The main reason people decide to go organic when horticulture is that they think commercial chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers, may degrade soil quality, harm the environment and cause long-term damage to their personal health. Another benefit of organic gardening is that it is relatively inexpensive. These tips will get you right into the swing of organic gardening and improve your skill in no time.
It can be very hard to shovel clay soil, especially when it sticks to your shovel as you are working. To make digging clay soil easier, try applying a light coating of wax, either car wax or floor wax, and then buff off and commence digging. The shovel will glide through the clay and as a bonus, your shovel will be resistant to rust.
For the right results, get the right type of soil. You may need to alter the kind of soil you use based on the types of plants you intend to grow. It is also possible to make an artificial area using only one type of soil.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can be used to amend soils that are high in alkaline. Using coffee grounds is a low-cost way to increase the acidity of the soil. This will allow your vegetables and greenery to really thrive.
To save your knees from the wear and tear of gardening, invest in some knee pads if your garden includes a lot of low-growth plants. Gardening is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable; you don’t want to finish every gardening session with aching, throbbing knees. Buy yourself a pair of knee pads to use in the garden to cushion and protect your knees.
One natural method of weed removal is called “boiling”. Any vessel of boiling water that you can carry safely can be used as an organic herbicide. Just pour boiling water directly on top of the weeds cautiously to avoid damaging your plants. Boiling water kills weeds by destroying their roots. Weeds won’t be able to survive, never mind grow, with damaged weeds.
Think about berry-producing trees that are green year round for your garden. This will keep your garden colorful, even during those months when other plants are not growing. Plants that provide instant winter color include Holly, Winterberry, American Cranberrybush, and the American Holly.
Pest Control
It can be tough to keep insects and other plant-ruining crawlies from infesting your garden. While chemicals can help with pest control, you should avoid using overly harsh ones, as veggies you grow in your garden are meant for eating. Persistence and care is a much better solution for pest control, but many avoid it because it actually requires some work on their behalf. If you catch pests early, you can remove them by hand effectively.
Horticulture helps with relaxation. There are many ways to find personal relaxation and peace. Amongst the simplest ways to get there is to start a garden. You do not need to spend a lot of money and you can reap tangible benefits. The best return on your investment is the feeling of happiness and tranquility from growing your own greenery.
If you have problems keeping the dog out of the garden, spray things like aftershave, perfume or other scents on the grass surrounding the garden. Your dog will find more interesting scents to explore elsewhere and leave your garden alone.
If you plant heather in your garden, you will attract insects that are beneficial. Bees like it because it gives them nectar in the springtime. If your heather bed is undisturbed, as it would be in nature, many beneficial insects will make it their home. If you do have to tend to your heather, wear gloves in case you accidentally annoy one of the residents!
Take care of your knees when you’re horticulture. Bending over while gardening can be painful and unhealthy for your back. Due to this, most people choose to garden while on their knees, which also makes it easier to tend to plants. You can buy a knee pad, put it on the ground and kneel on it so that you wont have to deal with knee pain.
It’s important to let your cuts heal prior to doing any horticulture without gloves. Cuts that are infiltrated by soil or other substances have the potential to breed serious infections. Get the appropriate bandages to seal the cut completely.
If you’re planning on gardening inside, the first thing you should consider is an adequate light source. The amount of light available can determine which type of organic plants you should grow. For example, if your living area does not provide much natural sunlight, you could grow those plants that only need low to medium amounts of natural light to thrive. If your plants still need more light, there are always artificial light sources that you can use.
Regular maintenance prevents your gardening tasks from becoming overwhelming and unappealing. Even doing just a few small things each day can keep chores from piling up and eventually becoming unmanageable. This will save you a lot of time in the long run. If you put the dog outside, weed a few spots in the garden while your dog goes to the bathroom.
Plant Material
Use equal parts dried and green plant material for your own compost. Garden wastes, such as grass clippings, are classified as green materials. Examples of dried plant material are sawdust, shredded paper, straw, cut-up woody material, and cardboard. Don’t throw charcoal, meat or manure into your compost.
Start using these tips right away, and you will be able to enjoy all of the benefits of a healthy, pollutant free organic garden in no time. You should notice more wildlife present in your garden if you use natural methods.