this is me - Oooh....great tip! I had a friend who said he used bar soap to scratch out the dirt AFTERWARDS, but preventing it from getting under the nails is even BETTER! 👍
I have a scrub brush at the sink for nails. I like the bar soap before gardening trick for keeping it out from under your nails, but finding a balance between getting enough in there & not having it chunk off into your garden while working is tough. I’ve pretty much embraced the dirty nails look. Mixing compost by hand is a bit gross but well worth it. I also found that soaking my hands in a tub of warm water & epsom salt after washing makes things loosen up & it helps ease hand pain. Then I just give them another scrub with soap (dish soap works the best for me) and I’m good to go.
I've heard this one before but too much soap and it hurts under the nails , and doesn't work that well if you keep short nails for practical reasons. In regard to nail brushes, the regular kind you buy everywhere don't work very well. What does work are the nylon brushes surgeons use and after being available only at specialty shops are now seen in more places to buy. I've been using them for years now and it's amazing how they get the grunge from under the nails.
About felt pots: the way he has the edges folded down creates a little perimeter that spiders like to nest under. If you're not squeamish, this is actually great for keeping pests from climbing up your pots! I was shocked when I unfolded my edges to find it all webbed up with a few startled jumping spiders running away.
0:00 Tip 1: Felt Pots 2:34 Tip 2: Garden Without Gloves 3:52 Tip 3: Cut Sponges in Bottom of Containers 5:38 Tip 4: Recycle Plastic Bottles as Mini Greenhouses 6:59 Tip 5: Coffee Filters as Soil Barriers 8:34 Workman's Friend Skin Cream Test
@@MaggieF59 It really depends how good quality the fet pots have. But usually felt pots are cheap and those are also easy to make by yourself so if the pot is in a bad condition just get a new one.
Re Tip 3. Using a sponge in the bottom of pots. I have started using wood chip mulch in the bottom of pots for drainage. I have access to free mulch. It breaks down and feeds the soil. When I plant it out into the garden I don't have to worry about picking out gravel, bits of pottery or sponge as the mulch is biodegradable.
I just made my own felt pots. I used “12 year” weed barrier material. It lasts long and I used a UV thread (Amazon) to sew them. You can make them any size you want and can grow corn, tomatoes, potato’s, anything you want! I’m going to keep mine in a small kiddy pool from the Dollar Store. I’ll be able to fertilize and NO WEEDING!! 🤗👩🏼🌾 Look up the video on making your own Grow Bags. Good Luck and Happy Gardening 🌽
@K D if you are hand sewing cheap waxed dental floss works perfect for heavy duty sewing. I know it sounds odd but the stuff is crazy strong. It's actually waxed nylon.
Re-usable shopping bags and foldable closet storage organizers from the dollar store (meant for storing clothes mostly) are an even cheaper alternative to the felt pots. My tomato is super happy in the 2 dollar cloth container I bought from dollar giant and it even has handles on the side to make moving it around my balcony easier. Bonus is they come in different colours and patterns too.
OMG!! They really work?!!! 😍 I've been stressed on having started too many seeds and not enough pots to go around! Do you think that the bags would work for bush beans and the like??
Great tips! Love the mini greenhouse idea!! I also have a tip ~ if your going to be gone for several days and afraid certain plants may need water. You can fill an old gallon or half gallon milk jug w/ h20 and poke small holes along the bottom. Sit near the plants 🌱 and you have a slow watering system for while your gone. Leave the lid off for better flow. I realize u can buy watering bulbs. but again why not get good second use from plastic ! I’m new to your channel so I apologize if you already mentioned this tip!
Question: as sponges are factory-produced and contain who knows what (dyes in the very least), could it be possibly the next step up to use bits of dried loofa? I’m planning a crop of loofah (to start indoors way in advance of the next season) for my garden. My original idea was to use them for visual appeal, as well as a way to stop buying kitchen sponges. But then a dry cut up loofah can be also great for “self-watering” pots as per your suggestion. What do you think? Any reasons why it could have unintended negative side effects?
I used cardboard toilet paper rolls to start seeds for herbs. Cut them in half, add dirt, seeds, water and put them in any 1 inch high waterproof baking sheet, casserole pan, or cardboard box from soda cans. Once they are 1-2 inches high, I put them into an area where they can grow further. I did the same with pop cans, poking holes in the bottom after cutting the top off. The TP rolls can get mushy but they peel off easily or can be planted outright. The soda cans are more sturdy yet not easily peeled off. Both work well depending on how fragile the actual plants are. Thanks for the tips!
Great tips, especially the chopped up sponge. I am adding a tip of my own: I have used plastic bottles as plant covers, plan on cutting an extra inch or two to sink them into the dirt or they will blow away with the first bit of wind! Just placing them on the ground like that is a recipe for frustration when you find them blown all over the yard and not protecting your vulnerable plants.
Hi, Kevin. Long ago, a gardener -author stated that if we're growing crops or plants in it, it's *soil.* "Dirt," on the other hand, is what you get under your fingernails. Love your videos, very grateful for the content!
I will probably get the felt planters for potatoes and carrots, also yams, as well as zucchini and yellow squash. That sounds like fun and good eating, without having a stationary garden. Moving things around to chase the sun is good exercise. Thanks for your video. The hand protector looks like a good idea for someone who really gets into the dirt. I like it too. As a kid, I was a mud cake eater. We lived near a store that left a display case outside and we played there. I was the store owner and the kids had to pay me for the mud cakes. It was a good racket. We were so healthy.
@@bmalcolm4231 the problème comes when you with her, or when you put à hand on her: nobody said you can't watch women! You Just have to acknowledge that they are qualified And smart too.
I use orange twist cap Gatorade bottles for mini greenhouses to start my fruit tree seeds. The orange cap can be twisted open when you want more ventilation, or closed for more warmth, if the nights are still cool. The bottoms cut off can be given some holes for drainage and start veggie seeds in them. 😃👍👩🌾
A tip I recently tried ... I used a McDonald's breakfast tray to start seedlings and another to grow microgreens. The clear plastic lid acts as a miniature greenhouse.
The sponge in the pot is a hella great idea! I live in Alberta Canada and the air here is dry as dry can be, every potted plant needs water almost daily, the sponge is a super hack!
I live in SD as well so your videos are amazing for me as I start my first garden as a young adult. Everything you say is super applicable and easy to understand.
Can't wait to get the Felt Pots! Moving pots is hard on the back. Will be cutting up sponges as all of my small pots are messy.... those clear plastic undertrays are useless, they crack and leak, and allow moisture to condense under them! so using coffee filters is a wonderful trick. Also like the water bottles for little plants, I know I will appreciate the WF Barrier Hand Cream! These are all Great Tips I will enjoy using! Many Thanks for this video, all fun and very useful. I am headed to 5 veggies to harvest in under 1 month! Love having fresh veggies right outside!
A couple of things: I've been using landscape fabric at the bottom of my pots for many years. I do like the sponge idea, esp for plants that need to retain moisture. As for the pots with no holes, they are not meant to be planted in directly. They are "cache pots". They are used to hide the unattractive nursery pot. Enjoying both the information and the style of your videos. Keep up the good work.
Cool tip about the barrier cream. I'm a pharmacist and recommended several brands often, usually for construction workers (and, of course, to protect babies bottoms!). I rarely use it myself and I never consider using it for gardening. For those outside the US, specially in Europe, there are several brands of barrier creams available. I usually use Avene's version (Cicalfate) because I am a fan of this brand, but there are versions from A-Derma (Dermalibour+Barrier), Halibut, Aveeno and others.
I have been using the plastic bottles as mini greenhouses for years when I start my begonia bulbs inside. I have 2 cats who like to dig in the dirt so they are great to prevent that. Never thought about sponges in the bottom. Instead of gravel I use pine cones in the bottom of my pots to help drainage and lessen the weight of large pots. They don't break down too fast so don't really affect the pH.
I experimented with a couple of plastic water bottles this spring (in a much different way) while I was starting seeds I cut them in half as you did I then filled the small top part with soil and the bottom with water then I set the top (with seed) in the bottom. Hoping the water vapor will moisten the soil and the roots will later find their way to the water below a set it and forget it method of seed starting so to say. It worked amazingly and It's also great for plants that are not recommended for making starts like carrots or cucumber/squash varieties.
I watched too. He only used the " two knuckles up" and finger tips of palm. The areas he demonstrated were actually what he said. Point is the product works. They support his channel, ergo pay him to make a video you watch free. 🙄
30 years ago as an auto mechanic, there was a product called Invincible Glove. It's still being sold, however I dont know if it's the same formula from back in the day. It was used just like the Workmans Friend product. I would apply 2 coats up to my elbows - apply then let dry, then apply again and let dry. As in the video, applying the product under your nails and around cuticles is a smart move. I appreciate the great gardening info!
Thank you so much for covering this topic! Unfortunately for a beginner (I can only have houseplants-yay tiny Chicago apt!) there are so many suggestions online. It's tricky to distinguish between facts and ridiculous nonsense when you don't know which way is up.
I have an apartment also. Did you check into local community gardens? I have 2 plots at 30 a piece. They supply the tools and water. Last year one of the gardens I had was free. An elderly couple had a garden but couldn't work in it anymore. A fair trade, labor and veggie trade. At my apartment. As an amenity; we have garden boxes for people who are interested.
In Australia they have been slow to embrace the cellulose based sponges, and so far we have only been getting the combo with recycled nylon scourer on one side. Good time to internet search I think 😁
I accidentally found an interesting trick with felt pots. If you let a plant grow roots into the ground through the bottom, and then move the pot (cutting and leaving the extra roots in the ground). Those roots can actually start growing a new plant. I've got a surprise blackberry bush coming up this spring because of this.
That cream works great I have it myself..and the sponge idea is awesome! I use take out containers and bowls bakery plastic containers, strawberry plastic containers for seeds mini greenhouse already has holes and a cover!
Great tips - I love the sponge one. I was going all around the house today looking for little rocks, finally I had to steal some from our fish tank (Finny not happy). But I have a bunch of old hard sponges laying around I could have used! Coffee filter also a good tip. I don't drink coffee but I use them for snacks and other things. Now I have a new use for them and they're so cheap at the dollar store. ($1.00!!) ha ha
I love felt pots!! I am glad I am not the only one who "collects" plants. I have a collection of Irises, my mini's are my favorite. The flowers are about the size of a quarter.
Ive been binge watching your videos and I owe you a big THANK YOU, I have a small rabbit to feed and thats 2kg of green leafs salad per week that I have to buy, so you really are helping me succeed with my recently started crops.
I love gardening without gloves!! Thanks for sharing about the felt pots. We need to look into those. We have a large yard but not much consistent sun so that would help to be able to move the pots.
love your garden! Thank you for the info! I'm a beginner gardener! Never thought I would say that but its really a magical hobby. I went around the house collecting my plastic bottles and reused them for the plants.
Freaking fabulous coffee filter tip for the clay pot drain iasue. Don't forget the broken clay pot shards to cover the bottom if you're out of filters!
I LOVE my fabric pots! And they come in all sizes! As a beginner gardener, really a reformed brown thumb, I admit I am on who loves.....to death! I smother and fuss and the pots evens out my watering in the first year where i learned not all plants need fussing over, lol! I love the deepness too and how you can fold them over to let the sun in. Great video! Thank you!
@@epicgardening I also dont use gloves, I have them, but I fell I can do better without because I can feel the plant and where it should go, how the roots feel, etc. The sponge idea is great I cant wait to try it! And the bottles too!!
A help for bumping up a prickle cactus: To bump up a cactus or succulents: place the original (or one the same size) pot in bigger pot. First, put in coffee filter, some medium in the bottom of larger pot, place original size pot inside larger pot, damp medium around outside of inner (original size) pot. Pull out inner pot. The remaining indentation will fit old pot. Remove plant from old pot, and plop into larger pot. Easy Peasy and no root disturbance.
Calamine is great on your face before going to bed if you have acne. Helps to dry it out. Nothing to do with gardening but your teenagers will thank you for it
I like using natural products whenever possible. Instead of sponges, this year I am inspired by Hugelkultur (sp?) and putting a bit of straw that acts like the coffee filter and small twigs in the bottom of all my containers to act like sponges. I've been saving all plastic containers for a few years for mini greenhouses and to protect plant stems. Instead of felt pots, I use my chicken feed bags and just roll down the tops to whatever height I need.
Tip: if you garden without gloves and always have dirt under your nails use an old toothbrush and brush the tooth brush under your nails. Weird but it works
Thanks for you tips. I use used coffee filters, with the grounds still in it, and mix them in with the potting soil. Personally, I don't even like the feel of the skin protectant on me, but it's a good alternative for easy hand cleaning. The best tip I've found for fingernail cleaning is a strong burst of water either from an appropriate setting on my garden hose, or the spray on my kitchen sink
Good tips. About the plastic bottles, you would probably want to push them about half an inch in the ground, otherwise they won't stay up even 5 minutes.The slightest wind will blow them away.
I cover my hands in liquid soap, digging my nails in a bar of soap. Let dry. Wash later. Also works for poison ivy. Remember.. you have about 4 hours to wash off any ivy oil if you think you've come in contact.
I like the sponge tip. I need to try that out. What works for me is chicken wire. I shape it enough so it sticks up about an inch from the bottom of the pot. I haven't had any issues. Thanks for this video.
If you use a coffee filter when it's time to transplant can you put the whole plant with the coffee filter on into the ground like will the roots be able to eventually penetrate the coffee filter if so that's a brilliant idea.
The problem with the felt pots is that, in a warm place like south texas, the plants tend to not retain enough mosture during those hot summer months. Something you might want to think about.
The hand cream looks really good! Love myself working with my bare hands, only use gloves for thorny plants. I personally use Vaseline as a lil protection but this looks way better!
Tried the felt pots, both small and large area to sub for raised beds last year. First growing season the pots were fine and the crops were satisfactory. But within six months, garden pests began eating holes in them, probably making nesting material from them. This year has not even begun full garden season, and these felt pots have mold, falling apart and other issues. This month, returned to large plastic pots, agri- fabric as top cover, and have removed all felt pots from large garden and yard area. Will never use any again. They are not even durable for an entire year. Enjoy many of your videos, but felt pots have not proven to be satisfactory for us.
I love "hacks". Thanks. I have used coffee filters for many years. I use soap under my nails, but as a painter too, my nails always have something under them - lol.
Very nice tips, I prefer to work without gloves since I've never had issues with getting down and dirty. Finally get to tear the turf out of the yard this year and put a couple raised beds in. We're going to do container grown tomatoes, those felt pots look like a fantastic idea! Hopefully the sudden April cold snap goes away and I can start planting things out soon.
Great ideas! I use plastic pots because they the Rats would chew right through them the fiber pots. Last year I had such a rat problem they ate all my potatoes under ground. So I planted more potatoes in 15 gallon pots with chicken wire all around the pot from bottom to way above the tops of the plants. I had potatoes finally. Everything is in pots this year so I can move what needs to have more sun into the sun. Again thanks for your teaching videos
hand protection. chap stick, or butcher block compound. basically something with some wax and oil will work. i've been making my own for years and add carnuba wax to the mix [bees wax and minerial oil]. the carnuba is "slick" and helps with the barrier with a teflon like effect. when you make this stuff you've made unscented lotion. you can go any direction with it that you like.....
@@lucky4liveHawaii Didn't see the ingredient list. Water is toxic at high levels. Also do you like almonds? Arsenic. It's all perspective. Make your own video. The guy knows his stuff about gardening. I've never had problems with dirt. Washes right off. Fingernails, scrape some soap under your nails before gardening. I stand by my statement. Take away his right to be paid.........😎
I need to use Workman's friend on my feet. I like to wear clogs while gardening. Easy to take-off and put on while going into the house so my feet get really dirty. Takes forever to get them clean.
I'm not a beginner with plants but these ideas surprised me! GENIUS! Thank you so much 💕 Keep making videos. The Sponge? So simple but never thought about it!
GREAT JOB, IT'S INFORMATIVE AND USEFUL FOR ME TO HAVE SUCH A PROF LIKE YOU. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND WAITING FOR NEXT. GOOD DAY MY FRIEND PROF .
I am a new viewer and I am finding your videos so informarional and actually entertaining 😎 The sponges and plastic bottle hacks are great and solves a couple of problem I had. Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into making these videos, and another big thank you in advance for the future. 🥰😎
Here's a good tip: Use shelving units that have a grid pattern (so, they'll probably be plastic) to prevent your plants from being drowns during rain, as well as watering in general. OP combination is the shelves+felt pot.
Love that cream, but I do use gloves. However, I always wear out the same two fingertips on on my right hand glove and those nails get nasty. A good solution for me is to use both. I do use coffee filters and sponges for drainage, also cut up remnants of landscape fabric. One thing I started getting was the blue scrubber sponge for pots at the dollar store, and cut up pieces for holes in my self wicking containers (on the side) to prevent critters from setting up shop inside the bucket. I left a bucket unplugged outside over the winter, and when I emptied it to clean it and start over, some wasps suddenly got a bit flustered and kept looking for their winter hideaway. It keeps the ants, spiders, and wasps out when I use the scrubber pieces but let's water flow out freely and I need that when I am flushing the bottom.
@@lilawiese2460 Thanks! I always wish they made those filters in smaller sizes than the 4-6 cup variety that are the smallest available over here in Thailand.
I discovered your channel today and just watched 5 videos in a row. I’ve been gardening for a few years at a community garden but it closed down last year due to COVID, and will probably be closed this year also. Last summer, I tried to plant things on my property instead and my tomatoes and potato failed TERRIBLY. I moved them to a well-lit area but encountered different problems with both of them. I had success with each in previous years and now am unsure how to remedy it. 🧐 I am pretty confident about growing herbs and other things, but really love and miss having tomatoes and potatoes!!!
I haven't found any felt pots that don't contain plastic. Even when they're just described as 'fabric', the fabric is spun plastic. They are not 'endlessly reusable', usually only lasting a few seasons. They can't go into the compost pile & they're not recyclable. When I can get out more, I think I'll try making burlap pots. There's not much of them online & they're high, so may be worth figuring out how to do it myself.
@@nadinesawtell3267 I could try that. I was going to use a paper grocery bag as a pattern & then punch some holes in it, slip it into the burlap 'grocery bag', to keep soil in if the burlaps too porous. Im probably going to have to experiment with different ways, so thank you for your input.
I transformed my old swimwear into a fabric pot. People complain about how difficult to recycle swimwear because the fabric is made to be durable and difficult to breakdown so if you have any old swimwear that lost elasticity and don’t know what to do with them, you might as well make them into flower pots! I think jeans would work too but haven’t test them out
I love these hacks but I'm sorry, I'm not digging in the dirt without gloves. That's a hard no. Lol. I do use the potato bags but didn't think about folding down the edges. Idk why so I will do that. Learned something new. I'm new to gardening veggies and I love this channel. Thank you for sharing your tips.
I live in the desert area of Arizona and the felt pots really do not work well for the reason there is not enough humidity. I had to water at least twice a day and sometime 3 times because the felt dried much to quickly. I tried all different sizes and it was always the same issue. I did like the idea of the sponge in the bottom of the pots.
Additionally to tip #1 to get THE MOST POTATOES if you use a big bag & fold the sides down at the start w/ about 1/4 full of soil as they grow fold up the sides a little at a time & add soil the vegetation grows a few inches do it again untill full ! covering the plant leaving a few inches sticking out that will continue to grow & everytime you fill will grow another potato or group! . Your bag will be Stuffed !
Ooh I have one that I use. If u get plastic soda bottles or normal water bottles(would recommend soda because they are bigger,) and you cut about 4 inches from the cap and that piece with the cap you put cotton balls or coffee filter were you drink from and then you cover in potting mix you then make hole at the top and tie a rope from the first to the second e.t.c as much as u want and u plant what you want inside and you hang it up on the last bottle container you can eighther close the cap or unscrew a lil bit for watter to drain. By doing all this u can re use water. Hopefully I explained myself
Well, I learned about capillary action, sponges, how to pronounce cloche and what it is, using coffee filters (which I have), and some tips using plastic bottles which I really already knew. I still like gloves though because they are so pretty (yeah really). I use latex-free gloves when I'm pulling a lot of weeds to get the "feel" of it. Thanks Epic Gardening Man!
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
Before gardening, scratch on soap bars.
This packs soap under your nails blocking dirt.
Washes out when you clean your hands.
this is me - Oooh....great tip! I had a friend who said he used bar soap to scratch out the dirt AFTERWARDS, but preventing it from getting under the nails is even BETTER! 👍
I have a scrub brush at the sink for nails. I like the bar soap before gardening trick for keeping it out from under your nails, but finding a balance between getting enough in there & not having it chunk off into your garden while working is tough. I’ve pretty much embraced the dirty nails look. Mixing compost by hand is a bit gross but well worth it. I also found that soaking my hands in a tub of warm water & epsom salt after washing makes things loosen up & it helps ease hand pain. Then I just give them another scrub with soap (dish soap works the best for me) and I’m good to go.
@@DiscoChixify
I scratch into the bar then, use an emery board to get rid of excess...
I've heard this one before but too much soap and it hurts under the nails , and doesn't work that well if you keep short nails for practical reasons.
In regard to nail brushes, the regular kind you buy everywhere don't work very well. What does work are the nylon brushes surgeons use and after being available only at specialty shops are now seen in more places to buy. I've been using them for years now and it's amazing how they get the grunge from under the nails.
this is me hmm, interesting. I’ll give that a try. I like my epsom hand soak after yard work though, so I’ll probably still do that on top of this.
About felt pots: the way he has the edges folded down creates a little perimeter that spiders like to nest under. If you're not squeamish, this is actually great for keeping pests from climbing up your pots! I was shocked when I unfolded my edges to find it all webbed up with a few startled jumping spiders running away.
That's a definite plus for these pots!! I'm so sick of bugs destroying my plants!
Thanks for the heads up! I've just begun to use felt pots this summer.
No spider
NO.
OMG! No felt pots for me!Thanks for the heads up
OMG! No felt pots for me! Thanks for the heads up
0:00 Tip 1: Felt Pots
2:34 Tip 2: Garden Without Gloves
3:52 Tip 3: Cut Sponges in Bottom of Containers
5:38 Tip 4: Recycle Plastic Bottles as Mini Greenhouses
6:59 Tip 5: Coffee Filters as Soil Barriers
8:34 Workman's Friend Skin Cream Test
Hi I loved your video, would like to know where you got the fella pots plz thanks much.
They sound good, but how long do the felt pots last?
*Epic Gardening* thanks for the great video!🍅🌱☮
@@MaggieF59 It really depends how good quality the fet pots have. But usually felt pots are cheap and those are also easy to make by yourself so if the pot is in a bad condition just get a new one.
Thanks for the short cuts!
Re Tip 3. Using a sponge in the bottom of pots. I have started using wood chip mulch in the bottom of pots for drainage. I have access to free mulch. It breaks down and feeds the soil. When I plant it out into the garden I don't have to worry about picking out gravel, bits of pottery or sponge as the mulch is biodegradable.
I just made my own felt pots. I used “12 year” weed barrier material. It lasts long and I used a UV thread (Amazon) to sew them. You can make them any size you want and can grow corn, tomatoes, potato’s, anything you want! I’m going to keep mine in a small kiddy pool from the Dollar Store. I’ll be able to fertilize and NO WEEDING!! 🤗👩🏼🌾 Look up the video on making your own Grow Bags. Good Luck and Happy Gardening 🌽
Hey, that's really smart! Thanks for letting me know about that, glad it's working out for you
@K D if you are hand sewing cheap waxed dental floss works perfect for heavy duty sewing. I know it sounds odd but the stuff is crazy strong. It's actually waxed nylon.
@@nerdy1701 thank you
@K D fishing line ❤️
I have been looking for the 20 year. Hard to find these days. What kind of thread did you use?
THANK YOU!! I watch at least one of Kevin or Jacques videos every day. Huge thank you from this beginner 6a urban gardener. ❤
Re-usable shopping bags and foldable closet storage organizers from the dollar store (meant for storing clothes mostly) are an even cheaper alternative to the felt pots. My tomato is super happy in the 2 dollar cloth container I bought from dollar giant and it even has handles on the side to make moving it around my balcony easier. Bonus is they come in different colours and patterns too.
do water seep out of the container?
@@anisjohari1113 yes. Its meant to
@@trashratzz i see. thank you.
OMG!! They really work?!!! 😍 I've been stressed on having started too many seeds and not enough pots to go around! Do you think that the bags would work for bush beans and the like??
Toxic dyes and logos. 👍
Great tips! Love the mini greenhouse idea!! I also have a tip ~ if your going to be gone for several days and afraid certain plants may need water. You can fill an old gallon or half gallon milk jug w/ h20 and poke small holes along the bottom. Sit near the plants 🌱 and you have a slow watering system for while your gone. Leave the lid off for better flow. I realize u can buy watering bulbs. but again why not get good second use from plastic ! I’m new to your channel so I apologize if you already mentioned this tip!
love the sponge idea - would be much lighter weight (vs gravel) for us little old ladies!
I've got you covered Sandra!
Question: as sponges are factory-produced and contain who knows what (dyes in the very least), could it be possibly the next step up to use bits of dried loofa? I’m planning a crop of loofah (to start indoors way in advance of the next season) for my garden. My original idea was to use them for visual appeal, as well as a way to stop buying kitchen sponges. But then a dry cut up loofah can be also great for “self-watering” pots as per your suggestion. What do you think? Any reasons why it could have unintended negative side effects?
Lena Halberstadt it would probably work better as loofah is natural
Dont use anyting in the bottom of your pot. A window screen for the hole and a good coco soil is everything you need
Wet sponges are breeding grounds for bacteria. That tip I won't use, but otherwise a lot of great tips.
I used cardboard toilet paper rolls to start seeds for herbs. Cut them in half, add dirt, seeds, water and put them in any 1 inch high waterproof baking sheet, casserole pan, or cardboard box from soda cans. Once they are 1-2 inches high, I put them into an area where they can grow further. I did the same with pop cans, poking holes in the bottom after cutting the top off. The TP rolls can get mushy but they peel off easily or can be planted outright. The soda cans are more sturdy yet not easily peeled off. Both work well depending on how fragile the actual plants are. Thanks for the tips!
Great tip, they work quite well those toilet rolls!
Great tips, especially the chopped up sponge. I am adding a tip of my own: I have used plastic bottles as plant covers, plan on cutting an extra inch or two to sink them into the dirt or they will blow away with the first bit of wind! Just placing them on the ground like that is a recipe for frustration when you find them blown all over the yard and not protecting your vulnerable plants.
pthaloblue100 Same here. Mine never stay in place unless I push them into the soil.
I use them as covers and mini pota :D
Hi, Kevin. Long ago, a gardener -author stated that if we're growing crops or plants in it, it's *soil.* "Dirt," on the other hand, is what you get under your fingernails.
Love your videos, very grateful for the content!
I will probably get the felt planters for potatoes and carrots, also yams, as well as zucchini and yellow squash. That sounds like fun and good eating, without having a stationary garden. Moving things around to chase the sun is good exercise. Thanks for your video. The hand protector looks like a good idea for someone who really gets into the dirt. I like it too. As a kid, I was a mud cake eater. We lived near a store that left a display case outside and we played there. I was the store owner and the kids had to pay me for the mud cakes. It was a good racket. We were so healthy.
❤ ❤❤ My aunts used to feed my dad 'mudcakes' and browning cut apples were their 'fried potatoes' - he lived to be 84.
I watch this channel 40% because of the planting tips and 60% because he's so cute
😂
Sophy - Me: 30% for planting tips and 70% cuteness...oh me oh my......
But when a guy watches a woman because she's beautiful, that's sexist. Ya'll a bunch of hypocrites
That's garden porn!! Try Scott Herbert !!😘
@@bmalcolm4231 the problème comes when you with her, or when you put à hand on her: nobody said you can't watch women! You Just have to acknowledge that they are qualified And smart too.
I use orange twist cap Gatorade bottles for mini greenhouses to start my fruit tree seeds. The orange cap can be twisted open when you want more ventilation, or closed for more warmth, if the nights are still cool. The bottoms cut off can be given some holes for drainage and start veggie seeds in them. 😃👍👩🌾
A tip I recently tried ... I used a McDonald's breakfast tray to start seedlings and another to grow microgreens. The clear plastic lid acts as a miniature greenhouse.
Grocer store muffin boxes have my head lettuces, time will tell.
The sponge in the pot is a hella great idea! I live in Alberta Canada and the air here is dry as dry can be, every potted plant needs water almost daily, the sponge is a super hack!
It works incredibly well, trust me!
serendipidus1 wet sponges won’t absorb the water
Code WFEPICGP is live on purchases of the Barrier Skin Cream:
workmansfriendbrand.com/products/barrier-skin-cream or amzn.to/2DbmZmm
I live in SD as well so your videos are amazing for me as I start my first garden as a young adult. Everything you say is super applicable and easy to understand.
Can't wait to get the Felt Pots! Moving pots is hard on the back. Will be cutting up sponges as all of my small pots are messy.... those clear plastic undertrays are useless, they crack and leak, and allow moisture to condense under them! so using coffee filters is a wonderful trick. Also like the water bottles for little plants, I know I will appreciate the WF Barrier Hand Cream! These are all Great Tips I will enjoy using! Many Thanks for this video, all fun and very useful. I am headed to 5 veggies to harvest in under 1 month! Love having fresh veggies right outside!
Tip to get nails clean, wash your dishes by hand. Makes the nails look perfect.
💯🧽🍽💧
I always wash my dishes after gardening works perfectly
I have to...cant afford a dish washer
Makes them weaker too. Washing your hair also works.
😂😂😂
A couple of things: I've been using landscape fabric at the bottom of my pots for many years. I do like the sponge idea, esp for plants that need to retain moisture. As for the pots with no holes, they are not meant to be planted in directly. They are "cache pots". They are used to hide the unattractive nursery pot. Enjoying both the information and the style of your videos. Keep up the good work.
Cool tip about the barrier cream. I'm a pharmacist and recommended several brands often, usually for construction workers (and, of course, to protect babies bottoms!). I rarely use it myself and I never consider using it for gardening.
For those outside the US, specially in Europe, there are several brands of barrier creams available. I usually use Avene's version (Cicalfate) because I am a fan of this brand, but there are versions from A-Derma (Dermalibour+Barrier), Halibut, Aveeno and others.
I also do the coffee filter hack but I do it with paper towels and it works just fine for me 🌱
I have been using the plastic bottles as mini greenhouses for years when I start my begonia bulbs inside. I have 2 cats who like to dig in the dirt so they are great to prevent that. Never thought about sponges in the bottom. Instead of gravel I use pine cones in the bottom of my pots to help drainage and lessen the weight of large pots. They don't break down too fast so don't really affect the pH.
Hector's Mommy , pine cones are a really great idea. Thanks!
New gardener and youtuber here and I love the great tips. I got some
Potato bags this year also. Looking forward to a good year growing this year !
I got felt containers for my potatoes that have little fold-down openings in them so you can just pluck the potatoes out from the side. Really handy.
Very clever!
I experimented with a couple of plastic water bottles this spring (in a much different way) while I was starting seeds I cut them in half as you did I then filled the small top part with soil and the bottom with water then I set the top (with seed) in the bottom. Hoping the water vapor will moisten the soil and the roots will later find their way to the water below a set it and forget it method of seed starting so to say. It worked amazingly and It's also great for plants that are not recommended for making starts like carrots or cucumber/squash varieties.
Epic Gardening - I am only gonna apply this to my left hand.
Also Epic Gardening - Uses right hand to apply.
I was laughing at that too lol
I watched too. He only used the " two knuckles up" and finger tips of palm. The areas he demonstrated were actually what he said. Point is the product works. They support his channel, ergo pay him to make a video you watch free. 🙄
That is the same thing I thought when I watched that.LOL.
Uhh verses his ...what? Left foot? His left elbow ?? How is that even possible
He had me at “protects from PI”... what a great idea. Also not a fan of sweaty gloves.
tip number two made me very happy to hear 😁 i LOVE gardening without gloves, makes me feel more connected to the earth and my garden!
I put the used coffee grounds in my compost , then use the filter in the bottom of the pot for drainage . Just found your channel & love it !
Hey, that's a good idea!
I do believe that using plastic bottles saved a couple of struggling plants I had over the winter. I'm going to use bottles a lot more next winter.
30 years ago as an auto mechanic, there was a product called Invincible Glove. It's still being sold, however I dont know if it's the same formula from back in the day. It was used just like the Workmans Friend product. I would apply 2 coats up to my elbows - apply then let dry, then apply again and let dry. As in the video, applying the product under your nails and around cuticles is a smart move.
I appreciate the great gardening info!
I use workman's friend at work, I do work at a paint store. I love it, when I remember to use it makes getting all the paint and tint off my hands.
Thank you so much for covering this topic! Unfortunately for a beginner (I can only have houseplants-yay tiny Chicago apt!) there are so many suggestions online. It's tricky to distinguish between facts and ridiculous nonsense when you don't know which way is up.
I have an apartment also. Did you check into local community gardens? I have 2 plots at 30 a piece. They supply the tools and water.
Last year one of the gardens I had was free. An elderly couple had a garden but couldn't work in it anymore. A fair trade, labor and veggie trade.
At my apartment. As an amenity; we have garden boxes for people who are interested.
I love the sponge trick! Plus vegetable sponges are biodégradable!
Yup exactly! Luffa sponge works well.
Epic Gardening why chop it into bits vs just cut as one piece the size/shape of the bottom of the pot?
@@lchrzan31 might help with bacteria reducing
In Australia they have been slow to embrace the cellulose based sponges, and so far we have only been getting the combo with recycled nylon scourer on one side. Good time to internet search I think 😁
Ok. They have started to stock them, yay 😊
He's kinda like both cute property brothers in one person but for gardening lol
Literally my initial thought when I first found his videos😂
You nailed it!
I agree they can almost be triplets
Definitely!!!
A
Thanks!
I accidentally found an interesting trick with felt pots. If you let a plant grow roots into the ground through the bottom, and then move the pot (cutting and leaving the extra roots in the ground). Those roots can actually start growing a new plant. I've got a surprise blackberry bush coming up this spring because of this.
That cream works great I have it myself..and the sponge idea is awesome! I use take out containers and bowls bakery plastic containers, strawberry plastic containers for seeds mini greenhouse already has holes and a cover!
Great tips - I love the sponge one. I was going all around the house today looking for little rocks, finally I had to steal some from our fish tank (Finny not happy). But I have a bunch of old hard sponges laying around I could have used! Coffee filter also a good tip. I don't drink coffee but I use them for snacks and other things. Now I have a new use for them and they're so cheap at the dollar store. ($1.00!!) ha ha
Glad it was useful!
$1.29 now
I love felt pots!! I am glad I am not the only one who "collects" plants. I have a collection of Irises, my mini's are my favorite. The flowers are about the size of a quarter.
Why do I watch these videos only AFTER I've just planted a bunch.
Season's not over yet :)
friends to you, so this page is really very nice I think this product experiences cheap and good quality.amzn.to/32RY0PI
I watch them to make sure I did everything wrong, as usual 😂
Why do I watch these videos even though I don't have a garden?
Yup!
Ive been binge watching your videos and I owe you a big THANK YOU, I have a small rabbit to feed and thats 2kg of green leafs salad per week that I have to buy, so you really are helping me succeed with my recently started crops.
I bet the rabbit is so happy with the fresh produce.
I love gardening without gloves!! Thanks for sharing about the felt pots. We need to look into those. We have a large yard but not much consistent sun so that would help to be able to move the pots.
I started gardening for the cause of COVID , and I’m glad I got to watched your show. You really help me with my tomatoes 💕
love your garden! Thank you for the info! I'm a beginner gardener! Never thought I would say that but its really a magical hobby. I went around the house collecting my plastic bottles and reused them for the plants.
Freaking fabulous coffee filter tip for the clay pot drain iasue. Don't forget the broken clay pot shards to cover the bottom if you're out of filters!
I LOVE my fabric pots! And they come in all sizes! As a beginner gardener, really a reformed brown thumb, I admit I am on who loves.....to death! I smother and fuss and the pots evens out my watering in the first year where i learned not all plants need fussing over, lol! I love the deepness too and how you can fold them over to let the sun in. Great video! Thank you!
Hahahaha, I feel you. I think it's within our nature to 'over love' our plants
@@epicgardening I also dont use gloves, I have them, but I fell I can do better without because I can feel the plant and where it should go, how the roots feel, etc. The sponge idea is great I cant wait to try it! And the bottles too!!
I am addicted to these vids
A help for bumping up a prickle cactus: To bump up a cactus or succulents: place the original (or one the same size) pot in bigger pot. First, put in coffee filter, some medium in the bottom of larger pot, place original size pot inside larger pot, damp medium around outside of inner (original size) pot. Pull out inner pot. The remaining indentation will fit old pot. Remove plant from old pot, and plop into larger pot. Easy Peasy and no root disturbance.
Fantastic tip
It will be interesting to try a container (with drain hole) with coffee filter plus cut up sponges plus a bit of gravel to fill in voids.
This lotion would have been great when I was a welder. I had to put calamine on my face to keep smoke & grinds out of my pores.😅
Calamine is great on your face before going to bed if you have acne. Helps to dry it out. Nothing to do with gardening but your teenagers will thank you for it
Inexpensive ELF face primer would probably be a great alternative too.
I like using natural products whenever possible. Instead of sponges, this year I am inspired by Hugelkultur (sp?) and putting a bit of straw that acts like the coffee filter and small twigs in the bottom of all my containers to act like sponges. I've been saving all plastic containers for a few years for mini greenhouses and to protect plant stems. Instead of felt pots, I use my chicken feed bags and just roll down the tops to whatever height I need.
Love that, you're also repurposing things that you already have which is one of the more sustainable ways to approach gardening
Tip: if you garden without gloves and always have dirt under your nails use an old toothbrush and brush the tooth brush under your nails. Weird but it works
Perlite also is great to use for drainage because like a sponge, it also absorbs water while also increasing drainage
Love the felt pots in various sizes for my first-time plantings of Swiss Chard, cucumber, bell pepper, determinant tomatoes!
OK.. the sponge hack.. MIND BLOWN!
Thanks for you tips. I use used coffee filters, with the grounds still in it, and mix them in with the potting soil. Personally, I don't even like the feel of the skin protectant on me, but it's a good alternative for easy hand cleaning. The best tip I've found for fingernail cleaning is a strong burst of water either from an appropriate setting on my garden hose, or the spray on my kitchen sink
Good tips. About the plastic bottles, you would probably want to push them about half an inch in the ground, otherwise they won't stay up even 5 minutes.The slightest wind will blow them away.
We have some pretty wicked spiders that can be in the dirt so if I’m digging in ground dirt I always wear gloves.
Lots of black widows in my garden area. I wear gloves but like the product for other uses
Same 😂
Same!
Me too 😱
Scorpions where I live. 🌵🌇
Love how you mentioned we shouldn't be using plastic anyway!
I cover my hands in liquid soap, digging my nails in a bar of soap. Let dry. Wash later. Also works for poison ivy. Remember.. you have about 4 hours to wash off any ivy oil if you think you've come in contact.
I like the sponge tip. I need to try that out. What works for me is chicken wire. I shape it enough so it sticks up about an inch from the bottom of the pot. I haven't had any issues.
Thanks for this video.
If you use a coffee filter when it's time to transplant can you put the whole plant with the coffee filter on into the ground like will the roots be able to eventually penetrate the coffee filter if so that's a brilliant idea.
thank you, you actually love and enjoy what you do and that makes it easy for you to pass on your knowledge very easily to others
So glad I found your channel! I just started getting into gardening during this quarantined time. Thank you for your content! I’ve learned SO MUCH!!
The problem with the felt pots is that, in a warm place like south texas, the plants tend to not retain enough mosture during those hot summer months. Something you might want to think about.
That Workman lotion thing is prolly the most first world thing I’ve seen all day 😂
Thank you so much. Not only were these tips helpful…. But doable!!! I’m a newbie, and felt confident not defeated!
The hand cream looks really good! Love myself working with my bare hands, only use gloves for thorny plants. I personally use Vaseline as a lil protection but this looks way better!
You are simply innovative the idea of sponge & coffee filter is superb and sure to work. The plants are going to Bless you for sure.
Tried the felt pots, both small and large area to sub for raised beds last year. First growing season the pots were fine and the crops were satisfactory. But within six months, garden pests began eating holes in them, probably making nesting material from them. This year has not even begun full garden season, and these felt pots have mold, falling apart and other issues.
This month, returned to large plastic pots, agri- fabric as top cover, and have removed all felt pots from large garden and yard area. Will never use any again. They are not even durable for an entire year. Enjoy many of your videos, but felt pots have not proven to be satisfactory for us.
I love "hacks". Thanks. I have used coffee filters for many years. I use soap under my nails, but as a painter too, my nails always have something under them - lol.
Very nice tips, I prefer to work without gloves since I've never had issues with getting down and dirty. Finally get to tear the turf out of the yard this year and put a couple raised beds in. We're going to do container grown tomatoes, those felt pots look like a fantastic idea! Hopefully the sudden April cold snap goes away and I can start planting things out soon.
Fingers crossed for you! Felt pots are a lifesaver!
Great ideas! I use plastic pots because they the Rats would chew right through them the fiber pots. Last year I had such a rat problem they ate all my potatoes under ground. So I planted more potatoes in 15 gallon pots with chicken wire all around the pot from bottom to way above the tops of the plants. I had potatoes finally. Everything is in pots this year so I can move what needs to have more sun into the sun. Again thanks for your teaching videos
hand protection. chap stick, or butcher block compound. basically something with some wax and oil will work. i've been making my own for years and add carnuba wax to the mix [bees wax and minerial oil]. the carnuba is "slick" and helps with the barrier with a teflon like effect. when you make this stuff you've made unscented lotion. you can go any direction with it that you like.....
I would have kept that to myself. You just watched his video for free then take away his pay.🤔😎
Rodley E Riffe Chuck offered a natural alternative which is much appreciated. The stuff being peddled here is toxic.
@@lucky4liveHawaii Didn't see the ingredient list. Water is toxic at high levels. Also do you like almonds? Arsenic. It's all perspective. Make your own video. The guy knows his stuff about gardening. I've never had problems with dirt. Washes right off. Fingernails, scrape some soap under your nails before gardening. I stand by my statement. Take away his right to be paid.........😎
The sponge idea is BRILLIANT!!! I'm gonna use this forever now!!Thank you!!!
I need to use Workman's friend on my feet. I like to wear clogs while gardening. Easy to take-off and put on while going into the house so my feet get really dirty. Takes forever to get them clean.
The sponge idea is genius!! Great tip! THX!
I'm not a beginner with plants but these ideas surprised me! GENIUS! Thank you so much 💕
Keep making videos. The Sponge? So simple but never thought about it!
Thank you Heather!
GREAT JOB, IT'S INFORMATIVE AND USEFUL FOR ME TO HAVE SUCH A PROF LIKE YOU. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND WAITING FOR NEXT. GOOD DAY MY FRIEND PROF .
Love your front yard garden and really love your potting table with the water table.
Thank you!
I'm doing the soil filter trick,
can relate to waisting good soil.
Hi from Melbourne Australia
Winter is near
I am a new viewer and I am finding your videos so informarional and actually entertaining 😎
The sponges and plastic bottle hacks are great and solves a couple of problem I had. Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into making these videos, and another big thank you in advance for the future. 🥰😎
This confirms that I made a smart buy when I bought felt bags.
Yay! I have used water bottles.
Here's a good tip:
Use shelving units that have a grid pattern (so, they'll probably be plastic) to prevent your plants from being drowns during rain, as well as watering in general. OP combination is the shelves+felt pot.
Love that cream, but I do use gloves. However, I always wear out the same two fingertips on on my right hand glove and those nails get nasty. A good solution for me is to use both.
I do use coffee filters and sponges for drainage, also cut up remnants of landscape fabric. One thing I started getting was the blue scrubber sponge for pots at the dollar store, and cut up pieces for holes in my self wicking containers (on the side) to prevent critters from setting up shop inside the bucket. I left a bucket unplugged outside over the winter, and when I emptied it to clean it and start over, some wasps suddenly got a bit flustered and kept looking for their winter hideaway. It keeps the ants, spiders, and wasps out when I use the scrubber pieces but let's water flow out freely and I need that when I am flushing the bottom.
The coffee filter trick is the takeaway for me. Thanks for the video.
You bet
You can actually use a small piece of the filter and use fewer them. I always use about a quarter of one on the bottom of the pot and it works great!
@@lilawiese2460 Thanks! I always wish they made those filters in smaller sizes than the 4-6 cup variety that are the smallest available over here in Thailand.
my favourite is to grow lettuce and salad leaves in hanging baskets to keep them away from the slugs :)
I discovered your channel today and just watched 5 videos in a row. I’ve been gardening for a few years at a community garden but it closed down last year due to COVID, and will probably be closed this year also.
Last summer, I tried to plant things on my property instead and my tomatoes and potato failed TERRIBLY. I moved them to a well-lit area but encountered different problems with both of them. I had success with each in previous years and now am unsure how to remedy it. 🧐
I am pretty confident about growing herbs and other things, but really love and miss having tomatoes and potatoes!!!
Me too
@@Cal-cf2vo the community garden near me is open again, for the first time since 2020. I am so excited. 👀
Coffee filters decompose very quick and don't last long inside the pots.
I haven't found any felt pots that don't contain plastic. Even when they're just described as 'fabric', the fabric is spun plastic. They are not 'endlessly reusable', usually only lasting a few seasons. They can't go into the compost pile & they're not recyclable. When I can get out more, I think I'll try making burlap pots. There's not much of them online & they're high, so may be worth figuring out how to do it myself.
Here’s what I’d do figure out 1/2 diameter of pot double it add 15cm to bottom 4cm at the top sew together like a pillow case
@@nadinesawtell3267 I could try that. I was going to use a paper grocery bag as a pattern & then punch some holes in it, slip it into the burlap 'grocery bag', to keep soil in if the burlaps too porous. Im probably going to have to experiment with different ways, so thank you for your input.
I transformed my old swimwear into a fabric pot. People complain about how difficult to recycle swimwear because the fabric is made to be durable and difficult to breakdown so if you have any old swimwear that lost elasticity and don’t know what to do with them, you might as well make them into flower pots! I think jeans would work too but haven’t test them out
I love these hacks but I'm sorry, I'm not digging in the dirt without gloves. That's a hard no. Lol. I do use the potato bags but didn't think about folding down the edges. Idk why so I will do that. Learned something new. I'm new to gardening veggies and I love this channel. Thank you for sharing your tips.
I live in the desert area of Arizona and the felt pots really do not work well for the reason there is not enough humidity. I had to water at least twice a day and sometime 3 times because the felt dried much to quickly. I tried all different sizes and it was always the same issue. I did like the idea of the sponge in the bottom of the pots.
Yeah I'd imagine in desert you'd need to mulch heavily and group them together to prevent water loss
Maggie Mulchahey look up wicking in containers
That neon Pothos is AMAZING!
Additionally to tip #1 to get THE MOST POTATOES if you use a big bag & fold the sides down at the start w/ about 1/4 full of soil as they grow fold up the sides a little at a time & add soil the vegetation grows a few inches do it again untill full ! covering the plant leaving a few inches sticking out that will continue to grow & everytime you fill will grow another potato or group! . Your bag will be Stuffed !
Ooh I have one that I use. If u get plastic soda bottles or normal water bottles(would recommend soda because they are bigger,) and you cut about 4 inches from the cap and that piece with the cap you put cotton balls or coffee filter were you drink from and then you cover in potting mix you then make hole at the top and tie a rope from the first to the second e.t.c as much as u want and u plant what you want inside and you hang it up on the last bottle container you can eighther close the cap or unscrew a lil bit for watter to drain.
By doing all this u can re use water. Hopefully I explained myself
Great tip!
@@epicgardening thxxx
Thanks for the tips. I am starting my first full garden this year.
Amazing...good luck my friend
Well, I learned about capillary action, sponges, how to pronounce cloche and what it is, using coffee filters (which I have), and some tips using plastic bottles which I really already knew. I still like gloves though because they are so pretty (yeah really). I use latex-free gloves when I'm pulling a lot of weeds to get the "feel" of it. Thanks Epic Gardening Man!