Many individuals prefer organic horticulture, as they fear the possible long-term effects on their health as well as the environment from the many commercial pesticides and fertilizers that are used. Also, the majority of organic gardening strategies require very little money. Below are some great tips to assist you grow to be the organic gardener that you hope to be.
Use annuals and biennials to brighten your flower garden. These types of flowers grow at high speed, which gives you more flexibility in changing the look of your flower beds as the seasons change. You can use them between the gaps in shrubs and perennials where there is plenty of sun. The most popular varieties to use include petunia, zinnia, cosmos, snapdragon, marigold, hollyhock, and sunflower.
Climbing Plants
Cover fences and walls with climbing plants. Climbing plants are known to be very versatile, and can help hide any ugly wall or fence, and this often only takes one growing season. You can direct them over certain branches or boards, or you can send them through plants you already have. Some need to be tied to a support, whereas certain climbers attach themselves to a surface with tendrils or twining stems. A few good choices are climbing roses, wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle and clematis.
If you want to grow peas, consider starting them indoors instead of planting them outside. When you plant them indoors first, the seeds will germinate better. This method also results in hardier seedlings that can better resist insects and disease. Once your seedlings are sturdy, you can then move them outside.
Do some research to find out the best time for harvesting your vegetables. Each kind of vegetable should be picked at a specific point for maximum flavor. Many vegetables are best when picked young; baby peas are a prime example. However, tomatoes should be as ripe as they can be when pulled from the vine to ensure the best taste. So, make sure you do some research, and find out when the best time to harvest your vegetables is.
If you know that you’ll be in the garden for an extended period of time, protect yourself from the sun with proper attire. Wear hats and sunglasses, and make use of sunscreen. Using the right protection from the harmful rays of the sun means less of a chance of you getting sunburn and skin cancer.
You don’t want to pick vegetables during the day when it is hot, as that is when they are prone to damage due to them being softer. Twisting off vegetables causes damage to the plant; always snip them at the base of the vine.
Add some heather plants to your garden, to attract good insects. Bees like heather, and they get their nectar from it early in the spring. Because heather beds require very little maintenance, they often become the home of spiders, ground beetles, and other insects that can benefit your garden. For this reason, you should always remember to put on your horticulture gloves when tending to your heather.
Water infused with aspirin is great for combating plant disease. One and one half aspirin crushed and added to a two gallon container of water will be a great help for your plants. Next, coat the plant with the aspirin mixture by spraying it on the leaves. Try spraying your plants with this around every three weeks.
If you’re working to build a sustainable organic garden, try leaving a portion of your garden untouched so that the wildlife will be able to thrive. This will also benefit your cultivated gardens as it will attract more bugs and birds to pollinate your other plants.
Preparing a plot for planting a perennial garden can be done quickly and without difficulty. Slice under the grass with a spade, flip the layer you have lifted over, and spread three inches of wood chips on top. Let the area sit for a fortnight, then turn the earth and set up your new perennial bed.
Go slowly as you plant the seeds. Begin by adding moisture to the dirt. Then you want to spread your seeds evenly while making sure that they have enough room to grow. The seeds should be planted at least 3 times deeper than the seed’s depth. There are some seeds that require light to grow, so they must not be buried.
Keep your horticulture tools close by to maximize horticulture efficiency. You could do this by using a big bucket, or just wear old pants that have some deep pockets. You will be much more productive if you can quickly get to your spade, pruning shears, trowel and watering can.
Pine Needles
Pine can make for a great type of mulch. There are many types of plants with a high acidity, which means they thrive in acidic soil. For such plants, pine needles function both as a handy mulch and as a soil amendment to lower the pH. Simply add a layer of pine needles a couple of inches deep to the plant beds. The needles will decompose over time and provide the soil with acidity.
Regular maintenance prevents your gardening tasks from becoming overwhelming and unappealing. You may not have a lot of time to exclusively devote to your gardening hobby, but you can make the most of the time you do have. For example, snatch out a weed or two whenever you pass by the garden, such as when you take your dog out for a potty break.
By following some of the tips we include in this article, you’ll be up and running in no time and will soon have a good supply of produce grown in your own garden. You can also look forward to a boost in the volume of wildlife inhabiting your nature-loving garden.