Use of Toothpick in Gardening
Posted: November 6th, 2013, 10:42 am
1)Plant an avocado: The best way to start an avocado plant from seed is not to plant it in soil. Instead, wash the avocado seed and push three toothpicks into the seed. Then suspend the seed on a glass with water covering the bottom inch of the wide end of the seed. Give it a warm spot out of direct sunlight and keep it watered. After the roots and stem start to grow, plant the bottom half of the seed in rich soil.
2) Repair a bent stem: A toothpick can often brace a drooping or bent plant stem. Straighten the stem and attach the toothpick with tape. Water the plant and watch for it to grow back to health. Remove the toothpick splint once it is growing again to avoid choking off the stem.
3) Repair a garden hose leak: Stick a toothpick into the hole in a leaking garden hose. The water will swell the wood and provide a good temporary plug.
4) Test soil moisture: The toothpick test for cakes sort of works in reverse for houseplants. Push a toothpick into the soil around potted plants. If it comes out clean, it needs water. If it comes out wet and covered with soil, doesn’t need water yet.
5) Deter cutworms: Experienced green thumbs recommend pushing three toothpicks into the soil close to the stem of a tomato plant or other seedling. This can keep cutworms from curling around the plant and eating it.
2) Repair a bent stem: A toothpick can often brace a drooping or bent plant stem. Straighten the stem and attach the toothpick with tape. Water the plant and watch for it to grow back to health. Remove the toothpick splint once it is growing again to avoid choking off the stem.
3) Repair a garden hose leak: Stick a toothpick into the hole in a leaking garden hose. The water will swell the wood and provide a good temporary plug.
4) Test soil moisture: The toothpick test for cakes sort of works in reverse for houseplants. Push a toothpick into the soil around potted plants. If it comes out clean, it needs water. If it comes out wet and covered with soil, doesn’t need water yet.
5) Deter cutworms: Experienced green thumbs recommend pushing three toothpicks into the soil close to the stem of a tomato plant or other seedling. This can keep cutworms from curling around the plant and eating it.
