Many people are interested in organic horticulture but are unsure how to get started. It can seem like a daunting task to learn all that it takes to have a successful garden the natural way. Peruse the following article to discover some very useful advice that will prepare you for success in this most enjoyable pastime of organic gardening.
When it’s autumn, you know what that means. It’s time to plant fall vegetables! Try planting your fall veggies, especially leafy greens, inside of a pumpkin! Simply carve open the top of a pumpkin so you can remove the innards, and then spray inside and out with something like Wilt-Pruf to prevent pumpkin rotting. You can now use it to plant in, as you would a pot.
Always have a plan for the garden prior to the start of planting it. Doing so means you can remember where each particular plant is when you start seeing sprouts arise from the earth. It can also keep you from planting any of your garden favorites too close to each other.
For weeds that aren’t in the middle of your plants, use boiling water to kill their roots. Boiling water is an excellent, organic substance for use against weeds. Although this method is organic, it does pose a danger to your plants. This can cause enough damage to the roots of any plant to kill it.
Consider planting evergreens in your garden that produce berries. They add color to your yard, throughout the year. These plants can help you get some color during the winter months: Winterberry, Common Snowberry, American Holly, and American Cranberrybush.
Learn the ideal times for harvesting your vegetables. Every type of vegetable has a different moment of ripeness. Harvesting zucchini is best done when they are small and baby peas should be harvested when they are young. On the other hand, tomatoes taste best when they are as ripe as possible from the vine. So, make sure you do some research, and find out when the best time to harvest your vegetables is.
Efficiently water your garden. A soaker hose can save valuable time by watering all of your plants simultaneously, removing the need for hauling a watering can or hose around to each plant. To avoid damaging delicate plants, you should water them with low pressure. Keep the water turned on for about two hours; while your plants are being watered, you will have time for other activities.
During the day, when the weather is hot, vegetables tend to be softer, which causes them to be damaged even if you gently pick them. Use garden shears to remove your vegetables from the vine to avoid damaging the plant.
To draw good insects to your garden, plant heather. Bees are drawn to heather, as heather is an early provider of spring nectar. Heather beds are also attractive to bugs such as spiders and ground beetles that will kill pests. Keep this in mind and always wear gloves when you prune your heather!
The ideal temperature to set your thermostat for indoor plants is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the daylight hours. The temperature needs to be this warm so they are able to grow. Another option is the use heat lamps that will protect your organic plants.
Before planting any perennials, you have to make the ground ready. Use your spade in a slicing motion to cut a flap of turf. Carefully turn the flap over, then cover the area with a three-inch layer of untreated wood chips. Let the area sit for a couple weeks, then begin digging into it and planting your new perennials.
Try to work in your garden at least a short time each day. No matter what your schedule is like, you should be able to fit in small things that will help you avoid having an overwhelming amount of work all at once. For example, pull a few weeds if you’re outside and waiting for your dog to finish his business.
One odd but apparently useful tip for growing organic plants, is to lightly brush your plants with your fingers or a piece of cardboard 1-2 times a day. Even though it sounds strange, it will help plants get bigger.
Beer Trap
If slugs are problematic in your garden, you can use an all-natural beer trap to do away with them. To create a beer trap, dig a hole in your garden that is the depth of a glass jar, leaving the mouth of the jar level with the soil. Pour beer into the jar until it’s almost full. Leave an inch of space between the beer and the jar top. The slugs will be attracted to the beer, and will then become trapped within the jar.
Though organic farming can present challenges that traditional farming with the use of chemicals does not, harvesting the crops is reward itself for the hard work. Growing organic is healthier and just overall better for you. Make sure you try your best to grow organic as opposed to adding chemicals to your garden.
Consider the climate and season when watering your plants. Knowing how much to water your plants can be a difficult task. You will want to look into various things, such as time of day, quality of water and type of soil. For example, if your climate is humid and warm, you should not water the leaves because it will encourage leaf fungus. Instead focus on watering the root system.
When you keep in mind the tips, tricks and advice in this article, the prospect of organic horticulture should not seem so fearful. By using the information you have learned from the tips above, you can start to grow the organic garden that you’ve always wanted.