Home and Garden Catalog

Editorial
Some Common sense.
There are several ways you can restore the sprightliness of your prized patch of turf. Start by donning a pair of gloves and plucking out those pesky weeds. Then, discourage their return with a good spread of mulch around your plants, which provides the added bonus of conserving moisture in the soil. For those stubborn little suckers, nursery owner Rob Walker offers an old trick: 'Mix vinegar, salt and a small amount of biodegradable dishwashing liquid, add boiling water, and spray it onto weeds in full sun. It's guaranteed to kill them.'

Speaking of natural remedies, rejuvenate your old lemon tree by coaxing the lads of the house to urinate at the base. 'Urine contains beneficial nitrogen properties - great for citrus trees', assures Rob. And if your tree fern is looking unhappy, sprinkle some sugar at the top of the trunk before you next water, to prompt new green shoots.

Strategically selected new plants not only spruce up your garden, but can protect existing plants. For example, planting marigolds with roses discourages pests and beetles. Happily chirping birds give a garden vibrancy, so invite them in with a bird bath. Birds also control pest numbers and promote cross-pollination.