Maryland, Help Your Garden Grow With These Genius Hacks

Maryland is off to a warm start this spring, and we're all doing our best to spend more time at home. Many of us are taking the opportunity to get our garden beds in shape.

To keep plants and veggies growing their best, you might consider professional weed control. But while you wait for help to arrive, try your hand at these natural hacks, sourced from pantry staples.

Cinnamon Powder

Cinnamon powder can do wonders when it comes to preventing fungal diseases, or that milky white growth on seedling stems. If you spot any fungal growth, immediately sprinkle the base of the stems with small amounts of cinnamon powder.

Want to nip the issue in the bud—literally? Mix a bit of cinnamon powder with your starting mix to prevent the disease all together.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds contain vital nutrients like magnesium, copper, potassium and phosphorus. The nitrogen, in particular, can act as a fertilizer. Take care not to simply dump used coffee grounds all over your garden bed (you can suffocate your plants this way). Instead, mix small amounts of grounds directly with soil to improve seed germination.

Eggshells

Eggshells have a myriad of uses in the garden. Place medium-sized crumbles around your plants to prevent attacks from slugs and snails. Or, use it as a natural fertilizer. Sprinkle powdered shells around the garden to improve calcium content. Just be sure to wash the eggshells out first, lest you attract other pests like rodents.

Herbs

Keep mosquitoes at bay by planting an array of herbs around your garden. Citronella geranium, marigold, lemongrass, catnip, ageratum and lemon thyme are natural mosquito deterrents.

Vinegar

To be frank, chemical weed control is the best way to get rid of nasty growths. A professional can advise you on the best plan to remove and prevent future weeds.

In the meantime, you can try your hand at this vinegar mixture: one bottle of vinegar, one cup of salt, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and two tablespoons of dish soap. Spray carefully on the weeds, avoiding the grass or soil around them.

Need help with weed removal? Contact a local professional.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can prevent fungal diseases without harming plants. As an added bonus, it also aids in sprouting new plants. Use it as often as you water the plants in a well-diluted solution at 1:35 water to hydrogen peroxide.

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