I love a unspoiled horticulture crosscut — anything to make life easy , correct ? But over the years , I ’ve find out the hard way that some of these so - called “ hacks ” do more scathe than practiced . I ’ve mulch too much , tossed umber grounds in the garden , and even tried that banana skin magic , only to realize later that I was make things harder on my plant .
Some of these mistake are easy to fall for because they go like common sensation . But just because something is popular does n’t mean it actually exercise . If you ’ve been using any of these hacks , do n’t worry — you’re not alone . Here ’s what to decamp and what to do instead .
Rocks in Pots Won’t Help Drainage
A layer of rocks at the bottom of a pot vocalize like a great fashion to improve drainage , but it in reality does the opposite word . Water tend to sit on top of the rocks instead of draining through , which can head to soggy soil and root word rot — especially if your smoke does n’t have drainage holes .
If you want better drainage , skip the careen and go with a eminent - quality potting commixture . Adding perlite , pumice stone , or sand can avail loosen the soil without creating a water hole . And if your favourite planter does n’t have drainage holes , it ’s worth drilling a few or using a plastic line drive with holes inside .
Landscape Fabric Won’t Solve Your Weed Problem
Laying down landscape painting framework seems like an soft fix for weeds , but it ’s more trouble than it ’s worth . It may occlude weed for a while , but over metre , dirt and debris settle on top , creating the perfect daub for novel weeds to rise . Plus , it suffocates the soil underneath , making it harder for water , air , and nutrient to reach flora roots .
A better approach ? employ constitutional mulch like shredded leave or bark . It suppresses Mary Jane while improve filth health as it breaks down . you may also plant terra firma covers or space plants close together to naturally block Mary Jane without relying on man-made barrier .
Homemade Fertilizers Aren’t Always Effective
Mixing up a DIY fertiliser might fathom like a monetary value - effective elbow room to feed your plants , but it ’s not always reliable . Just because a homemade admixture check nitrogen or phosphorus does n’t intend it ’s in a form plants can actually sop up . Some formula can even do more harm than upright , either by being too weak to help or too strong , leading to nutritive imbalances or burn roots .
If you want to go the natural route , centre on compost or using well - test constitutive fertilizers . These render a balanced intermixture of nutrients in a mannequin plant life can actually use . Homemade solutions can be a fun experimentation , but they should n’t be your only source of plant solid food .
Vinegar Won’t Get Rid of Weeds for Good
Vinegar mourning band killers get a mass of hype as a natural alternative to chemical substance nebuliser , but they only kill what ’s on the open . Vinegar burns the leaves , but it does n’t hit the roots , so most Mary Jane just grow right back . Plus , regular use can make your soil too acidic , which is n’t great for the long - terminal figure health of your plants .
If you need a safer way to deal with weeds , try pulling them out by hired hand , using mulch to block novel growth , or using a targeted , pet - secure herbicide . stewing water can also work for little areas — it kills Mary Jane promptly without leaving behind harmful residues .
Banana Peels Aren’t the Miracle Fertilizer You Think
Tossing banana tree peels in the garden seems like a great elbow room to give plants a nutrient boost , but it ’s not as helpful as masses make it out to be . While they do add potassium , they ’re missing key nutrients like N , which most industrial plant postulate to flourish . That mean your garden might end up miss the balanced aliment it demand .
Banana peels also interrupt down slowly , so if your plants need an immediate boost , they wo n’t get it . Worse , decomposing peels can pull rodents , flies , and even bigger plague . A full option ? Stick with well - balanced organic fertilizer like compost , aged manure , or bone meal .
Coffee Grounds Can Backfire on Your Soil
deep brown grounds get a lot of ballyhoo as a natural soil booster , but they can actually do more harm than good . They ’re high in N , which is great in moderation , but they ’re also acidic . Too much can give off the soil ’s pH , making it harder for some plant to grow .
Another problem ? When coffee grounds are layered too thick , they forge a impudence that blocks water and air from reaching the roots . Instead of dumping coffee reason directly onto your garden , integrate them into a compost pile first so they can break down properly .
Eggshells and Salt Won’t Stop Slugs
Crushed eggshell are often recommended as a natural barrier for slugs and snails , but they ’re passably useless . slug can glide justly over them without a problem . As for salt ? It does vote down slugs , but it also wrecks your stain by make it too piquant for most plants to pull through .
If you want a slug - free garden , hear something that in reality works , like sheep ’s wool . For whatever reason , slugs hate crawl over it . It also helps jam weeds and bring nutrients to the soil as it breaks down . If you want a fund - buy selection , go for an organic , pet - safe slug lure .
Watering at the Wrong Time Can Hurt Your Plants
Overhead watering seems harmless , but doing it at the incorrect time can make more harm than good . lachrymation in the heat of the day leads to quick evaporation , and water droplet can magnify the sun ’s shaft , burn plant leaves .
The best time to water is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when temperature are lower . Soaker hosiery with timers can assist insure even tearing while keeping wet near the roots , where it ’s actually postulate . This also helps forbid diseases make by excess moisture sit on leafage overnight .
Too Much Mulch Can Hurt Your Plants
Mulch is great for observe moisture in and weeds out , but pile it on too thick can backfire . When there ’s too much , piss and aura struggle to get in touch with the roots , creating the thoroughgoing conditions for root rot and fungal disease . Plus , a thick layer can attract pests await for a cozy hiding spot .
A good dominion of thumb is to keep mulch at about 2–3 inches deep . disseminate it equally , and do n’t let it mound up around plant stems or tree diagram trunks . give your plant some breathing room helps them stay healthy while still draw the benefit of mulch .
- This article was created with the help of AI .
