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Take a look at our selection of Questions and Answers, whether it's the basics of the basics or the most unconventional questions. You'll find everything you need right here.
Although salt can kill snails by dehydrating them, it is not recommended for garden use. Salt can damage the soil, harm plant roots, and affect beneficial soil organisms. It’s best to stick to safer alternatives like diatomaceous earth, beer traps, and crushed eggshells that target snails without harming your garden’s ecosystem.
Yes, coffee grounds are a popular natural method to deter slugs and snails. The texture and caffeine content are unpleasant to these pests. They’re generally safe for most plants and can even enrich the soil with nutrients. However, they may increase soil acidity, so use them in moderation around plants that prefer neutral or alkaline soil.
Snails and slugs prefer soft, tender vegetation, especially young seedlings, lettuce, spinach, basil, and strawberries. However, if populations are high, they may begin feeding on a broader range of plants, including root vegetables and even woody stems. Slugs eat a variety of plant tissues and can devastate a garden if left unchecked.
Copper reacts with the slime that snails and slugs produce, causing a mild electric shock that repels them. This won’t harm the pests, but they will avoid crossing copper surfaces. Copper tape can be wrapped around planters, garden beds, and containers to form a safe and effective barrier.
Absolutely. Many gardeners successfully keep slugs and snails away using natural methods like handpicking, setting traps, spreading crushed eggshells or coffee grounds, and using copper tape. Additionally, improving garden drainage and watering in the morning will make your vegetable garden less attractive to these pests.
No—small container ponds with a few aquatic plants can still attract dragonflies and support larvae development, saving space while achieving great results.
While no single solution fully removes mosquitoes, combining dragonfly habitat with standing water management and these plants can significantly reduce mosquito populations.
Most—like swamp milkweed, arrowhead, and blue flag iris—are native and ecosystem-friendly. Always check local rules, especially before planting aggressive species like cattails.
A: Yes, strawberries and raspberries can be grown in the same home garden. Just make sure they have enough space, proper organic fertilizer, and are protected from pests and birds.
A: Use bird netting to shield your ripe berries from birds. For pests like aphids or spider mites, opt for organic pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap.
A: Summer-bearing varieties produce one large crop in early summer, while everbearing types yield two crops—one in summer and one in fall. Choose based on your fruit development goals and growing season.
A: Most spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths are best planted in the fall, usually 6 to 8 weeks before the first hard frost. This timing allows the bulbs to develop strong roots before winter dormancy and ensures vibrant blooms in early spring. Some spring flowers grown from seed or cuttings can be planted in early spring when the soil warms up.
A: Yes, many spring bulbs and perennials grow well in containers, including tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and crocuses. Use well-draining potting soil and containers with drainage holes. Container gardening is ideal for gardeners with limited space or those who want to bring spring color to patios and porches.
A: Yes, several popular spring flowers, including lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, and lily of the valley, contain toxins harmful if ingested by pets or humans. If you have pets or small children, it’s best to research toxicity and keep these plants out of reach or choose non-toxic alternatives.
