5 Gardening Tips That Actually Work

I don't know about you, but here on YouTube, there are some weird channels that have all sorts of "garden tips" that are either inconvenient, dumb, or flat-out don't make any sense! I decided to put together just a few from my bag of tricks as a 5+ year urban gardener.

Here are some that I use often in the garden, and know they work. From using bottles as a garden cloche to explaining why gravel at the bottom of your containers is a BAD idea, I hope you learn something new in today's video.

SPONSOR: WORKMAN'S FRIEND BARRIER SKIN CREAM

A huge thank you to Workman's Friend for sponsoring this video and helping me bring you more free content. They've got a coupon code WFEPICGP for $2 off their barrier skin cream, which is super helpful for protecting against poison ivy, dirt, and stains. Best part is it also moisturizes your hands, allowing you to work without gloves while keeping your hands nice and clean.

I also had their formulation chemist on my podcast, Dr. Mark Merriwether Vorderbruggen, where we talked about foraging for food in the wilderness.

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[thisisme]

Before gardening, scratch on soap bars.
This packs soap under your nails blocking dirt.
Washes out when you clean your hands.

[kennykong]

About felt pots: the way he has the edges folded down creates a little perimeter that spiders like to nest under. If you're not squeamish, this is actually great for keeping pests from climbing up your pots! I was shocked when I unfolded my edges to find it all webbed up with a few startled jumping spiders running away.

[epicgardening]

0:00 Tip 1: Felt Pots
2:34 Tip 2: Garden Without Gloves
3:52 Tip 3: Cut Sponges in Bottom of Containers
5:38 Tip 4: Recycle Plastic Bottles as Mini Greenhouses
6:59 Tip 5: Coffee Filters as Soil Barriers
8:34 Workman's Friend Skin Cream Test

[kengarrett]

Re Tip 3. Using a sponge in the bottom of pots. I have started using wood chip mulch in the bottom of pots for drainage. I have access to free mulch. It breaks down and feeds the soil. When I plant it out into the garden I don't have to worry about picking out gravel, bits of pottery or sponge as the mulch is biodegradable.

[kimdavis]

I just made my own felt pots. I used “12 year” weed barrier material. It lasts long and I used a UV thread (Amazon) to sew them. You can make them any size you want and can grow corn, tomatoes, potato’s, anything you want! I’m going to keep mine in a small kiddy pool from the Dollar Store. I’ll be able to fertilize and NO WEEDING!! 🤗👩🏼‍🌾 Look up the video on making your own Grow Bags. Good Luck and Happy Gardening 🌽

[botflyguy]

Re-usable shopping bags and foldable closet storage organizers from the dollar store (meant for storing clothes mostly) are an even cheaper alternative to the felt pots. My tomato is super happy in the 2 dollar cloth container I bought from dollar giant and it even has handles on the side to make moving it around my balcony easier. Bonus is they come in different colours and patterns too.

[EveningShadeLori]

Great tips! Love the mini greenhouse idea!! I also have a tip ~ if your going to be gone for several days and afraid certain plants may need water. You can fill an old gallon or half gallon milk jug w/ h20 and poke small holes along the bottom. Sit near the plants 🌱 and you have a slow watering system for while your gone. Leave the lid off for better flow. I realize u can buy watering bulbs. but again why not get good second use from plastic ! I’m new to your channel so I apologize if you already mentioned this tip!

[sren_sng]

THANK YOU!! I watch at least one of Kevin or Jacques videos every day. Huge thank you from this beginner 6a urban gardener. ❤

[pthaloblue]

Great tips, especially the chopped up sponge. I am adding a tip of my own: I have used plastic bottles as plant covers, plan on cutting an extra inch or two to sink them into the dirt or they will blow away with the first bit of wind! Just placing them on the ground like that is a recipe for frustration when you find them blown all over the yard and not protecting your vulnerable plants.

[COinNL]

Tip to get nails clean, wash your dishes by hand. Makes the nails look perfect.

[fantomanimus]

I live in SD as well so your videos are amazing for me as I start my first garden as a young adult. Everything you say is super applicable and easy to understand.

[PapaBushka]

A couple of things: I've been using landscape fabric at the bottom of my pots for many years. I do like the sponge idea, esp for plants that need to retain moisture. As for the pots with no holes, they are not meant to be planted in directly. They are "cache pots". They are used to hide the unattractive nursery pot. Enjoying both the information and the style of your videos. Keep up the good work.

[brandie]

He's kinda like both cute property brothers in one person but for gardening lol

[cavymomma]

love the sponge idea - would be much lighter weight (vs gravel) for us little old ladies!

[barbfawkes]

I use orange twist cap Gatorade bottles for mini greenhouses to start my fruit tree seeds. The orange cap can be twisted open when you want more ventilation, or closed for more warmth, if the nights are still cool. The bottoms cut off can be given some holes for drainage and start veggie seeds in them. 😃👍👩‍🌾

[patsycav]

I will probably get the felt planters for potatoes and carrots, also yams, as well as zucchini and yellow squash. That sounds like fun and good eating, without having a stationary garden. Moving things around to chase the sun is good exercise. Thanks for your video. The hand protector looks like a good idea for someone who really gets into the dirt. I like it too. As a kid, I was a mud cake eater. We lived near a store that left a display case outside and we played there. I was the store owner and the kids had to pay me for the mud cakes. It was a good racket. We were so healthy.

[brandstone]

I accidentally found an interesting trick with felt pots. If you let a plant grow roots into the ground through the bottom, and then move the pot (cutting and leaving the extra roots in the ground). Those roots can actually start growing a new plant. I've got a surprise blackberry bush coming up this spring because of this.

[hectorsmommy]

I have been using the plastic bottles as mini greenhouses for years when I start my begonia bulbs inside. I have 2 cats who like to dig in the dirt so they are great to prevent that. Never thought about sponges in the bottom. Instead of gravel I use pine cones in the bottom of my pots to help drainage and lessen the weight of large pots. They don't break down too fast so don't really affect the pH.

[senIAngel]

Cool tip about the barrier cream. I'm a pharmacist and recommended several brands often, usually for construction workers (and, of course, to protect babies bottoms!). I rarely use it myself and I never consider using it for gardening.
For those outside the US, specially in Europe, there are several brands of barrier creams available. I usually use Avene's version (Cicalfate) because I am a fan of this brand, but there are versions from A-Derma (Dermalibour+Barrier), Halibut, Aveeno and others.

[gaylestephenson]

Can't wait to get the Felt Pots! Moving pots is hard on the back. Will be cutting up sponges as all of my small pots are messy.... those clear plastic undertrays are useless, they crack and leak, and allow moisture to condense under them! so using coffee filters is a wonderful trick. Also like the water bottles for little plants, I know I will appreciate the WF Barrier Hand Cream! These are all Great Tips I will enjoy using! Many Thanks for this video, all fun and very useful. I am headed to 5 veggies to harvest in under 1 month! Love having fresh veggies right outside!