<p>Whether you have a large garden or a tiny windowsill, we've got expert tips to make sure that your plants thrive this year. </p><p>From making sure that your plants survive a long weekend away to how to re-grow veggies from scraps, we've rounded up expert gardening advice for your best growing season yet.</p><h2>Speedy seeds</h2><p><a href="https://groceries.asda.com/shelf/seeds-planting-growing/flower-vegtable-seeds/1215187382673/1/so-false" target="_blank">Soak seeds</a> before planting them to speed up the germination process. This works for most seeds but for a comprehensive list and step-by-step instructions for <a href="http://www.planetnatural.com/soak-seeds/" target="_blank">soaking seeds</a>.</p><h2>Don't throw those veggies away!</h2><p>Don't waste those veggie scraps! Lettuce, green onions and celery can all regrow in a little bit of water:</p><p><a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="large" data-pin-terse="true" href="https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/423127327468817888/"></a><br><script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></p><h2>A slug of beer</h2><p>Get rid of those pesky slugs with beer. Place a shallow bowl next to your precious plants and fill with beer (no need to open a new bottle &ndash; just use any leftovers). The following day, you should see a dish filled with dead slugs.</p><h2>Holiday helper</h2><p>Leaving for a long weekend? No one likes coming home from a lovely holiday to dead plants. Instead, use an upside down bottle to water plants while you're away. If you're travelling for longer than a weekend, try <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/hanging-baskets-pots-planters/asda-plant-pots-10cm-x-8cm/910002753786" target="_blank">placing pots</a> in a children's pool or the bathtub.</p><p><br><a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="large" data-pin-terse="true" href="https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/8866530493674664/"></a></p><h2>Help out your herbs</h2><p>Keep your <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/flower-vegtable-seeds/unwins-herb-collection-seeds/910000508018" target="_blank">perfectly grown herbs</a> fresher for longer by freezing them. For a real flavour bomb, add fresh herbs to an ice cube tray and then cover with water or olive oil before freezing. Delicious!</p><h2>Garden wall</h2><p>Want to make your own vertical garden? Try using a shoe rack or a shower organiser:</p><p><a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="large" data-pin-terse="true" href="https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/537335799266169140/"></a></p><h2>Stay off the lawn</h2><p>If you have trouble with small animals coming into your garden and ruining your plants, place a few plastic forks upright into the soil &ndash; that should deter them!</p><h2>Makeshift watering can</h2><p>Need a <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/watering-cans/strata-green-ward-watering-can/910000501193" target="_blank">watering can</a>? Use an old milk jug and punch out holes in the lid, as seen below. And remember to water in the morning or evening  &ndash; cooler temperatures mean that water won't evaporate as quickly.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/yXDVaIs-W3/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Need a watering can? Try this quick trick! #GardeningTip #gardening #jug #wateringcan #garden #flowers</a></p><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by @flowerhutindy on <time datetime="2015-01-27T14:08:24+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 27, 2015 at 6:08am PST</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><h2>Watering hack</h2><p>If you have a habit of forgetting to water your houseplant (we're not judging), then try this clever hack. Place a sponge at the bottom of your pot. This way, any excess water can collect there for later when your plant needs it. Simple!</p><h2>Sharp idea</h2><p>Keep gardening tools sharp by placing them in a bucket full of sand. The sand is abrasive so will sharpen your tools. And to really keep tools in tip top shape, add some mineral oil to the sand mixture which will keep them lubricated, too:</p><p><a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="large" data-pin-terse="true" href="https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/173107179405721631/"></a></p><h2>Clean hands</h2><p>Hate getting dirt trapped underneath your fingernails? Try scratching your fingers against a bar of soap before getting stuck in the garden. It will keep dirt away and leave hands smelling lovely.</p><p><em>Stock up on all your <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/aisle/garden-outdoor/garden-tools-watering/1215636217299?utm_source=goodliving&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=home-ideas-decorating-gardening-advice" target="_blank">gardening essentials at Asda online</a>. </em></p>

12 Genius Gardening Hacks Every Green Fingered Fan Should Know

By Asda Good Living,8th March 2017

TAGS

RELATED ARTICLES