You will see the difference when you begin using tried-and-true organic horticulture methods. This will show that you love your plants and care about their health. This is something that is admirable. Just like most things in life, there are continual ways to improve your skills. Read on for some insights that can prove to be invaluable.
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. This increases the chance that your plants will survive to adulthood. This also helps tighten time between plantings. The seedlings are ready to go, once you remove the mature plants.
Get a slug-proof variety of perennials. 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. Certain perennials are unappetizing to slugs and snails, especially those with tough, hairy leaves or an unappetizing taste. Achillea, euphorbia, helleborus, heuchera and campanula are good choices that slugs don’t like.
When winter arrives, you can save some plants by placing them in your home. This is especially useful if you have a particular plant that you love or was expensive. Dig around the roots carefully and transfer the plant to a pot.
Soil Analysis
Prior to planting anything in your garden, check your soil. Many nurseries offer a soil analysis service, which will tell you what nutrients your soil is lacking and what you can do about it. Many offices of Cooperative Extension will do a soil analysis, and it is important to know how to improve soil so that all crops can grow in it.
Make sure you remove the weeds from your garden! Weeds can take a promising garden and turn it into a shell of its potential. To help with the removal, you can use white vinegar. White vinegar can not only kill the weeds, it’s also a non-toxic spray that won’t harm pets or people. A spray solution is much easier to apply than to rid your garden of weeds by hand.
Carefully plan your garden first. This way, when the sprouts start shooting up, you can recall where you planted each plant. You might end up losing small plants in a large area, because you did not water them.
Divide irises. You can divide those overgrown clumps and increase the amount of irises you have. When the foliage has died off, it is time to harvest the iris bulbs. If you split the bulbs that you pull up, and replant them, they will bloom the following year. Rhizomes may need to be divided by using a knife. Cut new pieces from the outside and discard the old center. At the least, each piece will need to have one strong offshoot. Plant immediately.
If you want a sustainable garden, leave part of it undisturbed as a home for the wildlife in the area. As the natural wildlife begins to flourish, the various insects, birds, and other natural life around will all blend together and actually assist your garden as it begins to grow.
Have some plastic bags on hand that you can put over your horticulture shoes if they are muddy. This way, you won’t break momentum by fussing with your shoes, and you’ll be quickly back in the garden to finish your work.
Make sure you consider adequate spacing when planting your garden, so that each plant is given room enough to grow and flourish. People often underestimate how much space plants will need when once they’re grown. You will need to provide this space to provide ample room and because you need air circulating to your garden. Plant the plants appropriately when it comes to spacing the seeds.
Don’t let your organic gardening tasks stack up for very long. 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. For example, while your canine is outside going to the toilet, take the time to pull out a few weeds.
Do you want to kill weeds in a natural way? Layer sheets of newspaper on the surface of areas where you are trying to control weeds. Weeds can only grow when there is adequate sunlight. By covering them with a layer of newspaper, you are essentially suffocating the weeds due to a lack of light. The paper will break down quickly and cleanly, adding to your compost. Put mulch over top to increase the attractiveness of the pile.
You possess the products, tools and skills to use these tips to better your garden. You’ve come to the right place! As with most things, organic gardening requires that you never stop learning to improve your craft. Take the tips from above to boost your knowledge arsenal about organic horticulture. You may have even found something new to employ in your own organic garden.