1 week Ago By Brian Dillon
There is a secret trick that gardening experts use to get bigger and brighter flowers every time and it involves one common kitchen item that only costs 10p. The trick is used by garden centres to make sure their blooms look "one step ahead" but it is one that could easily be recreated at home. It involves using an old kitchen sponge during the planting phase, helping the flower to soak up more moisture and end up growing bigger and more colourful.
Construction Certification teamed up with garden specialist Dawn Ridgewell to share the trick that makes garden centre displays so impressive and the simple method behind it. According to Ridgewell, sponges should be placed beneath the root ball to maximise growth and colour. The expert says that sponges help prevent soil from drying out too quickly and support root development during the crucial first few weeks after planting.
It traps moisture below the surface, resulting in stronger growth. "This is one of those little hacks that works wonders," she said. "We place a sponge beneath the root ball when planting.
It soaks up water and releases it slowly — keeping moisture exactly where the plant needs it. It’s such a simple thing, but it makes a massive difference." She continued: "It’s especially useful in pots, hanging baskets , and smaller beds where the soil dries out fast.
Garden centres use it because it works — and you can do it at home with things you already have." "It acts as a hidden moisture reservoir and keeps watering more consistent," she added. The hack starts by placing the sponge under the root ball when planting, making sure that the roots have been soaked beforehand.
You should then break up compacted soil to prevent water-logging. Mulch the soil immediately after planting and tilt plants slightly forward to help them get more sunshine and make displays "appear fuller". "These are all tricks we use every day — but you’d rarely find them on a label," Ridgewell added.
"Constructing your garden the right way starts with what’s below the surface. Even something as basic as a sponge can help manage moisture and reduce waste," a spokesperosn from Construction Ceritifcation explaiend. "It’s about thinking practically — using materials you already have to improve the environment around your plants.
That’s how you get results that last.".
