Organic gardening is a hobby that anybody can do in order to relax. Horticulture can be overwhelming for a beginner. The question is, what can a beginner do to become knowledgeable on organic gardening? If so, keep reading. You are only minutes away from becoming a better gardener.
Choose perennials that won’t be taken out by slugs. Slugs and snails can decimate a plant in one night. These pests are especially attracted to tender sprouts and to delicate, soft leaves. Perennials with hairy, tough leaves as well as those with unpleasant taste are not appetizing to snails and slugs. Selecting an unappetizing perennial, such as campanula or heuchera, will help stop them from being eaten.
Check your soil before you begin planting your garden. Consider getting a soil analysis and working on enrichment techniques for giving your garden a vibrant and healthy environment. Several Cooperative Extension locations offer this service, and it’s advantageous for you to know what type of soil you have, in order to avoid growing faulty crops.
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. The water will hydrate the sends, giving them a head start once you plant them. Your seeds will then have the best chance possible to survive to maturity.
There are grass varieties, such as wheat grass or catnip, that will give your feline something to nibble on besides your garden. Offensive smells also work to repel cats and other pesky animals from eating your plants. Try putting mothballs, citrus peels, garlic and other pungent items on the topsoil.
Plant things that will give you color for the fall. It doesn’t have to be this way, however. 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. When selecting shrubs that will be colorful during the fall, consider hydrangea, barberry, or cotoneaster.
You need to be smart when it comes to watering 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. Use low water pressure with your soaker hose so that the force of the water does not harm sprouts and seedlings. This allows you to leave the hose running as you go about your business.
If you are growing your organic plants inside of your home or office, it is vital to make sure that the right amount of light reaches them. If your residential space has limited sunlight, it will be best that you grow plants that are ideal for this type of environment. If you do and this does not help, consider investing in some grow-lights.
As your seeds sprout, they require less warmth than before. Sprouting plants can be removed from the heat source. Remove plastic films on containers to prevent warmth and humidity from penetrating them. Keep an eye on your seeds in order to know when you should do this.
Planted flowers will benefit from organic materials that are built up to as much as three inches. This practice is an easy way to discourage weeds, retain moisture, and add valuable nutrients to your garden. Your flower beds should also look beautiful all year long.
Your compost pile should contain green plants and dried ones in equal amounts. “Green” material refers to things like wilted flowers, weeds, leaves from your yard, and grass clippings. Dried material includes straw, shredded paper, and cardboard. Materials to avoid during composting include diseased plants, meat, ashes and charcoal.
Do you want to kill weeds in a natural way? Use several layers of newspapers for weed control. Without light, there can be no weeds. The layers of newspaper over the weeds will block out the light and kill them. Newspapers easily break down over a period of time, and eventually become a portion of the compost. Cover the newspaper with a thick layer of mulch for a more attractive look.
Vegetable Garden
You can make a raised bed with untreated wood, brick, or stone. Choose a wood that is resistant to rot and does not contain any chemicals. Optimal wood choices that fit these criteria are locust, cypress, and cedar. Never use compost from treated woods in a veggie garden; the chemicals can contaminate your food. In the event your vegetable garden already has treated wood as part of its enclosure, consider replacing it, or painting it, or wrapping the treated wood in some protective covering. Keep in mind that if any of the untreated wood is below the ground, you should dig it up to make sure that you completely protect your vegetable garden from the chemicals in the treated wood.
You should now realize how much fun and how enjoyable horticulture can be. It is quite calming and relaxing to immerse oneself in the rhythms of organic horticulture. These tips are your key to becoming a top-flight organic gardener.