Learn techniques that can enable you to grow a more beautiful garden for yourself, your family or your work. With the right knowledge, you can properly take care of all your gardening needs, which means that you won’t make small mistakes, such as buying the wrong seeds for your type of soil, or big mistakes, such as buying expensive equipment that you don’t really require.
Clay soil can be very hard to work with, and you will often find that it sticks to the shovel. Coat the shovel with floor or car wax, and buff it with a clean rag to make the job a lot easier. This will both make the clay fall off of the surface, and prevent the surface from rusting.
For the best results, select the right kind of soil. Depending on the types of plants you would like to grow, your garden’s soil might need to be amended with different substances to alter drainage, acidity and other charactheristics that make plants happy. For special requirements, you can build separate areas with soil that is right for certain plants.
When you’re out and about in the garden, particularly in the fall, keep an eye out for sink bugs. Fruits, peppers and tomatoes are among the foods they love to eat. If you do not keep them under control, the damage can be excessive, so keep an eye out for them.
There are grass varieties, such as wheat grass or catnip, that will give your feline something to nibble on besides your garden. In addition, you could put an item on the soil’s top around the plants which has a smell that cats hate, such as citrus peel or mothballs.
Do not mow your lawn too short. If you allow your grass to grow a little longer, the roots will go down deeper into the dirt, helping the grass grow better and remain hydrated. Short grass means short roots and dead grass.
Ensure that your plants are kept dry, and aerated daily. If your plants get too moist, they may get sick or infested with parasites. One parasite you have to watch out for in particular is fungi. Fungicidal spray treatments can contain fungi, but spraying prior to problems even developing in the first place is the best way to go about it.
If you are gardening for the first time ever, read and follow all directions and instructions that come with your chemicals and tools. If you ignore them, you can irritate your skin in most painful ways. Keep yourself safe and always follow instructions.
To give them a boost, pour out any leftover water from steaming or boiling vegetables on the plants or soil around them. You may fertilize the soil with tea or coffee for plants that favor acidic environments, like rhododendrons and gardenias. If you find that you have a fungus problem, try sprinkling some chamomile tea on your plants.
It can be extremely fast and easy to plant perennials into your garden. Using a garden spade, dig underneath the turf and flip it. Then, create a layer of wood chips at least three inches deep over the area you just flipped. Wait two weeks, then dig in and plant the new perennials.
To be most efficient in your horticulture, always keep your tools close at hand. You should use a large pail and wear sturdy pants that have several pockets. Make sure your trowel, pruning shears, gloves and other important tools are always handy. This will allow you to make easy work of your gardening up-keep!
Put an organic material, such as mulch two or three inches deep, in your flower beds. This practice is an easy way to discourage weeds, retain moisture, and add valuable nutrients to your garden. This will also make your flowers appear beautiful and finished all year long.
Work efficiently in your garden. Do not spend half an hour looking everywhere for a tool. Before you start work in the garden, make sure you have the necessary tools, and always remember to put them away when you are finished. You can keep your garden tools in a tool belt, or in your pockets. Another good idea is to keep them all in a bucket that you carry around with you.
Paying attention to spacing is important. As plants grow and spread out, you will not always know how much space will be required. Space is vital for your plants not only due to their literal physical size requirements but also because of how much room your garden needs for air circulation. Make sure your seeds have a good amount of space between each other for optimal growth.
Regular maintenance prevents your horticulture tasks from becoming overwhelming and unappealing. Even if you are too busy to tend to your gardens needs every day, you can try little things that will prevent you from having a lot of work when you return to your garden. Grab a handful of weeds, throw down some mulch, or toss some water on it anytime you walk by.
When you plant the seeds in containers, be sure the planting’s depth is three times bigger than the seed. Some seeds need sunlight and should not be buried. Petunia and ageratum seeds need direct sunlight, for example. If you aren’t sure, look online or at the package.
A useful technique for organic horticulture, is to gently disturb your seedlings by using your fingers or a piece of cardboard one or two times daily. While it seems a little odd, it has been reported that this can encourage plant growth.
If you wish to honestly proclaim your produce to be truly organic, you need to secure organic garden certification. This attracts customers who are willing to drive a little farther and pay a little more for products that are safe and healthy.
All you need to achieve your results are a bit of patience, a little outdoors work, and the right learning beforehand. Your efforts will pay off when you experience the joy of watching something that you created grow.