You put down the spade and sit back on your bench looking at your garden. You’ve tried everything and still it’s just not working. Well here’s a list of a few tips that are handy to keep in mind to try before you think about throwing in the trowel and going to buy sand and cement to hide the atrocity.

• A good way to keep slugs off the vegetable patch is to half fill a tin can with beer and submerge it into the ground, slugs are attracted by the smell, fall in and drown.

• Put the support stake in before you plant a new tree to avoid the possibility of damaging the roots.

• Avoid watering plants midday when its hot and sunny or they will get scorched, its better to wait for sunset as the water won’t dry up as quickly overnight giving the plant all the water it needs.

• Always buy strong, good quality tools and look after them well. If you can afford it buy stainless steel as they will last a lifetime and are easier to clean.  When choosing tools pick them up and try out for balance and weight.

• Hanging baskets need watering twice a day; to make this easier you should consider attaching them to a pulley system available from garden centres.

• Water hanging baskets by putting ice cubes on the top, moisture is slowly released as the ice cubes melt.  Ensure these do not touch the plants as this may cause damage.

• For long borders of plants arrange the hose around the border, placed close to fences it can easily hidden. Stab a few holes along the piping and it will water everything in one go.

• Vinegar can be a cheap way to remove grass from paths and driveways
  

Hopefully this will help turn your garden hell into a tranquil Eden.