
Most people have heard about or seen organic foods. You’re well aware of which items the organic ones are. These foods are not packaged the same and tend to cost much more. Keep reading this article to find some great tips on how to grow an organic garden and stop paying too much at the store.
The quick and drastic change in the weather conditions can shock your plants and cause them to die. It’s important that you gradually change temperate conditions over time, so that your plants can adjust. On the first day, put them out in sunlight for about an hour or so. Over one week, gradually build up the amount of hours you leave the plants outside. After one week, the plants should be fully acclimated and ready to move outside.
Clay Soil
It can be very hard to shovel clay soil, especially when it sticks to your shovel as you are working. Take the hard work out of using a shovel in clay soil by rubbing a light coat of car or floor wax over the surface with a clean cloth and buff the surface. This will both make the clay fall off of the surface, and prevent the surface from rusting.
A handy trick is to turn the handle on a tool that you use often into a makeshift ruler. Tools that have long handles such as rakes, hoes and shovels can be used in place of a measuring stick. Lay the handles on the floor, then run the measuring tape down next to them. Next, use a Sharpie to accurately label the distance between each one. Now you will always possess a large ruler ready for your use in the garden.
It’s sometimes possible to save certain plants from winter cold by bringing them inside. Maybe you could pick out the most expensive plants or the most hardy ones. Be careful not to damage the root system as you dig up the plant, and place it in a pot.
Your plants should always be kept in an aerated, dry area. Moisture on your plants is a sure way to attract parasites and disease. One common organism that thrives on moisture is the fungi family. Proactively treat fungi through the use of fungicidal sprays and treatments.
Try planting berry-bearing evergreens in your yard. They will provide a splash of color in the drab and dreary winter months when a lot of other plants have lost their colors. Some plants that will provide color in the winter include the American Cranberrybush, the American Holly, the Common Snowberry, and the Winterberry.
Get a wheelbarrow, and a stool so that you can kneel down while horticulture. Using a large portion of your time near or on the ground working on your garden puts a huge strain on your knees; therefore, having a portable, lightweight garden stool will greatly assist you in making horticulture easier on them. A wheelbarrow will help you move heavy items without hurting your back so ensure that you invest in one promptly.
Familiarize yourself with the optimum harvesting time of your vegetables. Each veggie has its own prime time for harvesting. As an example, zucchini and baby peas both have the best flavor when they are harvested at a young age. In contrast, tomatoes are best when left on the vine as long as possible. Take the time to learn when your produce will be at its best for harvesting.
Plastic bags are great to cover gardening shoes when they get muddy. This allows you to keep going, getting back to your garden quickly.
Coffee Grounds
Put used coffee grounds on the soil. Coffee grounds are filled with nitrogen, that is a nutrient required by plants. It is best for your plants to use coffee grounds that are part of a blend of ingredients in the compost or soil you are using for your plants, rather than directly adding coffee grounds to your garden plants.
Try to avoid letting your organic garden chores build up. While you may not be able to spend time in the garden on a daily basis, there are still many things you can do to keep things from snowballing out of control. For example, if you have a dog, pull a few weeds while you are outdoors with the dog. Over time, you keep your garden weed free without adding any additional time on to your day.
An old laundry basket makes a great way to gather your harvest. This type of basket can double as a large colander for the fruits and vegetables you pick. Rinse the product off whilst it’s in the basket so that any extra water can strain through the laundry basket’s holes.
You should use wood that is untreated, brick or stone when building the raised bed. Any wood you use needs to be untreated and resistant to rot. Examples of good woods include cedar, cypress, and locust. Treated wood can leach chemicals into any soil it rests against, so don’t use it in a garden with vegetables. If you have already used lumber that is treated, you can line it with plastic or another type of barrier.
Your authenticity as an organic grower is solidified when you obtain the organic gardening certification. With this, you and your crops are credible and 100% legitimately organic. This is important for your business and to your customers. This should boost your sales while proving to your customers that they are getting healthy products.
If you’d like to improve the health of your soil, try adding some mulch. A layer of mulch can protect the soil beneath. On hot days, mulch will offer protection to a plant’s root system by cooling the soil. The layer of mulch will also minimize evaporation, reducing your need to water as frequently as you would a garden without mulch. This will also help to keep weeds under control.
Growing your garden at home might not be the most convenient thing for you, but you will save a lot of money and always have the confidence that what you’re eating and feeding your family is as fresh and as healthy as possible. Use the tips you’ve learned here and get started on your garden today.