Author: craigb

Get Growing! Organic Horticulture Tips And Tricks

~ craigb

TIP! If you have a wall or fence that you do not like, plant climbers to mask its appearance. Climbing plants are known to be very versatile, and can help hide any ugly wall or fence, and this often only takes one growing season.

Organic fruits and vegetables are both delicious and healthy, far surpassing normal supermarket produce. So save yourself some money and grow produce from your own garden! Read on so you know what it takes to create a thriving organic garden.

TIP! Transfer your favorite plants indoors to rescue them from the winter frosts. You may want to save the most beautiful or expensive ones.

To prevent your plants’ systems from becoming shocked, you need to gradually transition them from higher to lower temperatures. The first day you transfer your plants, you should only allow them to sit in direct sunlight for a few hours. Over one week, gradually build up the amount of hours you leave the plants outside. By weeks end, you should have plants that are ready for a permanent home outside with no problem!

TIP! In order for plants to grow, they must have enough CO2. Plants are more likely to thrive in environments where high levels of CO2 are present.

It can be very hard to shovel clay soil, especially when it sticks to your shovel as you are working. Rubbing wax on the shovel prior to digging can kick this challenge to the curb. This will keep the soil from sticking, and prevent rusting of the tool.

TIP! If your garden includes vegetables, make sure you plant them in a location whether they are exposed to sunlight for a minimum of six hours each day. This allows the vegetables to grow quickly and healthily.

The first thing you can do to ward off garden pests is to ensure you are using healthy soil in your garden. If your plants are healthy, they can more easily resist insects and disease. High-quality soil that is low on chemicals is key. It’s the first thing you should think about when planning on growing your garden.

TIP! Good green gardens begin from seeds, not plants. When opening a garden, the most green method of beginning is from seed.

Be sure to weed your garden. A vibrant garden will be overrun with weeds if they are left alone. To aid in this venture, you might want to use white vinegar. Use it instead of chemical solutions to kill weeds. Spray white vinegar onto those troubling weeds.

TIP! It can be tough to keep insects and other plant-ruining crawlies from infesting your garden. The vegetables are intended to be eaten, thus you should refrain from using harsh pesticides and chemicals.

Soak your seeds in a dark spot during the overnight hours. Take 3-4 seeds, put them in a small jar or container, and cover them with water. This hydrates your seeds and jump-starts their growth. The seeds will then have a greater chance at lasting and blossoming.

TIP! Make sure to water your garden properly. You can water efficiently by using a soaker hose which will eliminate the necessity of watering each plant one by one with a nozzle, or having to use a water can that you have to refill over and over.

Do you enjoy fresh mint, but don’t like how they engulf your garden in their growth? You can control the growth of the mint leaves by growing them in a large container rather than in your garden. Plant the container in the ground, but its walls will hold those roots captive, and will prevent the plant from engulfing your garden!

TIP! Your children will enjoy the experience of working with you in the organic garden. You can provide a good learning experience that your children can appreciate the more they learn on how to grow healthy produce.

Always fertilize your garden. One type of fertilizer that really helps plants grow is manure, but be sure to utilize a type that is commercially composted to reduce the chances of pathogens. You have many different choices for fertilizer; choose whichever is best-suited to your plants but definitely use one.

TIP! Asprin will actually help your plants out by killing diseases. Dissolve 1 aspirin per gallon of water for a plant disease fighting solution.

When it comes to harvesting your vegetables, know when the optimal time is to do so. Each type of vegetables has its own ideal time for picking for the best flavor. Zucchini and baby peas, for example, have the best flavor when harvested early. Tomatoes, however, should be plucked from the vine the moment they appear ripe. Thus, you ought to familiarize yourself with the best times to pick the produce from your garden.

TIP! Preparing a plot for planting a perennial garden can be done quickly and without difficulty. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips.

When your seeds sprout, they will not be in need of the warmth they needed to germinate. Move your plants further away from your heat source as they grow. If you used plastic wrap to insulate your seedlings, you should now remove it. You should know when the right time is if you are keeping an eye on the seeds.

Pine Needles

TIP! If you need to prove to customers that your produce is legitimately organic, you can become certified as an organic grower. This should boost your sales while proving to your customers that they are getting healthy products.

For some plants, pine needles makes an ideal mulch. Many types of plants thrive in soil that has high acid levels. Pine needles to line the bed of your garden are easy to find for these kinds of plants. Cover your beds with the needles, as they will decompose and disperse their acid throughout the soil.

TIP! One way to help maintain healthy soil is to incorporate mulch into your landscape. The mulch acts as a protection for the soil under it.

Try not to let the chores associated to your organic garden build up. Not everyone has time to tend their gardens every day, but by doing little things whenever you have a chance, you can avoid having things pile up. For example, snatch out a weed or two whenever you pass by the garden, such as when you take your dog out for a potty break.

TIP! Excessive amounts of water makes it harder for plants to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Always check the weather forecast for chances of rain before going outside to water your plants.

If you sell or use organically grown produce in a commercial setting, you should communicate your commitment to natural growing by becoming certified. This will up your sales and prove to your loyal customers that what they have been getting is only the best that you possibly could get.

TIP! Grow organic garlic. Cloves of garlic should be planted in well-drained soil with frequent watering in either the fall or spring.

Try to avoid over-watering your plants. Too much water will make it more difficult for the plants to absorb the nutrients they need from the soil. Check the weather forecast before watering plants to see if there is rain in the near future. If showers are headed your way, it’s probably in your best interest to leave the water hose turned off.

Botanical Insecticides

TIP! If you are going to plant a shrub or a tree in your garden, dig an ugly hole for it to go in. If you place a plant in a hole with glazed sides, the roots will not be able to penetrate the soil properly.

You may be able to find botanical insecticides locally, which are often very helpful for preventing pest infestations. Sometimes the natural insecticides can be even more powerful than the engineered synthetic pesticides on the market. Keep in mind, however, that the biological composition of botanical insecticides can cause them to quickly decay and disappear.

TIP! You can grow a variety of different plants in your home organic garden. Mulch is a must-have for plants that require acidic conditions.

At least 3″ of organic mulch should be added to the flower beds and garden. Mulch adds nutrients to the soil, keeps the soil moist, reduces weed growth, and makes beds look tidier.

Healthier soil grows healthier plants that can withstand insect damage and disease. Pests may still be present, but they will not inflict damage on your plants.

Do not keep on buying low quality produce. If you follow the advice that you have just read, you will be on your way to an even greener thumb!

The Greener Gardener: Best Horticulture Tips And Ideas

~ craigb

TIP! Find some plants that will give you a higher yield. There are genetically modified plants that resist cold and/or disease.

Vegetables and fresh fruits that have been grown organically are far superior in taste and nutrition than ordinary produce on the market. You can bypass the supermarkets entirely if you grow organic produce yourself. Read the following article to find out more about organic horticulture.

TIP! A certain amount of CO2 is necessary for plants to maximize their growth potential. Plants will not thrive if they don’t have an adequate amount of CO2.

Insects and various garden pests can be avoided by making your soil healthy. If your plants are healthy, they can more easily resist insects and disease. Begin with a high-quality soil with less chemicals to avoid salt accumulation, and you give your garden an excellent chance of growing healthy plants.

TIP! Before planting seeds, soak them overnight. Place them in a cupboard or other place where they won’t be exposed to light.

There are grass varieties, such as wheat grass or catnip, that will give your feline something to nibble on besides your garden. You can put something over the soil which surrounds the plants which has a bad smell to cats to deter them.

TIP! Plant some wheat grass or cat grass near where you car tends to nibble in your garden. You can put something over the soil which surrounds the plants which has a bad smell to cats to deter them.

For areas with high alkaline, mix coffee grounds into the soil. This is an easy and inexpensive method to increase the acidity of your soil. This solution will make the vegetables you grow healthier and more flavorful.

TIP! It’s easy to just jump in and start gardening without thought, but it’s important to plan your garden first. Doing so means you can remember where each particular plant is when you start seeing sprouts arise from the earth.

Before you start planting your garden, plan it out. That way, if you see your plants beginning to bud but can’t recall what they are, you can refer back to your plan to refresh your memory. You are also less likely to lose smaller members of the larger garden in the overall mix.

TIP! In order to start the best garden possible, remember that you should always start with the seeds and not pre-purchased plants. The most “green” way to create a new garden is starting from seeds.

If your landscape includes low-growing plants, you should invest in a set of knee pads specifically designed for gardening. When you spend a lot of time kneeling while gardening, your knees can be very achy by the end of the day Cushion your knees with a pair of horticulture knee pads.

TIP! Spray old aftershave, perfume, or scented products around the grass of your garden to prevent your dog from entering it. This kind of scent is going to mask the scents your dog is attracted to.

Try dividing the irises. You can create additional irises by splitting up irises that are growing into each other’s space. Try to life the bulbous irises when foliage begins to die. If you split the bulbs that you pull up, and replant them, they will bloom the following year. Divide rhizomes with a knife. New pieces should be cut from the outside, then the old center you want to discard. Make sure that every cutting contains a viable offshoot. Replant right away.

TIP! While you garden, it’s important that you wear the right clothing to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. This includes wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Some people use horticulture as a source of relaxation. You may be aware of various ways to find peaceful relaxation. Gardening is easily one of the most relaxing and gratifying ways to spend your extra time. It does however require a small investment of money but has tremendous returns. The best thing you will get out of it is peace and happiness knowing that you can grow your own garden.

TIP! If you’re thinking about growing your own organic garden, then you might want to consider keeping a bit of your property undeveloped; this way wildlife can flourish. You will find that many of the supporting cast of insects and birds that aid in plant production and pollination will be present on your land and actually help your developed gardens to produce better.

Efficiently water your garden. A soaker hose can save valuable time by watering all of your plants simultaneously, removing the need for hauling a watering can or hose around to each plant. Keep the water running slowly so it doesn’t spray up onto the plants’ leaves. Set the soaker hose to water your all your plants over a couple hours, and then you will be free to get other things done.

TIP! When planting seeds you should cover them with fine soil. Determine its depth by looking at the seed’s size and multiplying it by three.

Get your children interested in helping with your organic garden. Growing a garden is a great way to teach your children about nature while allowing you to have time to bond with them.

TIP! Adjust your watering according to season and current climate. When watering your plants, consider the time you are watering them, the kind of soil you are using and how good the water is.

Take care of your knees when you’re horticulture. Bending over while horticulture can be painful and unhealthy for your back. If you have trouble with this, kneel instead of bending while gardening. For extra comfort, purchase a knee pad for use as a cushion between your knees and the ground.

TIP! When you water too much, then you can actually harm your plants due to the fact that the roots can’t get the nutrients they need. Before watering your plants outdoors, check to see if there is rain in the forecast.

Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. Keep the tools in a big bucket, or store them in strong pockets in your pants. Make sure your trowel, pruning shears, gloves and other important tools are always handy. This will allow you to make easy work of your gardening up-keep!

TIP! Think carefully about any product you buy to use in your garden. Make use of organic compounds or natural solutions instead of commercial fertilizers.

Try to work as efficiently as possible when horticulture. Don’t waste your time by searching high and low for that packet of seeds or spade. Before you make a trip to your garden, you should gather all tools and items in advance. Afterwards, be sure to return them to their original storage place. If you need, use a tool belt or even pants that have quite a few pockets.

TIP! This tip greatly eases your organic gardening attempts. Plan to use mainly native flowers, grasses and bushes when creating an organic garden.

Pine can be a wonderful mulch. Some garden plants have a high acidity, and prefer acidic soil. There is no better, or easier, way to make your acid-loving plants happy then to use pine needles you already have on your beds. Using several inches of needles to cover your beds provides acid for the soil as they begin to decompose.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Plant trees so they can shade your home. Natural shade will cool your home by a few degrees, which decreases the amount of energy consumed by your A/C unit.

Mix used coffee grounds into your soil. Coffee grounds will add nitrogen to your soil which will make them helpful for some of your plants. Coffee grounds as a source of nitrogen for plants are usually limited to acid-loving plants because coffee is acidic. Nitrogen, along with phosphorous and potassium, is an important nutrient in the garden. It contributes to healthy and strong growth of the plant, but don’t overuse it.

TIP! Keep in mind what vegetables you prefer, as well as the ones used most in your home and plant your garden around this consensus. You will then be able to reduce your food costs every month and you can then get a great return on your garden.

When it is harvest time, use a laundry basket. The laundry basket can be used as a colander for your produce. Rinse the produce while it sits in the basket, the extra water will go through the holes in the basket.

TIP! Water each of your plants with fresh rainwater, and you’ll really be an eco-friendly gardener. Using a specialized barrel, or any other container that works to collect rainwater, saves money on your monthly water bill, and makes good use of natural resources.

Build a garden full of diversity. The more plant varieties you have, the more animal varieties you will attract. Try replicating nature by creating a garden with a variety of different plants. If you do this, your garden will not only be relaxing, but environmentally friendly, as well.

TIP! To encourage root development, plant large trees and shrubs in the autumn. Roots grow stronger around this time of year, because the ground is a lot warmer than the air, and plants also do not have to support the growth of leaves.

If you are going to plant a shrub or a tree in your garden, dig an ugly hole for it to go in. If the shovel “glazes” any sides of the hole, leaving a smooth and compact surface, the roots may have trouble breaking through the soil in that area.

Don’t buy produce that aren’t up to snuff. Use these suggestions listed here to produce fruit and veggies.

How To Achieve A Beautiful Organic Garden

~ craigb

TIP! The first thing you should do when planning a garden is test the soil. For a tiny fee, a soil analysis may be done, and based on the results, the soil can support a growing garden by you enriching it as necessary.

All it takes to grow an organic garden is a few natural growing methods. First, you must learn the methods, and then choose which ones you would like to implement.

TIP! It is very important to keep the weeds from taking over in your garden. Those nasty weeds can turn your beautiful garden into a scruffy version of its former self.

Make garden tools do double duty as handy makeshift rulers. Tools with long handles, such as shovels, hoes and rakes can be made into measuring sticks. Just lay your tool down on the floor then lay a yardstick beside the handle. Use a bright permanent marker and label the distances. Now, the next time you do work in the garden, you’ll actually have a ruler at your fingertips.

TIP! Pre-soak your seeds to keep them healthy. Place your seeds in a container filled with water.

There is no need to purchase a costly chemical if your plants develop powdery mildew. Combine baking soda with a small dollop of liquid soap and add it to water. Once a week, spray this solution on your plants and your mildew should disappear in no time. Baking soda treats the mildew effectively and gently and it won’t damage your plants.

TIP! Prior to planting a garden, think through what you want to do. This is a good way to remember which plants have been planted in each area before they grow.

If you are growing vegetables in your garden, it is important that you have them in a spot where they can get at least six hours of sun a day. Most vegetables require this amount of sun in order to grow properly and at a quicker pace. It’s also the same for some types of flowers.

TIP! If you want an organic way to weed your garden, try “boiling” them. A pot full of boiling water is an effective herbicide, yet it is, chemically speaking, completely harmless.

Good tools for the gardener include a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool. 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. You often need to move large objects from place to place, so it’s a good idea to have a sturdy, well-balanced wheelbarrow.

TIP! Separate irises. You can divide those overgrown clumps and increase the amount of irises you have.

Plan your garden to provide some fall color. It doesn’t have to be that way! The brightest season of the year when it comes to foliage is fall. Maple, beech trees or dogwood take on some amazing colors. As you select your shrubbery, consider hydrangea, barberry or other similar plantings.

TIP! All of your vegetable plants should have approximately two inches, just outside the stem, of organic mulch placed around them. The mulch will keep the soil around the plants moist a little longer.

When growing organic plants indoors, it is important to consider the amount of light that is available to them. If you live in a home or apartment that does not get great sunlight you may want to consider growing plants that are designed to grow in low or medium-light environments. If you cannot achieve success merely through plant selection, consider using artificial light sources.

TIP! Controlling pests in your vegetable garden can be extremely difficult to deal with. You want to avoid spraying harsh chemicals since the vegetables are meant for consumption.

Use several inches of organic materials for mulch in your flower beds. Mulching is the perfect way to lock in moisture, nourish soil, and to keep away weeds. Mulch also completes your garden, giving it a finished appearance.

Plant Material

TIP! After your seeds sprout, the containers do not need to stay as warm as they once did. You should move your sprouted plants farther from the heat when they are past the sprouting stage.

Apply equal portions of dried plant material and green into your compost pile. Green plant material consists of spent flowers, veggie and fruit waste, leaves, weeds, and grass clippings. Your dried material can be things such as sawdust, paper shreds, wood shavings, straw and cardboard. Avoid meat, ashes, charcoal, plants with diseases and manure from carnivores.

TIP! Working in the garden doesn’t have to be grueling; learn to work more efficiently. Do not waste your time looking for tools.

Do you prefer to eliminate weeds without the use of harmful chemicals? Layer sheets of newspaper on the surface of areas where you are trying to control weeds. Without exposure to the sun, weeds cannot thrive. They will suffocate and die if you cover them with newpapers. Newspapers also break down over time, becoming part of your compost. Add a layer of mulch on top to make it look more attractive!

TIP! Procrastination leads to problems in a variety of areas, including organic gardening. Even if you end up being too busy to do garden chores every day, do small tasks that will help you avoid having to do large tasks when you finally do have time.

When checking out tomatoes to buy, do a bit of poking in the soil. After planting tomatoes, for example, you must closely monitor the soil for the first signs of green shoots. Don’t get attached–these hints of green are hiding an underdeveloped root system below the surface of the soil. These kind of starts stay on these seedlings for weeks at a time; this doesn’t allow the seedling to grow unless the starts are gone.

TIP! You can get rid of slugs with a simple beer trap. Use a glass jar buried in the soil so the rim of the jar is at ground level.

You can make organic gardening much easier. One of the best techniques is to plant native flowers, grasses and bushes to your landscape. Choose plants that are suitable for your climate conditions, soil type and surrounding plants in order to reduce your need for fertilizers or pesticides. Instead, you will find that native plants will work especially well with compost made from other native ingredients!

TIP! 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 gardening products make bold claims, it is hard to dispute that organic gardening consistently produces superior results.

If you’re preparing to add a new shrub or tree to your organic garden, it’s best that the hole you plant them in looks a bit off-balance. If there are any glazed sides in the hole, it restricts the growth of the roots.

TIP! Regulate the amount and timing of watering, to the specific climate and its seasonal variations. The amount of water you will need will vary according to your climate and even such factors as the part of day and soil type.

Make certain to learn what to look for when purchasing the plants you wish to include in the organic garden you will cultivate. These rules of thumb are especially important when you are shopping for perennials or annuals. Only buy plants that are in bud, not bloom. At this stage, the plants are able to grow a strong root system.

A superior garden can be created when one has adequate knowledge about how they can render the most from their plants. Make use of these organic horticulture tips.

Follow This Information To Get You Garden Growing

~ craigb

TIP! Start your plant in pots before you plant them in your garden. This will help the plants make it to full growth.

The processes involved in successfully gardening can be complicated. If you choose to follow the natural horticulture route, you may need to learn about factors, such as the soil’s pH balance and natural ways to fight off garden pests. If you are new to growing vegetables, then growing organic may take you a bit more time to learn. Keep reading to find out how the professionals do it.

TIP! Use both annuals and biennials to add a splash of color to your flower beds. You can use biennial and annual flowers to brighten the bed, and let you change how it looks.

Start your plants in some pots and plant its seedlings in the garden. This boosts the chance that the plants can survive to adulthood. In addition, you can shorten the intervals between your plantings. Once you remove the most recent mature plants from your garden, the seedlings are immediately ready to be planted.

TIP! Plants that climb can hide fences and walls. Climbing plants are great for hiding hideous fences and walls, and they usually grow within a season.

Cover fences and walls with climbing plants. Plants that climb are extraordinarily versatile, and can help hide an unsightly wall or fence, usually within one season. You may also be interested in training them over an arbor or trellis. You can also grow them among existing landscape trees and plants. Some varieties will climb and attach using their tendrils or branches, but some will need to be trained or supported with ties. Trusted variations of climbers are honeysuckle, jasmine, clematis, wisteria and climbing roses.

TIP! Transplanting plants and bringing them indoors can protect them from harsh winters. Perhaps save the most resistant or expensive plants.

Remove your garden’s weeds! Weeds can take a promising garden and turn it into a shell of its potential. White vinegar can be a good solution. Weeds can be killed by white vinegar! If you don’t want to take the time to remove the weeds by hand, simply spray them with a white vinegar solution.

TIP! Make sure to be weary of stink bugs whenever you garden, particularly during the fall months. These bugs like to eat beans, peppers, tomatoes, and many kinds of fruits.

Bulbs planted in the spring can flower all the way into summer. A hardy perennial addition to your garden, bulbs will continue to delight every year. Find out which flowers will bloom when and then plant a variety, so that you can have fresh blooms all the way through the spring and summer!

TIP! It is particularly important for new gardeners to read and follow instructions that come with tools, as well as chemicals. Failure to follow instructions can be dangerous or painful.

Before planting seeds, soak them overnight. Place them in a cupboard or other place where they won’t be exposed to light. Place some seeds in your smaller pots and add water almost to the brim. This hydrates your seeds and jump-starts their growth. The seeds will then have a greater chance at lasting and blossoming.

TIP! Pick one plant to serve as your garden’s focal point. A focal point, in a strong garden design, will attract eyes and hold them there.

Make a plan for your garden. This will help you to remember where you planted the different plants when sprouts begin to shoot up from the ground. This is important, because different plants require different care.

TIP! If you pick vegetables around high noon when it is very hot, you are likely to damage them. Use garden shears to remove your vegetables from the vine to avoid damaging the plant.

If you have many low-growing plants in your garden, get yourself a pair of gardening knee pads. Horticulture is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable; you don’t want to finish every gardening session with aching, throbbing knees. Purchase a great pair of knee pads; they will provide a cushion for your knees while making gardening more comfortable.

TIP! Try to plant an English garden with a mix of plants with different heights, all within the same garden bed. If you use plants that are all the same size your garden will look flat.

Many people think the best green gardens start from seeds, rather than plants. When planting a garden, the best way is to initially start with seeds. Packaging materials for many plants utilize plastics that are not recyclable, so avoid these containers and choose instead to sow your garden with seeds or utilize organic pots.

Started Indoors

TIP! Pine is a surprisingly good source of mulch. Some plants are highly acidic, and like soil that is acidic too.

Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. Seeds are more likely to sprout when started indoors. The baby plants will also be stronger and will resist pests and disease better. Once they are strong enough, you can transplant them outside.

TIP! Keep your compost pile balanced with a combination of dried and green plant mulch. Green means plant cuttings including grass, produce and weeds.

Plan your garden, and plant with fall colors in mind. That idea is actually far from the truth. Autumn is the most colorful season of all, foliage-wise. Maple trees come in a variety of fall colors ranging from yellow to deep crimson, as do Beech trees and Dogwood. Some very good shrubs to choose are barberry, hydrangea, and cotoneaster, which is a member of the rose family.

TIP! Want to get rid of weeds naturally? A layer of newspaper, several pages thick, placed over the ground will do the trick. Without light, there can be no weeds.

Tend to a garden as a way to relax. Peace and relaxation can be found through several different avenues. Gardening is fun, and it is definitely one of the best ways to achieve this state. It does not have a large start-up cost and yields many returns. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect is the sense of peace and calm that comes from nurturing your plants.

TIP! Your soil will be healthier if you add mulch. The mulch will protect the soil underneath it.

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.

TIP! The organic mulch around trees and flowers should be approximately three inches deep. Doing this helps the earth and saves water.

To attract insects that will benefit your garden, plant heather. Bees are drawn to heather, as heather is an early provider of spring nectar. Beds of heather are largely undisturbed and make a perfect living space for spiders, beetles and a variety of other beneficial tenants. Keeping this is mind, you need to wear gloves when you prune your heather!

TIP! The healthiest soil produces the healthiest plants, resisting more insect damage and diseases. Although insects will likely still remain, they won’t have the ability to cause great damage to the plants.

Now, you shouldn’t get your hopes up and believe that a few tips are going to turn you into an instant professional gardener. However, these tips are a great starting point if you do plan to grow organically. As you implement these tips and hone your skills, you’ll be a professional green-thumb-holder in no time.

Eat Healthy With Your Own Organic Garden

~ craigb

TIP! You must gradually introduce your plants to changing conditions and temperatures, so you do not shock them. Put the plants outside in the sun for one to two hours in the beginning.

If you have visions of a healthy, lush, green garden, there are things you should consider on your way to that goal. While horticulture is a lot of hard work, it’s a fun way to spend your free time. This advice will assist with increasing the fun and decreasing the work.

TIP! Remember to remove weeds from the garden. Weeds can truly ruin a good garden.

Properly lay your sod. Before laying sod, you have to make sure the soil is accurately prepared. Be sure to get rid of any weeds, and then proceed to break up the soil to get it ready to use. Make sure the soil is packed firmly and even. Water the soil until it is saturated. Lay the sod in straight rows, ensuring the seams meet perfectly. Make sure that the sod forms an even, flat surface, and if you have any gaps show between the sod, fill them with a little bit of soil. Water the sod each day for two weeks so it will become well-rooted and ready for foot traffic.

TIP! In a dark area, pre-soak your seeds overnight. Place a small amount of seeds in a little container, while filling it to the brim with water.

Try not to cause shock to your plants by gradually changing their conditions and temperature. Put them in the sun outside for a couple of hours during the first day. As the week progresses, gradually increase their exposure to the outdoors. If you do this correctly, the plants should be able to make their final move at the end of a week’s time.

TIP! If you have planted vegetables within your garden, make sure that they are getting at least six hours of sunlight each day. Most vegetables need at least that much sun for optimal growth speed.

It may be helpful to let your plants begin their life in a pot and to transfer them to your garden when they’re seedlings. This insures that the plants will grow and thrive into adulthood. It also lets you have tighter control over the planting periods in your garden. When you remove your mature plants, the next batch of seedlings should be ready.

TIP! Split up your irises. Try increasing your stock by dividing your overgrown clumps of plants.

When it’s autumn, you know what that means. It’s time to plant fall vegetables! A pumpkin makes a great container, and costs less than a clay pot. Once you’ve cut its top and scooped the insides out, spray the edges and inside with Wilt-Pruf to prevent rotting. Finished? Now you’re all set for planting!

Knee Pads

TIP! If you’re going to grow peas, start them indoors before putting them in the ground outside. When you plant them indoors first, the seeds will germinate better.

Knee pads are a gardener’s friend when caring for plants low to the ground. Kneeling on the ground as you garden will eventually cause serious discomfort for your knees. Buy yourself a pair of knee pads to use in the garden to cushion and protect your knees.

TIP! Your vegetable plants need about two or three inches of mulch placed around them. Mulch is used to keep extra moisture and provide nutrients for your plants.

Do you enjoy fresh mint, but don’t like how they engulf your garden in their growth? Rein their growth; you can do this simply by planting mint inside a larger garden container or pot. If you would like, go ahead and plant the container and the plant right in the ground to prevent root overtake.

TIP! Put money into a quality wheelbarrow and kneeling stool if you plan to do garden work often. Working in the garden means you’ll be down on the ground a lot.

In order to rid your garden of pests, take advantage of plant materials and other organic matter. Slugs are repelled by bordering your vegetable garden with either onions or marigolds. Wood ash, when used like mulch, can keep away pests after it is spread around a tree base and shrub seedlings. You can avoid using pesticides that contain harsh chemicals if you employ these techniques.

TIP! Give them a nutritious drink by using the water that you boiled your veggies in. You may fertilize the soil with tea or coffee for plants that favor acidic environments, like rhododendrons and gardenias.

Try pouring water leftover from steamed vegetables onto your potted plants. It contains rich nutrients that come from the vegetables. You may fertilize the soil with tea or coffee for plants that favor acidic environments, like rhododendrons and gardenias. Chamomile tea is a good remedy against fungus.

TIP! Plant with the colors of autumn in mind. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be.

Vegetables are softer when they are warmer, increasing the risk that you will damage them. For vegetables growing on vines, cut them carefully rather than twisting them off to avoid damage to the plant.

TIP! Gardeners who are intrigued by the ideas of organic and sustainable methods should think about designating a portion of their landscape to support native plants and animals. The presence of native flowers, trees and grasses will attract birds and insects.

If you plant heather in your garden, you will attract insects that are beneficial. Heather is desirable to bees; when heather emerges in early spring, it can be a source of nectar. Spiders, ground beetles and other useful insects are drawn to heather beds because they don’t tend to get jostled around. With this in mind make sure you wear some gloves when you are working with the heather.

TIP! Coffee grounds are a good addition to your soil. Coffee grounds have a lot of nutrients that plants can use.

Protecting your knees while you are horticulture is very important. Bending over for extended periods can be harmful to your joints and muscles. You can kneel instead to help keep your back relaxed while tending to your plants. You can get a knee pad to place on the ground to kneel on so that you do not feel pain in your knees.

TIP! Regularity is the key to keeping your organic garden in order, don’t let your list of chores pile up. Every time you go outside, you should take care of a few things so that you do not have too much work to do when you have the time to go back to your garden.

If you have a high priority for sustainability in your organic horticulture, try leaving a corner of the property undeveloped as a mini wildlife refuge. One side effect of this is that where animals thrive, so do birds and insects that help nurture and pollinate plants, which will increase the quality of your garden.

TIP! If you wish to honestly proclaim your produce to be truly organic, you need to secure organic garden certification. This will increase your sales, and it will prove to your customers that they have quality products.

It is important to keep the temperature set between 65 and 75 degrees, if you wish to raise plants in the home. Young plants need a temperature within that specific range to grow. If you want to save money on gas bills in the winter, you can provide local heating for the plants with a heat lamp instead.

TIP! Grow some garlic that is organic. It’s best to plant garlic cloves in either spring or fall.

Once your seeds have germinated they will not need to be kept as warm as before. Your seedlings should be moved away from any heat source. 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.

TIP! You may be able to find botanical insecticides locally, which are often very helpful for preventing pest infestations. Natural insecticides can sometimes kill pests more powerfully than synthetic pesticides.

With these tips, you’re better equipped to grow the most beautiful garden you can imagine. In learning how to create your dream garden, you’ll also be growing as a person. That’s because learning how to nurture your plants will not only help you reach the goal of having a great garden, but it will help you learn to nurture yourself.

Try Out These Organic Horticulture Tips Today!

~ craigb

TIP! The first thing you can do to ward off garden pests is to ensure you are using healthy soil in your garden. Healthy plants can better ward off pests and diseases.

In the world of organic gardening, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced organic gardeners alike. There are many e-guides, books, videos, and other resources available. This set of tips contains some of the best advice for helping a good organic gardener become a great organic gardener.

TIP! You can make your flower beds brighter with biennials and annuals. Using a variety of flowers allows your flower garden to have a different look each season.

A garden with a foundation of healthy soil is the best defense against pests. Healthy soil equals healthy plants and healthy plants can fight off diseases with ease. To give your garden the best chance of yielding the healthiest plants, start with a high-quality soil that has fewer chemicals which over time will accumulate salts.

TIP! Save some plants in the winter by bringing them indoors. You may be able to save your most resistant or expensive plants.

Don’t cut your grass too short! When the grass is a little longer, the roots will be stronger and the lawn becomes more resistant. The shorter the grass, the shallower the roots, which makes the lawn more likely to develop brown patches.

TIP! If you are going to be doing some gardening, watch out for stink bugs, especially in the fall! Stink bugs prefer peppers, beans, tomatoes, and various varieties of fruits. If you don’t take care of them, they can decimate your garden, so it’s best to do all you can to get rid of them.

Whenever you are planting a veggie garden, it is vital that you place them in a location where sun shines down on them for six or more hours per day. Most vegetables that can be grown need that much sun to grow well and quickly. It’s also the same for some types of flowers.

TIP! Seeds should be soaked in a dark area overnight. Place a couple seeds in each container, then fill it close to full with water.

A quality garden must be grown from seeds. The most “green” way to create a new garden is starting from seeds. The plastics used in nurseries are rarely recycled and ends up in landfills, so it is best to start with the seeds or buy from nurseries who use organic materials in packaging their plants.

TIP! Deciduous shrubs need protection from the cold. Delicate shrubs that are sitting in pots should be sheltered from the cold weather.

It is possible to use natural materials as well as other plants to help keep pests away from your garden. Slugs who want to enter a vegetable garden, for example, can be repelled by a simple border of marigolds and onions. Keep insects away from shrub and tree seedlings with mulch containing wood ash. With these natural methods, there is no need to purchase expensive, harsh pesticides.

TIP! Another way to help them grow is by watering them with the liquid that is left from cooking vegetables. Tea and coffee grounds can be used to add acidity to your soil for plants like gardenias and rhododendrons.

Carefully read and follow the instructions that come with your chemicals and tools, especially when you’re just starting to garden. Irritation of the skin or even more serious injuries are possible if you ignore manufacturer’s directions. Be careful when it comes to your body, and always follow directions.

TIP! Try mixing various plants that have different heights to create an interesting garden setup. You should avoid using plants of the same height so that your flower bed doesn’t look flat and uniform.

Know the ideal times to harvest each of the vegetables you plant. Each veggie has its own prime time for harvesting. Veggies such as zucchini or baby peas, for instance, taste their best if they get picked young. However, you get better taste out of tomatoes that have been allowed to ripen as much as practical while still on their vine. Find out what the best harvest time is for your vegetables.

TIP! When planting seeds, it is wise to take your time. First, add moisture to the soil where you will be planting.

Organic indoor plants may need additional light sources to make up for the light they miss out on by being indoors. This needs to be considered. If you live somewhere without strong natural sunlight, you might want to look into growing plants that thrive in lower-light environments. If you cannot achieve success merely through plant selection, consider using artificial light sources.

TIP! Tuck away some plastic grocery bags and use them to slip over your muddy boots. This allows you to work steadily and without distractions, making you a happier and more productive gardener.

Try not to let the chores associated to your organic garden build up. Even if you are too busy to tend to your gardens needs every day, you can try little things that will prevent you from having a lot of work when you return to your garden. For example, snatch out a weed or two whenever you pass by the garden, such as when you take your dog out for a potty break.

TIP! If slugs are disrupting the balance of your garden, you can diminish their population by using a beer trap. Dig a hole just deep enough for a glass jar to be placed in it while the jar still has its rim in line with the surface of the ground.

For claiming your crops are credible and truly organic, get organic garden certified. This attracts customers who are willing to drive a little farther and pay a little more for products that are safe and healthy.

TIP! Your authenticity as an organic grower is solidified when you obtain the organic gardening certification. With this, you and your crops are credible and 100% legitimately organic.

Your watering schedule should flow perfectly with the seasons, yet be adjustable according to climate. The amount of water you need to give your plants depends on soil type, quality of water and time of day. In a warm and humid climate you should avoid watering the plant itself. Wet leaves promote the growth of leaf fungi. Instead, the roots should be thoroughly watered.

TIP! Grow organic garlic. Plant single garlic cloves during the spring or fall seasons in soil that is moist and well-drained.

Over-watering plants is counterproductive, as too much water reduces plants’ ability to absorb nutrients from the surrounding soil. Before watering plants outdoors, check with some weather stations to find out if it will rain anytime during the day. If rain is on its way, you are probably safe to skip watering duties for the day.

TIP! To become a great organic gardener, you need to look under the surface! For example, tomato seedlings can develop bad root systems that will result in failed plants. These green starts will prohibit the plants from growing.

Look up local botanical insecticides; they can be very useful in keeping the pest population at bay. Some natural insecticides are stronger and more effective than the chemically engineered synthetic pesticides that are commercially available. Keep in mind, however, that natural pesticides frequently deteriorate more quickly than those with a man-made base.

TIP! Mulch should be added to your flower bed and garden using at least 3 inches of material that is organic. This will add nutrients to your soil, keep it moist, stop the growth of weeds and keep the garden looking beautiful.

You should add mulch to your garden and flowerbed using at least three inches of organic material. Mulch adds nutrients to the soil, keeps the soil moist, reduces weed growth, and makes beds look tidier.

Rganic Methods

TIP! You’re probably aware that compost is very beneficial to organic gardens, but are you aware of what goes into it? It is made of things such as wood chips, lawn cuttings, fallen leaves, bits of produce, straw and other yard waste that has started to decompose. Making your own compost is much safer than using commercial fertilizer.

When horticulture, you should know all the different things that you can utilize. Instead of chemical fertilizers, use natural alternatives. A great example is to use 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.

TIP! A large part of organic gardening is paying close attention to the amount of water that is used. A soaker hose is an appropriate tool to use.

Try making your organic garden a shade garden. Shade gardens are designed to be hardy and low maintenance. The excess shade translates to less need for regular watering, saving you time and money. While growth is a bit slower, there are also fewer weeds to remove.

TIP! You can create a tent with some material from home during winter for your organic garden. Install old bean pols at the end of the beds.

The advice given here is perfect for helping you to know the best ways of organic gardening. Even the best information needs to be implemented correctly, however, so be very cognizant of that fact. With this in mind, you can refine your own methods to successfully grow a beautiful organic garden.

Want To Know About Horticulture? Read On

~ craigb

TIP! You need to consider beginning the plants into pots. Then, you can plant the seedlings into your garden.

Natural, environmentally-friendly living is catching hold among legions of individuals, as is a preference for organic produce. The tenets of holistic living require use of herbs and certain other plants, which need to be organic. This article will provide many helpful tips.

TIP! Transform the handles of your tools into convenient measuring devices. Large handled tools like rakes, hoes or shovels may be used like measuring sticks.

Try not to cause shock to your plants by gradually changing their conditions and temperature. Put them out in the sun for approximately one to two hours on the very first day. Over the course of a week, slowly increase the amount of time that you leave them outside. If you do this correctly, the plants should be able to make their final move at the end of a week’s time.

Baking Soda

TIP! When you are mowing your lawn do not cut it too closely to the dirt. By leaving your grass a little taller, you are allowing it to become stronger, as the roots grow stronger and deeper.

Do not spend your money on chemicals to fight mildew. Rather, you should mix a bit of baking soda with a small quantity of liquid soap in water. Spray this mixture on your plants weekly until the mildew is gone. No damage will occur to your plants, and the baking soda is mild and efficient.

TIP! Many people think the best green gardens start from seeds, rather than plants. The most “green” way to create a new garden is starting from seeds.

Make sure to be weary of stink bugs whenever you garden, particularly during the fall months. They enjoy tomatoes, peppers, beans, and many different varieties of fruits. If left unattended, your garden could be ravaged by these bugs, so you need to proactively keep their population under control.

TIP! In order to rid your garden of pests, take advantage of plant materials and other organic matter. Onions and marigolds can get rid of pests in the garden.

When mowing the lawn, don’t mow the grass all the way down to the root. By leaving your grass a little taller, you are allowing it to become stronger, as the roots grow stronger and deeper. The shorter the grass is, the shorter the roots are, which leads to a dry lawn.

TIP! If you are a first time gardener, it is important that you follow all of the instructions on all of your tools and chemicals. If you use your gardening chemicals wrong, you can abrade or even burn your skin.

Sometimes the soil you want to use for your garden has a high alkaline content. Combine coffee grounds with the soil to reduce this. Basically, the grounds resupply the soil with acid. This is one of the most inexpensive ways to achieve this result. This will allow your vegetables and greenery to really thrive.

TIP! Protect yourself from sun overexposure while gardening by wearing the proper clothing. Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

One natural method of weed removal is called “boiling”. A pot of very hot water is one of the most effective ways you can get rid of the weeds in your garden. Pour the boiling water directly onto the weeds, just make sure you do not damage the nearby plants. If you pour the water near your plants, it will kill the roots.

TIP! An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. A uniform and flat bed is created by using plants that are the same height.

When deciding on which plants to include in your landscaping projects, consider evergreens which produce colorful berries. This will aid in giving your garden great color, even during the winter when other plants have lost their colors. A few of the most vivid plants in winter are American Holly, Winterberry, Snowberry and Cranberrybush.

TIP! If you have plants inside, make sure the thermostat stays between 65 and 75 degrees. Young plants need a temperature within that specific range to grow.

Always dress appropriately when horticulture in order to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun. Try wearing a large sunhat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes, and use sunscreen on any exposed skin. Protecting yourself from the sun will lower the possibility of sunburn and skin cancer.

If you have children, plant strawberries, especially everbearing strawberries, in your organic garden. Children enjoy picking fresh fruit, especially if they can eat it right away.

TIP! Paying attention to spacing is important. People often underestimate how much space plants will need when once they’re grown.

When planting seeds in containers, remember that the depth should be at least three times bigger than the seed. However, some seeds do not need to be covered, they need the sunlight. Two of the common examples are petunias and ageratum. Read the instructions that came with the seeds, and do some research on the Internet to find out the sunlight that your seeds need.

TIP! You may find an old plastic laundry basket ideal for gathering vegetables from your garden. An old laundry basket makes an excellent strainer for cleaning your produce.

A great tip when running your own organic garden, is to lightly ruffle your seedlings with your hand or cardboard, around once or twice per day. This sounds like total nonsense, but there is research suggesting that it does promote plant growth relative to unpetted plants.

TIP! The best feature of organics is that they are pesticide free. While organic foods are healthy for your family, you will still need to check closely for bugs or worms.

Keep slugs out of your organic garden naturally, using a beer trap. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden, making sure that the lip of the jar is even with the soil. After you have placed the jar in the soil, fill with beer to approximately one inch of the top. The scent of the beer will bait the slugs into the jar and they will become trapped.

TIP! Gardening is not only a great hobby, but also a way to feel at peace with the earth. Organic gardening will accomplish that feeling even more so.

Try to avoid over-watering your plants. Too much water will make it more difficult for the plants to absorb the nutrients they need from the soil. Before watering plants outdoors, check with some weather stations to find out if it will rain anytime during the day. Depending on what the weather is going to be like, you might not want to water your plants for the day.

TIP! To become a great organic gardener, you need to look under the surface! After planting tomatoes, for example, you must closely monitor the soil for the first signs of green shoots. Don’t get attached–these hints of green are hiding an underdeveloped root system below the surface of the soil.

Get to the root of the matter! Evaluate each tomato and check for green starts, as they generally have bad root systems that impede growth. These kind of starts stay on these seedlings for weeks at a time; this doesn’t allow the seedling to grow unless the starts are gone.

TIP! Research botanical insecticide formulas, as they are often quite effective in eradicating pests. In some cases, natural solutions are much more efficient than the chemicals you can buy.

When you plant your garden, do so by creating biodiversity. When you have a bigger variety of plants, you also attract different wildlife as well. Plant various plant types to create a natural environment. Not only will wildlife enjoy the space you have created, but you will have a pleasant spot to relax, and feel satisfied that you are helping the environment.

TIP! Using a soaker hose to water an organic garden is the very best choice. This special type of hose allows water to slowly ooze out; the water then directly targets the roots and spares the leaves.

You can make organic horticulture much easier. Bushes, native grasses, and flowers should be the essentials of your landscaping needs. Selecting plants which will thrive in your area, and get along with the plants you already have, you won’t have to use as much fertilizer or pesticides. Native plants and natural fertilizer work well together. Since the compost is made from native ingredients, plants react strongly to it.

TIP! Make sure that your garden is diverse. The different types of plants will draw a variety of wildlife to your garden.

By obtaining a greater number of organic gardening ideas, you will soon find the process to be increasingly effortless. Keep in mind that the tips in this article are only intended as a starting point.

Improve Your Garden’s Overall Look With These Simple Tips!

~ craigb

TIP! Beginning your garden with healthy soil is your first defense against pests! If you have healthy looking plants, they are stronger and more resistant to diseases and bugs. If you start with balanced soil, your garden will produce healthy plants with the best yield.

Tending to an organic garden can be a highly rewarding and calming activity that anyone can participate in. Yet for someone who is just a novice, horticulture can be a really intimidating thing to think about. How should a novice approach the learning experience of growing plants? Read this article, and follow the helpful advice.

TIP! Plant a variety of flowers to keep your flower garden colorful and interesting. Annuals and biennials can add excitement and interest to your flower garden every season.

Make sure to lay the sod properly. You will need to prepare your lawn soil before laying the sod. Pull any weeds that you see, and work to break up the soil so that it is a fine tilth. Lightly, but firmly pack the soil down, and make sure that it is flat. Afterward, you want to make sure the soil is moistened. Lay the sod in straight rows, ensuring the seams meet perfectly. Tamp down the sod so it has a flat and even surface, then using some extra soil, fill the gaps between. Water the sod everyday for the first two weeks until the roots grow enough.

TIP! In a place that’s dark, pre-soak the seeds. Place some seeds in your smaller pots and add water almost to the brim.

Check the soil before you plant anything in your garden. A soil analysis report can be acquired for a nominal fee. You can then use the results of that report to determine if the soil needs to be modified before you begin planting. Cooperative Extension departments often offer this testing service. It is a worthwhile effort so a garden can be productive on the first year of planting.

Carbon Dioxide

TIP! In order to rid your garden of pests, take advantage of plant materials and other organic matter. Slugs are repelled by bordering your vegetable garden with either onions or marigolds.

To achieve the best growing results, plants need sufficient carbon dioxide. With a high level of CO2 plants will grow much better. A greenhouse will provide plants with an environment rich in carbon dioxide. If you have a greenhouse, keep CO2 levels high.

TIP! If you are just getting into gardening, make sure you heed all of the directions on fertilizer and chemical labels. If you use your gardening chemicals wrong, you can abrade or even burn your skin.

When horticulture in the fall, you need to be watching for stink bugs. They like beans, peppers, tomatoes and many fruits. If kept unchecked they can certainly do a ton of a damage to your garden so you should do what you need to to reduce their population.

TIP! Invest in a quality wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool if gardening work is going to happen often. It is important to protect your knees when you are kneeling in the garden, and a foam kneeling pad will help with that.

Consider growing wheat grass or cat grass near the plants your cat enjoys eating. You can put something over the soil which surrounds the plants which has a bad smell to cats to deter them.

Mint Leaves

TIP! It can be tough to keep insects and other plant-ruining crawlies from infesting your garden. You can’t use chemicals as they’re the last thing you want to be eating when you enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Are you one of the millions who loves some fresh mint leaves, yet you absolutely hate the way they tend to take over any garden they are planted within? Instead of planting mint in the ground, confine it to a large pot. If you would like the mint leaves to still be in the ground, simply plant the container, and the leaves will stay within the boundaries of the pot.

TIP! Working in your garden is an excellent way to relax yourself. Many hobbies can help you to relax and attain inner peace.

Pouring the excess water from your dinner of steamed veggies on them can help. You should also try using a bit of coffee grounds or tea to increase the acidity of the soil for your gardenias or your rhododendrons. Chamomile tea is a good remedy against fungus.

TIP! Do not plant your seeds in a rush. First, add moisture to the soil where you will be planting.

For in-home organic gardeners, you are looking for an ideal temperature of around 60-75 degrees for your plants. The temperature needs to remain steady and warm so the plants can grow. If your thermostat is normally kept lower in winter, you can use a heat lamp to keep your plants warm enough.

TIP! Pine needles should not be overlooked as a great source for mulch. A number of plants commonly grown in garden settings do best in an acidic soil.

If you’re growing indoor organic plants, you should ensure that you think about how much light is available for them. If the room you wish to grow them in faces in a direction that gets little light, choose varieties of plants which can accept this type of environment. If you simply must have a plant that has higher requirements for sunlight, you can use indoor UV lamps.

TIP! You should always take spacing into account when placing plants in your organic garden. It is easy to underestimate the amount of space that the plants will take up once they start to grow.

Perennial gardens should be prepared easily and quickly in the ground. Use your spade to slice chunks of turf up, then flip each piece over, and spread wood chips on top to a depth of four inches. Allow for at least 10 days to pass, then plant the perennials that you just purchased.

TIP! You can kill weeds naturally. You should layer some newspaper to get weeds under control.

Tend your organic garden on a regular schedule. While you may not be able to spend time in the garden on a daily basis, there are still many things you can do to keep things from snowballing out of control. For instance, pluck weeds while you take your dog outside or before getting in your car.

TIP! A good general rule when planting your seeds into containers is that the depth of the planting should be about three times the size of the seed. There are exceptions, however.

A great tip when running your own organic garden, is to lightly ruffle your seedlings with your hand or cardboard, around once or twice per day. It may sound a little odd to do this, but there is actually proven research that shows this helps the plants grow.

TIP! One odd but apparently useful tip for growing organic plants, is to lightly brush your plants with your fingers or a piece of cardboard 1-2 times a day. This probably sounds like an odd recommendation, but research has shown that this technique encourages more plant growth, than no petting at all.

Organic gardening can be more difficult than gardening with chemicals, but the end result makes it worth it. Although the chemicals may claim greater results, using organic methods to tame your garden will do less harm to your body, and the environment.

TIP! If you are mulching your plants, you should use a layer of approximately three inches deep. Proper mulching will not only help your plants grow correctly, but it also saves a lot of water.

Add mulch to your garden to improve the vitality of the soil. Mulch will protect and nourish the soil. It protects the plant roots, keeping the ground cool on a hot summer day. It greatly reduces water loss, keeping the soil moist with fewer waterings. It will also serve as a method of controlling unwanted weeds.

TIP! If you don’t want to put lots of money into buying fertilizer, try making compost. Starting a worm composting bin is a nice and fun way to take care of this.

Reading this article has hopefully given you some great ideas to begin your experiences in organic gardening. Working in your garden will bring you great relaxation while you have a fun experience. By applying the advice and insights of this article, you can garden as good as the professionals.

Hints And Strategies For Growing A Great Garden!

~ craigb

TIP! Using a shovel in clay soil is a lot of work, not only is the clay hard, but it will stick to the shovel and make it twice as hard to handle. Coat and buff the digging end of the shovel with automobile wax to make digging easier.

In the world of organic horticulture, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced organic gardeners alike. There are many e-guides, books, videos, and other resources available. This set of tips contains some of the best advice for helping a good organic gardener become a great organic gardener.

TIP! Try planting your plants in flower pots first, then transferring them to your garden once they have had a bit of time to grow. They are more likely to survive the transition to adulthood with this method.

Try planting your plants in flower pots first, then transferring them to your garden once they have had a bit of time to grow. Doing this betters your odds of your plants making it to adulthood. It also lets you have tighter control over the planting periods in your garden. When you remove your mature plants, the next batch of seedlings should be ready.

Flower Beds

TIP! Bulbs are a great option for people who want to enjoy spring and summer flowers. Bulbs are hearty and will continue to grow every year.

Plant a variety of annuals, biennials and perennials to keep your flower beds bright. These fast growth plants make flower beds vibrant, and they let you alter the appearance seasonally and annually. They are very useful for filling in the gaps between perennials and shrubs in a sunny area. There are many different varieties to choose from such as daisies, marigolds, impatiens, and lantana.

TIP! Consider adding coffee grounds to your soil if it contains high levels of alkaline. This is a great and cheap way to increase the acid levels in your dirt.

There is no need to purchase a costly chemical if your plants develop powdery mildew. Combine a bit of liquid soap and some baking soda with water. Spray this solution on plants once weekly until the mildew is gone. Baking soda treats the mildew effectively and gently and it won’t damage your plants.

TIP! If you are looking for an all-natural, organic way to weed your garden, consider “boiling off” the weeds. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find.

Before you plant a garden you should plan it out. It will be a while before things start to sprout and visually remind you of what was planted where, so a written record can be helpful. It can also keep you from planting any of your garden favorites too close to each other.

TIP! Always fertilize your garden. Manure helps your plants grow.

Make sure that your deciduous shrubs are protected. Any potted shrubs should be sheltered in the winter from cold weather. You want to then tie the tops of the canes together, and cover them with a sheet or blanket. This is a much better method, instead of putting the plastic wrap around the plant. It allows proper air circulation that can prevent rotting.

TIP! Before you start working in your garden, purchase a wheelbarrow and a good kneeling stool. Spending lots of time close to the ground while working tends to be hard on your knees, that is why it is important to have a portable and lightweight garden stool that you can use for comfort.

Separate irises. Increase your iris population when you divide up overgrown clumps. Try to life the bulbous irises when foliage begins to die. The bulbs will automatically split in you hand, and will likely flower the year after being replanted. You can divide rhizomes with a knife. Discard the center and cut pieces from the exterior. Make sure that every cutting contains a viable offshoot. Replant right away.

TIP! Pest control is tough when you have a veggie garden. The vegetables are intended to be eaten, thus you should refrain from using harsh pesticides and chemicals.

To keep pests away, you can use plants in the garden or other natural materials. For example, if you plant onions or marigolds along the edges of your vegetable garden, you can ward off slugs. Mulch around the bottom of trees and shrub seedlings with wood ash to reduce unwanted infestation of pests. These methods prevent use of harsh chemicals.

TIP! Choose a specific plant to become your garden’s focal point. A solid focal point will draw peoples attention to your garden, leaving them to admire your unique design.

Know when to harvest your vegetables at precisely the right time. Each variety needs a slightly different amount of growing time to produce the most flavorful vegetable. As an example, zucchini and baby peas both have the best flavor when they are harvested at a young age. Plant winter vegetables at the right time for a sweeter flavor. Take some time to learn about the best harvest time for the vegetables that you have growing.

TIP! Dress to protect your skin from sun damage when you garden. Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

It’s important to let your cuts heal prior to doing any horticulture without gloves. A cut may become badly infected if it’s exposed to a lot of dirt or grime when you garden. However, there are bandages available that will seal the cut completely. Using these should protect the cut from any infection while gardening.

TIP! For the best results, properly prepare your garden for planting. To begin with, you need to dampen the soil sufficiently.

Go slowly as you plant the seeds. Start first by moisturizing your soil. Spread the seeds, and leave them enough room to grow. Bury the seed with a planting depth of about three times its size. Some seeds need some light to grow, and therefore shouldn’t be buried.

TIP! You should work efficiently, instead of working hard in your garden, to simplify things. Do not spend half an hour looking everywhere for a tool.

After your seeds have sprouted, heat lamps are not needed. As your plants grow, you will want to put a little distance between them and heat. Remove plastic films on containers to prevent warmth and humidity from penetrating them. Keep an eye on your seeds so you will know when this should be done.

TIP! Add more value to your property. Improving your landscape is one of the best ways to get a high return from your house.

A good way to plant seeds is in containers. Plant them three times as deep as their overall size. However, some seeds do not need to be covered, they need the sunlight. This is true of popular flowers like petunias and zinnias. If you don’t know whether your seeds require sun exposure, check the seed package or search online for the information.

TIP! Try to work in your garden at least a short time each day. Every time you go outside, you should take care of a few things so that you do not have too much work to do when you have the time to go back to your garden.

Lightly ruffle your seeds by hand or with cardboard, twice daily in your organic garden. This will make your plants grow faster and they will get bigger than they would have without this practice.

TIP! A good thing to know when it comes to your organic garden, and running it, is to, a couple times a day, lightly ruffle the seedlings with cardboard or your hand. While it might sound strange, research has shown that this method can increase the size of your plants.

Rotate your garden at least once a year. Planting the same area with the same plants year after year will lead to disease and fungus. The problems leech into the soil, staying there for the next year’s crop. When you rotate your crops, fungus and disease have less chance to spread.

TIP! Adjust your watering to the season and climate. The amount of water you need depends on when you are doing the watering, whether your water is high-quality and the grade of the soil in your garden.

The advice given here is perfect for helping you to know the best ways of organic horticulture. There is so much information about this and it is crucial that you learn about it and apply it to your gardening. When you keep this in mind, you can go about planting and growing a garden in your own way.

If You Have Questions About Gardening Find The Answers Here

~ craigb

TIP! Plants that result in a larger yield should be higher on your priority list when planning the garden. It is quite common to find that hybrids, which are often able to resist disease and withstand cold climates, produce yields much larger than their conventional counterparts.

Horticulture is a very relaxing hobby with the added bonus that it isn’t that expensive. The elderly and the very young can help create aromatic flowers, delicious vegetables or lush landscape. Children find the observation of growing plants utterly fascinating, and they will make a habit out of monitoring the evolution of seed to blooming. It is also a great lesson in life; it can really help you to appreciate nature and the outdoors. In this article, you will find advice to help you enjoy your garden and share that joy with others.

TIP! Plants need CO2 grow well. Most plants will grow better with more CO2.

Clay soil makes working with a shovel difficult. The clay is hard and sticks to the shovel. Get better results in clay by rubbing car wax or floor wax onto the shovel, then buff off and dig. You will be able to work with the clay more easily, and it will not stick to your shovel.

TIP! When gardening, be sure to look closely for stink bug infestation, especially during Autumn. These bugs like to eat beans, peppers, tomatoes, and many kinds of fruits.

Starting a garden which is pest-free is easy, if you have healthy soil. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases. For the most vigorous and healthy plants, start with high-quality soil, and stay away from chemicals. These can accumulate salts over time.

TIP! Autumn not only means colder weather but new vegetables to plant. A hollowed out pumpkin can become a festive container for kale and lettuce.

Check the nutrients in the soil before you plant your garden. 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. There are numerous places to find this service, such as your local Cooperative Extension office. The cost is well worth it to avoid a potentially ruined crop.

TIP! Vegetables in a garden need to have at least six hours of sun every day in order to thrive. Many vegetables need about this much sun to grow quickly.

For weeds that aren’t in the middle of your plants, use boiling water to kill their roots. One of the safest “herbicides” you can find is a pot of boiling water. Just pour out the water on the weeds being careful to avoid any nearby plants. What this does it essentially kill the weeds by damaging their roots. The result is that those weeds are unlikely to regrow.

TIP! Be sure to split the irises. Increase your iris stocks by dividing your overgrown clumps.

Do you want fresh mint leaves without having to worry about them growing too quickly? Try to keep your mint in a container in your garden to stop their rampage. If you would like, go ahead and plant the container and the plant right in the ground to prevent root overtake.

TIP! Try growing your peas indoors for the first couple months. Seeds will always germinate much better when you first plant them indoors initially.

Think about berry-producing trees that are green year round for your garden. These plants will look good year-round, even during the winter, when your other plants have lost their bloom. A few examples that you could go with include the American Holly, the Winterberry, the American Cranberrybush, and the Common Snowberry.

TIP! Think about planting evergreen plants that will produce berries in the backyard. They will provide a splash of color in the drab and dreary winter months when a lot of other plants have lost their colors.

If you want to draw advantageous insects to your garden, plant some heather. Heather attracts bees, and when they come out in the spring, this provides an early nectar source. Heather beds are also attractive to bugs such as spiders and ground beetles that will kill pests. With this in mind make sure you wear some gloves when you are working with the heather.

TIP! Use a plant for a focal point. A focal point in the garden will capture your attention.

Allow your children to actively participate in planting your organic garden. Horticulture is a great way for children to learn, and it gives you two a chance to spend some quality time together and produce healthy food.

TIP! Be careful how you water your garden. You can save time by using soaker hoses when watering plants.

You never want to do any gardening with open wounds, so make sure everything is completely healed up before you begin; otherwise, you run the risk of your cut being exposed to dangerous chemicals and dirt. A cut or abrasion can become infected if it is not properly protected from dirt, pesticides and other irritants. Get a bandage that seals the cut properly.

TIP! Plant heather to attract beneficial insects. Heather will attract bees early in the spring as well as other beneficial insects.

If you have plants inside, make sure the thermostat stays between 65 and 75 degrees. Young plants need a temperature within that specific range to grow. If you do not want to keep your home that warm during the winter months, you can get a heat lamp for the organic plants instead.

TIP! Always completely protect any cuts, or wait until they are healed before attempting any gardening, as this can introduce dirt or chemicals into the wound. If an open wound is not protected while you are working in the garden, dirt and bacteria may cause the cut to become infected.

Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. You can keep them in a good sized bucket, or wear utility pants that have plenty of large pockets. 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! As your seeds sprout, they require less warmth than before. As your plants grow, you will want to put a little distance between them and heat.

Tend your organic garden on a regular schedule. Even if you end up being too busy to do garden chores every day, do small tasks that will help you avoid having to do large tasks when you finally do have time. Grab a handful of weeds, throw down some mulch, or toss some water on it anytime you walk by.

Plant Material

TIP! It is possible to control weeds with natural methods. To control the growth of weeds, all you need is last week’s Sunday paper.

Your compost pile should contain green plants and dried ones in equal amounts. Green plant material can include old flowers, fruit waste, grass clippings, vegetable waste, and leaves. Examples of dried plant material are sawdust, shredded paper, straw, cut-up woody material, and cardboard. Avoid using animal manure, charcoal or diseased plants in your compost.

TIP! A beer trap is an effective way of of dealing with any slugs that invade your organic garden. Place a container in the ground so that the lip is even with the soil surface.

As a good general practice, you should make sure to plant your seeds three seed-widths deep into their containers. You should know that certain seeds need not be covered, because they need the sunlight. This is true of popular flowers like petunias and zinnias. If you do now know how to plant your seed, consult the information that came with the seed when you bought it or check online for helpful information.

TIP! You should use wood that is untreated, brick or stone when building the raised bed. If you choose to use wood to construct your bed, choose a species that is naturally resistant to rot and avoid treated wood entirely.

Regardless of whether you are going to garden for social reasons or personal reasons, you can benefit from these helpful hints and tips. You’ll find ways here to bring the joy of horticulture to friends and family or to learn more in-depth understanding of your garden for yourself.