Gardening is a relaxing and rewarding activity, but it may get overwhelming if you’ve got a busy life. Being a gardener is a great responsibility, from planting to watering to weeding.

However, the following tips will simplify the process:

1. Use silicone spray

Apply some silicone spray on your shovel when the soil is muddy. It also works for shoveling wet snow. It makes cleaning the tool more manageable because the dirt slips right off, thanks to the Teflon or silicone lubricant.

2. Munch-proof flower bulbs

Pests are among the greatest threats to a garden, and you can munch-proof freshly planted flowers by installing staking poultry netting as a cover for it. The holes are porous and wide enough for some plants to grow through.

And if they aren’t, you only have to remove the cloth covering at the beginning of spring. Alternatively, some gardeners leave the munch-proof structure throughout the plant’s life cycle.

3. Use containers for aggressive plants

Some plants grow out of hand when they’re left alone. For instance, gooseneck loosestrife will crawl over the garden if you don’t control its growth. Use containers for aggressive crawling plants like it.

Get a bucket and cut off the bottom with a sharp knife.

4. Plant portfolio

A plant portfolio will help you keep track of your seedlings, where you bought them, and the type of care they require. That way, you’ll be able to stay on top of your plant practices and techniques.

5. Assist root-bound plants

Potted plants are sometimes root-bound when you buy them. And when they’re not given enough room, the roots grow within the container. The tight roots block nutrients and moisture from getting to the leaves.

But you can prevent it by revealing the roots with your fingers. If it’s difficult, you can use a utility knife to make three to four cuts in the root system. That loosens it up and allows more access to nutrients and moisture.

6. Lighten the pot

For larger potted plants, it’s better to fill the bottom half with packing peanuts. This makes the pot lighter and allows more room for drainage.

However, it’s best to separate the soil from the packing peanuts by using some landscape fabric. Potting mix combined with vermiculite also works, and adding peat moss improves your plants’ access to nutrients.

Peanut packing sometimes dissolves in water, so test it before using it for your plants.

7. Allow the sun to reach the center of your roses

Regardless of where you live, it’s usually better to prune your rose bush to leave the center exposed to sunshine. This reduces the occurrence of black spots, blights, and other conditions that occur in moist, cool, and shady environments.

8. Add some dye to your rain gauge

When you empty your rain gauge, apply some food coloring to make it easier to interpret. The water will dilute with it and create an apparent tint.

9. Use a step ladder to transport your potted plants

When transporting potted plants, it’s best to use step ladders to hold them in place. That way, less of a mess will be created when you arrive at your destination.