We can’t wait for the RHS Chelsea Flower
Show! The show gardens are simply spectacular and you can always pick up some green-fingered
advice from the experts. Check out these brilliant advice videos on the RHS website
Of course we have a few gardening tips of
our own to share…
A
good work man never blames his tools
Use half a cup of Soda Crystals mixed
with one litre of very hot water to clean caked grass, dirt and grime off
spades, forks, trowels and even lawn mower blades. Rinse, dry and lightly oil the metal parts to
prevent rust.*
Clear
a pathway to success
To help you navigate more easily around
your garden clear the moss and rotting leaves from pathways, patios and
steps. Sprinkle Soda Crystals directly
on to the affected areas, use a watering can to wet, or put them down when rain
is expected, and leave for a day or two.
Once the moss has turned brown, brush it off preventing any excess Soda
Crystal solution going on to the grass, and rinse with plenty of clean water to
reveal spotless, safer pathways.
Clearing
out the gutter
Those hard to reach places, such as
drains and gutters, need a bit of care and attention at this time of year too. They can become dirty and clogged over the
winter months so the first thing to do is clear the drains and gutters of
visible debris and leaves. Pour 500g of
Soda Crystals directly down the drains and leave for ten minutes before rinsing
with very hot water to clear them of any built up grime and grease. Gutters can also be washed with a Soda
Crystal mixture to remove rotting leaves and any other blockages.
Any old iron
If you have any iron ornaments or iron
gates that have gathered dirt and rust over winter and need a repaint, simply
cover them with Bicarbonate of Soda and pour White Vinegar over the top. This will make the surface bubble. When it stops, simply scrub off with a stiff
brush and you will be left with a smooth surface ready to be painted.
Potting
perfection
To give your plants the best start in
life, wash out your terracotta, stone or plastic pots with a mixture of half a
cup of Soda Crystals and one litre of water to help remove old compost and
caked on grime. You can also make your
stone ornaments or birdbaths look like new by spraying Liquid Soda Crystals
directly on to the surfaces, leaving for around an hour and brushing with a
stiff brush before rinsing with clean water.
Put
your feet up!
After all that hard work, make sure you
can sit back, relax and admire all of your hard work by cleaning any moss and
algae off plastic patio furniture with a mixture of Soda Crystals and hot
water. This method also works well to
prepare wooden garden furniture, prior to applying a new coat of linseed oil.
What expert gardening tips do you have?
We’d love to hear how you get your garden ship shape!
*Always
disconnect electric mowers from the power supply and keep water away from
electrical contacts etc. Dry thoroughly
before use
