Most everyone knows about and takes advantage of the many uses of vinegar in the home, especially the medicine cabinet. But did you know that vinegar has its uses in the garden too? In fact, vinegar has many uses in the garden, from cleaning to pest control and more.
Cleaning and Disinfecting-Gardeners know the task of cleaning all too well. Over time, potted plants require sprucing up. This often involves repotting and replenishing the soil. However, those pots can probably use some cleaning up as well, especially terra cotta. After a while, these can develop spots and residue from calcium buildup, which can sometimes be a pain to remove. But not with vinegar. Cleaning your pots with full strength vinegar will remove these and other stains easily. For those caked on pots, try soaking them overnight in full strength vinegar. Clean hummingbird and other feeders by washing them weekly with equal parts of vinegar and water. This also works well for cleaning out and disinfecting birdbaths. Be sure to rinse everything out thoroughly with water before refilling. Vinegar is also great for cleaning out those sprinkler heads and wiping down garden furniture. Use a quarter cup of white vinegar, a tablespoon of baking soda, and eight cups of water. You can easily clean garden tools by soaking them in white vinegar overnight. Rinse with warm water and wipe clean. The shine will make them look almost new again. Use vinegar to kill harmful bacteria and other residue from freshly picked vegetables or even store bought produce. Soak them in a vinegar solution containing four tablespoons vinegar to a gallon of water or simply wash them off using a tablespoon of white vinegar and eight cups of water. Rinse thoroughly. Vinegar will also take care of stained gardening hands.
Insects and Other Pests- Forget about using chemicals in the garden to ward off insects and other pests. Not only are these unsafe but not all of them do what they claim to. Instead, use distilled white vinegar. Soak some cotton balls in vinegar and place them in small containers in and around your garden. Believe it or not, this will keep many pests at bay, including rabbits and the neighbor's cat. Most animals do not like the smell of vinegar and will quickly turn away. Deter insects, especially pesky ants. These annoying little boogers can quickly be eliminated by spraying vinegar around the garden and even the house. Vinegar also takes care of slugs. Were you aware that vinegar can ease the itching and discomfort caused from contact with poison ivy or poison oak? It can also ease the pain of sunburn. Trust me; this is an old trick from grandma, who swears by it. Soak a cotton ball with full strength vinegar and apply it to the effected areas. Be aware that this may burn a bit at first but after a while, it will begin to feel better. This also works for insect bites, especially mosquitoes. However, you don't have to wait until they have already eaten you alive. Using vinegar beforehand will act as a natural repellant and is great when you're working out in the garden. Of course, your loved ones may avoid you.
Routine Garden Maintenance-Who wouldn't enjoy easier maintenance around the garden? Take care of unwanted grass and weeds with vinegar. The hotter the better, so try this one on those hot summer days when growth is more rampant. Otherwise, you can warm up the vinegar prior to use for better results. Keep in mind that some grass or weed varieties may require additional spraying in order to eradicate them. Also, do not attempt to spray vinegar on windy days. You run the risk of harming your much-loved garden plants. For those who like to get a jump on the season by starting your own plants from seed, here's a great way to speed up the germination process, especially with hard-to-sprout seeds. Soak them overnight in vinegar solution using a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and about four to five tablespoons of water.
Whether you have a cut-flower garden or you simply enjoy the look and smell of fresh cut blooms, use vinegar to enjoy them longer. Add about two tablespoons of vinegar and a teaspoon of sugar to the water for fresher, longer lasting blooms. Replace the vinegar water every other day. Perk up your azaleas, rhododendrons, and other acid-loving plants with vinegar. Mix one cup of vinegar to a gallon of water each week to keep them looking their best. This works especially well if you have hard water.
There's nothing quite like easy care and maintenance when it comes to everyday gardening tasks. With the various uses of vinegar in the garden, you can enjoy more time 'smelling the roses' and less time weeding around them or combating the bugs. What makes using vinegar even better is the fact that it's so darn affordable. It's also environmentally friendly. So why waste your time and money on multiple products that claim to do these things when you can grab a gallon of vinegar and take care of it all, for less.
Sabtu, 24 April 2010
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