A GARDENING expert has shared a time-saving technique for removing weeds.
His favorite gardening mulch also helps reduce how often he waters his plants.
Pablo Quintero Restrepo (@UrbanBackyardGardening), a gardening YouTuber, shared his tips and tricks with The US Sun.
Restrepo disclosed his techniques that save him time and money.
“There is a technique that I really like and, if done correctly, can save a lot of time when removing weeds; This technique is called “No Dig” gardening and is often taught by Charles Dowding on his YouTube channel, a great YouTuber for experts and beginners alike,” he said.
“In short, “No Dig” enriches the soil without disturbing it and reduces labor and weeds by using compost spread on the surface of the soil,” he explained.
“Also, use cardboard before adding compost, as it suppresses weeds in the garden bed, reducing the amount of work you may have to do.”
The professional encouraged novice gardeners to save their food waste for composting, a sustainable and free practice that returns nutrients to the soil.
“I try to create as much homemade compost as possible [as possible] composting all kitchen scraps throughout the year,” he said.
“I have two compost bins, which are very useful. [A] The curious thing is that none of the kitchen waste goes into the [trash] bin, which is apparently very useful for the planet.”
In addition to her homemade compost, Restrepo shared her favorite sources of nutrients for her plants.
“If necessary, I feed my soil with blood and bones [meal] fertilizer, organic dynamic lifter and/or rock mineral, as they are great for replacing all the nutrients the soil needs,” he said.
“Also, burying food scraps in the ground has helped me improve the soil in the past; just make sure they are buried well and [have] at least [12 inches] of soil on top of it.
Restrepo uses organic cane mulch to suppress weeds, creating a protective blanket over the soil.
“It will retain moisture, reducing the amount of water you will use and providing valuable nutrients as it breaks down over time,” he explained.
To further keep weeds at bay, the gardener prepares homemade natural pesticides, including an effective mixture of water, soap, vegetable oil, and baking soda.
Are there any common gardening mistakes you would warn people about?
Restrepo explained that while making mistakes “is part of every gardener’s journey,” some can be easily avoided.
“One of the most common mistakes beginners make is planting at the wrong time,” he said.
“If you live in an area of the world where there are seasons, then you will have to look at what vegetables can be grown in the specific month you are in; if there are no seasons, then you will have to look at what can be grown locally.”
“Another common mistake is not preparing the soil with the appropriate nutrients,” he added.
“People plant in any soil hoping that everything will grow well and, unfortunately, a few months later, the results will be very bad, leaving them discouraged and unwilling to continue growing vegetables.
“They have to realize that the soil is a living system and that the system needs nutrients to be able to provide [them] for plants. Feed the soil and the soil will feed your plants.”
“You can also create a few more by extracting the specific repellent properties of a food by making a tea and then diluting it in water,” he added.
“I also like to use cardboard to cover a specific part of the garden and let it sit in the soil until it’s time to plant.
“The weeds will be weak or non-existent depending on how long the cardboard has been there.”
two
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
