IF your grass is covered in dandelions and you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get rid of them, you’ve come to the right place.
Especially if you want to get rid of dandelions with almost no effort and want a vibrant green lawn that will leave your guests impressed, we’ve got you covered.
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And if you’re on a budget, don’t worry – as this simple trick will set you back just £4.50 thanks to a bargain at B&Q.
Nuisance dandelions are known to appear in lawns and between patio cracks and gravel.
They are notorious for crowding out grass and other plants, as well as draining water and nutrients from neighboring plants.
Although store-bought herbicides and household products such as white vinegar are commonly used, they can often be harmful.
But luckily for you, there is one method that gardeners seem to agree is best for eradicating them “properly.”
It comes after a gardening enthusiast received advice on social media after her lawn was overrun by dandelions.
Posting on the Gardening UK Facebook page, the frustrated woman asked: “What is the best way to get dandelions from a lawn?”
The consultation received more than 100 responses, with many suggesting the same method – discouraging the use of chemicals and suggesting manual removal.
Not only did Facebook users swear by the garden forks, but many also suggested the wrong time to dig them up.
A gardening genius advised: “I have found that the most effective, but also the most time-consuming, method of controlling dandelions is to dig them up by hand.
“This should be done when the first dandelion seedlings appear. An ordinary garden fork can be used for this, you don’t need any special tools.”
A second recommended: “Use a fork. It works every time for me and completely eliminates the roots so the dandelion doesn’t grow back.
Gardening Tips and Tricks
A third suggested: “Don’t dig up dandelions when they are dry, the roots will Photograph when you pull it up, the dandelion will simply grow back in a few weeks.
“It needs to be removed when the ground is wet for the excavation method to be effective and easy to perform.”
Gardening Jobs in August
The Sun’s gardening editor Veronica Lorraine has shared the 10 gardening jobs to do during the last month of summer – and the most important ones to remember if you’re going on holiday.
1. Water your plants on vacation
Think about how you will water your plants if you are traveling. Irrigation systems are stupidly expensive – so ask a friend or neighbor to come over.
2. Remember your houseplants!
For houseplants, use the upside-down bottle trick – where you fill a bottle with wine and then turn it upside down, spout it down and stick it in the pot – the water should slowly drain out. For smaller plants, you can use a thick piece of string that runs from a glass of water into the soil – so it will absorb slowly over time. Be sensible with your watering – visitit www.mains2rains.co.uk for some tips on how to save water in August. But use as much gray water – i.e. wash water – as you can to save such a valuable resource.
3. Look for potatoes
The second first potatoes should be ready to dig up.
4. Continue with the deadhead
Use scissors or just pluck the flowers with your finger and thumb. With roses, be sure to deadhead back to a set of five leaves, giving you the best chance of more flowers.
5. Plant strawberries
In fact, you can plant strawberries in late August – they will be ready next year. For the ones you already have – if they have runners sticking out of them – try potting them to make more free strawberries.
6. Prune lavender
In late August, when they have finished flowering, cut back the lavender – always prune it down to the woody stems – but make sure you can still see some little buds.
7. Collect seeds
Many plants will start setting seeds now – so it’s the perfect time to collect them and get free plants for next year – just be sure to label the envelopes.
8. Sow hardy annuals
At the end of the month, sow hardy annuals so they will flower next year. Try choosing protected locations for them.
9. Cut roses
Prune any rambling roses and make sure they are all tied up. And at the end of August, give your roses their last feeding.
10. Keep tabs on watering hanging baskets
It’s very important to keep hanging baskets hydrated – they are the first and worst to dry out.
Another shared her clever strategy: “Take a small sharp weed tool and do it by hand. It’s the only way to properly remove them.
“I had thousands of them, and even though I wanted to keep the bees happy, my dog liked to poop on them.”
How to update your garden on the cheap
IF you want your garden to impress this summer, you’ve come to the right place…
Plan and prioritize
- Evaluate your space: Take a walk around your garden and notice areas that need improvement.
- Set a budget: Determine how much you can spend.
- Prioritize Projects: Focus on high-impact areas first, such as paths, seating, or focal points.
DIY projects
- Build your own planters: Use reclaimed wood, pallets, or other materials to create custom planters.
- Create Garden Art: Use old items like tires, bottles or cans to make unique garden decorations.
- Ways: Lay down gravel or mulch to create attractive, accessible garden paths.
Smart Plant
- Buy seeds, not plants: Seeds are cheaper than mature plants and offer greater variety.
- Share and exchange: Swap plants and seeds with friends or join a local garden club.
- Grow perennials: Invest in plants that come back year after year to save money in the long run.
Use free resources
- Compound: Make your own compost from kitchen scraps and yard waste to enrich the soil.
- Rainwater collection: Set up a rain barrel to collect water for your garden.
- Fertilizer: Use leaves, grass clippings or wood chips as mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Reuse and update
- Antique furniture: Turn an old chair into a plant stand or a dresser drawer into a vase.
- Containers: Use buckets, cans or even old shoes as quirky plant containers.
- Pallets: Create vertical gardens or compost bins from discarded pallets.
Buy smart
- Sales and discounts: Look for end-of-season sales or discounts at garden centers.
- Second hand stores: Find pots, tools, and decorations at thrift stores or garage sales.
- Online Markets: Check sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for free or inexpensive gardening supplies.
Maintenance
- Weed regularly: Pay attention to weeding to keep your garden tidy.
- Prune and Deadhead: Prune dead plants and flowers regularly to encourage growth and flowering.
- Tool care: Maintain your tools by cleaning and sharpening them to extend their life and effectiveness.
Using these tips, you can give your garden a new, updated look without spending a lot of money. Happy gardening!
Meanwhile, one gardening lover swore by her hands-on approach: “The little manual garden forks. Get underneath and push up. Hold all the leaves and put your fingers to the root and pull, everything should come out.”
If you want to try this trick, you can buy a garden fork for just £4.50 from B&Q.
Experts remind gardeners that successfully digging dandelions requires removing the entire taproot, as dandelion taproots are often long.
A gardening genius suggested, “The best way to prevent dandelions is to never mow your lawn too short or too often so the grass stays tall.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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