Stop your plants from drowning after weeks of drought with 40p tool – and it’s probably in your kitchen drawers

RAIN showers are finally hitting the UK after an incredibly dry summer, and gardening enthusiasts will want to take a vital step to prepare. Green-fingered experts have recommended a handy hack to prep your plants for the long-awaited wet weather, and it’s probably already in your kitchen. Gardening experts have revealed a handy hack to prevent your potted plants from becoming waterlogged in the rain (stock image) Credit: Getty The experts at Garden Unity recommended using chopsticks to aerate the soil in your potted plants Credit: Instagram/gardenuity After weeks of drought-like conditions across parts of the UK, the Met Office has predicted large amounts of rain this evening. And while the break in dry conditions may seem like a good thing for gardens, the onset of heavy rain can actually cause damage if you don’t take the necessary precautions. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! Gardening pros have revealed a simple and budget-friendly hack to stop your potted plants from drowning this week. To carry out this quick trick, all you need is a pair of chopsticks, which are available with most Asian takeaways across the country or can be purchased for just 40p each from Amazon. The experts at Garden Unity demonstrated the simple step, which involves repeatedly pushing your chopstick into the area surrounding your plant to aerate the soil. Aerating your soil creates small channels in packed earth, which allow rain water to travel to the root of the plant instead of gathering on the soil’s surface, where it can eventually waterlog the plant. As well as water, this allows air and vital nutrients to pass deep into the soil. According to the experts at Garden Unity, this handy hack should be carried out “every few weeks in the summer”. Most read in Fabulous For the best results, dampen your soil slightly before aerating, using a watering can or bath water. Comment now