For a healthy lush garden, you will need more than a green thumb. It may feel as if your neighbor is performing some kind of magic to make their yard look so good. There is not a secret behind having a wonderful garden. A little education is all you need to get better at gardening. You can get started on your gardening adventure by reading the advice in this informative article.
Plant perennials that are resistant to slug and snail infestations. Slugs and snails are voracious eaters that can destroy a plant literally overnight. They’re particularly fond of perennials with smooth and thin leaves, especially if the plants are young. Slugs and snails will leave some perennials alone, particularly those with a bad taste or tough, hairy leaves. Consider planting these varieties of perennials to discourage slugs and snails from eating your flowers. Euphorbia and achillea are examples of slug-proof perennials.
Insects and various garden pests can be avoided by making your soil healthy. If you have healthy looking plants, they are stronger and more resistant to diseases and bugs. Begin with a high-quality soil with less chemicals to avoid salt accumulation, and you give your garden an excellent chance of growing healthy plants.
For flowers throughout the spring and the summer, be sure to plant some bulbs. Bulbs will grow every year and are easier to take care of than seeds. Include a variety of plantings to get a full season of flowers, from early bloomers to late-season varieties.
Knee Pads
Knee pads are absolute miracle accessories if you work in a garden with plenty of low-growing plants. Excessive time spent kneeling often results in significant stiffness and pain. Investing in good knee pads will help cushion your knees so you are more comfortable.
It can be tough to keep insects and other plant-ruining crawlies from infesting your garden. One major benefit of growing your own produce is knowing that they haven’t been treated with pesticides and other harsh chemicals. Remain vigilant to control your garden pests. When you catch a potential infestation early, the solution may be as simple as picking the pests off of your plants with your fingers.
Add some heather plants to your garden, to attract good insects. Heather is quite alluring to bees; when spring comes along, it provides the bees with a source of nectar early. Spiders, ground beetles and other insects helpful to your garden tend to live in a heather bed, because heather beds are generally undisturbed. If you do have to tend to your heather, wear gloves in case you accidentally annoy one of the residents!
Get your kids to help you grow your organic garden. A garden can be a great learning experience for your children, and it gives you a chance to bond while producing healthy food.
If you like the concept of organic gardening, then why not take it one step further by leaving some of your land undeveloped for the area’s wildlife? One side effect of this is that where animals thrive, so do birds and insects that help nurture and pollinate plants, which will increase the quality of your garden.
Indoor Plants
Indoor plants have been bred over time to thrive in temperatures that are characteristic of a home. Most indoor plants like to be in about 70 degree temperatures, plus or minus 5 degrees. They need this type of warm temperature in order to grow. If you are not willing to keep your house that warm during winter, you could always get the organic plants a heat lamp.
If you are growing your organic plants inside of your home or office, it is vital to make sure that the right amount of light reaches them. If the garden will receive little sunlight, find plants that can grow in medium or low-light environments. If your plants still need more light, there are always artificial light sources that you can use.
Top all your garden beds with several inches of organic mulch. This practice is an easy way to discourage weeds, retain moisture, and add valuable nutrients to your garden. A layer of mulch also creates a more attractive appearance.
The space you leave in between your plants is an important measurement when it comes to gardening. Many people underestimate the space needed for plants to grow to their full size. Space is necessary for the plants, but air circulation is also important. Plan accordingly and put an appropriate amount of distance between seeds.
Treated Wood
A diversity of materials can be used to construct raised beds. These include brick, stone, and wood. Choose wood that is naturally resistant to rot and is untreated. Excellent choices are cedar, locust and cypress. Treated wood can leach chemicals into any soil it rests against, so don’t use it in a garden with vegetables. If you have to use treated wood, you should line it with a bit of plastic to create a barrier.
Soil health can be improved by adding mulch. Mulch acts as a protective shield for the soil it covers. It protects roots because it helps the soil stay cooler when it’s hot outside. Mulch acts like a barrier that ultimately decreases the rate of evaporation. This can also help control any weeds.
Research botanical insecticide formulas, as they are often quite effective in eradicating pests. In some cases natural insecticides are actually more effective than the synthetic pesticides that are engineered in a lab. One downside of botanical insecticides is that they decay quickly.
A perennial garden can be set up in a few easy steps. Use a spade to cut beneath the turf, and cover the entire area with wood chips after flipping it over. Wait a few weeks before planting perennials in the new bed.
As you can tell, most of these ideas don’t require a major expenditure of effort or funds. You just have to glean the knowledge and implement what you’ve learned. Pay close attention to your plants and how they react to your methods. If one method of care is not working well with your plants, abandon it and try a different one. A garden that is the pride of the neighborhood will be well worth the time it takes.