
When it comes to gardening the green way, every organic garden needs extra TLC. In order to get good results in an organic garden, you need to use smart horticulture techniques. Following organic gardening practices will result in tastier fruits and vegetables, as well as happier plants. Follow the tips provided for a successful organic garden.
Try not to cause shock to your plants by gradually changing their conditions and temperature. On the first day, put them out in sunlight for about an hour or so. Throughout the week, gradually increase the time they are spent outside. At week’s end, the plants should be welcoming of their new home.
Select plant varieties capable of producing large yields. Many times, hybrid plants tend to resist disease, and tolerate the cold weather better than their traditional counterparts, resulting in higher yields.
Create useful rulers from your tool handles. Larger handled tools like rakes, hoes, and shovels make great measuring sticks. Lay the tools down on the floor, then place a measuring tape along the handle. Use a bright permanent marker and label the distances. When the need arises to measure something while in your garden, the measuring tool you need will literally be “on hand,” sketched into the handles of your tools.
The first thing you should do when planning a garden is test the soil. There are soil testing services that can analyze a garden’s soil content for a small charge. With those results, it’s then possible to refine and supplement the soil to make it as fertile as possible. It is worth having this information so that crops do not get ruined. Most Cooperative Extension offices provide this service.
Always make sure to mow your lawn to the appropriate length, always making sure that the cut is not too close. If your grass has more height, roots be able to grow more deeply in the soil, which will make for a stronger lawn and will have a higher resistance to drying out. The shorter the grass, the shallower the roots, which makes the lawn more likely to develop brown patches.
Vegetables should be placed in a spot in your garden that will get about six hours of sun every day. Many veggies require this amount to properly grow at a faster pace. This is also true for some flowers.
Knee Pads
A set of knee pads is a great investment if your garden has a lot of low-growing plants. Spending lots of time on your knees while gardening can injure them and create lasting pain. A set of quality knee pads designed for horticulture can be a world of relief for your central leg joints.
You can use natural materials or other plants in your garden to keep away pests. Onions and marigolds can help to deter slugs. Insects can be deterred if you use wood ash instead of mulch around trees and shrub seedlings. Using methods like these eliminates the need for chemical pesticides, which can be harsh or even harmful.
Place organic mulch close to your vegetables. The mulch will help keep the soil moist for longer periods of time. This is also efficient in preventing weeds from growing. This will save you a ton of time and work.
Consider planting evergreens that produce berries in your yard. The berries will provide a boost of color to your backyard, even during the colder months when most of the other vegetation has been drained of their color. Other winter plants include the American Holly, Winterberry, The American Cranberrybush and the Common Snowberry.
Use a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool when you’re working in your garden. Working on the ground for long periods of time can be painful on the knees, so a small garden stool can really allow you to work in comfort. It is also normal to move heavy objects and dirt around the garden, so a wheelbarrow is something you should have.
Heather can bring helpful critters into your garden. Bees are attracted to heather, and they can bring a source of nectar early in the spring. Heather beds are also attractive to bugs such as spiders and ground beetles that will kill pests. With this knowledge at hand, it is in your best interest to wear gloves when tending the heather.
Once your seeds have germinated they will not need to be kept as warm as before. Remove plants from the heated environment once they begin growing. Also, remove plastic coverings from the tops of your growing containers to keep them from becoming too warm or humid. To know when it is time for this, keep a careful eye on your seeds.
Pine Needles
Pine needles should not be overlooked as a great source for mulch. Acidic soil is a favorite of garden plants that are high in acidity. If this is the case, use pine needles to mulch your beds. Covering your plant beds with a layer of pine needles will allow the pine needles to disperse their acidic nutrients into the soil for your plants.
The tips above have shown you that there is a noticeable difference in the quality of produce produced by organic horticulture. It does take work and patience, but all is worth it come mealtimes that include your organic, homegrown produce.