"Jonno" wrote in message
...
0tterbot wrote:
i've discovered a most handy thing, which i will share :-) (my apologies
if the entire world has already thought of this ;-)

you can get old aluminium-window fly screens at 2nd-hand builders', etc,
for almost nothing. you can then use them to lay over the top of
seedlings in a veggie bed to keep THINGS off.

next, i think i shall make some tall frames for them with screen over the
sides too, so taller plants can be blocked all around from THINGS.

anyone whose garden is free from THINGS, of course, need not concern
themselves. g the screens are good for drying as well - lay your fruit
etc on the wire, cover with muslin or other fine fabric, & leave in the
sun (elevated off the ground). also good to put your taties on for a
couple of days to dry after harvesting. i could go on - i am loving my
old fly-screens! and they're fully washable. g

does anyone else have any hot tips?
kylie
Here you go. A years upply on hot tips. Some my own, others from the Net.

The plastic trellis used to support climbing plants are also a good way to
stop tomatoes from trailing in the ground, if your'e too lazy to trim
them. Plamt your tomatoes, when they are around a foot high, trim the
lower branches, then, just put a few short stakes on the ground, cut any
branches below the supported trellis, now mounted like a carpet on the
short stakes, asd let the tomatoes grow off the ground. This will help
stop ground borne diseases. Tall stakes after a few years rot and get too
short and this is another good way to use them. Chicken wire would also be
usefull. Also when watering this can prevent bacteria laden water ground
splash which causes problems. Another way of doing this is to use hay
underneath the tomatoes. See milk tip also

When preparing your garden dont leave it all level, have some low spots to
gather or pool water into, so plants can use this instead of water running
off your garden. If placed strategically you will be amazed at the
results. The water stays long enough to soak in properly.

Leftover Milk: You might be interested to know that regular milk is an
incredible fungus and virus fighter in the garden. Some plants such as
tomatoes and roses are notorious for contracting nasty diseases that can
kill the plant or limit fruit and flower production. Start adding a
tablespoon of powdered milk to the soil around your plants early in the
season BEFORE problems happen. Or make a spray that can be applied to
infected leaves using leftover or spoiled milk diluted with water.

Aquarium Water: Aquarium owners know that every few weeks a small
percentage of the water must be drained and replaced with fresh water. You
can use the discarded water to water your plants. This is not only a good
conservation method, but a good fertlizer too!

Using aquarium water - this may NOT be a good idea if you have a salt water
(tropical fish) aquarium (as my friend pointed out when I told her about
your tip Johnno )