Gardening is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding activities there is. Whether you choose to grow flowers, vegetables or ornamental plants, many find that nurturing and tending to a garden brings such a rewarding feeling and sense of accomplishment. Think of this article as a helpful guide to making the most out of your garden.
Always allow your plants to adapt gradually to any changes in light conditions, temperatures or soils, if you do not, you might shock them and cause them to die. The first day you transfer your plants, you should only allow them to sit in direct sunlight for a few hours. As time goes by, slowly increase the time they spent outdoors. At the end of a week, they should be accustomed to the outdoors and ready to transition to outside safely.
If you would like to have flowers in your garden that last through the spring and summer seasons, plant bulbs. A hardy perennial addition to your garden, bulbs will continue to delight every year. Remember that different bulbs will bloom at all different times of the year, so if you are careful to choose the right bulbs, you will see blooms in the early spring, and have flowers all the way to late summer.
Deciduous shrubs and young trees need to be protected. If you have tender shrubs in pots, they need to be protected in the cold weather. Tie the tops together, and loosely cover the wigwam with a blanket or sheet. Covering your foliage in plastic will let the air in – and may lead to decay.
Know when is the best time to harvest your vegetables. There is a specific time to pick every sort of vegetable in order to maximize its taste and cooking utility. For instance, for the best flavor, zucchini and baby peas should be picked when they are young. Tomatoes, however, should be plucked from the vine the moment they appear ripe. So, be aware of the best harvest time to pick your veggies.
Pest control is tough when you have a veggie garden. It is important not to use harmful chemical agents, because you are growing produce that is intended to be eaten. One way to keep pests at bay is to remain diligent about your garden. If you discover the pests when they first infest your plants, the best way to remove them is to pick them off manually.
Protect yourself from sun overexposure while horticulture by wearing the proper clothing. Wear sunglasses and hats with wide brims, and apply sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun will lower the possibility of sunburn and skin cancer.
Before planting your favorite perennials, you must first prepare the ground. All you need to do is use a garden spade to slice under the turf, flip it over, then spread wood chips over the area about three to four inches deep. Give the area a couple of weeks, then dig into it and plant your new perennials.
Pine is a surprisingly good source of mulch. Some garden plants have a high acidity, and prefer acidic soil. If this is the case, use pine needles to mulch your beds. Cover the surface of the ground with a two-inch layer of the pine needles; as the needles break down, they will release acid into the soil and nourish your plants.
Get added value from your property. Landscaping has a powerful home improvement return. Certain plants could increase the value by 20%. Get low moisture plants for your garden and yard that are suited for your environment.
Try cultivating organic horticulture. It’s best to plant garlic cloves in either spring or fall. Make sure the soil is drained well. The cloves should be planted four inches apart from one another and about one to two inches deep, with their ends pointed up. Green garlic shoots can be cut as they grow, and used in place of chives or scallions. You can harvest the bulbs as the tops begin to turn brown. 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.
It only takes a few steps to create a new garden area for perennials. Cut under the dirt with a spade and turn it over. Next, cover the area with three to four inches of organic wood chips. With a week or two, you will be able to plant perennials in the bed.
Open your mind to the diverse environments that can be created in your garden space. Including a healthy mix of native grasses and flowers will attract wildlife. If you are interested in creating an untamed, natural look for your garden, you should include many varieties of plants. This creates a soothing, beautiful environment in which you can relax, and enjoy the fruits of your hard work.
Here you have organic horticulture, simplified! Plan to use mainly native flowers, grasses and bushes when creating an organic garden. You can reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers by selecting plants that correspond to the soil you have and to the climate. By planting native plants that are used to growing in your location, you will see that they can gain their nutrients from the compost that is made from the surrounding plants and native ingredients.
As you read in the beginning of this article, gardening is one hobby that can be truly rewarding. The benefits of a garden are obvious and many, whether it be because of the fresh vegetables or the beautiful flowers grown. Apply these tips to make sure you do everything properly for better results.