Most people have heard about or seen organic foods. It is typically easy to identify organic products. These foods are not packaged the same and tend to cost much more. Keep reading for a variety of tips and tricks for maintaining an organic garden.
Sod should be laid properly. Before you use sod, you need to prepare the soil. Remove weeds and break your soil until all the clumps are gone. Next, you want to make the soil compacted by applying light but firm pressure. Make sure the soil creates a flat surface. You then will want to thoroughly wet the soil. The optimum layout of sod rows is to stagger them with offset joints. Tamp down the sod so it has a flat and even surface, then using some extra soil, fill the gaps between. Water the sod everyday for the first two weeks until the roots grow enough.
A garden needs the right type of soil to grow properly. You can get a soil analysis, and if you find your soil needs a supplement, do it! A lot of cooperative extension offices can provide this service to you and it is worth knowing what you need to do in order to avoid ruining your plants.
Mix the grounds of coffee in soil that has a lot of alkaline. This is an easy and inexpensive method to increase the acidity of your soil. The right soil will make your vegetables taste better and make your flowers more vibrant and aromatic.
Shelter your deciduous shrubs. Shrubs in pots especially need special care in the colder weather. Tie the tops of the canes together; then take a sheet and cover the wigwam loosely. Using fabric, rather than plastic, allows air circulation and prevents rotting from moisture build up.
Irises can be easily divided. If you split up clumps of them, you will eventually have more of this flower. Uproot bulbous irises if the flowers have wilted. As soon as you pick up the bulb, it’ll split into pieces. That’s okay – in fact, it’s desirable. You can replant the bulb pieces and next year you’ll have a healthy bed of new irises. Use a knife to carefully divide rhizomes. Discard the center and cut pieces from the exterior. Each piece needs one strong offshoot. All that is left to do is immediately replant the pieces you have created and let the cycle begin anew.
Using natural materials in the garden will keep pests away. A border of marigolds or onions around your veggies can prevent slugs. Insect pests will stay away from seedlings and trees if you use wood ash around the base as a mulch. These are proven methods without having to use harsh chemical pesticides.
You should start pea seedlings indoors instead of planting them outside right at the start. If you give them a chance to grow indoors where they are protected, they will germinate better. They will also be stronger, and better equipped to resist disease and insects. Transplant them outside when they are fully established and able to thrive.
To make the most of your time in the garden, you should store all of your tools and implements in a close, accessible location. Use a large bucket, or wear rugged pants with several pockets. You should always have your gloves, pruning shears and a trowel close to you.
When you are working in your garden, you will want to have all of your tools in a convenient location. Don’t waste thirty minutes looking around for a tool. You can prepare what you need beforehand, keep it all handy in a toolbox or a shed, and you will be ready to work in your garden at a moment’s notice. Wear pants with several pockets or use a tool belt.
Get more value out of 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. Get low moisture plants for your garden and yard that are suited for your environment.
Try not to let the chores associated to your organic garden build up. Sometimes it might prove difficult to get in a little gardening time every day. However, you shouldn’t fret, as there are a few things you can do that can minimize the time you spend horticulture when you do manage to get to it. You can pull a few weeds when you take your dog outside.
It is a good idea to get organic garden certification so as to reaffirm your claims that your products really are organic. This attracts customers who are willing to drive a little farther and pay a little more for products that are safe and healthy.
Each year, you should rotate the plants in your garden. Planting the same type of plant in the same area of your garden each year can cause disease or encourage fungus growth. These diseases can build up in the soil, reinfecting your plants the next year. Different plants have different immunities and vulnerabilities. Changing what you plant where will naturally stave off fungus and disease.
It’s time to plant some organic garlic. Plant individual cloves of garlic in the early spring or fall in moist, well-drained soil. Place them about one to two inches deep in the soil, pointed end up, and four inches apart. The green shoots can be used as they grow. Use them in place of scallions or chives. The bulbs of the garlic are ready for harvesting when the very tops of them begin to brown. To harden the garlic’s skin after picking, dry the it in the sunlight for a few days. Store the cloves in a cool area. They can be tied or left loose.
Growing your garden at home might not be the most convenient thing for you, but you will save a lot of money and always have the confidence that what you’re eating and feeding your family is as fresh and as healthy as possible. Use the tips you’ve learned here and get started on your garden today.