a sketch of your yard with the plant locations marked.
6. Slice Root Balls and Tease Out Roots
When you purchase potted plants or shrubs, they might be root-bound, with roots growing in tight circles inside the pot.
This can restrict water and nutrient flow to the leaves. Before planting, gently tease the roots outward with your fingers.
If the roots are particularly tough, make three or four vertical cuts in the root ball using a sharp knife.
After planting, water the plant frequently to help it establish itself.
7. Make Heavy Pots Lighter
Here’s a clever TikTok hack for lightening large pots: fill the bottom with pool noodles. This not only reduces the pot’s weight but also improves drainage.
Place a round piece of landscape fabric between the soil and the foam to keep them separate.
For an even lighter pot, use a potting mix rich in vermiculite and peat moss.
8. Prune Roses in the Center to Get More Sun
No matter where you live, it’s a good idea to prune your roses to keep the center open.
This allows more sunlight to reach the interior of the plant, helping to prevent black spot and other diseases that thrive in cool, damp, and shady conditions.
9. Easy-to-Read Rain Gauge
Add a few drops of food coloring to the bottom of your rain gauge when you empty it.
The next time it rains, the coloring will mix with the water, making the measurements easier to read.
10. Potted Plant Transporter
Use the spaces between the rungs of a stepladder to transport your potted plants.
This keeps them secure and prevents messy spills during turns.
