Horticulture is a centuries-old pastime loved by many people. You can do it for pleasure, or for feeding a family. If you want to learn more about gardening, then this is the article for you!
Plants will respond with maximum growth if they have the amount of CO2 they require. Most plants grow better in higher levels of CO2. A greenhouse is the best way to create an environment rich in CO2. Plants grown in a greenhouse tend to be more lush and healthier due to the improved growing environment.
Soak your seeds in a dark spot during the overnight hours. Put some seeds (a small amount) in a container that isn’t too large for the plant you’ll be growing. Fill that container with water, almost to the top. This way, your seeds are well-hydrated and can start growing with a head start. The seeds will now have a greater chance of maturing and surviving.
Split up your irises. Overgrown clumps of irises can be divided up to increase your numbers of this lovely flower. You can do this by simply picking up bulbous irises once the foliage has withered. The bulbs split in your hand, then you replant them, and they will most likely flower next year. Use a knife to divide the rhizomes. You can split the Rhizomes production by cutting off thin portions from the exterior and discarding the remaining insides. Every piece is suppose to have at least one durable offshoot. All that is left to do is immediately replant the pieces you have created and let the cycle begin anew.
Fertilizer is important when you garden. If you decide to use manure, which is great for your plants, choose a pathogen free commercial product. Although there are plenty of fertilizer choices, don’t be concerned with which one you use; just be sure to use one.
If you are just starting out, follow all the guidelines and rules on your chemicals and tools. Some of the chemicals in these products can cause skin irritation, or worse, if you fail to take this simple precaution. Keep yourself safe by carefully following all instructions.
Consider planting evergreens in your garden that produce berries. This gives your garden a bit of a “splash” of color, even in winter when everything is nearly colorless. A few of the most vivid plants in winter are American Holly, Winterberry, Snowberry and Cranberrybush.
Controlling pests can be quite challenging when trying to grow a healthy, hardy vegetable garden. Don’t spray any harsh chemicals on your vegetables because you will be eating them later on. Remain vigilant to control your garden pests. When you see bugs, remove them by hand before they have a chance of spreading.
Don’t use pesticides that aren’t meant to kill specific types of garden pests. Besides killing the insects you don’t want, this type of pesticide will also kill beneficial insects. These helpful bugs are usually more sensitive to the chemicals than the pests, so if you find yourself in a situation where the good bugs are dying out, you can expect the pest problem to grow. This will cause a cycle to start where you will need to keep increasing the amount of pesticide you are using.
To attract insects that will benefit your garden, plant heather. Bees love heather, and when the heather blooms in early spring, it provides a good nectar source for them. Heather beds are typically left untouched, which is why helpful little critters like ground beetles and spiders call them home. If you do have to tend to your heather, wear gloves in case you accidentally annoy one of the residents!
Get added value from your property. Landscaping can make the value of your property go up. Some plants can even raise your home value about 20%. Different plants thrive in different environments, so be sure to invest in plants that are low in moisture, and will flourish in your garden.
Laundry Basket
When you want to harvest the produce in your organic garden, always have an old laundry basket to hand. The basket strains the produce as well as stores it while you are going through your garden. Rinse off your produce while it’s in the laundry basket, and any excess water will be strained out through the basket’s holes.
Try using a beer trap to naturally eradicate slugs from your organic garden. Bury a jar in the garden with it’s mouth open and level to the ground. Next, add beer to the jar until it’s about nearly full, with somewhere around an inch of space remaining. Slugs will crawl into the jar to get the beer and not be able to get out again.
As previously discussed, horticulture has been a source of enjoyment for centuries. Long ago, gardening was a necessary way of life. Nowadays, it may be for pleasure, profit, or need. Read on to find tips and tricks to help you turn horticulture from a chore to a joy. Start horticulture today, and you will soon be enjoying the fruits of your labor!