Spring is here, and so is gardening season. Garden Exchange in Hilo, HI, offers tons of gardening supplies, flowers, soil, and tools to get your garden started this spring.

These lawn care experts share their favorite tips to make gardening a breeze this year:

• Boiled Water: The water used for cooking your vegetables is great food for your plants. Allow the water to cool, then sprinkle over your garden.

• Coffee Grounds: Old coffee and tea grounds are perfect for acid-loving plants such as blueberries and raspberries. Apply the grounds at the base of each plant three to four times a year.

• Tea: Chamomile tea fights off diseases like fungus on your plants. Using a spray bottle, mist your plants with tea twice a day.

• Cloches: Use small, inexpensive ceramic pots as cloches to protect younger plants from unexpected frosts at night. 

• Soap: Scrape a bar of soap underneath your fingernails to create a barrier against the dirt as you garden. When you’re finished, wash the soap from under your nails for an instant clean.

• Herbs: Lay fresh herbs on a piece of paper in your car, then roll up the windows and close the doors. The heat from inside the car will perfectly dry the herbs while leaving your vehicle smelling great.

• Markers: Smaller plants can be tough to identify until they are substantially grown. Place a stone in front of each seedling and write the plant’s name on the stone with a permanent marker. If you’re feeling creative, paint each rock, adding a bit of whimsy and color to your garden.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just getting started on your very first garden, the pros at Garden Exchange will help you to make your outdoor space reach its full potential. Visit them at their Hilo location or online to see a list of their inventory and specials. Call (808) 961-2875 to find out more about their wide selection of gardening supplies, tools, and lawn care products.