• When drilling on a slippery surface, place on a strip of tape, such as masking tape, on the surface to prevent the bit from slipping. • A strip of masking tape along the cut line will prevent plywood from splitting. • Dip the tip of screws and nails into a bar of soap. They […]
Youtube has literally thousands of “DIY” uploaded videos on how to fix any house/car problem-plumbing, electrical, mechanical etc etc. The great thing about this is you get to watch a guy/woman show you step by step. Just use the search term & your bound to find what you want! I used it to show me […]
Thanks to my resourceful husband, I have just saved up to $60 on the cost of a new cutlery basket for my dishwasher. My old cutlery basket was badly damaged, with large holes mostly caused by sharp knives. I was shocked to discover that a replacement basket was not only difficult to source, but could […]
I was buying some nails at Bunnings the other day. I needed 2000 (it was a big handyman job!) so I bought 2 boxes of 1000 each. The friendly chap at the counter asked if I had looked at the price of buying 3000 instead. I hadn’t so he went to the isle to check […]
Make sure that you only DIY within your capabilities! I am an industrial electrician, mother, strict budgeter and long-timer oily-ragger, however, I get nervous when I see people cutting corners, risking their future financial stability and well-being to save a few bob in the short term! I’ve seen some lethal situations waiting to happen. The […]
Re-use old tyres available for free on Trademe to plant trees in if you have waterlogged soil. Cut the centre out using a short bladed strong knife. The roots love the warmth and seem to grow well. I use 4wd tyres that have fairly soft rubber easier to cut. You stack two tyres on each […]
If planting large seeds like beans, use the inners of toilet rolls, part fill with seed mix, put in the seed and top up. You can get about 12 of these to stand up in an ice cream container. And in due course plant out the whole tube. No transplant shock. The cardboard will rot […]
Go to an organic shop. Purchase lentils, chick peas, haricot beans (navy) etc and come home and pop them in punnets. They will grow for you, Plant them in the garden as normal and harvest when ready.
Recycling milk cartons are great for potting up seedlings. Cut in half with knife, trim bottom corners with scissors for drainage. Ready to go, Plants should be removed when ready to plant as plastic coating doesn’t breakdown.
Being a “keen as mustard” type of Oily Ragger I decided to build a large raised garden in the paddock next to the house with enough room, I thought, to grow enough veges to feed an army, to lower the food bill and generate some nature time and of course a great excuse to get […]