Is your backyard in need of some serious gardening? Then get ready to make your hands dirty, because gardening can be a lot of work. Luckily there are many smart tools and resources that can make the job a bit easier. Curious about which ones? Then make sure to read this article, because we tell more about the 4 essentials for your garden upkeep.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide (Dutch: waterstofperoxide) can be used for many things. From bleaching your teeth and hair to cleaning glass and the toilet. But hydrogen peroxide can also be used for specific garden upkeep, such as cleaning swimming pools and ponds. Hydrogen peroxide is a common treatment for algae overgrowth in backyard ponds. It helps to remove algae quickly and increases the oxygen level of the pond water. Hydrogen peroxide can also clean and sanitise wood and kill algae growing on wooden decks.
Salt
Did you know that salt can do wonders for your tiles? It’s one of the most popular remedies for not only controlling weeds, but also combating them. If you regularly sprinkle some salt into the joints of your tiles, you’ll notice that weeds have little to no chance anymore. Then the question remains: how much salt do you need? It’s often enough to sprinkle about 20 grams of salt per square meter. Note that it’s not recommended to sprinkle salt on limestone, as it has a caustic effect. And make sure that you don’t sprinkle the salt on any or your ordinary plants or hedges, as it can have a deadly effect.
Nematodes
Are you looking for ways to deter pesky pests from disrupting your garden soil? Then nematodes (Dutch: aaltjes) are what you’re looking for. Nematodes (or roundworms) are multicellular insects that are used to control soil pest insects and whenever larvae or grubs are present. They are completely safe for the environment and therefore a great source of natural pest control. So if you have bad bugs in your garden, nematodes will fight those insects that are creating problems for you!
Plants that fight snails
Does your garden suffer from snails? Then you don’t particularly need to use chemicals in order to combat them. You can also use natural sources such as plants. Plants with a strong scent such as garlic, thyme, fire herb, coneflower and spurge can deter snails from your garden. The trick is to locate them strategically, for example, by mixing them with other plants that are sensitive to snail damage.
Hopefully will these resources make your garden upkeep a bit easier!