
Many people think of starting an organic garden, but few actually go out and do it. It can be intimidating to someone who does not know anything about organic horticulture. You can prevent that from holding you back, and find renewed passion for your horticulture activities, by reading the easy tricks and simple tips in the article below.
Start your plant in pots before you plant them in your garden. Doing this will increase the survival rate of all your outdoor plants. It also permits you to tighten the time between plantings. You can plant the seedlings once you have removed the old plants.
Use your tool handles as rulers in the garden. Tools with long handles, such as a shovel or rake, are absolutely perfect for this job, and make your workload a little bit smaller. Lay the handles of said tools on the ground where it is flat and there is no interference, such as gravel, and stretch a measuring tape along one side. Mark the measurements with a permanent marker. Now you will always possess a large ruler ready for your use in the garden.
Soak your seeds in a dark spot during the overnight hours. Put some seeds in a container and fill the container to the brim with water. When you do this, you hydrate your seeds and they can start growing. This improves the chances of successful plant development.
Coffee Grounds
If your soil has a problem with high alkaline levels, mixing in some coffee grounds that have been used is a great solution. The coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to give some acid back to the dirt. The greens and vegetables need the proper balance and will grow bigger and stronger with the right mix.
Deciduous shrubs and young trees need to be protected. Delicate shrubs that are sitting in pots should be sheltered from the cold weather. Tie the tops together, and loosely cover the wigwam with a blanket or sheet. This method is much better than wrapping the plant in plastic, as it allows air to circulate, which can prevent rotting.
It is best to aerate and dry your plants daily. Excess moisture creates an appealing environment for disease and parasites. A fungus is one of the most important and debilitating parasites for plants. It is possible to control fungi with sprays, but the key is to treat your garden before any problems arise.
Be consistent with garden fertilization. Manure is probably the best fertilizer. Choose a commercial product to reduce the risks of pathogen exposure. It is important that you use some sort of fertilizer, although it doesn’t really matter which variety you choose.
If you have an organic garden and children, plant some everbearing strawberries for them. Children are thrilled to harvest fruit from their own garden, and doing so often makes them more enthusiastic about helping out with the more hum-drum aspects of tending a garden.
Try to put an aspirin in the water to get rid of plant diseases. Dissolve aspirin (1.5 pills per 2 gallons of water) in a bucket and administer to your plants. You can easily spray the plans with this concoction to help them fight of disease. Be sure to repeat this process every two or three weeks.
Pine Needles
Pine needles should not be overlooked as a great source for mulch. Some plants do better in soil with high acidity as they are highly acidic themselves. Use pine needles to increase the acid level in your soil if you have plants that require higher acid. Spread a few inches of pine needles on your organic beds so that it will put the acid into your soil.
Over-watering your plants can be harmful, because roots that are drowning in water cannot effectively pull nutrients out of the soil. Check the weather for the next couple of days to see if you actually need to water your plants. Depending on the weather, you might want to skip watering for the day.
Horticulture is a fun hobby that allows you be more earth friendly. You will be a witness of the growing process of many different plants and understand how a whole ecosystem functions.
Spread three inches of organic material on your garden for mulch. Doing this will nourish the soil in your garden and improve its ability to retain moisture. It will also prevent weeds from growing, which will make your garden look neater and more attractive.
Incorporate shade elements into any organic garden area. Shade gardens don’t require much work at all, which may surprise you. You will also eliminate time and effort by a reduced need for watering your garden. While growth is a bit slower, there are also fewer weeds to remove.
Hopefully this article has taken all of your apprehension about organic horticulture completely out of the equation. With your new-found knowledge, your organic garden is sure to be a success, and you will be enjoying the fruits of your labor in no time!