More and more people are becoming interested in organic horticulture as a safe alternative to store bought produce, which can contain all kinds of dangerous chemicals and may even present unforeseen threats with untested methods of genetic engineering. Additionally, most organic horticulture techniques cost very little money. Here are some fundamental tips to get you well on your way to being a successful organic gardener.
Properly put down your sod. Start by preparing your soil with care. Do some weeding if necessary, then break the soil until it is no longer packed. Flatten your soil and make it slightly compact. Thoroughly water the soil. Lay the sod in rows, and make sure the joints do not overlap. Firm sod until there is an even, flat surface; fill in gaps with soil. Keep the sod moist and avoid walking on it until it is well-rooted, usually two to three weeks.
Choose plants that will give you the most yield at harvest time. Frequently, a hybrid plant will produce a higher yield because of its disease-resistant properties.
Try planting your plants in flower pots first, then transferring them to your garden once they have had a bit of time to grow. This boosts the chance that the plants can survive to adulthood. It also allows you to tighten up the time periods between plantings. As soon as the mature plants are removed, you can replace them with fresh seedlings.
Fight pests before you even plant, by getting your soil in shape. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases. To give your garden the best chance of yielding the healthiest plants, start with a high-quality soil that has fewer chemicals which over time will accumulate salts.
Protect your plants from moisture on a daily basis. Moisture not only attracts parasites, but also makes it easier for your plants to contract diseases. Fungi is a common problem in the world of plants. 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.
When deciding on which plants to include in your landscaping projects, consider evergreens which produce colorful berries. These help to give your garden nice looking color, even during winter when most vegetation is colorless. These plants come in several different varieties, including the Winterberry, American Holly, Cranberrybush, and Common Snowberry.
To give them a helping hand, pour the water you obtain after steaming vegetables over your plants. Some plants, such as gardenias, azaleas and rhododendrons need acidic soil for proper growth. Increase the acidity of your soil by adding coffee grounds and unused tea bags. Chamomile tea can be an effective treatment against fungus attacking plants.
Do not use broad-spectrum pesticides within your garden. These pesticides can kill the useful insects that work as predators to pests. These helpful bugs are usually more sensitive to the chemicals than the pests, so if you find yourself in a situation where the good bugs are dying out, you can expect the pest problem to grow. This may then lead to using even more pesticides to eliminate this new problem.
Wisely water your garden. Soaker hoses save time by watering all of your plants at once, rather than individually with a standard hose or watering can. Turn the water on at low pressure so your delicate plants will not be damaged by the soaker hose. Let your soaker hose run for a few hours while you do other things.
Cover your muddy shoes with plastic bags. You’ll be able to keep your momentum going without needing to take off your shoes, and stay on track with your horticulture project.
Pine mulch can be highly effective under the right conditions. Some plants need acidic soil to grow properly, because of their own acid content. If your garden contains plants like this, there are few things simpler than spreading some pine needles across your beds. Cover up your beds with a few inches of needles. As they start to decompose, they’ll spread out acid onto the ground and soil.
When planting seeds, you should bury them three times as deep as their actual size. However, you should be aware that certain seeds should not be covered at all because they are required to be in the sunlight. Ageratum and petunias are two examples of seeds that should not be planted deeply. If you are unsure about the specific needs of your seeds, you should consult your local garden center or conduct further research online. Important things to look for include water requirements, ideal soil type, and recommended sunlight exposure.
Regulate the amount and timing of watering, to the specific climate and its seasonal variations. When watering your plants, consider the time you are watering them, the kind of soil you are using and how good the water is. Gardeners in warm, moist climates should avoid watering leafy plants as this makes them more vulnerable to fungal growths. Instead, keep the root system well-watered.
Plant Garlic
Grow garlic that is organic. The best time to plant garlic is either early spring or in the fall. Plant garlic in moist soil with good drainage. Lay each bulb into the ground ends up at a distance of about 4 inches away from the next bulb and 1-2 inches down into the soil. As your garlic shoots grow, you can cut them and use them instead of scallions or chives. When the tops of the bulbs begin turning brown, they are ready for harvesting. Make sure you put the garlic in the direct sunlight for days so that the skin will harden. Store the garlic in an area that’s cool, either tied up in bunches or loose.
Organic horticulture is healthier. You won’t be exposing your plants – and yourself to toxins or chemicals. Use the tips you just read to help you start planting your organic garden. When you work to keep your garden in tune with nature, you’ll also see more birds and animals stop by for a visit.