Gardener shares must-try hammer tip to get rid of nuisance plant that smothers others
A budding gardener on Reddit has become the talk of the town with their ingenious 'garden hacks' for novices, promising a weed-free garden without breaking the bank. Sharing their advice on the vegetable gardening subreddit, the user's cost-effective methods have transformed their green space into an enviable oasis.
Their post detailed: "I recently discovered that a claw hammer works great for removing creeping buttercup. I use the claw to grab onto the plant just below the crown and the handle gives me the leverage I need to pop them right out of the ground," they added. A claw hammer is available at B&Q for just £4.99.
The green-fingered Redditor didn't stop there; they've also repurposed a plastic bucket as a portable tool carrier that keeps their equipment dry. They shared: "I use a Dollar Store bucket, with holes in the bottom - I put the holes there with a soldering iron - to carry my tools around the garden. And if I happen to forget it outside, at least my tools aren't resting in water when I go out to get them."
To top off their advice, they offered a tip to help gardeners avoid back pain and extend their time tending to plants. By using an old shower bench, they can comfortably sit while working, reports the Mirror. They explained: It's super lightweight, so easy to move around, and has holes in it, so water doesn't accumulate on it from rain.
The post inspired other green-fingered enthusiasts to share their own tips. One user expressed gratitude, saying: "Excellent tips. Thank you. I'm forgetful and am constantly losing tools so I'm sure I'll be using your bucket idea.
Another shared their unique method of protecting young plants, stating: "My secret is that I use an old dog crate and some small animal cages that I have to protect my seedlings from squirrels until they get to be a good size. The squirrels could definitely still get into them if they really wanted to but we seem to have reached a truce this way.
"One person highlighted their thrifty approach to gardening, commenting: "I love finding ways to use whatever is available or free. I make a point to walk around the neighbourhood on garbage night to see what I can salvage.
" Meanwhile, another individual recommended an indoor solution: "My tip is to use an indoor greenhouse plus a heat mat for starting seeds. It saves so much time."