coffee grounds

Organic Horticulture Tips For Gardeners Of Any Level

~ craigb

TIP! Cover any wall or fence with climbers. Plants that grow as climbers are quite versatile, helping you hide ugly walls or fences, many times within only one season of growth.

In the world of organic gardening, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced organic gardeners alike. There are many e-guides, books, videos, and other resources available. This set of tips contains some of the best advice for helping a good organic gardener become a great organic gardener.

TIP! Grow some wheat grass or catnip for your cat to eat instead. It may also work to add citrus peelings or mothballs to the soil of the plants, because the odor is unpleasant to cats.

When laying sod, it is important that you do it correctly. Get your soil ready before you lay your sod. Be sure to get rid of any weeds, and then proceed to break up the soil to get it ready to use. Make sure your soil is flat and compacted. Dampen the soil completely. Sod must be arranged in staggered rows; each joint should offset one another. You want the sod to end up as a flat and even surface. If there are any gaps in between the sod pieces, then you can fill these in with some soil. Water your sod daily for a fortnight, which is enough time for it to root and be able to withstand foot traffic.

TIP! When planting anything, think about planting for color so that you have something to enjoy in the fall. That idea is actually far from the truth.

Cover fences and walls with climbing plants. They can be used to cover up unsightly fences or walls. Often, they can grow enough to cover up an eyesore in one season. They can cover an arbor, or grow through trees and shrubs. Some varieties of these plants will have to be tethered to some sort of support, but other varieties will be able to attach to the medium they are climbing. If you’re looking for the most reliable varieties available, choose from clematis, wisteria, and climbing roses.

Transplanting plants and bringing them indoors can protect them from harsh winters. Perhaps save the most resistant or expensive plants. Dig around roots carefully before transferring to a pot.

TIP! Keep the temperature in your home between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, if you are keeping or growing any kind of plant in your house. They need this type of warm temperature in order to grow.

Be sure to weed your garden. Weeds can kill a precious garden. 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. Mix white vinegar and water into a spray bottle instead of pulling the weeds by hand.

TIP! Organic indoor plants may need additional light sources to make up for the light they miss out on by being indoors. This needs to be considered.

Do not cut your grass too short. By leaving your grass a little higher off the ground, it give the roots a chance to grow deep into the soil which makes the lawn stronger, and that helps keep it from drying out. If you keep your lawn too short, the roots will not go deep enough to survive in case of a heat wave.

TIP! You should utilize around three inches of mulch that is organic in your flower beds. This fights weeds, retains moisture, and gives your garden valuable nutrients.

Try to keep your plants aerated and dry, every day. If you have excess moisture, this can attract bugs or diseases. Fungi is the most common parasite for plants. Fungicidal spray treatments can contain fungi, but spraying prior to problems even developing in the first place is the best way to go about it.

Beneficial Bugs

TIP! Don’t let the chores for your organic garden pile up. If you can’t get out in your garden every day, there are still a number of things you can do to keep things from falling into disarray during your absence.

Make sure your pesticides are focused on only what you’re trying to kill. These strong pesticides are non-selective, killing beneficial insects as well as pests. Beneficial bugs usually have more sensitivity towards pesticides than bad ones. Therefore, if the number of beneficial bugs drops, the problem with pests can get bigger. Your problem will only get worse and you will find yourself using more pesticides.

TIP! If you’d like to create a raised bed, use materials like brick, stone, or untreated wood. Make sure the wood you use is untreated and rot resistant.

Try using aspirin water for fighting plant diseases. One and a half aspirin, dissolved in two gallons of water, can be a great addition to your plants. Simply spray your plants with the mixture, and this will help them fend off various diseases. You should spray your plants about once every three weeks.

TIP! Take the season and weather conditions into account when determining how much water to give your plants. The amount of water a plant needs depends on the soil type, time of day and the water’s quality.

If sustainability and organic gardening are appealing to you, leave a portion of the property you own undeveloped to give wildlife a place to thrive. 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.

TIP! Grow some garlic that is organic. Plant individual cloves of garlic in the early spring or fall in moist, well-drained soil.

Keep your plants in a warm, moist environment, if possible. Plants require a warmer climate to grow. You can also buy a heat lamp to maintain ideal conditions for your inside plants during the winter.

TIP! To get your garden off to a great start check below the surface! Tomato seedlings with green starts and poor root systems are something to watch out for. Look carefully at these before purchasing them for your garden.

Plastic bags are great to cover gardening shoes when they get muddy. You’ll be able to keep your momentum going without needing to take off your shoes, and stay on track with your gardening project.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Know what you’d specifically like to grow within your organic garden. Many garden plants come in a wide range of varieties, and these varieties can often have quite different care requirements.

Use coffee grounds on your soil. Coffee grounds are full of nitrogenous nutrients that growing plants need. A strong nitrogen source in your garden area is a wonderful way to have healthy and strong plants.

TIP! Keep the soil healthy for optimum plant health so they can combat disease, and even destruction caused by insects. Though insects may still be in the garden, they will be unable to destroy the plants.

Use equal parts of green and dried plant material in your compost pile. Your green material can be made up of produce waste, used floral arrangements, lawn cuttings, leaves, and other yard waste. Examples of dried plant material are sawdust, shredded paper, straw, cut-up woody material, and cardboard. Materials to avoid during composting include diseased plants, meat, ashes and charcoal.

TIP! Remember to buy plants for your organic garden in an intelligent manner. Keep this in mind when you are purchasing annuals, biennials, and perennials.

While it’s harder to grow organically than chemically, the rewards are much better. Chemical giants claim miracles, but those miracle crops come at a price to whoever eats the produce.

TIP! You can keep bugs out of your organic garden by planting garlic in different areas. Garlic plants emit a smell that many pests do not like.

Add mulch to keep your soil healthy. A layer of mulch can protect the soil beneath. It helps keep your soil cooler on warmer days, which protects the roots underneath. The layer of mulch will also minimize evaporation, reducing your need to water as frequently as you would a garden without mulch. This also helps control the weeds.

TIP! Rainwater should be saved. It’s a great way to supply water to your organic garden.

Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, you know exactly what it takes to create an organic garden. There is a ton of info out there when you know the right places to look, and your job is to take that information to apply it to your gardening. Using this advice, you will find the best way to create your dream organic garden.

Build A Beautiful Organic Garden With These Ideas

~ craigb

TIP! A handy trick is to turn the handle on a tool that you use often into a makeshift ruler. Tools with substantial handles, like rakes, hoes and large shovels are great for taking measurements.

A lot of people are becoming more aware of the chemicals that are put in our everyday produce and how this can harm them, this is why they decide to grow organically. Another benefit of organic horticulture is that it is relatively inexpensive. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find some suggestions that will help you make the most of your garden.

TIP! Your soil needs to be of good quality before you start a garden. You can do a soil sample analysis for an affordable fee and then know what you need to properly treat your soil with so you can grow the best plants.

Plants that climb can hide fences and walls. Climbing plants are great for hiding hideous fences and walls, and they usually grow within a season. They can be trained to grow over an arbor, or through trees and shrubs that are already in the garden. There are natural climbers, which use tendrils or stems to wrap around any given surface, while others must be tied with a string or rope. Trusted variations of climbers are honeysuckle, jasmine, clematis, wisteria and climbing roses.

TIP! Make sure to be weary of stink bugs whenever you garden, particularly during the fall months. These destructive pests enjoy many kinds of fruit, as well as beans, peppers and tomatoes.

It is important to choose the right type of soil if you want to achieve the best results. Depending on what kind of plants you want in your garden, the soil might or might not be adapted. You can simply use one type of soil to make an artificial area.

Soil Analysis

TIP! Your plants need to be kept dry, but sill receiving a good amount of air. If your plants are moist, this can attract disease and parasites.

Do a soil analysis prior to planting. You can get a soil analysis, and if you find your soil needs a supplement, do 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.

TIP! Don’t forget to use a good fertilizer in your garden. Choose commercial compost instead of homegrown manure to keep toxins out of your plants.

Be diligent in your efforts to banishing weeds! Weeds can truly ruin a good garden. White vinegar is a pesticide-free way to battle weeds. White vinegar can not only kill the weeds, it’s also a non-toxic spray that won’t harm pets or people. If you are too busy to pull weeds by hand, make a white vinegar solution and keep it handy for a quick spray when needed.

TIP! Keep your tools handy to work more efficiently. Large pockets or a sturdy bucket can be used to store tools.

Garden vegetables should be planted in areas of the ground that receive a minimum of six hours of daily sunlight. Most vegetables that can be grown need that much sun to grow well and quickly. This is true of some flowers.

TIP! 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.

Before you plant a garden you should plan it out. This will assist you in recognizing your tiny plants when they start to pop up. You are also less likely to lose smaller members of the larger garden in the overall mix.

TIP! When composting lawn clippings, leaves, and other materials, it is best to add the same amount of green, freshly-cut material as you do dried material. Grass clippings, vegetable and fruit leftovers, and grass clippings are all examples of green plant material.

Take the time to spread around five centimeters of organic mulch near your vegetable plants. Mulch keeps soil moist for longer periods of time. It will also dramatically decrease weed growth. You will save time by not pulling weeds.

TIP! For perennials, you can quickly get a plot developed in a short amount of time. Cut beneath the turf using a spade, then flip it over.

Try pouring water leftover from steamed vegetables onto your potted plants. It contains rich nutrients that come from the vegetables. You can also acidify soil for rhododendrons, gardenias and more by using coffee or tea grounds. If fungus is an issue, Chamomile tea sprinkled on the plant may be effective.

TIP! When you water your organic garden, choose a soaker hose for the best results. Because the water in these hoses seeps out slowly, it goes directly to the roots of the places and leaves the leaves dry.

Broad-spectrum pesticides should be avoided in your garden. Besides killing the insects you don’t want, this type of pesticide will also kill beneficial insects. Since these pesticides often affect the good bugs more than the bad, using them can actually increase your pest problem. As a result, gardeners often have to resort to using more toxic pesticides to get rid of garden pests.

TIP! Cultivating a truly organic garden requires you to pay careful attention to the things that you use to maintain it. Always look into natural solutions before turning to chemicals.

Use a plant for a focal point. Gardens are like art; you need to give the piece (or garden) an initial focal point. Focal points in gardens are normally a plant specimen that no one else in the neighborhood has in their landscape.

TIP! You’re probably aware that compost is very beneficial to organic gardens, but are you aware of what goes into it? It is a mixture or combination of leaves, grass clippings, wood-chips, produce scraps, straw, and some small twigs that had the chance to break down into a “pseudo-soil.” This nutrient-rich mixture is preferable to commercial fertilizer.

Be careful how you water your garden. Instead of watering each individual plant with a can or hose, utilize a soaker hose, which can water all the plants at once. Avoid damage to new plantings by keeping the water on low to move the water slowly through the soaker. Let it water your garden for a few hours, so you’re available to do other stuff.

TIP! Plant high-value crops in your garden. Value is subjective and will vary from person to person.

Vegetables get softer as the temperature goes up, so you could damage your vegetables if you pick them during the hottest hours. Vegetables and fruits should always be cut from the vine, not twisted; twisting subjects a plant to needless stress.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Using a good amount of mulch is a wonderful method to conserve water in your garden at home. Adding additional mulch means your plants will require less water.

Coffee grounds are a good addition to your soil. Coffee grounds will add nitrogen to your soil which will make them helpful for some of your plants. Coffee grounds as a source of nitrogen for plants are usually limited to acid-loving plants because coffee is acidic. Generally, nitrogen is the limiting nutrient with any plant and having a good nitrogen source either by coffee grounds, compost, or even diluted urea, will make your plants bloom faster and grow taller.

TIP! Be an ecological friendly gardener and use rainwater for your plants. Collect rainwater in a container, it can help you save money on your bill! Bear in mind this tip to have a chemical-free garden while saving money.

Do you want to know how to kill weeds in a natural way? Try using several newspaper layers to control weeds. Without light, there can be no weeds. They will suffocate and die if you cover them with newpapers. The paper will break down quickly and cleanly, adding to your compost. Put mulch over top to increase the attractiveness of the pile.

TIP! Some houseplants may need humidity. A quick way to achieve the humidity you need is to group together different plants in a single pot.

It is a great idea to help your garden by ruffling seedlings, either with cardboard or with your own hands, a couple of times each day. This will sound a bit strange. However, it has been proven to cause plants to grow larger.

TIP! Try using chicken tractors to fertilize your garden area. Chicken tractors are mobile chicken coops that include an open floor beneath a covered living area.

Utilize the advice provided here, and you will soon be on your way to having a flourishing organic garden that is both healthy and free of pollutants. You can also look forward to a rise in the number of wild visitors you receive in your garden.

Use These Ideas To Build A Pesticide Free Organic Garden

~ craigb

TIP! To prevent shocking your plants, you must gradually introduce new temperatures and other conditions to them. On the first day, place them in the sun outside for only an hour or so.

There is no time like the present for taking up a new hobby, and gardening can be very rewarding. If you are wondering what you need to do and how to get started, you can find out in this article. The following article includes a series of tips that will place you in a much better position for starting your project.

Clay Soil

TIP! Be diligent in your efforts to banishing weeds! Those nasty weeds can turn your beautiful garden into a scruffy version of its former self. White vinegar is a pesticide-free way to battle weeds.

Clay soil makes working with a shovel difficult. The clay is hard and sticks to the shovel. Rub a thin layer of floor or car wax over the surface of the shovel, and then buff the surface using a clean cloth. This will make shoveling in clay soil easier. By waxing the shovel head, the clay will not be able to adhere to the surface.

TIP! Boiling away unwanted weeds is an odd, but productive method used in many gardens. Any vessel of boiling water that you can carry safely can be used as an organic herbicide.

Transform your gardening tool handles into clever measurement rulers. You can use larger tools, like rakes, as measuring sticks. Just lay your tool down on the floor then lay a yardstick beside the handle. Label the distances using a permanent marker. Now, the next time you do work in the garden, you’ll actually have a ruler at your fingertips.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! A good fertilizer is important to add nutrients to your soil. Use commercially composted products in your garden to help your plants grow.

If you discover that your soil is very alkaline, take used coffee grounds and mix them thoroughly with your soil. Coffee grounds contain plenty of acid to get the soil back to a good balance. Balanced soil will produce more flavorful, crisp vegetables and greens.

TIP! Use natural pest control when possible. Onions and marigolds can get rid of pests in the garden.

Make a landscaping plan before you dig your first hole. This will assist you in recognizing your tiny plants when they start to pop up. You can also avoid losing the smaller plants, or in larger gardens, the small plant groups.

TIP! Your garden can really benefit from evergreens featuring berries. They will provide a splash of color in the drab and dreary winter months when a lot of other plants have lost their colors.

Separate irises. If you split up clumps of them, you will eventually have more of this flower. If you notice a dead foliage, lift the bulb. You will be able to split the bulb easily and replant it to get more flowers next year. Rhizomes, however, need to be divided by using a horticulture knife. Cut healthy pieces from the root stalk and throw out the dead center. There needs to be a minimum of one healthy offshoot on each of the new sprout sections. Replant them immediately.

TIP! Use a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool when you’re working in your garden. Using a large portion of your time near or on the ground working on your garden puts a huge strain on your knees; therefore, having a portable, lightweight garden stool will greatly assist you in making gardening easier on them.

In order to rid your garden of pests, take advantage of plant materials and other organic matter. Planting marigolds or onions around the border of your vegetable garden will help repel slugs. You can also mulch around trees and shrubs with wood ash, which drives away insects. You can avoid using pesticides that contain harsh chemicals if you employ these techniques.

TIP! When tending a vegetable garden, you might find that pest control is a bit difficult. Do not spray harsh chemicals on the vegetables you are going to eat.

Horticulture is an incredible method of relaxing. There are a variety of ways to find peace and relaxation on a personal level. Horticulture on a sunday afternoon is a simple method of making this happen. Gardening does not require a lot of dollars to start, and yields tremendous benefits. The biggest perk of horticulture is the sense of satisfaction you get from what you grow with your own two hands.

TIP! In the middle of the day the vegetables have softened, which means they are easily damaged. Cut vegetables off at the vine, and don’t twist them off, as this could hurt the plant.

To keep dogs from disturbing your garden, spray some old aftershave, cologne, perfume or other strongly-scented products in the dirt or grass surrounding it. Your dog will be less attracted to your garden when these scents overpower compost scents and other smells dogs like.

When you are organic gardening, ask your children to lend a hand. A garden can teach your children about the joy of rewarding work and nutrition while bonding.

TIP! Protecting your knees while you are gardening is very important. Bending over while gardening can be painful and unhealthy for your back.

Paying attention to spacing is important. It is easy to underestimate the amount of space that the plants will take up once they start to grow. You will also need to ensure that you allow ample space around full-grown plants for air circulation. Try to plan your garden and place sufficient distance in between your seedlings.

TIP! Do not overlook the benefits of pine mulch for your garden. There are some plants that thrive in acidic soil.

Do not let your gardening chores add up. Sometimes it might prove difficult to get in a little horticulture 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.

TIP! Use an old laundry basket to collect your produce. The laundry basket will function as a makeshift strainer for the fruits and vegetables.

When planting seeds, you should bury them three times as deep as their actual size. You should know that certain seeds need not be covered, because they need the sunlight. Ageratum and petunias are two examples of seeds that should not be planted deeply. If you’re not sure if your seeds need sunlight, you can find out online or through the seeds’ package.

TIP! A great tip when running your own organic garden, is to lightly ruffle your seedlings with your hand or cardboard, around once or twice per day. That may sound like a silly thing to do, but it’s been proven to help plants grow larger than they would otherwise.

A useful technique for organic gardening, is to gently disturb your seedlings by using your fingers or a piece of cardboard one or two times daily. While it seems a little odd, it has been reported that this can encourage plant growth.

Organic Horticulture

TIP! Plant trees so they can shade your home. Since tree shade cools your home naturally, it’ll cut back on your energy consumption and lower your electric bill.

Although organic horticulture is often much harder than using chemicals, the reward is much greater. While the chemical companies claim great benefits, organic horticulture will always provide the most rewarding and healthy crops.

TIP! Maintaining your own compost pile is an excellent way to ensure a constant supply of fertilizer. An easy way to start creating compost is to start a small worm bin for composting.

When you water too much, then you can actually harm your plants due to the fact that the roots can’t get the nutrients they need. Before watering plants outdoors, check with some weather stations to find out if it will rain anytime during the day. Skip watering your plants for a couple of days if a heavy rainstorm has descended; natural rainwater can be particularly good for your plants as well.

TIP! Increase the amount of mulch you use in your garden to conserve water. The more mulch you use, the less you need to water the plants.

After reading this article, you should be on the right path to having your own garden. You may have thought you were already set to start, but you’re in an even better place now! Apply the tips and ideas you have just read about to create the garden of your dreams.

Get A Better Garden With These Sensible Gardening Tips!

~ craigb

TIP! Do not improperly lay your new sod. Get your soil ready before you lay the sod.

People have many different reasons for considering an organic gardening approach. For example, some people appreciate the health benefits but are unsure about what equipment and tools are needed to get started. There are a multitude of seeds and starter plants available. Below you’ll find some great tips to make sure you get the most out of your organic garden.

TIP! Grow wheat or cat grass in the area around the plants that your cat is eating. You can also put something on top of the soil around the plants that has an offensive smell to cats, such as mothballs or citrus peel.

Try planting seeds in pots, and then transferring the seedlings to your garden. This can give your seedlings the advantage they need to survive and reach adulthood. The period between plantings will also be shorter. As soon as the mature plants are removed, you can replace them with fresh seedlings.

Flower Beds

TIP! Prior to planting your garden, devise a plan. It will be a while before things start to sprout and visually remind you of what was planted where, so a written record can be helpful.

Use annuals and biennials to enliven your flower beds. These types of flowers grow at high speed, which gives you more flexibility in changing the look of your flower beds as the seasons change. In addition, you might need something to fill empty spaces in your flower garden. Fill gaps with annuals or biennials. Just make sure the flowers will get enough sun to thrive. The most popular varieties to use include petunia, zinnia, cosmos, snapdragon, marigold, hollyhock, and sunflower.

TIP! If you are looking for an all-natural, organic way to weed your garden, consider “boiling off” the weeds. A pot of very hot water is one of the most effective ways you can get rid of the weeds in your garden.

Stink bugs can damage your garden, especially if you garden in the fall. Stink bugs like to eat beans, peppers, tomatoes, and all sorts of fruit. If left uncontrolled, they can cause substantial damage in your garden, so make plans for how to protect your plants from these pests.

TIP! Split up your irises. Splitting up overgrown groups of irises will allow you to easily increase the number of irises in your garden.

Don’t mow your grass too short. If you leave more height to your grass, the roots will grow deeper into the soil, making the lawn stronger and more resistant to drying out. Short grass leads to more shallow roots and will result in more brown, dried-out patches.

Knee Pads

TIP! If you’re working to build a sustainable organic garden, try leaving a portion of your garden untouched so that the wildlife will be able to thrive. You will see many of the birds and insects that are present will assist in pollination and plant production, helping to create a much better garden.

If your plants do not grown very tall, try buying some knee pads used for gardening. The amount of time that you spend gardening on your knees can make your knees hurt by the time you are done. With good knee pads, you can stay in the garden longer, and more comfortably.

TIP! You’ll save time and energy if you keep tools nearby while working in your garden. Carry a large bucket with you or wear pants with a lot of pockets.

Try planting berry-bearing evergreens in your yard. These help to give your garden nice looking color, even during winter when most vegetation is colorless. These plants come in several different varieties, including the Winterberry, American Holly, Cranberrybush, and Common Snowberry.

TIP! Try to work in your garden at least a short time each day. While you may not be able to spend a lot of time every day in your garden, even little items done daily will stop the mountain of work from growing.

Use a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool when you’re working in your garden. It’s rough on your knees to spend lots of time on the ground kneeling or squatting. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a portable, lightweight garden stool on hand. Horticulture also usually requires that you transport heavy loads, such as dirt or mulch, and a wheelbarrow will make this much easier to do.

TIP! You can make a raised bed with untreated wood, brick, or stone. If you use wood, be sure that it is untreated and naturally rot resistant.

You should teach your children how to garden alongside you. A garden can provide a wonderful learning experience for children, and will give you an opportunity to bond with them while you produce healthy food.

TIP! Any form of gardening helps you get in tune with the environment, but organic gardening takes this concept to the next level. When you do this type of gardening, you will start to have a good idea of the whole process of planting from start to finish.

When horticulture, remember to take care of your knees! Many people experience back pain and stiffness from bending over and working in the garden for extended amounts of time. Kneeling is a preferred way to get to your plants while minimizing back pain. Use a pad to kneel upon and protect your knees from possible pain.

TIP! With just a small amount of steps, you can add a new garden just for any of your perennials. Simply use a spade to cut under the ground where you want to place your garden, flip it over and cover with wood chips.

If you want to start a small organic garden indoors, evaluate the amount of natural light that is present. If you’re living in a home that doesn’t receive much sunlight, you should consider growing plants that thrive in environments with low to medium amounts of light. You can also try using artificial lighting to help.

TIP! While gardening, be careful of what products you use. Try using organic substitutes for the typical chemical fertilizers.

You can cover your muddied gardening footware easily by keeping plastic bags around. You’ll be able to keep your momentum going without needing to take off your shoes, and stay on track with your horticulture project.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Making compost is a wonderful way to get fertilizer for the garden. A fun way to do this is to begin a small worm composting bin.

Coffee grounds are a good addition to your soil. Coffee grounds contain many of the essential nitrogenous nutrients that plants are able to use. Usually, nitrogen is limited with a plant, but using coffee grounds, diluted urea, or compost can make your plants grow faster and taller.

TIP! When you maintain your organic garden during winter, use materials from home to make a tent. First, a pole of some sort should be driven into the ground at each corner of your garden.

When you plant the seeds in containers, be sure the planting’s depth is three times bigger than the seed. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Some seeds should remain uncovered because they thrive in direct sunlight. These seeds include petunias and ageratum. If you are unsure as to whether or not your seeds should be covered or not, try to read the package or find the answer online.

TIP! Bees assist with the pollination process, so they are clearly beneficial for your garden. However, there are some bees that will destroy your garden.

Some advise passing your hand gently over your newly planted seedlings each day. Believe it or not, aerating the soil in this manner can actually make your seedlings grow larger.

TIP! Dwarf fruit trees are ideal for a small garden. Urban gardens are typically small in area, but there is plenty of room for dwarf fruit trees, even if only one.

You can get rid of slugs with a simple beer trap. Bury a glass jar in your garden so that its open mouth is level with the top of the soil. Keep the jar filled with beer, up to about an inch from the top. Slugs will be attracted to the beer and fall into the jar.

TIP! Use a calendar to plan out the seasons of your garden. This will tell you what you need to plant each season.

Creating a new bed for your perennials is easy. Cut under the dirt with a spade and turn it over. Next, cover the area with three to four inches of organic wood chips. In a few weeks, try cutting into your new bed and planting some perennials.

TIP! Cut some roots to make new plants. Sever the roots during the coldest months, when they’re in hibernation.

This will make organic gardening easier. Use native grass, plants and bushes. You can reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers by selecting plants that correspond to the soil you have and to the climate. Many native plants work quite well with compost composed of natural and native ingredients.

Organic Garden

TIP! Create a mixture that consists of six parts water to one part milk, and spray your garden with this solution regularly. Spraying your plants with this natural solution helps to ward off powdery mildew.

As was stated previously, growing your own organic garden can have an unbelievably positive effect on your eating habits, especially when you understand the sheer number of varying plants it is possible to grow. The tips in this article will set you on the right path to a successful organic garden, that provides healthy food for your family.

Tips On How To Maintain A Good Garden

~ craigb

TIP! Many times when digging in clay soil the clay will adhere to the shovel, which will make it much harder to dig. Rubbing wax on the shovel prior to digging can kick this challenge to the curb.

Organic gardening and holistic lifestyles go hand in hand. When you choose this form of lifestyle, then you opt for growing herbs and other things solely for beneficial reasons and you always aim for organic growing techniques. Read the following article, and get some great tips on how to grow an organic garden.

TIP! Starting seedlings in pots before planting in your garden is a smart idea. This will help the plants make it to full growth.

Plant perennials that slugs and snails won’t be interested in eating. Creatures like snails or slugs can destroy a plant in a single night. Young plants with smooth and tender leaves are their favorite. There are some perennials that do not appeal to slugs, such as those with leaves that are hairy and tough with a bad taste. These varieties include achillea, helleborus, heuchera, euphorbia, and campanula.

TIP! The kind of soil you use will influence the results. Dependent on the type of plants you are choosing for the garden, the soil may not be right for them.

Give your flower beds a boost by introducing annuals and biennials. Fast-growing annuals and biennials can brighten up a flower bed, and allow you to change the look from season to season and year to year. You can fill any spaces between shrubs and perennials when they are in the sun. Some examples include sunflowers, marigolds, petunias, hollyhocks, cosmos, and rudbeckia.

TIP! When it’s autumn, it’s time to start planting all of your fall edibles. Why not plant lettuce and kale inside a hollowed-out pumpkin? Simply carve open the top of a pumpkin so you can remove the innards, and then spray inside and out with something like Wilt-Pruf to prevent pumpkin rotting.

The first thing you should do when planning a garden is test the soil. You can actually get an analysis of soil for a little fee, and with the report you get back you can figure out how to create a vibrant garden by enriching it properly. 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.

TIP! Are you one of the millions who loves some fresh mint leaves, yet you absolutely hate the way they tend to take over any garden they are planted within? You can slow their growth rate by planting them in a garden container or large pot instead. By using a separate containment unit, you are limiting the plant’s ability to spread its roots and subsequently grow like wildfire.

Always make sure to mow your lawn to the appropriate length, always making sure that the cut is not too close. If you leave your grass a bit longer, the roots can grow deeper. This results in a lawn that is stronger and less likely to dry out. If you have short grass, you will have short roots and you will dry out your grass.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! You can attract the insects you need by planting heather. Bees are very attracted to heather.

For areas with high alkaline, mix coffee grounds into the soil. Coffee grounds add acidity to the soil and are very cheap. After doing so, you will notice that your greenery and garden will be colorful and fresh.

TIP! If you have recently sustained a cut, you should allow it to heal entirely before toiling in your garden. If you simply cannot wait to get back to gardening, you should at least cover the cut to protect it.

Divide your irises. You can create additional irises by splitting up irises that are growing into each other’s space. When the foliage dies it’s time to lift the bulbous irises out of the ground. The bulbs split in your hand, then you replant them, and they will most likely flower next year. Rhizomes, however, need to be divided by using a gardening knife. Cut out new pieces from outside the bulb and throw away the old center. There needs to be a minimum of one healthy offshoot on each of the new sprout sections. The quicker you can replant your cuttings, the better chances they will reappear next season.

TIP! When growing indoor plants, the thermostat should be set between 65-75 degrees throughout the day. In order to encourage proper growth, they will need that warmth.

Broad-spectrum pesticides should be avoided in your garden. If your pesticide has too wide a range of targets, it can kill off useful insects that fight off other pests. The helpful insects in your garden can be highly sensitive to pesticides and if their population goes down, the harmful insect population will grow. This can cause you to use an additional amount of pesticides in order to attempt to fix this problem.

TIP! Pine is a surprisingly good source of mulch. Some garden plants have a higher acidity, and prefer a more acidic soil.

When landscaping and horticulture in autumn, choose plants and trees with vibrant colors. That doesn’t have to be, however. the most colorful foliage appears in the fall. Fall trees sport a variety of colorful leaves that range from subtle yellows to rich crimsons. Cotoneaster, barberry and hydrangea can provide vibrant color if you are considering shrubs for your garden.

TIP! Lightly ruffle your seeds by hand or with cardboard, twice daily in your organic garden. That may sound like a silly thing to do, but it’s been proven to help plants grow larger than they would otherwise.

When you are horticulture out in the sun, wear the proper clothing so that you do not get any type of sun damage. This includes wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Proper protection from the sun means a lower chance of sunburn, as well as a decreased risk of skin cancer.

TIP! Though organic farming can present challenges that traditional farming with the use of chemicals does not, harvesting the crops is reward itself for the hard work. Even though the claims of the chemicals may be astounding, the organic way is always going to provide the best reward to you and whoever is eating your crops.

Your children will enjoy being involved with your organic gardening endeavors. An organic garden will help your child learn more about plants and insects, and it’s a wonderful bonding time while growing healthy produce.

TIP! Water demands from plants will depend on the season and the climate in your area. You will need to water differently depending on what time it is or what kind of soil you are using.

To be as efficient as possible in the garden, always have your tools handy. Carry a large bucket with you or wear pants with a lot of pockets. You will be much more productive if you can quickly get to your spade, pruning shears, trowel and watering can.

TIP! Grow your plants in different areas of the garden every year. When the same plants occupy a spot in your garden for many years in a row, it can lead to the development of fungi and disease.

Use several inches of organic materials for mulch in your flower beds. A thick layer of mulch will prevent weeds, reduce watering needs and fertilize your garden. You will also have a gorgeous and finished organic flower bed.

Keep plastic bags handy to cover your muddy gardening shoes. Doing this prevents lengthy work interruptions, and allows you to finish the job quickly.

TIP! You need to mulch your garden with about three inches of material that is organic. This can help you add nourishment to your soil, retain moisture and inhibit weed growth.

For claiming your crops are credible and truly organic, get organic garden certified. Having certification will increase your sales and verify to your customers that what you are selling is the best produce available.

TIP! Have biodiversity in your organic garden. The more plants you have, the more wildlife that will come.

Among the most important features of organic produce is the fact that it has not been exposed to harmful pesticides. However, although this is a much healthier alternative, it is important to check surfaces of organic fruits and vegetables thoroughly to be sure that no unwanted pests are living in or on them.

With more knowledge comes a higher level of skill and success. This article is just the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to organic horticulture information.

Horticulture Is As Simple As It Is Fun

~ craigb

TIP! Make sure to lay the sod properly. The soil requires preparation before sod can be laid.

There are sources widely available that can make horticulture easier with better information at hand. Much of the information becomes so comprehensive that it’s hard to wade through and find the information you need. To make things easier, a number of great tips have been collected together into this article. You can read them right here!

Find some plants that will give you a higher yield. In many cases, a disease-resistant or cold-tolerant hybrid will produce a higher yield than a traditional variety.

Healthy Plants

TIP! Check your soil before you begin planting your garden. You can actually get an analysis of soil for a little fee, and with the report you get back you can figure out how to create a vibrant garden by enriching it properly.

Insects and various garden pests can be avoided by making your soil healthy. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases. For healthy plants, start with healthy soil that is properly amended and free of chemicals in order to avoid salt accumulation.

TIP! Plants will respond with maximum growth if they have the amount of CO2 they require. When exposed to high levels of CO2, most types of plants will grow better.

When fall has arrived, it is time to plant the edibles for the autumn. Instead of a clay pot, show some fall spirit by using a hollow pumpkin to plant your lettuce or kale in. Once you’ve cut its top and scooped the insides out, spray the edges and inside with Wilt-Pruf to prevent rotting. After that, your pumpkin planter is ready to use!

TIP! Stinkbugs can be a nuisance in the garden. These bugs are known to be proliferate in the cooler fall months.

Try to grow some wheat or cat grass around your cat’s favorite plants. Alternatively, you can try putting mothballs, citrus peel or anything else with an odor that cats find distasteful in the soil surrounding the plants.

TIP! Pre-soak your seeds through the night in a dark area. Put some seeds in a container and fill the container to the brim with water.

If a test indicates that your soil is very alkaline, you can mix the dirt with used coffee grounds. This is a simple way to replenish your soil with acid. The greens and vegetables need the proper balance and will grow bigger and stronger with the right mix.

TIP! Make a plan for your garden. Use this to remind you where certain things were planted, later when they start sprouting.

To ensure a healthy garden, make sure you surround your plants with a few inches of good organic mulch. The mulch help keeps the soil that is around the plants much more moist for much longer. It also helps prevent weeds from growing. This could save you lots of weed-pulling time.

TIP! If you want to effectively weed out young plants, you can try “boiling” away the weeds. Boiling water is an excellent, organic substance for use against weeds.

If you have a vegetable garden, one of your main enemies is garden pests. You can’t use chemicals as they’re the last thing you want to be eating when you enjoy the fruits of your labor. Staying on top of the problem will ensure that pests don’t take over your garden. When pests are noticed early, the best way to get rid of them is to remove then from the plants by hand.

TIP! The water that is leftover from the steamed vegetables is great to pour over them. Tea and coffee grounds can also serve as acidifiers in the soil of your gardenias or rhododendrons.

Use horticulture as a way to relax and recuperate. Many hobbies can help you to relax and attain inner peace. Horticulture is easily one of the most relaxing and gratifying ways to spend your extra time. It requires a small monetary investment and has numerous returns. Great satisfaction will come from raising produce and flowers in your own environment.

TIP! Before you start any gardening, make sure that you do not have any open wounds on your hands. If you do, you need to wear protection from dirt and chemicals so that they do not get into your cut.

The warmth of the day can make vegetables soft, making them more prone to damage as you pick them. Cut vegetables off at the vine, and don’t twist them off, as this could hurt the plant.

TIP! Have plastic bags on hand so that you may cover your muddy gardening shoes. This way, you can get in and out quickly, and get back to work in the garden.

Try planting some heather to draw beautiful insects to your yard. Bees love heather, and it’s one of the earliest sources of nectar for the bees when they emerge during springtime. In addition, beds of heather are usually left alone. Because of this, insects that are good for your garden often make them a home, such as beetles or spiders. With this in mind make sure you wear some gloves when you are working with the heather.

TIP! If you wish to honestly proclaim your produce to be truly organic, you need to secure organic garden certification. This will result in generating more sales and creating a loyal customer base.

To create an attractive, quintessentially English garden, you need to use a mixture of different plants that all grow to varying heights in each bed. A uniform and flat bed is created by using plants that are the same height.

TIP! If you have been thinking about getting into gardening, you should first learn how to lay the foundation. To begin your bed, slice under the grass with a spade.

Take care of your knees when you’re gardening. Many people can not bend over for long periods of time while they are standing up. Kneeling is a great way to reach your plants without causing stress to your back. You can use knee pads to kneel without the pain.

TIP! Take some time to carefully plan the items to include in your organic garden. There are a variety of environments that certain vegetables and flowers thrive in to grow.

When you are working in your garden, you will want to have all of your tools in a convenient location. Do not spend half an hour looking everywhere for a tool. In addition to keeping your gardening tools in one location, you should also clean your tools after each use. You can use a tool belt, or you may want to wear pants with extra pockets.

TIP! Plant trees on your property in such a way as to maximize the amount of shade they provide your house. You will not need to run air conditioners as much; in turn, it will help you to save money with utility bills, because the trees produce shade around your home.

Don’t underestimate pine as a great mulch. There are many common acidic plants that prefer acidic soil. Use pine needles to increase the acid level in your soil if you have plants that require higher acid. Go ahead and cover the beds you have with needles a couple of inches and while they decompose, they actually disperse some acid into the soil.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Use rainwater to keep your plants well hydrated, and feel confident that you are staying friendly to the environment. A barrel or other large container works well to collect rainwater.

Using coffee grounds as part of your soil mixture in your garden is often advised for healthy plants. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. The more nitrogen you have in the soil, the greater the growth of your plants will be, so adding grounds or compost will ensure your plants grow large very quickly.

TIP! There are some foreign houseplants which require a unique humidity or odd temperature in order to thrive within our environments. You can create some humidity by grouping various plants within one pot or moving a single plant into a bigger pot and filling its gap with stones or compost.

Mulch is necessary for a healthy soil. Mulch acts as a protective shield for the soil it covers. It will keep the soil cool in the summer, which protects the roots. Since it decreases the rate at which moisture evaporates, the soil also stays more moist. Mulch is also great for controlling weed growth.

TIP! Cut some roots to make new plants. Wait until winter when the roots are dormant before cutting them.

Grow your plants in different areas of the garden every year. When you continuously plant some plants from the same family in the same area every year, disease and fungus is encouraged in these areas. These plant killing phenomena can lay dormant down in the dirt, waiting and willing to strike your next year’s plants. If you change things up on a regular basis by varying your planting locations, you take advantage of a natural methodology to avoid fungus and disease problems.

TIP! Wash your vegetables in water outside and use it in your garden. The nutrients and dirt from your vegetables can add nutrients to your garden when you do this.

You probably already know how rewarding gardening can be. The more you know about horticulture, the better your skills will get. Make sure to use any advice you are provided with. You can create a great garden by following these tips.

Help For Gardening That Anyone Can Use

~ craigb

TIP! Sod should be laid correctly. Prior to laying the sod, prepare your soil.

There are many places where you can obtain ample gardening information. You could spend all day searching sites and looking for information relevant to your own garden. Fortunately, this article provides you with hints and tips to help you start growing any type of garden. Read on for excellent information.

TIP! Soil needs to be rich in certain nutrients to grow healthy plants. The kind of plants you want in your garden should let you know what kind of soil you need to get.

Using natural materials in the garden will keep pests away. Slugs can be kept at bay with a patch of marigolds or pungent vegetables. Wood ash can be used as mulch, and if put on the base of shrub and tree seedlings, will keep insects away. Natural remedies, like the ones listed, will help reduce the need and usage of harsh chemical pesticides.

TIP! Plants need ample amounts of CO2 to reach their maximum growth. Plants will not thrive if they don’t have an adequate amount of CO2.

Make sure you read instructions on products and tools before using them. You might end up damaging your plants or getting a skin irritation. Keep yourself safe by carefully following all instructions.

TIP! Stink bugs can damage your garden, especially if you garden in the fall. Stink bugs are attracted to tomatoes, beans and most fruits.

Think about adding some berry-producing evergreens to your landscaping. They offer terrific color during the dreariest times of the year when nothing else you have planted has any hue remaining. Other winter plants include the American Holly, Winterberry, The American Cranberrybush and the Common Snowberry.

TIP! When the fall season arrives, it is time to plant your fall edibles. This time, use a pumpkin for the container for your lettuce and kale, instead of plain clay pots.

Purchase a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool to use in your garden. Gardening can be very tough on the knees as you spend much time leaning near the ground, so a portable stool can make all the difference to your comfort. Horticulture also typically involves transporting bags of topsoil, fertilizer and other heavy items, so using a wheelbarrow to make these tasks easier is a sound investment for your garden, and your back.

TIP! Try growing wheat grass or cat grass in the area of the plants your cat wants to eat. You could also repel your pet by planting rosemary or placing citrus fruit peels around your garden.

Learn the appropriate time to pick different vegetables. For the optimum flavor, be sure to follow the guidelines for planting and picking. For example, baby peas and zucchini taste best when they are picked young. Tomatoes, however, are best picked from the vine later when they are very ripe. You should know the proper time to pick vegetables.

TIP! When you are mowing your lawn do not cut it too closely to the dirt. If you let your grass grow, the roots will go deeper and make your lawn more resistant to dryness.

Avoid getting an infection by not allowing dirt and other chemicals to get into open wounds. A cut may become badly infected if it’s exposed to a lot of dirt or grime when you garden. Instead, opt for a bandage that entirely covers your wound.

TIP! Before you start planting your garden, plan it out. Doing so means you can remember where each particular plant is when you start seeing sprouts arise from the earth.

It can be extremely fast and easy to plant perennials into your garden. Simply use a spade or small shovel to get under the grass or turf and flip it over. Then, using wood chips, cover the area to a depth of three or four inches. Give this area at least a few weeks, then you can dig into the area and plant the new perennials.

TIP! Deciduous shrubs should be protected from the elements. Delicate shrubs that are sitting in pots should be sheltered from the cold weather.

Have your tools for gardening nearby in order to maximize your efficiency with horticulture. You have several options including using a bucket to hold your tools or wearing pants with lots of sturdy pockets. You should always have your gloves, pruning shears and a trowel close to you.

TIP! Protect yourself from sun overexposure while gardening by wearing the proper clothing. This includes wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Work efficiently in your garden. Don’t waste thirty minutes looking around for a tool. Before you make a trip to your garden, you should gather all tools and items in advance. Afterwards, be sure to return them to their original storage place. Wear pants with several pockets or use a tool belt.

TIP! If you pick vegetables around high noon when it is very hot, you are likely to damage them. Cut them with a tool rather than pulling or twisting, otherwise you could damage the plant itself.

Have plastic bags on hand to put over dirty gardening shoes. 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.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Try not to let the chores associated to your organic garden build up. While you may not be able to spend a lot of time every day in your garden, even little items done daily will stop the mountain of work from growing.

Use coffee grounds on your soil. Coffee beans are loaded with nitrogen, which offers nourishment for plants. It is best for your plants to use coffee grounds that are part of a blend of ingredients in the compost or soil you are using for your plants, rather than directly adding coffee grounds to your garden plants.

TIP! Within your composting heap, ensure that there is an equal split of dried and green plant materials. Green plant material can include old flowers, fruit waste, grass clippings, vegetable waste, and leaves.

You should always take spacing into account when placing plants in your organic garden. It is easy to underestimate the amount of space that the plants will take up once they start to grow. Air circulation and room to grow is important for any plant. Make sure that you map out your garden layout beforehand and place your seeds with an adequate amount of space in between each.

TIP! If you are starting your seedlings out in small containers, you should use a layer of potting soil that is three times as deep as the size of a single seed. Be aware that some seeds shouldn’t be covered, as they need sunlight.

Looking for a natural way to kill weeds in your garden? To control the growth of weeds, all you need is last week’s Sunday paper. Weeds must have sunlight in order to grow. The layers of newspaper over the weeds will block out the light and kill them. Newspapers break down nicely over time to become part of the compost. You can cover the newspapers with mulch to make them look more attractive if you like!

TIP! Use a soaker hose to water your garden. The water oozes out of the hoses, and it goes directly to the roots of the plants without watering everything around them, including the leaves.

If slugs are an issue in your garden, a beer trap can make them go away. Bury a single glass jar with the open mouth level with your soil in the garden. Now, fill the jar with beer to approximately an inch below the lip. The slugs will be drawn to the beer and then drown in the jar.

TIP! Try planting your organic garden in the shade. Shade gardens don’t require much work at all, which may surprise you.

Horticulture is not only a great hobby, but also a way to feel at peace with the earth. Organic gardening will accomplish that feeling even more so. Approaching horticulture in this way will enlighten you in the entire process from beginning to end.

TIP! A good gardening tip is to be sure to grow high-value crops. Value is subjective and will vary from person to person.

Horticulture is a very relaxing and rewarding hobby. As you learn more, you will become a better gardener. You need all the good advice that you can get your hands on. Apply the advice from this article to make your garden more beautiful and productive.

Solid Advice For Growing A Great Garden

~ craigb

TIP! Clay soil makes working with a shovel difficult. The clay is hard and sticks to the shovel.

In the world of organic horticulture, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced organic gardeners alike. There are many e-guides, books, videos, and other resources available. This set of tips contains some of the best advice for helping a good organic gardener become a great organic gardener.

TIP! The handles of your tools can double as clever rulers. Tools with long handles, such as rakes, hoes, and shovels can be converted into handy measuring sticks.

Having healthy soil in your garden will help your plants avoid insect pests. Healthier plants are greater in strength and resistance to illness and insects. If you start with balanced soil, your garden will produce healthy plants with the best yield. Refrain from using chemicals since these will increase the salt content of the soil.

TIP! Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. These types of plants can climb anything, which makes them perfect for covering up a wall or fence that needs to be hidden.

To get the best results in your garden, you need to use a good quality soil. Your soil may not be correct, but it depends on what sorts of plants you want to grow. You can designate one area of your garden to use one specific type of soil.

TIP! Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. When you plant them indoors first, the seeds will germinate better.

A garden needs the right type of soil to grow properly. Pay a small fee to have your soil analyzed, and you’ll be glad that you did when you understand what nutrients your soil is lacking. 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.

TIP! Plan your garden, and plant with fall colors in mind. That idea is actually far from the truth.

Boiling away unwanted weeds is an odd, but productive method used in many gardens. Boiling water can be considered as an herbicide, and it is a safe one. Pour hot water right on the weeds, but do not get any on your plants. Boiling water damages weed and plant roots, so be sure to avoid the plants you don’t want to eliminate.

TIP! Create a focal point in your garden with a unique plant. In a well designed garden you should have a focal point so that your eyes will stay there.

If you are gardening for the first time ever, read and follow all directions and instructions that come with your chemicals and tools. Otherwise, you are likely to have skin irritations flare up, which can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. Protect your plants and yourself by knowing how to correctly use all of your horticulture implements.

TIP! Make sure to water your garden properly. You can save time by using soaker hoses when watering plants.

Know when to harvest your vegetables at precisely the right time. Each type of produce has unique time frames for harvesting at the peak of flavor. Some vegetables, such as zucchini and baby peas, should be harvested when they are relatively young. Tomatoes, in contrast, taste better the longer they are allowed to ripen on the vine. It’s best to learn when the harvest time is for your vegetables.

Beneficial Bugs

TIP! Prior to working in the garden, make sure any cuts on your hands heal completely, or shield any cuts from contact with chemicals and dirt. If dirt and grime get into a cut while gardening, it may become infected.

Use only pesticides designed to kill the specific type of pest in your garden, and avoid the broad-spectrum kind. These pesticides will kill every type of pest in your garden, including beneficial bugs that eat garden pests. Beneficial bugs are more sensitive to these pesticides than the bugs that are detrimental to plants, so if the good bugs are eliminated, the bad pest population may grow. When this happens, you will spray another round of pesticides to get rid of the pests, thus creating a never-ending cycle for yourself.

TIP! Make sure you have your gardening tools near you, so you can maximize your gardening efficiency. You could do this by using a big bucket, or just wear old pants that have some deep pockets.

If you want your garden to be off-limits to your dog, spray a scented perimeter around it using things like old perfumes or aftershave. This covers up the smells that bring dogs to gardens in the first place, which means dogs are less likely to enter the garden.

TIP! When working in the garden, try to work as efficiently as possible. Wasting time finding tools is inefficient gardening.

Just as when outside, plants kept inside need varying degrees of sunlight, which can be harder to obtain from indoors. If you live in a home or apartment that does not get great sunlight you may want to consider growing plants that are designed to grow in low or medium-light environments. If you already have plants that need full light and the natural light provided is not sufficient, artificial lights can supplement their needs.

TIP! Add coffee grounds to your garden’s soil. Coffee grounds add many nitrogenous nutrients to the soil that will benefit your plants.

Plastic bags can be kept on hand and reused to slip over your dirty horticulture shoes. This keeps your flow going, so you can get back out to the garden quickly and finish your work.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! When planting seeds in containers, plant the seed roughly three times deeper than the seed’s size. You should know that certain seeds need not be covered, because they need the sunlight.

Coffee grounds are a great addition to soil. These coffee grounds have many nitrogenous nutrients that your plants could use. Your plants will really bloom if they get the nitrogen they need from coffee grounds or compost or diluted urea.

TIP! Construct raised flower beds of brick, stone, or wood. If you choose to use wood, make sure it is naturally rot resistant and untreated.

Would you like to kill those obnoxious weeds naturally? You should layer some newspaper to get weeds under control. Weeds can only grow when there is adequate sunlight. When you put newspaper over them, they suffocate from lack of sunlight. It’s easy for newspapers to break down over an extended period of time, making them great for compost. In order to improve its attractiveness, add one mulch layer.

TIP! Adjust your watering to the season and climate. The amount of water you need to give your plants depends on soil type, quality of water and time of day.

When planting seeds in containers, remember that the depth should be at least three times bigger than the seed. However, you should be aware that certain seeds should not be covered at all because they are required to be in the sunlight. Examples of these are petunias and ageratum. Always be sure to check online or with the company you’re purchasing the seeds from as to their sunlight needs.

TIP! Pay attention to which products you can use in your garden. Always look into natural solutions before turning to chemicals.

In order to construct your raised beds, make use of untreated brick, stone, wood and other materials. If you are to use wood, you should make sure that the wood is not treated and is also naturally rot resistant. Some good choices you might consider are locust, cedar, and cypress. Treated wood can leach chemicals into any soil it rests against, so don’t use it in a garden with vegetables. If you’re using treated lumber, line it with a barrier, or some plastic.

TIP! You can use materials found in most homes to put up a tent in your organic garden during winter. Stick old bean poles into bed corners You then want to throw sheets over them, and keep the edges down with some bricks.

In conclusion, the tips that you have read above should have you well on the path towards becoming the best organic gardener you can be. Knowing how to make use of the wealth of information out there is important. If you remember these tips, you can make the most of organic horticulture methods.

Don’t Have A Green Thumb? Follow This Advice And You Soon Will!

~ craigb

TIP! When choosing plants, pick those that produce a high yield. A hybrid designed for your weather, and resistant to local diseases, will give a better yield than non-hybrids.

Gardening can be extremely complex, especially when you examine all of its components. For instance, you have to know certain things like pH balance in soil or things that can fend off bugs naturally when you get into horticulture. Organic gardening is way harder than traditional gardening for beginners. The article can assist you in growing organic produce like a pro.

TIP! Having healthy soil in your garden is your number one defense against pests! Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases. For healthy plants, start with healthy soil that is properly amended and free of chemicals in order to avoid salt accumulation.

Think about planting your seeds in indoor pots and then transplanting them to your garden once they become seedlings. They are more likely to survive the transition to adulthood with this method. This will also allow you to stick to a tighter, cleaner planting schedule. Once you’ve removed the previous group of plants, your seedlings can go into the ground.

TIP! Plant bulbs if you want spring and summer flowers. These are hearty choices, choices that will reward you for years despite the little effort that is involved in their care.

Use the correct type of soil for best results. Depending on the types of plants you would like to grow, your garden’s soil might need to be amended with different substances to alter drainage, acidity and other charactheristics that make plants happy. You can also make an artificial area using only one type of soil.

TIP! If you’re like many gardeners, autumn means that it’s time to get some delicious fall edibles growing in your garden. Clay pots are boring, so replace those ordinary lettuce and kale pots with pumpkins.

If you are going to be doing some horticulture, watch out for stink bugs, especially in the fall! They like to feast on all kinds of fruits, as well as peppers, tomatoes, and beans. If not managed well, they can wreak havoc on your garden.

TIP! When you mow your lawn, do not mow it close to the ground. By leaving your grass a little taller, you are allowing it to become stronger, as the roots grow stronger and deeper.

Make sure you remove the weeds from your garden! If you have weeds in your garden, it will not be as nice as it could be. A simple tool that is useful in removing weeds is white vinegar. Yes, white vinegar actually kills weeds! Try spraying some white vinegar in water when you are pulling weeds from your garden.

TIP! You should start pea seedlings indoors instead of planting them outside right at the start. Install your plants inside and wait for the seeds to germinate.

Don’t cut your grass down by the soil when you run the mower. 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. If the grass is too short that will lead to shallow roots, which will cause a brown and dried-out lawn.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! To create a beautiful English garden use various plants and differing plant heights in one flower bed. Plants that grow to be the same height end up uniform and flat looking.

A simple way to lower the alkaline content of your soil is to dilute it with coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are an affordable means of adding acid to the soil so that it is pH-balanced. After doing so, you will notice that your greenery and garden will be colorful and fresh.

TIP! When you are organic gardening, ask your children to lend a hand. Gardens are terrific teaching tools for kids, and provide great opportunities for interaction, growth, and instruction on healthy living.

Protect your tender deciduous shrubs. If you’ve got tender shrubs which are potted, you need to protect them from cold weather. Fasten the tops of the canes together, and cover this wigwam loosely with a cloth. This is more effective than putting plastic on the plant, it will let the air flow.

TIP! It is important to protect your knees when you are gardening. Bending over for a long while is quite difficult for a lot of people.

Split up the irises. You can divide those overgrown clumps and increase the amount of irises you have. Lift bulbous irises when the foliage is dead. The bulbs split in your hand, then you replant them, and they will most likely flower next year. Split rhizomes with a knife. You can trim new pieces away from the outside of the bulbs and then simply throw the old center away. Each piece must have a minimum of one strong offshoot. Replant your cuttings immediately for the best results.

TIP! For in-home organic gardeners, you are looking for an ideal temperature of around 60-75 degrees for your plants. It is important for them to be kept in this temperature range if they are to grow properly.

Surround your vegetable plants with organic mulch, a few inches worth. The mulch help keeps the soil that is around the plants much more moist for much longer. This is also efficient in preventing weeds from growing. You will benefit by not having to spend so much time fighting weed growth.

TIP! Use approximately two or three inches of natural, organic material as some mulch in every single flower bed. Mulching is the perfect way to lock in moisture, nourish soil, and to keep away weeds.

Pest control can be very difficult when dealing with a vegetable garden. It’s wise to avoid harsh insecticides if you plan on consuming your fresh fruits and vegetables. There is only one way to effectively control pests in your garden, and that is to stay vigilant in your efforts. If you catch the pests early, the best removal technique is just to take them off your plants by hand.

TIP! Space is important to remember when planting an organic garden. Amateur gardeners often make the mistake of failing to leave enough space for fully matured plants.

One particular plant should be the focal point of your garden. A solid focal point will draw peoples attention to your garden, leaving them to admire your unique design. Focal points in gardens are normally a plant specimen that no one else in the neighborhood has in their landscape.

TIP! Any type of gardening can be a fun hobby because it brings you closer to the earth, but creating an organic garden is really good at this. Any form of gardening gives a basic outline for all others; teaching you the general methodology behind sewing, planting, and harvesting properly.

Add aspirin to your plants to help them fight sickness. To add the aspirin to the plant, dissolve about one tablet and a half into approximately two gallons of fresh water. Help your plants to fight disease by spraying them with the aspirin water. Use this method every three weeks.

TIP! Make sure you look at what lies beneath in order to start off on the right foot. Tomato seedlings with green starts and poor root systems are something to watch out for.

Use this simple tip to get your perennial garden ready in a flash. Using a garden spade, dig underneath the turf and flip it. Then, create a layer of wood chips at least three inches deep over the area you just flipped. After a few weeks, you can then dig into the turf and plant the perennials of your choosing.

TIP! Mulch should be added to your flower bed and garden using at least 3 inches of material that is organic. Mulch adds nutrients to soil, maintains moisture and prevents weed growth.

Regular maintenance prevents your horticulture tasks from becoming overwhelming and unappealing. If your busy life prevents you from tending your garden every day, do small tasks to avoid having so much work when you do have some time. You can pull a few weeds when you take your dog outside.

TIP! When you water your organic garden, choose a soaker hose for the best results. The water slowly seeps from these hoses and is positioned so the roots get the water, and the leaves remain dry.

If slugs are a problem in your garden, use a beer trap to kill them naturally. Dig a hole just deep enough for a glass jar to be placed in it while the jar still has its rim in line with the surface of the ground. Fill this jar up with beer almost entirely. The beer will attract the slugs and they will be trapped in the jar.

TIP! Make your organic gardening experience easier. When deciding what to plant, opt for flowers, grasses and shrubs that are native to your area.

Now, you shouldn’t get your hopes up and believe that a few tips are going to turn you into an instant professional gardener. However, these tips are a great starting point if you do plan to grow organically. As you implement these tips and hone your skills, you’ll be a professional green-thumb-holder in no time.

The Many Wonderful Benefits Of Organic Horticulture

~ craigb

TIP! If you notice powdery mildew on your plants, do not buy an expensive chemical. Mix some baking soda and a very small amount of liquid soap into water.

Depending on the effort you put into it, an organic garden can be a great pleasure or a great pain. The advice in this piece is sure to pave the way to organic horticulture success.

TIP! When it’s autumn, you know what that means. It’s time to plant fall vegetables! Why not plant lettuce and kale inside a hollowed-out pumpkin? To use the pumpkin as a planter, it is important to prevent it from rotting.

In order not to shock your plants, you have to gradually accustom them to the change of temperature and conditions. Leave them outside in sunlight for a couple of hours on the initial day. Then over the next week, gradually increase the time they are in their new habitat. After one week, the plants should be fully acclimated and ready to move outside.

TIP! Irises can be easily divided. Splitting up overgrown groups of irises will allow you to easily increase the number of irises in your garden.

Plant slug-proof perennials. Snails and slugs can quickly wreak havoc on a garden. Certain perennials that don’t have tough leaves are especially tasty to snails and slugs. Some perennials are not preferred meals for snails and slugs, especially if their foliage is hairy and tough, or tastes bad. Consider planting these varieties of perennials to discourage slugs and snails from eating your flowers. Euphorbia and achillea are examples of slug-proof perennials.

Baking Soda

TIP! Look for evergreen variants that produce berries. This will aid in giving your garden great color, even during the winter when other plants have lost their colors.

There’s no need for chemical intervention if you discover powdery mildew on leaves. All you need to do is mix baking soda with a tiny bit of liquid soap in with some water. Once a week, spray this on plants to eliminate the mildew. Do not worry about your plants; the baking soda cannot harm them.

TIP! Learn the ideal times for harvesting your vegetables. Different vegetables have different, ideal times that they should be picked for best flavor.

Cover fences and walls with climbing plants. Known commonly as climbers, these plants are very versatile, easy to grow, and they will quickly spread out to cover up walls and fences within a single season. They can cover an arbor, or grow through trees and shrubs. A number of climbers need to be attached to a support, but others just take care of their own attachments via tendrils and stems that twine. Wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle, clematis and some rose varieties are good choices for climbers.

TIP! You can spray scents such as after-shave and cologne around your garden to deter your dog. This can make scents that dogs are attracted to, and make your garden less interesting in general for pets.

In the cold winter months, you can salvage certain plants by bringing them into the house. Perhaps save the most resistant or expensive plants. Dig around roots carefully before transferring to a pot.

TIP! If you want your children to enjoy your organic garden, plant some tasty strawberries. Children are thrilled to harvest fruit from their own garden, and doing so often makes them more enthusiastic about helping out with the more hum-drum aspects of tending a garden.

Do a soil analysis prior to planting. Have a soil analysis completed so you can know what you need to add to have soil which will fully support your garden. There are numerous places to find this service, such as your local Cooperative Extension office. The cost is well worth it to avoid a potentially ruined crop.

TIP! It never hurts to keep a few bags around the house to protect your floors from dirty gardening shoes. This allows you to maintain your flow so you can rapidly get back to your gardening.

When you decide to add vegetables into your garden space, be aware that they must be placed where they will receive direct sunlight for a minimum of six hours daily. Most vegetables need this amount of sunlight to grow the right way at a faster pace. This is true of some flowers.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! When it’s harvest time, you should utilize a basket that you put laundry in to carry your veggies. This will be like a strainer for all your produce.

Consider adding coffee grounds to your soil if it contains high levels of alkaline. The coffee grounds provide a cheap way to re-supply needed acid to the dirt. When you use them, you will start to notice that your vegetables are tastier and more vibrant in color.

TIP! The simple beer trap is still one of the best methods of ridding your organic garden of slugs. Take a glass jar and bury it so that the soil is even with its mouth.

Irises can be easily divided. Increase your iris stocks by dividing your overgrown clumps. If you notice a dead foliage, lift the bulb. The bulbs will automatically split in you hand, and will likely flower the year after being replanted. Rhizomes may need to be divided by using a knife. Cut several new pieces out of the outside and get rid of the old center. Each piece needs one strong offshoot. Replant them immediately.

TIP! Depending on the season and weather, adjust your watering habits. The level of necessary watering turns on the type of water you use, the kind of soil in your garden and the amount of direct sunlight you have.

Create your own garden from scratch with seeds, rather than plants. When you begin a garden, it’s most eco friendly to do so with seed. The plastics used in nurseries are rarely recycled and ends up in landfills, so it is best to start with the seeds or buy from nurseries who use organic materials in packaging their plants.

TIP! One way to help maintain healthy soil is to incorporate mulch into your landscape. A couple of inches of mulch will protect what lies beneath it.

See to it that you fertilize your garden. Manure can be very helpful in growing plants, but it is essential to use a commercial product that has been composted, in order to minimize pathogen risk. There are many fertilization methods out there; the type is not quite as important as actually using something.

TIP! Rotating plots of garden has been done for centuries, and there is good reason for that! When the same plants occupy a spot in your garden for many years in a row, it can lead to the development of fungi and disease. These kind of enemies to plants can stay underground ready for the next year to cause harm to your plants.

Do some research to find out the best time for harvesting your vegetables. Every type of vegetable has a different moment of ripeness. As an example, zucchini and baby peas both have the best flavor when they are harvested at a young age. By contrast, it’s best to wait until tomatoes are fully ripe before picking them. So, make sure you do some research, and find out when the best time to harvest your vegetables is.

TIP! When preparing to plant a shrub or tree in your garden, consider digging a hole that looks ugly for planting them. If the hole has surfaces smoothed by the shovel, it may prove difficult for the roots to penetrate through the soil.

Choose one plant and make it the focal point of your garden. A focal point can help direct a viewers gaze. Usually this is a big plant that is somewhat different from the other plants in the garden.

TIP! When the soil is healthier, the plants are too, and can resist more diseases and damage that’s caused by insects. You won’t be killing off large amounts of insects, but good practices can help avoid the damage they can cause.

Dress to protect your skin from sun damage when you garden. Wear sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. By protecting yourself from the sun’s rays, you lower your risk of getting sunburns or skin cancer.

TIP! Using a good amount of mulch is a wonderful method to conserve water in your garden at home. Covering the ground with mulch cuts back on the need for watering your plants.

Now that you’ve read this article, you can see that there is much more to do with organic gardening than meets the eye. Doing it successfully entails a good amount of patience and dedication, but achieving a productive organic garden is a worthwhile endeavor indeed. By using the tips and techniques found here, you can have a healthy, productive garden in no time.