
Organic horticulture is as old as human cultivation but many people are just discovering the benefits. With the application of the simple, yet effective advice in this article, you should soon be able to cultivate your own flourishing organic garden. Read on to discover some helpful tips and learn how to take advantage of them.
Before you even start planting the garden, check the soil. For a small fee, a soil analysis can be obtained – based on that report – the soil can be properly enriched to support a vibrant garden. The cost of the analysis will be easily offset by the benefits of a healthy and vibrant crop.
In order for plants to grow, they must have enough CO2. The majority of plants grow much better when CO2 levels are at their highest. A greenhouse has the best levels available. When it is exposed to high carbon dioxide levels, a plant has the best growing condition possible.
There are grass varieties, such as wheat grass or catnip, that will give your feline something to nibble on besides your garden. Try putting mothballs or citrus on your soil to wards pets away.
You can prevent pests from invading your garden with certain plants and natural materials. Onions and marigolds can get rid of pests in the garden. Wood ash, when used like mulch, can keep away pests after it is spread around a tree base and shrub seedlings. You will be able to stay away from harsh chemical based pesticides by incorporating these techniques into your gardening.
Don’t use pesticides that aren’t meant to kill specific types of garden pests. These pesticides will also kill any beneficial insects that consume the pests you are trying to get rid of. Useful insects are more sensitive to these pesticides than the pests, so by killing them, you could be growing your pest population. If you respond to the growing pest problem with more broad-spectrum pesticide, you only continue the harmful cycle.
The warmth of the day can make vegetables soft, making them more prone to damage as you pick them. Make sure to chop the vegetables off the vine, but be careful not to twist them. Twisting can actually damage the plant.
Take care of your knees when you’re gardening. For most people, bending over while horticulture is too difficult. If you have trouble with this, kneel instead of bending while horticulture. For extra comfort, purchase a knee pad for use as a cushion between your knees and the ground.
One way to help your organic garden thrive is to leave an undeveloped area that is conducive to the wildlife around your area. This is a great natural way to allow the insects and animals found in nature to assist with the growth of your garden.
Is there a natural way to kill weeds? Layer sheets of newspaper on the surface of areas where you are trying to control weeds. Without exposure to the sun, weeds cannot thrive. Newspapers placed atop weeds will starve them from light and they will eventually die. Newspapers also decompose fairly quickly, and mix with your garden soil. Add a layer of mulch on top to make it look more attractive!
Organic foods do not possess any pesticides on them. While this is good for your family’s health, you will want to be sure to check even more for bugs and other pests.
Horticulture, especially organic horticulture, helps you feel more “at one” with the earth. Organic gardening is an excellent lesson in the plant life cycle and how to get the most from the planting process.
Rotate the plants that you grow each year by switching up where you plant them. Fungus and disease are more likely to affect plants if they stay in the same location for long periods of time, especially if they belong to the same family. Plants of the same type will be vulnerable the next season. Different plants have different immunities and vulnerabilities. Changing what you plant where will naturally stave off fungus and disease.
Mulch should be added to your flower bed and garden using at least 3 inches of material that is organic. This will retain moisture in the soil as well as provide nourishment. It also inhibits weed growth, resulting in a tidier presentation of your organic garden.
Buy a soaker hose if you plan to plant an organic garden. The water seeps slowly out of these hoses and can be directed straight to the roots so that the leaves stay dry. Soaker hoses do not waste as much water as sprinklers but are still easier than hand-watering the organic garden.
Rganic Methods
When working in the garden, know exactly what you are using. Try natural or organic alternatives to the usual chemical fertilizers. One good example is compost. One advantage to using organic gardening methods as opposed to non-organic methods is that non-organic methods have a small chance of reducing soil quality or poisoning the water table.
When deciding which plants you want to focus your organic gardening efforts on, you should be as specific as possible. Some flowers and vegetables require specific types of soil, a certain moisture level, and direct or indirect sun exposure. Each type of rose may need different types of environments, for example. So, be sure to choose the specific varieties that are most suited for your planting environment.
You have to be patient to create a perfect organic garden. Following the suggestions outlined above should help you get your organic garden off the ground more effectively. Just remember to apply these tips as you have read them and your garden should do just fine.