Great Ideas For Growing Your Own Organic Garden

~ craigb

TIP! Make sure that your sod is laid properly. Before the sod can be laid, you should prepare the soil.

If you want to improve your diet, you may want to get into organic gardening. However, you will need to put forth an effort in order to make it grow. Oftentimes, new gardeners can be intimidated because they’re not quite sure where to start.

TIP! Choose higher yield plant varieties. Traditional strains are often out-performed by hybrids that have been bred for cold tolerance or disease resistance.

Be vigilant about keeping moisture off your plants. Excess moisture creates an appealing environment for disease and parasites. One parasite you have to watch out for in particular is fungi. Although fungi can be treated with sprays, it is possible to preempt the problem and very important to plant health that you do so.

TIP! Start your plants in containers, and then transplant the seedlings into the garden later on. Doing this betters your odds of your plants making it to adulthood.

Purchase a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool to use in your garden. It is important to protect your knees when you are kneeling in the garden, and a foam kneeling pad will help with that. Gardeners usually need a wheelbarrow to move the heavy dirt and other objects so they are a good item to buy.

TIP! Starting a garden with the best soil is a great defense mechanism against pests. Healthy plants are stronger and more able to resist both pests and disease.

Learn the best harvest time for each vegetable. Most vegetables have a relatively small harvesting window when they will taste best. As an example, zucchini and baby peas both have the best flavor when they are harvested at a young age. However, you get better taste out of tomatoes that have been allowed to ripen as much as practical while still on their vine. Take some time to learn about the best harvest time for the vegetables that you have growing.

TIP! Pre-soak seeds overnight in a dark place. Place a couple of seeds in a tiny container, and fill it with water nearly to the top.

For visual interest, make one plant a focal point of your garden. To create an attractive garden design, arrange a focal point to draw attention. More often than not, it is a plant that is distinctively different from its neighbors.

Pick your vegetables when the temperature is moderate to avoid bruising them. Twisting off vegetables causes damage to the plant; always snip them at the base of the vine.

TIP! Don’t plant a garden without planning it. Planning gives you a map of your garden.

Let your children be involved in your organic gardening efforts. The benefits for your children will be a closer bond with nature and an understanding of where food comes from.

TIP! Think about putting some berry-producing evergreens into your landscape. These will help give your garden a burst of color, even in the winter months when most other vegetation has lost their colors.

One way to help your organic garden thrive is to leave an undeveloped area that is conducive to the wildlife around your area. Certain wildlife can be good for an organic garden; birds and insects can help your plants reproduce and be as healthy as they can be!

TIP! Keep your pet out of the garden with old perfume or aftershave in the grass. By masking the smells he may be attracted to, he should take less interest in the garden plants.

Before planting any perennials, you have to make the ground ready. With a garden spade, slice under the dirt then flip it over. Next, spread out wood chips several inches deep. Let the area have about two weeks, then dig it and plan the new perennials.

TIP! Planting organic strawberries is a great way to encourage your children to get involved. You will find that they enjoy participating in gardening if they are allowed to pluck the fresh berries and eat them straight from the earth.

Make sure you have your horticulture tools near you, so you can maximize your gardening efficiency. Keep the tools in a big bucket, or store them in strong pockets in your pants. Keep common tools such as your gloves or your pruning shears within reach so that you can quickly and easily maintain your garden whenever you need to.

TIP! To be more efficient when working in your organic garden, have your tools close at hand. Put them into a basket you carry with you, or use an apron with many pockets and hanging loops.

Working in the garden doesn’t have to be grueling; learn to work more efficiently. Don’t waste your time by looking all over for your tools. You can prepare what you need beforehand, keep it all handy in a toolbox or a shed, and you will be ready to work in your garden at a moment’s notice. You can use a tool belt, or you may want to wear pants with extra pockets.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Tuck away some plastic grocery bags and use them to slip over your muddy boots. Doing this prevents lengthy work interruptions, and allows you to finish the job quickly.

Add used coffee grounds to your soil. These coffee grounds have many nitrogenous nutrients that your plants could use. Nitrogen is often the most important nutrient when it comes to plants thriving, and a solid source of nitrogen, like coffee grounds, urea, or compost, can boost growth speed and increase height.

TIP! Change how much you water your plants with the changing of the seasons. You should also adjust your watering habits if the temperature or amount of rainfall changes dramatically.

Paying attention to spacing is important. Plants take up quite a bit of space as they grow, and it’s easy to underestimate just how much. Plants need room for physical growth and for the air to circulate within the soil. Make sure that you map out your garden layout beforehand and place your seeds with an adequate amount of space in between each.

TIP! Your soil will be healthier if you add mulch. A layer of mulch can protect the soil beneath.

Do you want to kill weeds naturally? A good thick layer of newspaper can be laid down to control weeds. Weeds can only grow in sunlight. When you place layers of newspapers on top of them, the weeds will suffocate from the lack of light. Newspapers tend to break down into compost nicely. You can add mulch on top for aesthetic reasons.

TIP! One of the benefits of organic produce over commercial produce is that it is not spayed with any toxic pesticides. This will improve your family’s overall health, but it does mean you have to be extra vigilant about checking for pest infestations.

Though organic farming can present challenges that traditional farming with the use of chemicals does not, harvesting the crops is reward itself for the hard work. While chemical-based horticulture products make bold claims, it is hard to dispute that organic gardening consistently produces superior results.

TIP! If you’re trying to decide how to water the plants in your organic garden, consider a soaker hose. The water seeps slowly out of these hoses and can be directed straight to the roots so that the leaves stay dry.

Be aware of seasons and climates when you are watering, and change accordingly. You should consider water quality and soil type when watering your plants. Try to water your plants at the same time every day, as time of day also affects how much water they need. As an example, leaves should not be watered in humid, warm climates else leaf fungus could occur. Instead, aim to water the root system only.

TIP! When you are thinking about planting a garden, think about the herbs and veggies you use on a regular basis. This reduces your grocery bills and allows you to use everything you grow.

You can grow a great organic garden if you decide to dedicate your time and efforts to it. It is very true, as well, that to see results, you must stick with it. By keeping in mind the above tips, you’re on the right track towards being successful in your organic garden.