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Why do I prefer container gardening?

Almost all my plants are kept in containers - any shape and size! A lot of people do prefer to garden in raised beds, the soil can keep its quality better year after year in the ground.  But I prefer to use a different container for each plant! Keep reading to hear my pros and cons for container gardening. u/Longjumping-Quit7471, u/Living-Valuable-376, u/Parking-Bit-9217, u/RaintreeJames   What is container gardening? Container gardening is keeping all your plants in pots. It's ideal for if you don't have much space, or for me it works better! For beginners it's a good way to start, you don't need to buy much.  Weeding your plants is much easier: With only the space in the container, it's easier to keep up with weeding. As I’m weeding more often, I find the roots don't get a chance to develop, and they pull out easier. I can avoid the pesky mosquitoes in the summer: Mosquitos are the devil in the summer! Where I still have some beds, over the winter I can't ...
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How to make tulips stand up straight, and 6 other hacks

Around this time of the year, cut tulips are available in so many shops, florists, and supermarkets! The ending of March is the beginning of the season to see them bloom! 


They are such beautiful spring flowers, so here are my top tips for making them last longer, stop drooping, wilting, and more.


Tip 1: Copper penny in the tulip water

The copper is antimicrobial which, in theory, would kill the bacteria that grows in the standing vase. The bacteria could cause rot, wilting or other damage to your flowers.


Tip 2: Sellotape to arrange your flowers

Taping a grid over your vase will hold up the stems more when you arrange it. You can make  the spaces as big (fit a few stems) or a small (one stem per space) as you like!


Tip 3: Vodka in the flower water

It is believed that the vodka (or other high proof, clear alcohol) will slow how quickly the flowers ripen, and preserve it slightly.


Tip 4: Opening up your flowers (a new TikTok trend!)

On TikTok, I saw that there is a new trend to open up the petals of your tulips. I think they look like a ‘soft’ lily flower!


One user (ayeetzy) suggested that you can cut the stems around 1cm shorter to encourage faster flowering. And the user (theprintedpaige) opts to open their fresh flowers by hand.


Tip 5: Cut the stems at an angle

Cutting the stems at a 45 degree angles lets it take up more water, as it increases the surface area. 


Tip 6: Poke a hole in the flower stem

Before you put the flowers in water, you can poke a small hole through the stem, just below the flower. The idea is that  when you do put them in water, air bubbles will flow up the stem and make them stiff. Although, I have read that this promotes rot.


Tip 7: Replace the water when it gets cloudy

Cloudy water is a sign of bacteria growing, so replacing the water will remove the bacteria and keep it away from your flowers!



How many of these hacks have you tried? Let me know which ones work, or don’t work!


Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

- Nate


Shop for some tulips here:


Tulip ‘Ice Cream’ £9.99 | Tulip ‘Triumph Mixed’ £6.49 | Tulip ‘Springtime Doubles Mix’ £6.99

Luxury Tulip Trio £35 | Rainbow Tulip Abundance with Grow Your Own Mini Sunflowers Kit £30 | Bountiful Bunch of Pastel Tulips £30 | Mixed Tulips £14.95

Queen of Night black Tulip bulbs £6.95+ | Potted Tulips 9cm £9.99 | Tulip Dreamer £10.20 | Tulip Glamour Unique £8.90


Disclaimer - I can not guarantee how effective the tips are, and how they will affect your flowers!

(This post contains affiliate links)

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