Gardening Hacks From Master Gardener Volunteers

Gardening is a fun hobby for many people, but when it feels like there is a lot of work to do and the weather is hot, landscape maintenance can start to feel overwhelming. With a few simple strategies, you can make routine garden chores a bit easier and maybe even a little more fun. Polk County Master Gardener Volunteers have some “gardening hacks” to help make your time in the yard both productive and pleasant.

REDUCE PHYSICAL STRAIN

1. RAISE YOUR WORKSPACE

Do you have plants to divide or seeds to start? Dividing or propagating plants doesn’t have to mean kneeling on the ground. Set up a sturdy table near your landscape bed. A folding card table works well—top it with an old cutting board and keep your favorite hand tools nearby. Working at table height can reduce back and knee strain, particularly for those with mobility concerns.

2. CREATE A POTTING STATION

Designate a shady area in your yard for a simple potting table using concrete blocks and wooden boards. A potting table does not have to be elaborate or expensive. A dedicated space makes it easier to repot plants, start cuttings, and keep tools organized. Creating an ergonomic workspace can reduce fatigue and improve gardening enjoyment.

3. DON’T OVERDO IT

Central Florida is hot and humid in the summer, and it is important to stop working before you are tired. Pace yourself. Plan time to clean and store tools at the end of your gardening session. Regular maintenance not only extends tool life but also keeps your yard tidy and reduces the burden of unfinished tasks. Take an few minutes to view the results of all your hard work at the end…with a glass of water in hand!

GARDEN TOOL TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

1. USE A BUCKET FOR TOOLS

Do you often lose tools if you are doing a lot of work around your yard? Instead of setting them down in the grass, consider using a bucket. Keep a 5-gallon bucket nearby to carry your hand tools. As you work, return tools to the bucket instead of setting them down in the grass. This reduces the chance of misplacing them and keeps them clean.

2. MAINTAIN YOUR TOOLS

After working in the yard, take time to clean your tools. Sharp, clean tools make garden work significantly easier. After each use, clean off soil, sharpen blades as needed, and lightly oil metal parts. Inexpensive pruner sharpeners are widely available and make a noticeable difference. A well-maintained tool lasts longer and performs better.

3. WEEDING MADE EASIER

Many Master Gardener Volunteers find that bending down to pull weeds can really be a pain and suggest using a “scuffle” or “strap” hoe. These hoes are easy on the back and ideal for maintaining mulched beds. USDA has a free tutorial to make a hoe out of materials that are typically thrown away, check it out here: youtube/woHNgHkbWzA.

4. REMOVE ROOTS EASILY

When digging up large, established plants, use loppers or a reciprocating saw to cut through tough roots. This technique can save time and reduce physical effort compared to struggling with a shovel alone.

5. USE A SHORT-HANDLED SHOVEL

Planting annuals and perennials and feel that a garden shovel is too big for the task? A short-handled shovel offers more precision than a traditional spade while still being large enough to dig appropriately sized holes.

There are many gardening hacks that can make yard maintenance a bit easier as the weather heats up. Remember, our growing conditions in central Florida are different than other locations, and UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and the Polk County Master Gardener Volunteers can help guide you and answer questions you have about landscape maintenance.

For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at 863-519-1041 or visit us online at sfyl.ifas. ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer your gardening and landscaping questions.

If you are interested in purchasing a garden journal, contact the Plant Clinic. If you are not in Polk County, contact your local UF/ IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.

To learn more about gardening and landscaping in central Florida, listen to the “Your Central Florida Yard” podcast, or find out more on our Substack: substack.com/@yourcentralfloridayard.

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Anne Yasalonis is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Program Coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension Polk County. Please contact her at anneanne@ufl.edu