Author name: oliviajones

Are black aphids harmful? The black bean aphid can cause significant damage to crops by feeding on the plant sap and transmitting plant viruses. Woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum): This species is found on apple and other fruit trees and is known for its white, woolly appearance. The black bean aphid is more commonly known […]

What kills gnats without killing plants? Chamomile Tea & Cinnamon. Chamomile and cinnamon are powerful natural fungicides, which kill off the gnats’ primary food source, therefore making the soil inhospitable. Dry Out the Soil One of the main sources of gnats is overwatering the houseplants as their larvae grow in the moist environment. The best

How to build a cheap garden retaining wall? Limestone is an inexpensive material for landscaping, and you can use it to build a low retaining wall to line garden beds. Simply stack them on top of one another—the more natural the better—and you have a simple retaining wall. The Spruce (a home-garden site) even calls

What is the most cost effective garden border? Wood chip mulch is one of the most inexpensive ways to create a soft, natural border between your lawn and garden beds. It also helps suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. If you’re aiming for a more rustic feel, arranging logs can create a charming, cabin-inspired edge.

What plants are best for small borders? Some of our favourite small plants for the front of borders are ceanothus, cistus rock rose, euonymus, hebe, dwarf varieties of hypericum, lavender, leucothoe, pieris, potentilla, skimmia and vinca. However, some tall, slender plants, or those with a thin canopy, can be placed near the front to create

What can I use to hold landscape timbers in place? How to Secure Landscape Timbers? Galvanized steel spikes are ideal for strength, while timber screws offer a neater appearance. Choose spikes that are 10–12 inches long for better stability and for getting deeper into the ground. You’ll want to drill at each end of each

Can you use 2×4 for landscape edging? Yes. It performs best when installed on edge, kept above grade, and secured in a way that doesn’t weaken the wood. Yes. Pressure-treated lumber is commonly used for garden edging because it is designed to resist rot and decay in outdoor environments. It is often chosen for projects

Can you make a retaining wall with bricks? Retaining walls can be made from wood, bricks, natural stones or concrete blocks. For DIYers, it’s easiest to use concrete retaining wall blocks that interlock. Interlocking blocks fit together and add extra security to the wall. What’s the cheapest retaining wall material? Timber is cheapest upfront, but

What do you put under edging stones? Add leveling sand to your trench and compact it with a tamper. The sand will create a stable base for the stones and make it easy to adjust and level them. Use Edging Materials**: Employing edging materials such as timber, stone, or metal borders can help contain your

What to put under stone edging? Lay the base gravel: The gravel will help your stone edging drain water and stay above ground. Only place a thin layer of gravel so you can still fit the stones in the trench and keep the natural look of the soil. You can put your gravel directly onto