Pesky weeds love to pop up and ruin beautiful gardens and walkways. Many turn to harsh chemicals or back breaking weed pulling to solve the problem. Chemical sprays cause severe irritation and can be harmful if ingested. Don’t let weeds get the best of you; go organic! Here are some earth friendly solutions:

Vinegar
Make your walkway weeds disappear for good with some strong white vinegar! Early in the season, before plants go to seed, give each weed a spray of full-strength vinegar in the middle of the flower. Spray again, near the stem at ground level. Vinegar is particularly effective for killing dandelions!

Vodka & Soap
Forget the martini! Try this soapy, weed-killing cocktail instead! For a quick fix, mix: 30 milliliters of vodka, 2 cups of water and several drops of liquid dish soap together. On a sunny day, spray your mix on the weed leaves at noon. The alcohol breaks down the leaves’ waxy layer, allowing them to dehydrate.

Salt
Salt is a great affordable option when it comes to pesky weeds. Mix 2 cups of water with 1 cup of salt, bringing it to a boil and pouring directly onto weeds. Short on time? Simply sprinkle salt directly onto the weeds that come up between pathway bricks.

Corn Meal
Corn gluten meal prevents sneaky seeds from growing into weeds because the meal prevents germination. Spread the meal again later on in the season to prevent late-blooming weeds.

If it rains shortly after your attack you may need to give the weeds another treatment. With solutions like these, you’ll be able to keep your stone walkway looking picture perfect! Talk with Hamilton Builders’ Supply about how to add value and style to your patio and walkway with landscaping stones. They have the selection you need and the expertise you demand. All this and more at Stoney Creek Furniture’s Inside Out Home Show on Thursday, March 20 from 5:30-9pm!

Shrubs can liven up a yard however there are a lot of options! Shrubs come in all shapes, sizes and colours, so which type is right for your yard? Here are some factors to considering when picking out new shrubs to plant this spring season:

 
Space
You must consider the space you have available. Consider how much room you have to work with and home much open space you wish to keep. Evaluate the shrubs shape, height and full size once it ages. Don’t plant too close to your house if the shrub is large! Large shrubs and trees can possibly cause pipe problems and structural damage is planted too close to your home

Design, Habits and Landscape
The current layout of your yard or garden is important when deciding on any new additions. Which colours would you like? Evergreen? Would you like flowers to blossom? Do you want to attract wild life? Don’t forget to factor in your landscape plan and design when deciding on the right match!

Soil and Conditions
Soil and growing conditions should be heavily weighted when determining the type of shrub you should purchase. By evaluating the soil you can determine whether to alter the pH and texture or simply pick another specimen. Test your soil’s pH to gauge the nutrient level. Nutrients and pH level can be altered through the use of fertilizers. You can purchase easy test packs at home improvement stores and garden centers. The soil texture can also affect your shrubs negatively if not considered. For example, if your soil is too clay based, it can kill shrubs that need substantial drainage. Some other things to take into consideration are: local weather, level of light, type of terrain.

Healthy is best!
Choosing a healthy plant is a must and starts with shopping at reputable nurseries and garden centers. Colours should be vibrant and healthy with no wilting leaves and don’t forget to keep an eye out for diseases! When in doubt seek a knowledgeable employee at your local nursery or garden center for advice.

Dreaming of a beautiful lawn and garden this spring? Original Greenscapes share tricks and tips to make your home the envy of the neighbourhood at our Inside Out Home Show on Thursday, March 20 from 5:30-9pm. RSVP today before time runs out!