These are gardening tips gleaned from years of experience by our members. We hope you enjoy these!

Tip#5 Conserving Water

Collect water from your A/C drain or rain water. Cover with old screen sewn with fishing line to plastic embroidery hoop, using one ring for each. Keeps critters safe and mosquitoes out!

Tip#4. Starting from Seeds

Start seeds in ground in Florida or anywhere with this easy method. Remove mulch to expose soil in a small circle. Lightly rough up the surface and sprinkle seeds sparingly. Cover with vermiculite enough to hide seeds. Cover with a wire basket from the Dollar store to help you recall where not to dig or step. Water gently with a squeeze bottle (I use an empty dish soap one). Water everyday until plants germinate and then less often, as needed. Compare these cosmos with the ones started at the same time indoors and repotted 3 times, but still struggling.

California poppies came between 2-10 days, in 2 spots. Seeds from Dollar Tree were 4/$1 and there is a good selection and enough seeds to make a show. I used these seeds in 2024 with good results, too.

Tip #3. Labeling plants

Have you ever planted something only to forget the name of it or the popsicle stick wore out? Repurpose window blinds (horizontal vinyl slats). I learned this at a PIGC meeting. PICC Thrift has these in the back of the “man cave”. – KrisM

Tip #2. Sustainable Gardening Tips

Link: https://www.top10bestnow.com/top-10-sustainable-gardening-tips

Tip #1: Gardening Tips

Link found on Bear Mountain Garden Club (Earlysville, VA): https://www.bmgcearlysville.com/local-resources/