Author: craigb

Helpful Advice And Tips On Organic Gardening

~ craigb

TIP! Plant perennials that slugs and snails won’t be interested in eating. Creatures like snails or slugs can destroy a plant in a single night.

Tending a garden is a relaxing past-time that can also serve as therapy. Beginning gardeners need to know the answers to questions like when and what to plant, what type of soil is needed and what kind of horticulture equipment they need to purchase. Read this article for some great gardening tips.

TIP! Plant vines like ivy to cover fences and dividing walls. Many climbers can cover the wall or fence in as little as one growing season.

Take the proper approach to laying sod. Before you use sod, you need to prepare the soil. Pull out any weeds and break up the soil. Lightly, but firmly compress the soil, making certain it is flat. Afterward, you want to make sure the soil is moistened. Lay the sod in straight rows, ensuring the seams meet perfectly. Compact the sod down so you form a flat and even surface, then fill in any crevices within the sod by using some soil. The sod needs to be watered daily for two weeks, by which time it will be rooted and ready to walk on.

TIP! To get the best results in your garden, you need to use a good quality soil. Depending on what type of plants you have, your soil may or may not be adapted.

Gradually acclimate plants to temperature changes and conditions, if you want to avoid shocking them. Try placing them outside in sunlight for about an hour or maybe two the first day. Over a week, increase the time outside slowly. At week’s end, the plants should be welcoming of their new home.

TIP! Many people delight in the taste of fresh mint leaves, but become frustrated when the plant spreads wildly. You can slow down this growth by planting them inside a pot or container! If you would like, go ahead and plant the container and the plant right in the ground to prevent root overtake.

A garden needs the right type of soil to grow properly. 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. Before you ruin any crops, make sure you do this. Soil can be analyzed at a lot of cooperative extension offices, so make sure you plan accordingly.

TIP! Invest in a quality wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool if gardening work is going to happen often. It’s rough on your knees to spend lots of time on the ground kneeling or squatting.

Let your new seeds soak in a dark spot overnight. Place a small amount of seeds in a little container, while filling it to the brim with water. This will keep your seeds hydrated and give you a little head start with your growing. This way, the seeds you have planted will have some chance of growing.

TIP! When you are gardening out in the sun, wear the proper clothing so that you do not get any type of sun damage. Always apply sunscreen with an adequate SPF level.

Try dividing the irises. If you divide the overgrown clumps of flowers, you’ll find that your stock grows proportionally. Pick up bulbous irises after the foliage dies. The bulbs should split up normally in the hand, and should flower when replanted for the next year. You should divide rhizomes using a knife. New pieces should be cut from the outside, then the old center you want to discard. Each piece must have a minimum of one strong offshoot. Replant each one immediately.

TIP! Get your kids to help you grow your organic garden. You can provide a good learning experience that your children can appreciate the more they learn on how to grow healthy produce.

A touch of organic mulch will boost the potential of the vegetable plants in your garden. The soil will stay moist thanks to the mulch. This is also efficient in preventing weeds from growing. You will be able to save the time you would spend watering your plants and pulling out weeds.

TIP! Strawberries are a good organic garden choice for families with strawberries, particularly everbearing strawberries. Kids delight in the idea of growing things and seeing how things change over time.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. Plants that are all at the same height makes a garden bed look flat and uninteresting.

TIP! When you are growing organic plants within the home or an enclosed area, considering how much light the plants will receive must be emphasized. If you are living in a place that does not have a lot of natural sunlight, think about cultivating plants that do well in lower lighting situations.

You should teach your children how to garden alongside you. A garden can be a great learning experience for your children, and it gives you a chance to bond while producing healthy food.

TIP! Create a space perfect for any perennial garden with this easy method. You just need to use your garden spade for slicing underneath the turf, then flip it, and finally spread about three or four inch deep piles of wood chips.

It is important to keep the temperature set between 65 and 75 degrees, if you wish to raise plants in the home. The plants need this temperature in order to effectively grow. Heat lamps can be used to promote growth without the necessity of raising your home’s interior temperature.

TIP! Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. You have several options including using a bucket to hold your tools or wearing pants with lots of sturdy pockets.

When you are growing organic plants within the home or an enclosed area, considering how much light the plants will receive must be emphasized. If you are living in a place that does not have a lot of natural sunlight, think about cultivating plants that do well in lower lighting situations. If this is not an option, or you have your heart set on a particular type of plant, consider adding additional growing lights instead.

TIP! Make the most of the time spent in your garden. You do not have the time to spend an hour looking for each tool you need.

When your plants begin to sprout, they can survive in somewhat cooler temperatures. To ensure that your plants do not suffer shock, start eliminating the use of a heat source. This also includes removing any plastic that you had covering the plant or container. Keep an eye on your seeds so you will know when this should be done.

TIP! Pine can make for a great type of mulch. Some garden plants have a higher acidity, and prefer a more acidic soil.

Work properly in your garden. Don’t waste your time looking for missing tools. Prepare them all ahead of time and have them handy before you need to garden, and then put them back in their place when done. You can use a tool belt for this purpose, or choose pants that contain several large pockets.

Select Plants

TIP! Grow garlic in your organic garden. Plant some individual garlic cloves into well-drained soil in early spring.

Get added value from your property. Out of any home improvement project, a beautifully landscaped garden will give you the best return. A few select plants can raise your property value dramatically. Select plants that will adapt well to your regional area and require minimum maintenance.

TIP! After you plant tomatoes in your garden for the first time, wait three weeks and then plant a second round. The reason for this is because it helps to prevent the entire harvest from producing all at once.

Build raised beds with untreated stone, brick or wood. If you use wood, be sure that it is untreated and naturally rot resistant. Good choices are cedar, locust and cypress. In order to avoid toxic substances from getting into the ground and perhaps into your vegetables, avoid using treated wood to enclose or demarcate different sections of your vegetable garden. If you already have treated lumber in use, line it with some plastic and replace the soil near it.

TIP! A cheap, easy way to build your compost pile is to add fruit peels and scraps from your kitchen. These items will decompose and create a rich compost your plants will benefit for at no cost.

As you have learned from this article, gardening can seem like quite the task, yet is manageable if you know what you’re doing. Taking this advice and using it wisely will help your garden grow properly. If you follow the advice given in this article, you will soon enjoy your own beautiful garden.

Become An Organic Horticulture Master By Using These Hints

~ craigb

TIP! Clay is naturally hard, and can can stick to a shovel making it frustrating to work with. Simplify the process by putting a bit of wax onto the shovel.

Having an organic garden does make it easier to eat healthy fruits and vegetables, but planning a garden and choosing the correct equipment can be a complex process. You also have a wide variety of seeds that you can select from. Here are a few tips and techniques you can use to get started in your own organic garden.

TIP! Do not plant perennials that are prone to snail infestation. Snails and slugs can quickly wreak havoc on a garden.

Use proper soil for the best results. Your soil may not be correct, but it depends on what sorts of plants you want to grow. You can also make an artificial area with one variety of soil.

TIP! Try to ensure your plants are dry and have enough air, daily! Damp leaves can lead to plant disease and parasites. A common parasite to plants is fungi.

If you want to grow vegetables in you backyard, it is vital that you place them in an area where they could get roughly six hours of sun on a daily basis. Most vegetables need that much sun to grow rapidly and successfully. The same can be said for some flowers.

TIP! Be consistent with garden fertilization. Manure helps your plants grow.

Tender deciduous shrubs are very fragile, so protect them. If you have a few potted shrubs, they should be shielded from the wintry weather. Fasten the tops of the canes together, and cover this wigwam loosely with a cloth. Doing this is a lot more effective than wrapping up the plant with plastic because it lets air circulate, which could avoid any rotting.

TIP! You can prevent pests using other plants or natural materials. Slugs can be kept at bay with a patch of marigolds or pungent vegetables.

Knee pads are a gardener’s friend when caring for plants low to the ground. Horticulture is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable; you don’t want to finish every gardening session with aching, throbbing knees. You can be more comfortable in the garden with a good pair of gardening knee pads.

TIP! Place at least an inch of mulch that is organic in with your veggies! Mulch is used to keep extra moisture and provide nutrients for your plants. It also keeps weeds from growing.

For weeds that aren’t in the middle of your plants, use boiling water to kill their roots. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find. Pour boiling water on any weeds, but be careful not to spill it on plants you want to keep. The boiling water will damage the roots of the weeds and will usually prevent further growth.

TIP! If you are new to gardening, make sure you read and follow all the directions on any tool or chemical you use. Failing to heed this simple advice can mean skin irritation that you are going to remember, and not pleasantly at that.

If you want the best tasting vegetables, learn about the optimum time to harvest them. Every vegetable has a proper time to be picked in order to capture the perfect flavor. Veggies such as zucchini or baby peas, for instance, taste their best if they get picked young. At the opposite end of the spectrum, tomatoes are at their best when mature. Simply educate yourself on what the best time is to harvest each of your garden vegetables.

TIP! Your children will enjoy being involved with your organic gardening endeavors. Toiling together in the garden brings your family closer together and offers many different opportunities to learn new things and instill green values.

You can help provide nutrients by watering your plants with room temperature water that is leftover after cooking vegetables. Used teabags or grounds from coffee are a great way to add acid to the soil. Chamomile tea is effective in combating a fungus problem within your garden.

TIP! Get the most value from your property. You can get a great return on investment from landscaping.

When landscaping and gardening in autumn, choose plants and trees with vibrant colors. That doesn’t have to be the case. Foliage never looks as colorful and vibrant as it does in the fall. Maple trees can range from beautiful reds and yellows in addition to Beech or Dogwood trees. When choosing shrubs, think about cotoneaster, hydrangea or barberry.

TIP! Avoid allowing chores in your organic garden stack up. You may not have a lot of time to exclusively devote to your gardening hobby, but you can make the most of the time you do have.

You can spray scents such as after-shave and cologne around your garden to deter your dog. This will mask any scents that might attract your dog and make your garden less interesting to him.

TIP! If you are starting your seedlings out in small containers, you should use a layer of potting soil that is three times as deep as the size of a single seed. There are exceptions, however.

Allow your children to assist with the work to be done in your organic garden. The benefits for your children will be a closer bond with nature and an understanding of where food comes from.

TIP! The best option available to water an organic garden are soaker hoses. The water comes out very slowly and evenly, and the hose can be placed exactly where water is needed, such as at the roots.

Using aspirin water will help your plants fight diseases. You will need 2 gallons of water and one and one half aspirin mixed together for a wonderful add-on to your plants. Then spray your plants with this mixture to stave off diseases. Try to apply the mixture to the plants at least once in each three week period.

TIP! You can make organic gardening much easier. Stick to native plants, grasses, flowers and bushes when you plan out your landscape.

When growing plants inside of the house, you should ensure the thermostat is set at around 65-75 degrees in the daytime. Indoor plants grow best at these warm temperatures. If this is a little too warm for your house, grow your organic plants under a heat lamp.

TIP! Mulch your flowers and trees with three inches of organic materials. Doing this will benefit the environment, as well as reduce your water bills.

To be more efficient when working in your organic garden, have your tools close at hand. Carry a large bucket with you or wear pants with a lot of pockets. Have gloves, shears, a trowel and anything else you need handy for quick use.

Direct Sunlight

TIP! Know what to look for when choosing plants for your organic garden. It is especially important to understand how to buy perennials and annuals.

The correct depth for planting seeds in containers is triple the seed’s size. Some seeds need to be in direct sunlight, though, so you need to know information about each type of seed. Example of these kinds of seeds include the petunia and the ageratum. If you are wondering whether or not the seeds require direct sunlight, you can usually find helpful information online that will answer your question.

TIP! Plant high-value crops in your garden. It is true that the amount of value that a certain plant has is different to everyone.

Soil health can be improved by adding mulch. A couple of inches of mulch will protect what lies beneath it. The soil will stay cool in high heat, preventing damage to the roots. The layer of mulch will also minimize evaporation, reducing your need to water as frequently as you would a garden without mulch. It also keeps the weeds under control.

TIP! W

Drowning your plants with water can kill them! It will stop your plant’s roots from being able to obtain any nutritional goodness out of its surrounding soil Before you set out to water your plants, you might want to verify that the forecast does not call for rain. If a downpour is coming, you may want to forgo watering your plants that day.

TIP! Fencing a garden in before starting a garden is a good idea. Having something in place to keep out animals before the garden has even started growing will make sure the plants are safe from the moment they start growing, and can reach their maximum size.

As you have learned, having an organic garden is an important factor in healthy dietary habits, as is a thorough understanding of the many plants you can choose from. If you use the advice from this guide, you will have a healthy, lush garden in no time at all.

Tips And Techniques For A Great Organic Garden

~ craigb

Lots of natural ways exist for growing a bright and healthy organic garden. You can build your garden as soon as you do some basic fundamental research.

TIP! Knee pads are absolute miracle accessories if you work in a garden with plenty of low-growing plants. If you spend a large portion of your gardening session on your knees, it could create pain over time.

Shoveling clay is very difficult and lots of work because the clay is hard and sticks to the shovel, making it tough to handle. Coat and buff the digging end of the shovel with automobile wax to make digging easier. The wax prevents the clay from sticking to the shovel, and stops rust from forming.

TIP! The best gardens start with seeds, as opposed to plants. The environmentally conscious way to start a new garden is to start with seeds.

Use climbers to cover walls and fences. Climbing foliage is a great way to disguise unsightly features on your property, sometimes in the span of just one season. They can also grow through existing shrubs or trees, or be trained to cover an arbor. Some climbers will attach themselves to a support using twining stems or tendrils, while other varieties need to be held up by tying them in place. Climbing roses, honeysuckle, wisteria, clematis, and jasmine are some great plants to try out.

TIP! Fertilizer in the garden is a must. Manure is a great garden additive, but it is important that you choose a manure that has been composted commercially so that there is less of a risk of pathogens.

Be sure to do some weeding on a regular basis. Weeds can turn a beautiful garden into an eyesore. White vinegar can be a good solution. White vinegar kills weeds. Put some white vinegar in a spray bottle, and spray directly on weeds. If you don’t want to pull weeds out by hand anymore, give vinegar a try.

TIP! Choose plants that will provide color in autumn. That doesn’t have to be, however.

Bulbs are the best solution to get flowers in spring and in summer. Bulbs are usually very hearty and very easy to grow, and bulbs will grow year after 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! Sensibly 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.

If a test indicates that your soil is very alkaline, you can mix the dirt with used coffee grounds. This is a great and cheap way to increase the acid levels in your dirt. This solution will make the vegetables you grow healthier and more flavorful.

TIP! Prevent damage from the sun by making sure you dress correctly whenever you go outside to garden. Sunglasses, a nice shady hat, and sunscreen are very helpful.

Before you start planting your garden, plan it out. This is a good way to remember which plants have been planted in each area before they grow. A good plan can also help you to place each plant in the area that is most beneficial to them.

TIP! During the hottest hours of each day, your vegetables become too soft, and even gentle harvesting will cause damage and bruising. Make sure to chop the vegetables off the vine, but be careful not to twist them.

Use fertilizer for maximum planting success. Manure can help your plants grow quickly, but you must use only commercially created products to reduce the chance of contracting pathogens. There are numerous types of fertilizers available. What type you select is less of a concern; any kind of fertilizer is better than none.

TIP! You can create a great English garden by mixing types and sizes in one bed. Using plants which grow to the same length or height will make your bed look uniform.

You should think about adding evergreen plants that yield berries into your yard space. This will keep your garden colorful, even during those months when other plants are not growing. Some examples include Holly, Snowberry trees, Winterberry and similar plants.

TIP! It’s simple to lay a new perennial bed. Use your spade in a slicing motion to cut a flap of turf.

Learn the best harvesting time for each kind of vegetable you plant. Every vegetable has a proper time to be picked in order to capture the perfect flavor. For example, zucchini and baby peas are best picked young. At the opposite end of the spectrum, tomatoes are at their best when mature. Research the best time to pick your produce.

TIP! Use approximately two or three inches of natural, organic material as some mulch in every single flower bed. This is a good way to keep weed growth at bay and add nutrients that you need in your garden.

Gardening should be a relaxing activity. Everyone wants to find a way to relax and enjoy themselves. Gardening is an excellent choice for calming your mind and soul. Gardening costs little and offers many benefits. The biggest dividend is the emotional satisfaction of planting and growing greens on your own.

TIP! You should always take spacing into account when placing plants in your organic garden. It can be easy to underestimate how much space your plants will need once they begin growing.

If you want to keep dogs our of your garden, take some aftershave, old perfume, or any other scented item and spray the grass around the area. Your dog will be less attracted to your garden when these scents overpower compost scents and other smells dogs like.

TIP! Keep slugs out of your organic garden naturally, using a beer trap. Bury a jar in the garden with it’s mouth open and level to the ground.

Try mixing various plants that have different heights to create an interesting garden setup. By using plants which are all the same height your garden will appear flat and boring.

TIP! It can be hard to grow an organic garden without chemicals, but the end result is worth the effort. While chemical pesticides and fertilizers may claim to do great things for your garden, organic methods will give you the best crops possible.

If you want your children to enjoy your organic garden, plant some tasty strawberries. Kids really enjoy plucking snacks directly from the ground, and may have greater enthusiasm for the work if they see the results of their labor right away.

TIP! Consider the climate and season when watering your plants. The watering depth and temperature depends mainly on the time you water them and the soil they are planted in.

If you’re growing indoor organic plants, you should ensure that you think about how much light is available for them. If your residential space has limited sunlight, it will be best that you grow plants that are ideal for this type of environment. You can also get special lamps if you want a different kind of plants.

TIP! Over-watering plants is counterproductive, as too much water reduces plants’ ability to absorb nutrients from the surrounding soil. Always check the weather forecast for chances of rain before going outside to water your plants.

Work properly in your garden. One of the biggest time wasters is not keeping track of your tools and having to look for them every time you need them. Prepare your equipment before you go into the garden and put everything away afterwards. Invest in a tool belt or wear pants that have lots of pockets.

Pine Needles

TIP! Determine which plants you want to grow in advance when planning an organic garden. Even within the family of a specific flower or vegetable, the different varieties available have differing environmental requirements.

For some plants, pine needles makes an ideal mulch. Some plants are more acidic, and prefer soil that contains higher acidic levels. For such plants, pine needles function both as a handy mulch and as a soil amendment to lower the pH. Lay a few inches of needles over the beds to allow them to decompose and add some acid to your soil.

TIP! When they are in healthy soil, plants can withstand diseases and handle insect damage much better. Insect will still likely inflict some damage, but your healthier plants will be more resistant to it.

Want to make organic gardening less complicated? Try planning your landscape with native flowers, bushes, and grasses. Plants that are already pre-programmed to exist peacefully with one another in similar climates and conditions, will prevent the need for a lot of “special measures” that eat up time and money. Native plants will thrive with only natural compost.

Anyone may plant gardens, but only those who are knowledgeable can get more out of their planted crops. Try using these organic tips.

Add Interest To Your Garden With These Useful Tips.

~ craigb

TIP! When planting perennials, seek out those that are resistant to slugs. Snails and slugs can destroy plants in just one night.

Does the grass always look greener on the other side? You probably want to know if your neighbor just has a green thumb, or a more practical method to keep his garden in such good shape. The truth is that there is no gardening “secret”. It just takes knowledge and understanding proper plant care. You can start to increase your gardening knowledge today by reading the information below.

TIP! When powdery mildew appears on your plants, you should not rush out to purchase a costly chemical treatment. All you need to do is mix baking soda with a tiny bit of liquid soap in with some water.

When powdery mildew appears on your plants, you should not rush out to purchase a costly chemical treatment. Combine a bit of liquid soap and some baking soda with water. You just need to spray your plants with this solution once every five days until the mildew is no longer visible. Your plants will not be harmed by the baking soda, but the mildew will definitely not like it!

TIP! Long plants that run up or around a fence or wall are often useful for masking ugliness. Many climbers can cover the wall or fence in as little as one growing season.

It is important to choose the right type of soil if you want to achieve the best results. Depending on the type of plants you desire in your garden, your natural soil may or may not be appropriate. It’s also possible to make a fabricated area that contains only one type of soil.

TIP! Plants need to take in CO2 to grow and thrive. Often, plants achieve better growth when they are surrounded by high levels of CO2.

In order for plants to grow, they must have enough CO2. Plants tend to grow better when the CO2 levels are higher. A greenhouse has the best levels available. When it is exposed to high carbon dioxide levels, a plant has the best growing condition possible.

Stink Bugs

TIP! When the fall season approaches, you must prepare to plant your favorite fall veggies and other edibles. Rather than using clay pots or planters for your lettuce and kale, plant them in a pumpkin! Cut an opening in the top of your pumpkin, scoop out the inside, and spray the entire thing with Wilt-Proof.

When horticulture, be watchful of stink bugs, particularly in the fall. Stink bugs like to eat beans, peppers, tomatoes, and all sorts of fruit. If left unattended, your garden could be ravaged by these bugs, so you need to proactively keep their population under control.

TIP! 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. Grass that is shorter has a root system that is easier to dry out.

Come up with a gardening plan before planting anything. Use this to remind you where certain things were planted, later when they start sprouting. You can also avoid losing the smaller plants, or in larger gardens, the small plant groups.

TIP! Do you enjoy fresh mint leaves though hate how they grow so fast and take over your entire garden? Control their expansion by confining them to a large pot. The container can be planted in the ground, and it will still prevent the plant from dominating the garden.

To help them out, try poring leftover water from steamed vegetables on them. Tea and coffee grounds can be used to add acidity to your soil for plants like gardenias and rhododendrons. If fungus is ravaging your potted plants, sprinkle a bit of Chamomile tea on them, and see if it helps.

TIP! There are several all-natural ways to keep pests out of your garden, including certain plants. For example, planting a border consisting of marigolds or onions can repel slugs.

Broad-spectrum pesticide is not a good garden choice. While broad-spectrum pesticides will kill most pests, they will also kill helpful insects. Useful insects are more sensitive to these pesticides than the pests, so by killing them, you could be growing your pest population. This can lead to needing even more pesticides to eliminate the problem insects.

TIP! Avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides in your garden. This particular type of pesticide will also kill the useful insects that consume the pests.

During the day, when the weather is hot, vegetables tend to be softer, which causes them to be damaged even if you gently pick them. Use garden shears to remove your vegetables from the vine to avoid damaging the plant.

TIP! Water your garden carefully. Instead of watering each individual plant with a can or hose, utilize a soaker hose, which can water all the plants at once.

If you want to spend more quality time outdoors with your children, why not allowing them to help you with your gardening? Children enjoy picking fresh fruit, especially if they can eat it right away.

TIP! Vegetables tend to soften during the hottest part of the day, which means they are easily damaged, even when handled with care. Also ensure that you use a tool to cut the vegetables off at the vine.

Aspirin water has disease-prevention properties that can protect plants. One and a half aspirin, dissolved in two gallons of water, can be a great addition to your plants. All you need to do is spray the plants with the solution in order to battle common ailments. Use this method every three weeks.

TIP! You can create the look and feel of an English garden by mixing different plants of varying heights throughout your flower bed. If you use plants that are all the same size your garden will look flat.

It is essential to keep your knees protected as you garden. 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. For extra comfort, purchase a knee pad for use as a cushion between your knees and the ground.

TIP! When gardening, remember to take care of your knees! Not everyone has the ability to remain standing in a bent position for an extended time. You should kneel while tending to your plants for the sake of reducing stress to your spine.

Before planting any perennials, you have to make the ground ready. 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 the newly turned soil to sit for two weeks, then plant your perennials.

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.

You need to avoid chores in your organic garden stacking up. If you’re too busy to do all those little things each day, there are some small steps you can take to not have all that work build up on you. Grab a handful of weeds, throw down some mulch, or toss some water on it anytime you walk by.

TIP! Having a garden of perennials can be an easy and quick process. You just need to use your garden spade for slicing underneath the turf, then flip it, and finally spread about three or four inch deep piles of wood chips.

The simple beer trap is still one of the best methods of ridding your organic garden of slugs. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden, making sure that the lip of the jar is even with the soil. Pour beer into the jar until it’s almost full. Leave an inch of space between the beer and the jar top. The beer helps attract slugs and they end up trapped.

TIP! Cover your muddy shoes with plastic bags. When you do this, your flow stays going, and you can just get right back out to your garden and finish quick.

If you want to consistently grow healthy tomatoes, wait three weeks between planting each set. When you stagger your planting in this manner, your tomato plants will not be in bloom all at once, meaning you have fresh tomatoes for longer. Also, if something goes wrong during one harvest, all your tomatoes won’t be ruined.

TIP! You should use wood that is untreated, brick or stone when building the raised bed. Choose a wood that is resistant to rot and does not contain any chemicals.

Before planting anything in the organic garden, decide exactly what you want to grow. Different plants require different sorts of environments. Each type of rose may need different types of environments, for example. Make sure you check on what environment a plant is best suited for before you purchase it.

TIP! If you want your starts to thrive, take the time to look underneath the ground. When buying tomato seedlings, avoid the ones with a bad root system or green starts.

Know when to buy plants to be added into your organic garden. When it comes to perennials and annuals, this is particularly important. You should purchase plants that show buds that have not bloomed yet. This ensures that the plant has a better chance of taking root in your garden.

TIP! Make sure that you plant your crops in segments at three-week intervals. This way you will not have to harvest all of your crops at once.

Most of these ideas are quite simple and require little advance skill. All it takes is applying what you have learned after boning up on some basic techniques. You need to pay close attention to how your plants fare after changing up your techniques. If you find that one thing does not work, you should try something different. Exercise a little patience and you will see your garden grow before your eyes.

How To Grow An Organic Garden That You Can Be Proud Of

~ craigb

You desire a vibrant and healthy organic garden. Your timing could not be better. Keep reading for tips any beginner will find useful.

TIP! If you have a wall or fence that you do not like, plant climbers to mask its appearance. Climbing foliage is a great way to disguise unsightly features on your property, sometimes in the span of just one season.

When planting perennials, seek out those that are resistant to slugs. A plant can be completely demolished overnight by slugs and snails. These pests normally go after plants with thin little leaves and plants that have yet to fully mature. There are perennials that slugs do not want to eat, the ones that they hate have hairy leaves, or are unappealing to their taste. Good choices in this category are plants such as achillea, campanula, and euphorbia. Heuchera and helleborus also work well.

TIP! It is a good idea to pre-soak your seeds in a dark environment overnight. Drop some seeds into a small glass or other container, and fill it with water.

Plant a variety of annuals, biennials and perennials to keep your flower beds bright. These flowers grow quickly and can be planted at any time during the year. If you want to maintain a flower garden all year or you want to add new flowers to reflect the changing seasons, annuals and biennials are for you. Use these beautiful flowers to line your driveway, surround trees and shrubs, and for decorative hanging baskets. Attention-getting options exist such as sunflowers and petunias.

TIP! You can use boiling water to get rid of weeds naturally. Water is cheaper than chemical herbicides, and less hazardous to humans and soil.

In the cold winter months, you can salvage certain plants by bringing them into the house. Maybe you’d like to save the most expensive plants you have or the most resistant. When you dig up the plant, carefully avoid the roots then place it in a container.

TIP! Good tools for the gardener include a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool. You can make gardening much more comfortable on your knees by using a portable garden stool.

Plants need ample amounts of CO2 to reach their maximum growth. If the level of CO2 is extremely high, your plants will grow much better. Greenhouses provide the best levels of CO2 for plants. Plants grown in a greenhouse tend to be more lush and healthier due to the improved growing environment.

TIP! You can help provide nutrients by watering your plants with room temperature water that is leftover after cooking vegetables. For gardenias and rhododendrons, try putting your used coffee grounds or tea bags in the soil so they may acquire the acid they need for proper growth.

If you want an organic way to weed your garden, try “boiling” them. Boiling water is a very safe alternative to other potent herbicides. Carefully pour boiling water right on the weeds, but be careful not to pour it on the plants you want. Weed roots will suffer harm from boiling water, and this will probably stop them from growing more.

TIP! If little ones live in your home, consider including everbearing strawberries in the garden plot. Little ones will be more likely to help when they can enjoy the fun of harvesting their own fruit.

Fertilize your garden. Manure is an excellent fertilizer, but it needs to be combined with a synthetic compost to stop diseases from infecting your plants. There are a number of options for fertilizer, but the truth is that what you use is unimportant; you just have to remember to use something.

TIP! Put coffee ground into your soil. They contain nitrogenous nutrients which are essential to plant growth.

If you’re a new gardener, it is vital that you follow the instructions when it comes to your chemicals and tools. If you fail to do this, you could cause yourself all sorts of injuries, the most common of which is irritated skin. Be careful when it comes to your body, and always follow directions.

TIP! Don’t let your organic gardening tasks stack up for very long. If your busy life prevents you from tending your garden every day, do small tasks to avoid having so much work when you do have some time.

Plan your garden, and plant with fall colors in mind. It doesn’t have to be that way! Autumn is the most colorful season of all, foliage-wise. Maple, beech, and dogwood trees are many colors in the fall, from yellow to a deeper crimson. Consider hydrangea, barberry and cotoneaster when considering purchasing a shrub.

TIP! Be careful with the amount of water that you’re giving your plants when gardening. Roots need to draw in nutrients via the soil, and they cannot do this if they’re flooded with water.

Gardening can be very relaxing. There are numerous avenues to pursue when attempting to find your personal peace and relaxation. Gardening is fun, and it is definitely one of the best ways to achieve this state. There are numerous returns based on a very small monetary investment. Knowing that you have grown these plants yourself can give you a great feeling of joy and inner peace.

TIP! Look up local botanical insecticides; they can be very useful in keeping the pest population at bay. Under certain conditions, organic pesticides can outperform chemical products in effectiveness and safety.

When you are cultivating an organic garden inside, you should think about the lighting situation. Ideally, these plants should be kept in a room that offers natural light from a window or glass door. If this is not an option, or you have your heart set on a particular type of plant, consider adding additional growing lights instead.

TIP! You can create a garden for perennials easily. Use the spade to get under the turf, flip it, and then apply a layer of wood chips that is several inches deep.

It is easy to quickly prepare your perennial garden ground. Simple slice into the soil with a spade, flip the turf, and mulch the area with 3 to 4 inches of wood chips. Allow for at least 10 days to pass, then plant the perennials that you just purchased.

TIP! There are a variety of plants that are possible to be grown in organic gardens. If you choose plants that require acid to grow properly, use mulch.

It never hurts to keep a few bags around the house to protect your floors from dirty horticulture shoes. This allows you to maintain your flow so you can rapidly get back to your horticulture.

Dried Plant Material

TIP! You know that there are numerous benefits to using compost on organic gardens, but have you ever wondered what it is made up of? Compost is actually a mixture of grass clippings, wood-chips, leaves, produce scraps, twigs, and straw which all breaks down to “psuedo-soil”. This rich mixture is far superior to chemical fertilizers.

Apply equal portions of dried plant material and green into your compost pile. Green plant material includes grass clippings, spent flowers, vegetable and fruit waste, weeds and leaves. Dried plant material, however, can include items such as cardboard, sawdust and shredded paper. Don’t throw charcoal, meat or manure into your compost.

TIP! Know what to look for when you purchase the plants that you will use in your garden. This holds very true when you are buying perennials and annuals.

Water your organic garden using a soaker hose. You can regulate the hose so that the water seeps very slowly into the soil, going directly to the roots, which avoids the leaves. These are more efficient than sprinklers, which use more water, and can save you the trouble of hand watering.

TIP! Growing high-value crops is something you may consider for your garden. Think about the different types of grasses, vegetables and flowers that you enjoy most.

Try to keep your garden diverse. Increasing your plant variety will draw further variety in the wildlife around. You can create a very realistic environment if you plant a wide variety of species in your garden. Different varieties can give you a pleasant garden to relax in, while doing good things for the environment.

TIP! Leaves make for a good organic compost pile which you can mix in with soil. When the leaves decompose, they are broken down into a nourishing, rich compost that plants love.

Pay attention to which products you can use in your garden. Instead of fertilizers with caustic ingredients and potentially harmful chemicals, opt for all-natural or organically grown products. A good organic compost is good for your plants. Using organic fertilizers is much more beneficial than using inorganic ones, because they do not cause toxic chemicals to enter and buildup in the the soil and drinking water as the inorganic ones do.

TIP! Just because winter is coming doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s time to give up your garden. Instead, create an outdoor tent to protect the area.

After reading this article, you should have all the information necessary to start your organic garden. No matter how comfortable you felt about the subject, you should be more so now. Remember to apply these tips as you plan and take care of your garden.

Advice For Getting The Most Out Of Your Garden

~ craigb

TIP! Plant some perennials in your garden that repel slugs. These creatures can wreak havoc on a garden in a short time.

As the desire to make gardens organic becomes more popular, it is found that the overall holistic lifestyle is starting to be the way to go. When you choose this form of lifestyle, then you opt for growing herbs and other things solely for beneficial reasons and you always aim for organic growing techniques. See the piece that follows for several effective ideas for growing an organic garden.

TIP! You don’t need a costly chemical solution to deal with powdery mildew in your garden. Mix a solution of baking soda, water, and a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid.

You will need to properly lay sod. Be sure to get your soil prepared before you start laying the new sod. Take out any weeds, then mix up the soil into a tilth that is fine. Lightly, but firmly pack the soil down, and make sure that it is flat. Gently sprinkle water on the soil until you are certain that it is thoroughly moistened. Sod should be placed in rows that are staggered, where the joints connect to offset each other. The sod should form a flat and firm surface. Fill in gaps with soil. According to your climate, you will likely need to water the new sod daily over a period of a couple of weeks. This will insure proper root formation and establishment.

Clay Soil

TIP! For proper optimum growth, plants require sufficient amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). Typically, the higher the levels of carbon dioxide present in a plant’s environment, the better it will grow.

Clay soil can be very hard to work with, and you will often find that it sticks to the shovel. Use a thin coat of floor or car wax on your shovel, then buff it with a nice clean cloth to make dealing with clay soil easier. The clay will no longer stick to the shovel, and this also helps to prevent other problems like rusting.

TIP! Before you plant a garden you should plan it out. This will help you to remember where you planted the different plants when sprouts begin to shoot up from the ground.

When selecting among several varieties of a plant, choose the ones that will produce the largest yield. Many times, hybrid plants tend to resist disease, and tolerate the cold weather better than their traditional counterparts, resulting in higher yields.

TIP! You could try to boil weeds if you are trying to remain organic. A pot of boiling hot water can be one of the most safe weed destroyers.

The first thing you can do to ward off garden pests is to ensure you are using healthy soil in your garden. The healthier the plants you grow, the more resistant they’ll be to illness, fungus, or bugs. Healthy, rich soil with fewer chemicals will increase the yield of your plants, and reduce accumulated salts.

TIP! When gardening, it is critical to shield your knees as much as possible. Many people can not bend over for long periods of time while they are standing up.

To grow properly, plants need adequate levels of CO2. A major portion of plants grow their best in an environment with a saturated level of CO2. The best way to expose your plants to a high level of carbon dioxide is by growing them in a greenhouse. Plants grown in a greenhouse tend to be more lush and healthier due to the improved growing environment.

TIP! Tuck away some plastic grocery bags and use them to slip over your muddy boots. You will save time and be back in the garden much more quickly by doing this.

When the fall season approaches, you must prepare to plant your favorite fall veggies and other edibles. If you want to find an interesting container for your lettuce or kale, try a pumpkin! To use the pumpkin as a planter, it is important to prevent it from rotting. To do this, you simply spray the entire inside and any edges with a gardening spray called Wilt-Pruf. This is done after you’ve opened the pumpkin at the top and removed the insides. After this is completed, it is time to plant!

Coffee Grounds

TIP! When the time comes to harvest your produce, collect it using an old laundry basket. An old laundry basket makes an excellent strainer for cleaning your produce.

Sometimes the soil you want to use for your garden has a high alkaline content. Combine coffee grounds with the soil to reduce this. Coffee grounds are an affordable means of adding acid to the soil so that it is pH-balanced. After doing so, you will notice that your greenery and garden will be colorful and fresh.

TIP! Want to get rid of weeds naturally? You can easily control weeds by using layered sheets of newspaper. Weeds require sunlight for growing.

Think about berry-producing trees that are green year round for your garden. They will provide a splash of color in the drab and dreary winter months when a lot of other plants have lost their colors. Some examples include Holly, Snowberry trees, Winterberry and similar plants.

Involve your children in horticulture. Children will benefit from the fresh air while bonding with you in your efforts to provide healthier food alternatives for them.

TIP! If you’re planning on selling crops to people and labeling them as organic, you will need to receive an organic gardening certification. This will not only increase sales, but it will demonstrate to your customers that your products are legitimate and that you are doing what it takes to grow the best crops.

If you have children, plant strawberries, especially everbearing strawberries, in your organic garden. Strawberries are a favorite of children due to their sweetness. And since they’re so easy and fun to pick, it’s also a healthy, productive, safe activity that children can assist adults with.

TIP! An organic garden is a benefit to you and everyone else who consumes the food that grows there. Chemical giants claim miracles, but those miracle crops come at a price to whoever eats the produce.

Prior to working in the garden, make sure any cuts on your hands heal completely, or shield any cuts from contact with chemicals and dirt. If an open wound is not protected while you are working in the garden, dirt and bacteria may cause the cut to become infected. However, there are bandages available that will seal the cut completely. Using these should protect the cut from any infection while horticulture.

TIP! Rotate your garden at least once a year. When you continuously plant some plants from the same family in the same area every year, disease and fungus is encouraged in these areas.

Space is very important when you plant an organic garden. You can underestimate how much space you need when they are growing. This will give you enough room to work around your garden without smashing any plants. Plan your garden carefully and leave enough space between the seeds.

TIP! If you’re planning on adding some tomatoes to your garden, try planting a new set of tomatoes exactly three weeks after you plant the first batch. This method prevents a unified harvest, and allows separate times to pull the plants throughout the year.

Tend your organic garden on a regular schedule. 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, if your family is cooking out on the grill, you could clear a few bunches of weeds between checking on the burgers.

TIP! Spread three inches of organic material on your garden for mulch. This affects your garden in a variety of ways, including enriching the soil, locking in moisture, and improving the overall appearance of the garden.

Throughout the year and in different climates, it may be necessary to vary your watering schedule. The watering depth and temperature depends mainly on the time you water them and the soil they are planted in. Avoid watering leaves in a warm and humid climate to prevent leaf fungus from appearing. Instead, the roots should be thoroughly watered.

TIP! For an easy, organic garden option, try a shade garden. You might be interested to know that these gardens are very low maintenance.

Adding a lot of mulch to your garden is a great tip to implement in order to keep your garden healthy. The mulch acts as a protection for the soil under it. On hot days, mulch insulates the ground, keeping it cool and protecting your plants’ roots. It will also stop the soil from losing it’s moisture in the hot sunlight. It is also very good at controlling the weeds.

TIP! If you plan to plant trees in your yard, you should arrange them in a way that they will provide the most shade for your house. Trees that throw shade on your home during the hot summer months can be an important ally in reducing energy costs.

The more skills about organic horticulture you can learn, horticulture will become that much easier for you. This article is just the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to organic gardening information.

Tips For Maintaining A Chemical-Free Organic Garden

~ craigb

TIP! If you want to keep your garden free of pests, start with healthy soil! Healthy plants are naturally more resilient against pests and disease. To increase your garden’s likelihood of producing strong and healthy plants, use high-quality soil containing minuscule amounts of chemicals, which will eventually collect salts.

Gardening is a relatively inexpensive, relaxing hobby. It can also be a wonderful way to develop family bonds. If you have children, they will be amazed at how your seeds grow into beautiful plants. Gardening can also help appreciate outdoor life and nature. This article will help you learn techniques that will make growing a garden much easier and more delightful.

TIP! Climbing plants make a strong addition to walls, fences or other free-standing structures. Climbers have many different uses and spread quickly.

Shoveling clay soil is tiresome since clay is hard, and it can also stick to your shovel for twice the difficulty. Get better results in clay by rubbing car wax or floor wax onto the shovel, then buff off and dig. This will both make the clay fall off of the surface, and prevent the surface from rusting.

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. Many types of veggies require this amount in order to thrive and produce the food source that you are hoping for.

Transplanting plants and bringing them indoors can protect them from harsh winters. Find out which plants will be able to thrive despite the transplanting and different indoor conditions. Carefully dig around the rootball and replant in an appropriate pot.

TIP! D

Take the time to spread around five centimeters of organic mulch near your vegetable plants. The mulch will help keep the soil moist for longer periods of time. It also helps prevent weeds from growing. You will be able to save the time you would spend watering your plants and pulling out weeds.

TIP! Learn the best harvest time for each vegetable. Different vegetables and fruits have their ideal seasons and months where they flourish, survive, and are harvested at the highest quality.

Read instructions on new gardening chemicals and tools before you use them. It may seem simple enough, but not following it could lead to chemical burns and skin irritations. Prevent issues, and use your garden chemicals safely.

TIP! Avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides in your garden. These pesticides can kill the useful insects that work as predators to pests.

Consider planting evergreens in your garden that produce berries. These evergreens will color your lawn, even when other flowers are not blooming. Some plants that will provide color in the winter include the American Cranberrybush, the American Holly, the Common Snowberry, and the Winterberry.

TIP! Any time that you are gardening in direct sunlight, dress appropriately to prevent skin damage. Put on some sunglasses, sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.

Plant with fall season color in mind. Fall, though, can still be an interesting time for trees. When it comes to vivid foliage, autumn offers the best opportunity to view it. Maple trees come in a variety of fall colors ranging from yellow to deep crimson, as do Beech trees and Dogwood. When choosing shrubs, think about cotoneaster, hydrangea or barberry.

TIP! Take care of your knees when you’re gardening. Bending for extended time periods causes pain for many people.

Tend to a garden as a way to relax. There are a wide variety of things you can do to release stress and relax. Gardening is a great way to just kick back, chill out, and enjoy your time with nature. The generous return of a garden far outweighs the minimal investment of money required. Great satisfaction will come from raising produce and flowers in your own environment.

TIP! In your flower beds and garden, utilize a few inches of organic mulch. This practice is an easy way to discourage weeds, retain moisture, and add valuable nutrients to your garden.

You can attract the insects you need by planting heather. 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. With this in mind, be sure to prune your heather while wearing horticulture gloves.

TIP! Gardening can actually increase the value of your property! Out of any home improvement project, a beautifully landscaped garden will give you the best return. You can raise your home value up to 20 percent! Seek out plants and shrubbery that require limited maintenance and will adapt well to the natural climate that you live in.

Consider planting strawberries, especially ones that are everbearing, for your garden if you have small children. Little ones will be more likely to help when they can enjoy the fun of harvesting their own fruit.

TIP! If you are starting your seedlings out in small containers, you should use a layer of potting soil that is three times as deep as the size of a single seed. However, some seeds do not need to be covered, they need the sunlight.

If you are interested in sustainable organic horticulture, consider keeping part of your property undeveloped so that wildlife can flourish there. Wildlife can help the plants in your garden to thrive, as insects support plant reproduction, while the excrement of many species contains nutrients which can help to fertilize your soil.

TIP! Try lightly ruffling the seedlings with your hands about twice a day. Believe it or not, aerating the soil in this manner can actually make your seedlings grow larger.

Preparing the soil for your perennial garden is easy. Take your spade and work up a thin layer of soil. Turn that soil over, then spread a few inches of wood chips on the newly turned area. Wait two weeks, then dig in and plant the new perennials.

TIP! Depending on the season and weather, adjust your watering habits. The amount of water you use each time should be dependent on the water quality, the soil type and what time of day you are doing it.

Coat your flower beds with a few inches of an organic mulch. Mulch discourages weeds and helps retain moisture while adding nutrients to your flower bed. Mulch also completes your garden, giving it a finished appearance.

TIP! When you are organically growing tomatoes, try planting only some seeds at once; then go back and plant an additional set of seeds in three weeks. This makes sure that you are not inundated with a huge tomato harvest all at one time.

Cover your muddy shoes with plastic bags. Having these available lets you keep your flow in movement, and helps you return to your horticulture fast so you can finish up your day.

TIP! If you want to plant a new tree or shrub, dig a hole as naturally as possible. 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.

To be able to say you have legitimate organic and credible crops, you will need to be certified as having an organic garden. Obtaining this certification will give you further credibility as an organic gardener, boosting sales and proving to your customers that you provide only the best.

TIP! You need to be very specific about what organic plants you plan to grow in the garden. You will need to cultivate specific environments for various vegetables and plants.

Always give your garden the benefit of looking beneath the upper portions of a plant. Oftentimes, tomato seedlings that show verdant green starts have poor roots. Starts like these can remain on the seedlings. This will inhibit their growth because they will not be able to grow until they are gone.

TIP! The healthier the soil the healthier your plants are, and when they are healthy they become that much more resistant to insects and disease. This won’t get rid of insects, but it does make them less harmful, which should make most people happy.

The ideal way to water your organic garden is with a soaker hose. This will allow the water to seep slowly into the soil straight to the plant’s roots. Soaker hoses don’t use as much water as sprinklers, and make it easy to water plants.

TIP! Make certain to learn what to look for when purchasing the plants you wish to include in the organic garden you will cultivate. Be careful with perennials or annuals.

Biodiversity is a key element of your organic garden. The wider the variation of plants growing in your garden, the more wildlife species will be attracted to your garden. Plant all different types of plants in your garden to try to recreate 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! Snails can be sprayed away with a mixture of ammonia and water. You will not damage your plants with the ammonia, and it will also produce nitrogen.

If you want gardening to become something you do alone, or with others, you can use these great tips. Using this advice, you can enjoy gardening with yourself, your friends, or your family.

Organic Gardening Advice For New Organic Gardeners

~ craigb

TIP! Put down sod correctly. Get your soil ready before you lay your sod.

As far as gardening goes, caring for your organic garden is important. Smart organic horticulture can com in handy here. By employing your knowledge you will be able to more efficiently and reliably produce healthy, tasty food. Follow the tips provided for a successful organic garden.

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. Your plants will have a better chance of getting big and healthy! The period between plantings will also be shorter.

Choose plant strains that will give you the best harvest with the biggest yield. There are genetically modified plants that resist cold and/or disease. These often give higher yields due to higher survival rates.

TIP! Bring some plants into your home to protect them against winter weather. Perhaps you can save your most expensive or resistant plants.

Try planting seeds in pots, and then transferring the seedlings to your garden. This raises the chances of the plants growing until adulthood. This also helps tighten time between plantings. When you take out the prior set of adult plants, your seedlings will then be prepared to go in.

TIP! Make sure you remove the weeds from your garden! Weeds can take over a healthy garden faster than you think. To help with weed destruction, use white vinegar.

Climbing plants make a strong addition to walls, fences or other free-standing structures. You can hide an unsightly wall or fence, in as little as one growing season, with the right selection of climbing plant. They also have been known to grow through existing trees or shrubs, or can be easily taught to cover any size arbor. Some must be tied to supports, but some climbers use twining stems or tendrils and attach themselves to those surfaces. Some of the most reliable varieties are wisteria, clematis, jasmine, honeysuckle and climbing roses.

TIP! When fall has arrived, it is time to plant the edibles for the autumn. Clay pots are boring, so replace those ordinary lettuce and kale pots with pumpkins.

Draw up a garden plan before you plant the first seed. 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. This is also a great way to keep track of all your plants.

Tender Shrubs

TIP! Vegetables should be placed in a spot in your garden that will get about six hours of sun every day. Most vegetables require this amount of sun in order to grow properly and at a quicker pace.

Make sure to protect your tender shrubs from the elements. Tender shrubs are very sensitive to cold weather, especially those that are planted in pots. The tops should be tied together, and the wigwam should be loosely covered with a sheet or blanket. This method is superior to covering plants in plastic, because air can freely circulate, which prevents rotting.

TIP! Gardening is an incredible method of relaxing. Peace and relaxation can be found through several different avenues.

Plant with the colors of autumn in mind. This does not have to be so. Autumn is the most colorful season of all, foliage-wise. Maple, beech, and dogwood trees are many colors in the fall, from yellow to a deeper crimson. Some vibrant shrubs include hydrangea, barberry, and cotoneaster.

TIP! Water your garden carefully. A soaker hose will save you time because you won’t have to individually water each plant, like you do with a regular nozzle, or a can that you need to constantly refill.

Vegetables tend to soften during the hottest part of the day, which means they are easily damaged, even when handled with care. Make sure to chop the vegetables off the vine, but be careful not to twist them. Twisting can actually damage the plant.

TIP! Before you start any gardening, make sure that you do not have any open wounds on your hands. If you do, you need to wear protection from dirt and chemicals so that they do not get into your cut.

Indoor plants need an environment that is between 65 and 75 degrees. Your plants will not grow well if it is too cold. If your thermostat is normally kept lower in winter, you can use a heat lamp to keep your plants warm enough.

TIP! When you are cultivating an organic garden inside, you should think about the lighting situation. The amount of light available can determine which type of organic plants you should grow.

It can be extremely fast and easy to plant perennials into your garden. Use a spade to dig up some soil, flip the soil over, and finally, sprinkle around 3-4 inches of wood chips on the soil. Give the area a couple of weeks, then dig into it and plant your new perennials.

TIP! Take the time needed to plant your seeds. The first step is to moisturize the soil.

In your flower beds and garden, utilize a few inches of organic mulch. This is a simple method of discouraging weeds, retaining moisture, and adding excellent nutrients into the garden. This will also make your flowers appear beautiful and finished all year long.

Laundry Basket

TIP! It can be hard at times to grow your own organic garden, yet it is so much more rewarding in the end. While chemical pesticides and fertilizers may claim to do great things for your garden, organic methods will give you the best crops possible.

Use an old laundry basket to gather your vegetables and fruits. The laundry basket can be used as a colander for your produce. Rinse your produce while it lays in the basket; any excess water strains off through the laundry basket holes.

TIP! Too much water may hurt plants since extra water can keep roots from getting the nutrients they need from the soil. Always be sure to check the weather and keep a tight watering schedule.

A rule of thumb followed by many planters is to bury the seeds in soil to a depth of around three times the diameter of the actual seed. There are some seeds, however, that you should not cover at all, since they need sunlight to germinate. Ageratum and petunias fall into this category. The directions for how to handle the seeds will usually be found on the seed’s package. You can also find this information online.

TIP! Gardening, especially organic gardening, helps you feel more “at one” with the earth. Organic gardening allows you learn the entire plant cycle, from the beginning to the end.

The simple beer trap is still one of the best methods of ridding your organic garden of slugs. Get a clean, empty glass jar to use as a trap. Bury it with its mouth facing upwards. Keep putting dirt over the jar until the mouth is at the surface of your garden. Now, fill the jar with beer to approximately an inch below the lip. Slugs are attracted to beer. They will crawl into the jar and be trapped.

One of the more rewarding hobbies is organic horticulture. You will learn how to care for you plants from planting the seeds to harvesting your delicious vegetables.

Organic Garden

TIP! An organic garden is a suitable home for practically any kind of plant. The diversity of what is available is almost overwhelming.

As you can conclude from what you have just read, having an organic garden can provide you with nutrient rich and fresh fruits and vegetables. An organic garden is a ton of work to make successful but well worth the effort.

Learn Something New About Organic Gardening With These Interesting Tips

~ craigb

TIP! A good way to ensure that your seeds sprout effectively is to start them in smaller pots and then transplant them once they reach the seedling stage. Once the plant is hardy enough, plant it in your garden.

Horticulture lets you grow beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables just outside your door. You can make things like salads with freshly picked tomatoes right from your garden, or if you are advanced enough you can even make salads that are completely from your own garden. This article can give you tips on gardening that can help you get more out of your garden.

TIP! If mildew is forming on your plants, you should not purchase an expensive chemical. A great home remedy is to mix baking soda with water and a little bit of liquid soap.

You can use the wooden handles of your tools as measurement sticks. Larger handled tools like rakes, hoes, and shovels make great measuring sticks. Simply lay the handles out on the floor and run a measuring tape next to them. It’s a good idea to label distances with a permanent marker. Now when you go to work in the garden, you will have a ruler that is large at your fingertips!

TIP! Before you plant anything in your garden, have the soil checked. A soil analysis report can be acquired for a nominal fee.

Plant slug-proof perennials. Snails and slugs can do irreparable damage to your garden in a single night. These pests are especially attracted to tender sprouts and to delicate, soft leaves. Slugs and snails will leave some perennials alone, particularly those with a bad taste or tough, hairy leaves. Achillea, euphorbia, helleborus, heuchera and campanula are good choices that slugs don’t like.

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

When autumn has arrived, you must plant everything you want to eat before winter. Clay pots are boring, so replace those ordinary lettuce and kale pots with pumpkins. First, cut out the pumpkin’s top layer and remove the seeds. Then, spray some Wilt-Pruf on the insides to prevent the rot that would follow otherwise. After that, your pumpkin planter is ready to use!

Coffee Grounds

TIP! One very good way to deal with weeds is to boil them away. This is a safe way to eliminate weeds, as this will not damage the soil.

For areas with high alkaline, mix coffee grounds into the soil. The coffee grounds provide a cheap way to re-supply needed acid to the dirt. Improving the pH of your soil will make your vegetables and greens taste even better!

TIP! Be sure your garden is fertilized. Choose commercial compost instead of homegrown manure to keep toxins out of your plants.

It is best to aerate and dry your plants daily. Moisture on the surface of a plant can attract parasites, and cause disease. Fungi is very common. Sprays and liquids exist that are perfect for killing the fungi, but be sure you use it on the area before the fungi actually appear.

TIP! Take advantage of gardening as a means to unwind. Many hobbies can help you to relax and attain inner peace.

Do you love fresh mint leaves but hate how they quickly grow to take over your garden? Control their expansion by confining them to a large pot. The container can be planted in the ground, and it will still prevent the plant from dominating the garden.

TIP! Vegetables get softer as the temperature goes up, so you could damage your vegetables if you pick them during the hottest hours. Vegetables and fruits should always be cut from the vine, not twisted; twisting subjects a plant to needless stress.

Fertilize your garden. Manure can be very helpful in growing plants, but it is essential to use a commercial product that has been composted, in order to minimize pathogen risk. It is important that you use some sort of fertilizer, although it doesn’t really matter which variety you choose.

TIP! If you have recently suffered a cut, discontinue gardening until the cut has healed completely. Open wounds can easily get infected while gardening because you’re exposing yourself to dirt, bacteria and germs.

Make sure you read instructions on products and tools before using them. Failure to follow instructions can be dangerous or painful. For example, some chemicals will irritate your skin if you don’t follow safety rules. Ensure that your body is protected by always following instructions.

TIP! When you are cultivating an organic garden inside, you should think about the lighting situation. If your residential space has limited sunlight, it will be best that you grow plants that are ideal for this type of environment.

You should be cognizant of the peak time for harvesting your vegetables. For the optimum flavor, be sure to follow the guidelines for planting and picking. For instance, peas and zucchinis are tastiest when picked young. Plant winter vegetables at the right time for a sweeter flavor. Thus, you ought to familiarize yourself with the best times to pick the produce from your garden.

TIP! Create a space perfect for any perennial garden with this easy method. It isn’t as hard as it may seem; you basically just slice down under the turf, flip it over, and spread wood chips four to three inches.

Pest control is tough when you have a veggie garden. Do not spray harsh chemicals on the vegetables you are going to eat. You can prevent pests from appearing in the garden by adopting a vigilant attitude. If you catch them when there are only a few around, you can actually pick them off the plants by hand.

TIP! To be most efficient in your gardening, always keep your tools close at hand. Large pockets or a sturdy bucket can be used to store tools.

Broad-spectrum pesticides should be avoided in your garden. In addition, these pesticides destroy the good insects which eat pests. Since these pesticides often affect the good bugs more than the bad, using them can actually increase your pest problem. This will cause a cycle to start where you will need to keep increasing the amount of pesticide you are using.

TIP! Pine can make a great mulch. Some garden plants are high in acidity, and do better with acidic soil.

Pick a plant that will be a focal point. Any great garden design involves using a focal point to grab someone’s attention and keep it there. The best focal points are those plants that really stand out from those that are adjacent.

Flower Beds

TIP! Your soil will be healthier if you add mulch. Mulch will protect the soil it covers.

The optimal amount of organic mulch to use in your flower beds is 2-3 inches. Mulching helps to hold moisture in the soil, enhance the soil quality, and slow down the growth of weeds. This also gives your flower beds a more aesthetic aspect.

TIP! The mulch in your organic flowerbeds should be made of organic material and be no shallower than three inches. Mulch adds nutrients to your soil, prohibits water evaporation, inhibits weeds and creates a finished look to your flower or gardening beds.

Coffee grounds work great mixed in with your soil. Coffee grounds are filled with nutritional elements plants need, such as nitrogen. Using coffee grounds or any other source of nitrogen contributes to the growth of taller, fuller blooms.

TIP! You can make organic gardening much easier. When choosing plants for landscaping, stick to native flowers, shrubs, and grasses.

Aim to increase your property’s value. Landscaping is a cheap way to really increase the value of your property. Some plant investments can raise your resale value by 20% or more. Select plants and shrubs that won’t require a lot of ongoing maintenance and will adapt well to your climate.

TIP! A healthy soil means healthy plants that can resist diseases and pests. Even though the insects remain there, you will prevent them from damaging your garden, keeping everyone happy.

The hobby of horticulture not only gives you something enjoyable to do, but produces tasty vegetables, herbs and fruit right at home. Preparing fresh, healthy meals using what you have grown can be a very satisfying experience. Use what you have learned from this article to give yourself the best gardening experience ever!

Tips On Choosing Organic Horticulture For A Healthier Lifestyle

~ craigb

Organic gardening is capable of not only bringing about relaxation, but also headaches as well. Continue on for some good tips that will help you succeed in organic gardening.

TIP! Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. These climbing plants will help beautify an old fence, and they are fast workers too.

Starting off your garden with healthy soil can be the best defense against those pesky garden bugs. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases. Healthy, rich soil with fewer chemicals will increase the yield of your plants, and reduce accumulated salts.

TIP! When you decide to add vegetables into your garden space, be aware that they must be placed where they will receive direct sunlight for a minimum of six hours daily. Most vegetables need that much sun to grow rapidly and successfully.

Do not spend your money on chemicals to fight mildew. Mix some baking soda and a very small amount of liquid soap into water. Once every week, you should spray the mixture on your plants; the mildew will disappear shortly thereafter. This is a natural solution for ridding your plants of mildew safely.

TIP! Sometimes the soil you want to use for your garden has a high alkaline content. Combine coffee grounds with the soil to reduce this.

Plant cool-weather edibles in the fall. Try planting your fall veggies, especially leafy greens, inside of a pumpkin! 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!

TIP! 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. Long hours tending your garden can leave your knees sore and achy.

When you grow veggies in a garden, you need to ensure they get at least six hours of good sunlight each day. Most vegetables need at least that much sun exposure to grow properly. This also rings true for some of the flowers.

TIP! Being a novice gardener, you should ensure that you follow the directions carefully for tool and chemical use. Irritation of the skin or even more serious injuries are possible if you ignore manufacturer’s directions.

Fertilizer is important when you garden. Manure is an excellent fertilizer, but it needs to be combined with a synthetic compost to stop diseases from infecting your plants. It is important that you use some sort of fertilizer, although it doesn’t really matter which variety you choose.

TIP! If you have a vegetable garden, one of your main enemies is garden pests. One major benefit of growing your own produce is knowing that they haven’t been treated with pesticides and other harsh chemicals.

If you want to grow peas, consider starting them indoors instead of planting them outside. When you plant the seeds indoors, your seeds will start to germinate better. Seeds grown indoors are much more resistant to diseases and damage done by pests. Take the seedlings outdoors once they look strong enough.

TIP! To give them a helping hand, pour the water you obtain after steaming vegetables over your plants. Used teabags or grounds from coffee are a great way to add acid to the soil.

It is particularly important for new gardeners to read and follow instructions that come with tools, as well as chemicals. If you fail to do this, you could cause yourself all sorts of injuries, the most common of which is irritated skin. Be careful when it comes to your body, and always follow directions.

TIP! Working in your garden is an excellent way to relax yourself. There are numerous avenues to pursue when attempting to find your personal peace and relaxation.

Sensibly water your garden. A soaker hose will save you time because you won’t have to individually water each plant, like you do with a regular nozzle, or a can that you need to constantly refill. 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! Spray fragrances such as old perfume or aftershave on grass around your garden to help keep your dog away from the plants. This will work to mask any scent that is attracting dogs, and will make the garden a much less interesting place to for dogs to be.

If you have recently suffered a cut, discontinue gardening until the cut has healed completely. Your cut could get infected if you’re dealing with grime and dirt when horticulture. The key is to use bandages capable of covering cuts in their entirety.

TIP! Vegetables are softest during the warmest hours of each day, so picking them then, no matter how gently, runs the risk of damage. See to it that you cut their connection to the vine as opposed to twisting them, because twisting could hurt the plant.

When growing organic plants indoors, it is important to consider the amount of light that is available to them. If you are living in a place that does not have a lot of natural sunlight, think about cultivating plants that do well in lower lighting situations. If you already have plants that need full light and the natural light provided is not sufficient, artificial lights can supplement their needs.

TIP! A good tip to help your plants stay healthy and fight diseases is to use aspirin water. An aspirin and a half, combined with a couple of gallons of water, will do amazing things for your plants.

Use this simple tip to get your perennial garden ready in a flash. All you need to do is use a garden spade to slice under the turf, flip it over, then spread wood chips over the area about three to four inches deep. Let this sit for a couple weeks, next dig into it to plant your new plants.

TIP! You can cover your muddied gardening footware easily by keeping plastic bags around. This way, you can get in and out quickly, and get back to work in the garden.

Coffee grounds work great mixed in with your soil. They contain nitrogenous nutrients which are essential to plant growth. Nitrogen is generally a way to make your plants grow bigger, better and faster.

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. Some seeds shouldn’t be covered and must be in sunlight at all times.

Tend your organic garden on a regular schedule. Sometimes it might prove difficult to get in a little horticulture time every day. However, you shouldn’t fret, as there are a few things you can do that can minimize the time you spend gardening when you do manage to get to it. Even if you’re just taking the dog for a walk, bend down and pick a few weeds.

TIP! Feeling in harmony with the earth is a benefit of gardening as a hobby, and this holds especially true when it comes to organic gardening. This method of gardening will give you a deep understanding of the way plants grow, from beginning to end.

Calibrate how much you water based upon the time of the year and the weather conditions. 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. For instance, in warm and balmy locations, it is important not to water leaves, as doing so tends to foster fungus growth. Instead, water the roots only.

Rganic Methods

TIP! When mulching around trees and flowers, the depth of the organic material should be at least 3 inches. Using this much mulch prevents plants from drying out too quickly, which in turn lowers your water bill, while also preventing overuse of our municipal water supplies.

Pay attention to which products you can use in your garden. For example, purchase organic fertilizer rather than chemical fertilizer. Compost is a great example. 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! Healthy soil translates to even healthier flowers, grasses and vegetables. If the soil is nutrient-rich, plants will be able to ward off disease and damage caused by common garden pests.

Organic horticulture, while requiring a good effort for great results, is a great way to live a greener life. You need to work hard at it and be patient, and if you can do that then you will see a dazzling organic garden. Use this information and you will be in great shape for bettering yourself in terms of organic gardening knowledge.