If you want to improve your diet, you may want to get into organic horticulture. You will have to put in some time and energy to be successful in this venture, however. Perhaps you are unsure of the benefits of organic horticulture, or you are unsure how to get your garden started.
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 enables you to close gaps between planting cycles. Your seedlings will be ready to be planted when you remove your old mature plants.
Use slug-proof varieties of perennials wherever possible. Your plants can be destroyed by slugs and snails overnight. These pests gravitate to young perennials with smooth, tender, thin leaves. Some varieties of perennials are not preferred by snails and slugs, particularly perennials that have hairy, tough leaves or a taste that isn’t appetizing. These varieties include achillea, helleborus, heuchera, euphorbia, and campanula.
Cover the fences and walls with climbers. Plants that climb are extraordinarily versatile, and can help hide an unsightly wall or fence, usually within one season. They can cover an arbor, or grow through trees and shrubs. Some require a support, while other climbers attach to surfaces using twining stems or tendrils. If you’re looking for the most reliable varieties available, choose from clematis, wisteria, and climbing roses.
Remember to remove weeds from the garden. Weeds can truly ruin a good garden. A great way to get rid of them is to use white vinegar. White vinegar will kill those pesky weeds. A spray solution is much easier to apply than to rid your garden of weeds by hand.
If you would like to have flowers in your garden that last through the spring and summer seasons, plant bulbs. Most bulbs are hardy and require little to no care in order to develop into beautiful perennials that will reappear each and every year. You can select bulbs that bloom at many different times, so with a little work, you could have flowers popping up all the way from the start of spring to the end of summer.
Do not mow your lawn too short. If you leave some of the grass when you mow, the roots grow further into the ground, which makes the grass less prone to drying and other hazards. Short grass leads to more shallow roots and will result in more brown, dried-out patches.
Many people delight in the taste of fresh mint leaves, but become frustrated when the plant spreads wildly. You can stunt the growth of mint by planting it inside a container or super-sized bowl. Then, you can plant the container into the ground. However, the container walls will keep the roots held, and prevent the plant from consuming too much of your garden space.
Place at least an inch of mulch that is organic in with your veggies! Mulch keeps soil moist for longer periods of time. It will also prevent weeds from sprouting. You’ll save a ton of time if you don’t have to constantly pull out weeds.
Another way to help them grow is by watering them with the liquid that is left from 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 fungus is ravaging your potted plants, sprinkle a bit of Chamomile tea on them, and see if it helps.
Sensibly water your garden. Soaker hoses save time by watering all of your plants at once, rather than individually with a standard hose or watering can. Use low water pressure for your hose so that you do not cause harm to the tender members of your garden. This allows you to leave the hose running as you go about your business.
Spray fragrances such as old perfume or aftershave on grass around your garden to help keep your dog away from the plants. This will help to cover the scents that are attracting the dog, and make it less of an appealing place for your dog to be.
Get your children interested in helping with your organic garden. Horticulture helps your children learn about biological processes and serves as a social activity that helps the family grow closer while eating healthier.
If you are a fan of organic, sustainable horticulture methods, consider leaving part of your backyard untouched so that natural plants and wildlife can flourish in the area. You will then find that the wildlife that can help you create a garden that can flourish become present; from birds to insects, they’ll be around your garden and help your produce grow better.
As you are aware now, there is homework to be done and energy to be expended in setting up a real organic garden. It is also true that in order to see results, that you have to keep at it. If you apply the tips you have just read, you should be able to grow healthy plants.