Tip # 1 - For exceptional bloom on your Clematis, put Dolomitic lime around the base of the vine -  once in the spring and again mid-season.  It really works.  Remember also that your Clematis likes lots of sun, but keep those roots shaded and cool with mulch,  behind a shrub, a perennial or with some annuals.

Tip # 2 - Rhododendrons love acidic soils, so don't forget to put some Aluminum Sulphate around them a few times during the season. 

Tip # 3 - For your container planting, remember to use stones in the bottom of the pot before you put in your planting soil. If you do not have any stones available, you can use a piece of landscape fabric
or a used piece of dryer fabric softener sheets. Both of these materials will allow the water to drain out and the soil will stay in the pot!

Tip # 4 - When cutting tulips for indoor enjoyment, put a penny in the bottom of the vase. They will hold their petals and stay standing straight much longer.

Tip # 5 - If you are having a problem with squirrels, sprinkle bulbs and surrounding area with garlic powder or cayenne pepper. They hate the taste and should leave your bulbs to bloom another day!! 

Tip # 6 - For spectacular blooms and compact bushy fall mums, don't spare your pruners! I prune mine (or pinch back) about 1/2 inch on each new shoot tip each time they reach about 4 inches. Last year,
my Chrysanthemums were over 3 in width and full of gorgeous blooms! 

Tip # 7 - Ladies - get the right gardening gloves!!! I can not work in my beds with sloppy, wet cotton gloves - I would rather not have any on at all! I didn't know how I was going to save my hands this
year for my daughters wedding. The girls and I, many years ago, found a garden glove that allowed your hands to breath, fit snug but not tight, did not sag and bag, and lasted all season even though we
used ours all day!! Then it was called the "Green Thumb" glove. For many years it was unavailable, and our hands suffered, but this year we found them again! Drop down to the garden centre for the
best garden friend my hands have!!

Tip #8 - Are your pets getting into your planting beds ? Try an organic solution!! Try spreading around your hair clippings in the areas your pet (or others) like to frequent. Your hairdresser will gladly give you some hair clippings - free of charge!

Tip #9 - Make sure you have the right pruning tools for the job.  We finally found the Fiskars Micro-tip pruners! It is great when you have a lot of small branch and flower/perennial pruning to do.  Easy on the hands and cuts like "butter'. Remember to keep all your tools sharp!

Tip #10 - Getting rid of Moles - Use Juicy Fruit gum (See FAQ) or try this recipe for Mole Formula:

Blend 1/4 cup Castor oil and 2 Tbsp. Liquid Detergent soap in a blender.  (otherwise they won't mix properly.  Add 6 tbsp. of water and blend again.  Store this mix in a container until needed.  When you are ready to apply solution to the area where the moles are active, mix 2 tbsp of the solution into 1 gallon of water.  Pour into the problem area, not just down the holes but on the surface as well.

Another Mole HELP Page

Tip #11 - I was at a deck party awhile back,  and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed  the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and  used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table,  the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby. During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....Pass it on.
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OUR FRIEND'S  COMMENTS: I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors.  It works - in fact, it killed them instantly. I bought a bottle and it cost me $1.89. It really doesn't take much,  so it  is not as expensive to use as the can of spray you buy that  doesn't last 30 minutes. So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days.  Don't spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray  around the frame. Spray around the window frames, and even inside the dog  house

More to follow.......

A Good Quote for Our "Tip" Page......

"If you keep doing things like you've always done them, what you'll get is what you've already got."
--Anon.