flower beds

Hints And Strategies For Growing A Great Garden!

~ craigb

TIP! Using a shovel in clay soil is a lot of work, not only is the clay hard, but it will stick to the shovel and make it twice as hard to handle. Coat and buff the digging end of the shovel with automobile wax to make digging easier.

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! Try planting your plants in flower pots first, then transferring them to your garden once they have had a bit of time to grow. They are more likely to survive the transition to adulthood with this method.

Try planting your plants in flower pots first, then transferring them to your garden once they have had a bit of time to grow. Doing this betters your odds of your plants making it to adulthood. It also lets you have tighter control over the planting periods in your garden. When you remove your mature plants, the next batch of seedlings should be ready.

Flower Beds

TIP! Bulbs are a great option for people who want to enjoy spring and summer flowers. Bulbs are hearty and will continue to grow every year.

Plant a variety of annuals, biennials and perennials to keep your flower beds bright. These fast growth plants make flower beds vibrant, and they let you alter the appearance seasonally and annually. They are very useful for filling in the gaps between perennials and shrubs in a sunny area. There are many different varieties to choose from such as daisies, marigolds, impatiens, and lantana.

TIP! Consider adding coffee grounds to your soil if it contains high levels of alkaline. This is a great and cheap way to increase the acid levels in your dirt.

There is no need to purchase a costly chemical if your plants develop powdery mildew. Combine a bit of liquid soap and some baking soda with water. Spray this solution on plants once weekly until the mildew is gone. Baking soda treats the mildew effectively and gently and it won’t damage your plants.

TIP! If you are looking for an all-natural, organic way to weed your garden, consider “boiling off” the weeds. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find.

Before you plant a garden you should plan it out. 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. It can also keep you from planting any of your garden favorites too close to each other.

TIP! Always fertilize your garden. Manure helps your plants grow.

Make sure that your deciduous shrubs are protected. Any potted shrubs should be sheltered in the winter from cold weather. You want to then tie the tops of the canes together, and cover them with a sheet or blanket. This is a much better method, instead of putting the plastic wrap around the plant. It allows proper air circulation that can prevent rotting.

TIP! Before you start working in your garden, purchase a wheelbarrow and a good kneeling stool. Spending lots of time close to the ground while working tends to be hard on your knees, that is why it is important to have a portable and lightweight garden stool that you can use for comfort.

Separate irises. Increase your iris population when you divide up overgrown clumps. Try to life the bulbous irises when foliage begins to die. The bulbs will automatically split in you hand, and will likely flower the year after being replanted. You can divide rhizomes with a knife. Discard the center and cut pieces from the exterior. Make sure that every cutting contains a viable offshoot. Replant right away.

TIP! Pest control is tough when you have a veggie garden. The vegetables are intended to be eaten, thus you should refrain from using harsh pesticides and chemicals.

To keep pests away, you can use plants in the garden or other natural materials. For example, if you plant onions or marigolds along the edges of your vegetable garden, you can ward off slugs. Mulch around the bottom of trees and shrub seedlings with wood ash to reduce unwanted infestation of pests. These methods prevent use of harsh chemicals.

TIP! Choose a specific plant to become your garden’s focal point. A solid focal point will draw peoples attention to your garden, leaving them to admire your unique design.

Know when to harvest your vegetables at precisely the right time. Each variety needs a slightly different amount of growing time to produce the most flavorful vegetable. As an example, zucchini and baby peas both have the best flavor when they are harvested at a young age. Plant winter vegetables at the right time for a sweeter flavor. Take some time to learn about the best harvest time for the vegetables that you have growing.

TIP! Dress to protect your skin from sun damage when you garden. Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

It’s important to let your cuts heal prior to doing any horticulture without gloves. A cut may become badly infected if it’s exposed to a lot of dirt or grime when you garden. However, there are bandages available that will seal the cut completely. Using these should protect the cut from any infection while gardening.

TIP! For the best results, properly prepare your garden for planting. To begin with, you need to dampen the soil sufficiently.

Go slowly as you plant the seeds. Start first by moisturizing your soil. Spread the seeds, and leave them enough room to grow. Bury the seed with a planting depth of about three times its size. Some seeds need some light to grow, and therefore shouldn’t be buried.

TIP! You should work efficiently, instead of working hard in your garden, to simplify things. Do not spend half an hour looking everywhere for a tool.

After your seeds have sprouted, heat lamps are not needed. As your plants grow, you will want to put a little distance between them and heat. Remove plastic films on containers to prevent warmth and humidity from penetrating them. Keep an eye on your seeds so you will know when this should be done.

TIP! Add more value to your property. Improving your landscape is one of the best ways to get a high return from your house.

A good way to plant seeds is in containers. Plant them three times as deep as their overall size. However, some seeds do not need to be covered, they need the sunlight. This is true of popular flowers like petunias and zinnias. If you don’t know whether your seeds require sun exposure, check the seed package or search online for the information.

TIP! Try to work in your garden at least a short time each day. Every time you go outside, you should take care of a few things so that you do not have too much work to do when you have the time to go back to your garden.

Lightly ruffle your seeds by hand or with cardboard, twice daily in your organic garden. This will make your plants grow faster and they will get bigger than they would have without this practice.

TIP! A good thing to know when it comes to your organic garden, and running it, is to, a couple times a day, lightly ruffle the seedlings with cardboard or your hand. While it might sound strange, research has shown that this method can increase the size of your plants.

Rotate your garden at least once a year. Planting the same area with the same plants year after year will lead to disease and fungus. The problems leech into the soil, staying there for the next year’s crop. When you rotate your crops, fungus and disease have less chance to spread.

TIP! Adjust your watering to the season and climate. The amount of water you need depends on when you are doing the watering, whether your water is high-quality and the grade of the soil in your garden.

The advice given here is perfect for helping you to know the best ways of organic horticulture. There is so much information about this and it is crucial that you learn about it and apply it to your gardening. When you keep this in mind, you can go about planting and growing a garden in your own way.

Increase Your Horticulture Skills Through These Great Organic Gardening Tips!

~ craigb

TIP! Plants need to take in CO2 to grow and thrive. Most plants grow better in higher levels of CO2.

Now is a great time. You may have questions, but don’t worry, this article can help. In the following paragraphs you will find insights and ideas you can apply to your horticulture dreams.

TIP! Do not mow your lawn close to the bottom. Cutting your grass at a taller height allows grass roots to grow deeper and stronger, which helps lessen the chance of your lawn drying out easily.

The quick and drastic change in the weather conditions can shock your plants and cause them to die. It’s important that you gradually change temperate conditions over time, so that your plants can adjust. Start by placing your plants outside for a few hours only. Over one week, gradually build up the amount of hours you leave the plants outside. By the end of the week, your plants should be ready to make the big move with no problem!

TIP! Make sure you protect any tender deciduous shrubs. Cold weather significantly affects these plants, especially if they are in pots.

When planting perennials, seek out those that are resistant to slugs. If slugs or snails find their favorite perennials in your garden, they’ll snack all night. When you wake up in the morning, there will be very little left of your plants. They gravitate towards perennials with smooth thin leaves, particularly on younger plants. There are some perennials that do not appeal to slugs, such as those with leaves that are hairy and tough with a bad taste. Good choices in this category are plants such as achillea, campanula, and euphorbia. Heuchera and helleborus also work well.

TIP! In order to start the best garden possible, remember that you should always start with the seeds and not pre-purchased plants. When you grow a new garden, start the environmental way, from seeds.

When winter arrives, you can save some plants by placing them in your home. You might want to transplant your most valuable varieties. Carefully dig around the rootball and replant in an appropriate pot.

Carbon Dioxide

TIP! Pest control is very difficult if you are dealing with your veggie garden. Since your vegetables are meant to be eaten, refrain from spraying them with harsh chemicals.

Your plants will reach maximum growth if they have a sufficient supply of carbon dioxide. Typically, the higher the levels of carbon dioxide present in a plant’s environment, the better it will grow. Greenhouses typically provide plants with high levels of CO2. Make sure to keep CO2 levels high to provide the best growing environment for your plants.

TIP! Gardening helps with relaxation. Many methods of relaxation can be employed to lead a peaceful life.

Be diligent in your efforts to banishing weeds! A vibrant garden will be overrun with weeds if they are left alone. White vinegar can be used as a natural herbicide. It can kill weeds. A spray solution is much easier to apply than to rid your garden of weeds by hand.

TIP! You can create a great English garden by mixing types and sizes in one bed. If you want a more organized look, select plants that will grow to the same height and put them in the same bed.

When dealing with any type of seeds in gardening, it’s important that you soak them overnight in a cool, dark location. Put a few seeds in a small container and fill it near to the top with water. The water will hydrate the sends, giving them a head start once you plant them. The young plants will survive better, and get a boost toward maturity.

TIP! When gardening, remember to take care of your knees! Bending over from a standing position is something many people cannot do. Kneeling can relieve pain in your back, but can instead be painful to your knees.

Take extra care of any fragile shrubs that are known to drop their leaves in the autumn. Any potted shrubs should be sheltered in the winter from cold weather. Pull the canes together at the top and securely tie them. Next, using a sheet or perhaps even a blanket, cover the structure. This method works better than covering your bushes in plastic, allowing air to circulate and preventing rotting.

Knee Pads

TIP! Keep your garden tools close at hand to make the most of your gardening time. You can keep them in a good sized bucket, or wear utility pants that have plenty of large pockets.

Get some horticulture knee pads if you find yourself kneeling on the ground a lot to do your horticulture. Excessive time spent kneeling often results in significant stiffness and pain. Having a good pair of knee pads will cushion your knees in comfort.

TIP! Working in the garden doesn’t have to be grueling; learn to work more efficiently. Don’t waste your time looking for missing tools.

Using pest-resistant plants or natural materials in your garden is a good way to keep pests away. For example, slugs can be deterred by the presence of marigolds or onions. If you place wood ash around the base portion of a shrub seedling or tree, you will ward off insect pests. Using methods like these eliminates the need for chemical pesticides, which can be harsh or even harmful.

TIP! Cover your muddy shoes with plastic bags. This helps you stay in the zone so that you can continue gardening when you have completed your tasks in the house.

If you plan on growing peas, you should consider starting them indoors instead of beginning them outside. When you plant the seeds indoors, your seeds will start to germinate better. The baby plants will also be stronger and will resist pests and disease better. Transplant them outside when they are fully established and able to thrive.

Beneficial Bugs

TIP! If you have been thinking about getting into gardening, you should first learn how to lay the foundation. First cut beneath the turf and leave a space.

Don’t use broad-spectrum pesticides in the garden. Broad spectrum pesticides don’t only kill the offending pests, but the beneficial ones also. 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. This can result in your using more pesticides to eradicate the problem.

TIP! Transform your organic garden into a shade garden. You will be happy to learn that gardens of this type are relatively easy to maintain.

Make sure any open cuts are completely protected from dirt and chemicals before you go to work in your garden. The dirt and grime you come into contact with while gardening can cause even a small cut to become seriously infected. The key is to use bandages capable of covering cuts in their entirety.

TIP! Use at least 3″ of organic material to mulch flowers and trees. This is not only beneficial for the earth, but it also saves you water and money on the water bill.

Cover your flower beds with two or three inches of compost or organic mulch. This will help to inhibit weed growth, helps to lock in moisture, and adds needed nutrients to your organic garden. Your flower beds should also look beautiful all year long.

TIP! You should know how to water your plants. Try using a soaker hose.

Learn to work efficiently. Have your tools laid out in an orderly way so you do not have to search for them. By keeping your tools in a certain area, they will always be ready whenever you are. If you need, use a tool belt or even pants that have quite a few pockets.

TIP! One of the best ways to improve your garden is by mulching. Mulching also decreases water evaporation rates in the soil and helps keep out the weeds.

For the best results when growing an organic garden, you should shake your seeds up a little bit. After planted, make sure you agitate the seeds at least twice daily, using your fingers or even a Popsicle stick. This will make your plants grow faster and they will get bigger than they would have without this practice.

TIP! Water is very important to having a healthy garden. Just like people.

After reading this article, you should now have a solid base of knowledge about gardening. If you thought you knew everything you needed to know before, you might be surprised how much your knowledge has grown with just a simple article. Hopefully, the strategies provided in this article have given you the confidence to develop your own garden and enjoy the bounty nature has to offer.

Make A Wonderful Garden With These Tips!

~ craigb

TIP! Check your soil before you begin planting your garden. A soil analysis is inexpensive and can be used to figure out which nutrients should be added to provide a healthy garden environment.

A lot of people want to grow their own organic garden, yet neglect to do so because they aren’t sure where to start. Fear of failure, given the great care and consideration that must go into it, often scare people away. Follow the advice in this article to overcome the challenges you encounter, and learn how to grow an organic garden successfully. You might even end up loving it!

TIP! Plants will respond with maximum growth if they have the amount of CO2 they require. A major portion of plants grow their best in an environment with a saturated level of CO2.

Properly lay your sod. Get your soil ready before you lay your sod. Take out any weeds, then mix up the soil into a tilth that is fine. Compact the soil gently but firmly to be certain that it is indeed flat. Moisten the soil thoroughly. Avoid laying your sod in straight rows with all of the seams lining up. Instead, stagger the rows for a more pleasing visual effect. Firm the sod down to form a flat, even surface, and fill in any gaps between the sod with a little soil. Once it is in place, the sod requires frequent watering for at least two weeks. This is usually the amount of time it takes for the sod to grow roots, making it ready to grow seamlessly into place.

TIP! When partaking in gardening activities, particularly in the autumn months, keep an eye on those stink bugs. This insect will gladly devour your tomatoes, beans, and peppers, as well as a variety of other fruits.

Start your plants in containers, and then transplant the seedlings into the garden later on. This really increases the survival rate of young plants. This is also a good way to tighten up your planting schedule. The seedlings are ready to go, once you remove the mature plants.

TIP! When fall is here, you need to plant autumn edibles. A pumpkin can be used as a planting container instead of clay pots.

To get the best results, you must use the right soil. 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 could also isolate a certain area, and fill it with just one kind of soil.

Grow wheat or cat grass around the plants your cat likes nibbling. You may also place something offensively smelly atop the soil, like citrus peel or mothballs.

TIP! If you have a problem with your dog disturbing your garden, you can repel him by spraying perfume or other scents on the grass near the edge. This kind of scent is going to mask the scents your dog is attracted to.

When mowing the lawn, don’t mow the grass all the way down to the root. Cutting your grass at a taller height allows grass roots to grow deeper and stronger, which helps lessen the chance of your lawn drying out easily. Short grass tends to have shallow roots, which can cause dried out, brown patches to occur.

TIP! The sun can cause irreparable skin damage; therefore, it is essential to dress accordingly when gardening. Try wearing a large sunhat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes, and use sunscreen on any exposed skin.

Try growing your peas indoors for the first couple months. When you plant them indoors first, the seeds will germinate better. The seedling sprouts will be heartier, giving them a better chance to grow into a healthy adult plant capable of rebuffing diseases. Once they are suitably strong, transplant them outside.

TIP! Young children will love it if you plant strawberries that bear continually, and organic gardens are the perfect place to do it. You will find that they enjoy participating in gardening if they are allowed to pluck the fresh berries and eat them straight from the earth.

If you have a vegetable garden, it can be quite difficult to decide what to do about pest control. You want to avoid spraying harsh chemicals since the vegetables are meant for consumption. One way to keep pests at bay is to remain diligent about your garden. If you catch the pests early, the best removal technique is just to take them off your plants by hand.

TIP! It can be extremely fast and easy to plant perennials into your garden. Use your spade to slice chunks of turf up, then flip each piece over, and spread wood chips on top to a depth of four inches.

Horticulture is an incredible method of relaxing. Many methods of relaxation can be employed to lead a peaceful life. One of the best ways to do this is horticulture. It is not prohibitively expensive, and has numerous benefits. The biggest perk of horticulture is the sense of satisfaction you get from what you grow with your own two hands.

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.

Try planting some heather to draw beautiful insects to your yard. Heather will attract bees early in the spring as well as other beneficial insects. Heather beds are typically left untouched, which is why helpful little critters like ground beetles and spiders call them home. Always remember this, and wear your horticulture gloves if you prune your heather!

TIP! A rule of thumb for when you are planting seeds in containers is to make the hole depth around three times larger than the seed itself. Some seeds need to be in direct sunlight, though, so you need to know information about each type of seed.

Take care of your knees while working in the garden. Bending over from a standing position is something many people cannot do. Concentrate on kneeling. This will still make it easy to reach plants as well as minimize back stress. You can buy a knee pad, put it on the ground and kneel on it so that you wont have to deal with knee pain.

TIP! Brick, stone or untreated wood is great for building raised beds. When selecting wood, make certain you pick untreated products that have a natural resistance to rot.

You must consider how much light is available when starting your plants indoors. The amount of light available can determine which type of organic plants you should grow. For example, if your living area does not provide much natural sunlight, you could grow those plants that only need low to medium amounts of natural light to thrive. If you cannot achieve success merely through plant selection, consider using artificial light sources.

Flower Beds

TIP! If plants are inundated with too much water, it becomes more difficult for roots to pull nutrients out of the soil. Before you set out to water your plants, you might want to verify that the forecast does not call for rain.

In your flower beds and garden, utilize a few inches of organic mulch. This fights weeds, retains moisture, and gives your garden valuable nutrients. Also, the flower beds will look beautifully maintained at all times.

TIP! 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.

Do you want to kill weeds without using commercial chemicals? Take newspapers and layer them for controlling weeds. In order to grow, weeds need sunlight. By placing newspaper over them, they will not get light and suffocate. Old newspapers are a valuable addition to your compost heap. Covering the newspaper with mulch will help your garden to be more pleasing to the eye.

TIP! Rotating plots of garden has been done for centuries, and there is good reason for that! Planting the same area with the same plants year after year will lead to disease and fungus. These kind of enemies to plants can stay underground ready for the next year to cause harm to your plants.

Adding a lot of mulch to your garden is a great tip to implement in order to keep your garden healthy. Mulch will protect the soil it covers. The soil will stay cool in high heat, preventing damage to the roots. This retains moisture for extended periods by reducing the rate at which water evaporates. This will also help to keep weeds under control.

TIP! Organic gardening has been made much easier! Plan your landscaping with primarily native grasses, flowers, and bushes! Choose plants that are right for your climate and soil, to avoid the need for pesticide or fertilizer. In fact, you are sure to discover that such plants are able to grow beautifully in compost made out of other indigenous substances.

An excellent feature of organic vegetables is that they contain no pesticides. This is great for your health, but you do want to check the produce for bugs prior to using it.

TIP! When getting ready to plant a tree or a shrub in your organic garden, try digging an ugly hole to plant them in. When holes you have dug end up with slick sides due to the shovel you used, it is possible that the roots may not be able to sink into the soil properly.

When you stick to the tricks, advice, and tips in this informative article, any fear you feel towards organic horticulture should dissipate. If you make proper use of the advice you have learned, you will soon be able to reap a bountiful harvest from your organic garden.

Organic Gardening Tips That Can Help You Out

~ craigb

TIP! Gradually acclimate plants to temperature changes and conditions, if you want to avoid shocking them. Try to place them in the new area for a couple of hours at a time the first day.

Many people dream of having their own organic garden, but how many actually get around to doing it? It can seem like a daunting task to learn all that it takes to have a successful garden the natural way. The following article will give you some techniques that can be used to help you start growing your own organic garden.

TIP! Make sure your soil is healthy enough before you start planting anything. You can get a soil analysis, and if you find your soil needs a supplement, do it! Before you ruin any crops, make sure you do this.

Protect your deciduous shrubs which are tender. When these tender shrubs are kept in pots, cold weather can be very damaging. Join them together at the top, and use a blanket or old sheet to cover them. Covering your foliage in plastic will let the air in – and may lead to decay.

TIP! Take the time to remove weeds. Those nasty weeds can turn your beautiful garden into a scruffy version of its former self.

It is best to aerate and dry your plants daily. Damp leaves can lead to plant disease and parasites. An example of a common plant parasite is fungi. You can control fungi with the application of fungicide sprays. However, the area should be treated before you see the onset of any problems.

TIP! For weeds that aren’t in the middle of your plants, use boiling water to kill their roots. The safest herbicide that you can probably find is a cup of boiling water.

Many people delight in the taste of fresh mint leaves, but become frustrated when the plant spreads wildly. You can slow down this growth by planting them inside a pot or container! You can bury the container so the top is flush with the ground if desired, but the container’s walls will prevent the roots from spreading so that the plant won’t take over your entire garden.

Fall Colors

TIP! If you plan on growing peas, you should consider starting them indoors instead of beginning them outside. If you give them a chance to grow indoors where they are protected, they will germinate better.

Plan your garden, and plant with fall colors in mind. It’s not necessary to think this way, however. Fall is the most colorful time of year for foliage. Maple, beech trees or dogwood take on some amazing colors. There are practically as many types of shrubs chosen for their fall colors are there are gardeners! Barberry, hydrangea and cotoneaster are particularly popular choices.

TIP! Choose one stand-out plant to be a focal point. There should be a solid focal point for every good garden design.

To create a beautiful English garden use various plants and differing plant heights in one flower bed. If plants have the same growth height, the bed will appear flat and not have much interest.

TIP! Use cologne or other items with a distinct scent to keep your canine out of the landscaping. This kind of scent is going to mask the scents your dog is attracted to.

Protecting your knees while you are horticulture is very important. Not everyone has the ability to remain standing in a bent position for an extended time. Kneeling is a great way to reach your plants without causing stress to your back. Use a knee pad so that your knees don’t get sore.

TIP! Organize your gardening so that you can work efficiently. Have your tools laid out in an orderly way so you do not have to search for them.

If you want a sustainable garden, leave a part of it undisturbed for wildlife to enjoy. 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.

TIP! Aim to increase your property’s value. Landscaping provides some of the best home improvement returns.

If you are growing plants inside of your home, you need to keep the thermostat set to 65 to 75 degrees during the day. Young plants need a temperature within that specific range to grow. If you don’t like keeping your home that temperature in the winter, you may wish to consider getting a heat lamp, instead, to keep your organic plants the correct temperature.

Flower Beds

TIP! If you are building a raised bed utilize stone, brick or wood that is untreated. Choose wood that is naturally resistant to rot and is untreated.

Coat your flower beds with a few inches of an organic mulch. Mulching helps to hold moisture in the soil, enhance the soil quality, and slow down the growth of weeds. Also, the flower beds will look beautifully maintained at all times.

TIP! Organic gardening is a relaxing hobby that will give you a great sense of satisfaction. This method of gardening will give you a deep understanding of the way plants grow, from beginning to end.

Add used coffee grounds to your garden soil. Coffee grounds contain many of the essential nitrogenous nutrients that plants are able to use. Many times, nitrogen is a limiting nutrient in soils. Adding coffee grounds or compost can add nitrogen to your soils will help your plants grow tall and healthy.

TIP! Annually rotate your garden. Planting the same type of plant in the same area of your garden each year can cause disease or encourage fungus growth.

Get added value from your property. If you are looking for high returns, landscaping gets you a lot of your money back. Investing in plants can raise the value of your property by 20%, or sometimes even more. Seek out plants and shrubbery that require limited maintenance and will adapt well to the natural climate that you live in.

TIP! You may want to grow garlic organically. It’s best to plant garlic cloves in either spring or fall.

Keep your compost pile balanced with a combination of dried and green plant mulch. Your green material can be made up of produce waste, used floral arrangements, lawn cuttings, leaves, and other yard waste. Paper and straw are dry plant materials. Avoid ashes, meat, charcoal and diseased plants in your compost.

TIP! Find out more about botanical insecticides to get rid of the pest. Natural insecticides can sometimes kill pests more powerfully than synthetic pesticides.

When you plant the seeds in containers, be sure the planting’s depth is three times bigger than the seed. However, you should always know that some seeds cannot be covered, even the slightest bit, because they need to be in direct sunlight. Some examples are petunias and ageratum. If you don’t know whether your seeds require sun exposure, check the seed package or search online for the information.

TIP! If you’re trying to decide how to water the plants in your organic garden, consider a soaker hose. As the water slowly seeps out of the hose, it is directed right to the plant roots so the leaves do not get wet.

Stagger you vegetable planting so you will have a new harvest every month or so. This helps the entire harvest from being ready at the same time. In addition, if there are any problems with one harvested batch of tomatoes, you still have subsequent batches to harvest, so you will not be left without any.

TIP! Keep your leaves and use them in your organic compost pile. An organic compost is created when leaves decompose, and this is a very nutrient rich item for your plants and will make them healthy.

When preparing to plant a shrub or tree in your garden, consider digging a hole that looks ugly for planting them. If you create holes that have “glazed” sides created by shovels, it’s possible that one of those holes will restrict any root from getting into the soil nearby.

TIP! Depending on where you live, you may be able to continue harvesting some garden crops during the winter. You can protect these vegetables by covering them with a homemade tent.

Open your imagination as to what type of plants you would like to plant into your organic garden. Acid-loving plants tend to love mulch. You can mulch these plants with pine needles in the fall. As the needles begin to decompose, they’ll start depositing natural acid to the soil.

TIP! Keep in mind what vegetables you prefer, as well as the ones used most in your home and plant your garden around this consensus. Doing so will maximize the benefits of your gardening efforts and area, as well as cut down on your grocery bills.

When you use the advice that has been provided in this article, you should feel confident in your horticulture skills and be able to grow an amazing garden. With the tips you gained from this article, you now should be able to cook homegrown, organic food, right in your kitchen, for you and others to enjoy.

Utilize These Tips In Your Personal Garden

~ craigb

TIP! Do not improperly lay your new sod. The soil requires preparation before sod can be laid.

It may seem like gardening would be hard to learn, but the truth is that you can get started with horticulture quite easily. Now that you have found this list of tips, hopefully, you can come out a little more informed when it comes to gardening, so that you can refine your methods and become a great gardener.

TIP! Use the handles of your tools as a handy ruler when doing your outdoor chores. Tools with substantial handles, like rakes, hoes and large shovels are great for taking measurements.

Do not improperly lay your new sod. Before you use sod, you need to prepare the soil. Pull all the weeds and loosen the soil so the new roots can take easily. Compact the soil lightly and firmly, and be sure to create a flat surface. Gently sprinkle water on the soil until you are certain that it is thoroughly moistened. Sod should be staggered in rows, the joints offsetting from each other. Firm the sod down to form a flat, even surface, and fill in any gaps between the sod with a little soil. Water the sod each day for two weeks so it will become well-rooted and ready for foot traffic.

TIP! When planting perennials, seek out those that are resistant to slugs. Snails and slugs are garden nightmares, and only need a single evening to obliterate a plant.

So you don’t shock the plants, you should gradually get them use to a change in the temperature and conditions. Try to place them in the new area for a couple of hours at a time the first day. Slowly, day after day, you can leave your plants outside for a little longer. The plants should be prepared to move outside permanently at the end of this week.

TIP! To grow properly, plants need adequate levels of CO2. A high level of CO2 provides an optimum environment for growth.

Choose plant strains that will give you the best harvest with the biggest yield. A plant that is resistant to disease, or one that is tolerant of extreme weather, will deliver a higher yield.

Flower Beds

TIP! Bulbs planted in the spring can flower all the way into summer. Bulbs are usually very hearty and very easy to grow, and bulbs will grow year after year.

Use biennials and annuals to add color to your flower beds. These usually grow quickly, and provide an easy-to-change solution to making your flower beds bright and beautiful. They allow you to select different flowers from one year or season to the next. Use them to fill gaps between shrubs and perennials in the sun. Notable collections include sunflower, marigold, hollyhock, rudbeckia, cosmos, and petunia.

TIP! You can plant wheat grass or cat grass near the plants that the cat eats. You can also try to offend the cats sense of smell with orange rinds or mothballs.

Bring some plants into your home to protect them against winter weather. Perhaps save the most resistant or expensive plants. When you dig up the plant, carefully avoid the roots then place it in a container.

TIP! Try dousing weeds in your garden with boiling water to get rid of them. This is a safe way to eliminate weeds, as this will not damage the soil.

Before actually putting plants into your garden, check the type and compostion of your 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. Before you ruin any crops, make sure you do this. Soil can be analyzed at a lot of cooperative extension offices, so make sure you plan accordingly.

TIP! The best way to start a garden is from first principles: seeds. This is a more sustainable way to start a garden.

If you are a first time gardener, it is important that you follow all of the instructions on all of your tools and chemicals. If you fail to do this, you could cause yourself all sorts of injuries, the most common of which is irritated skin. Directions, especially safety rules, are there for your own good, so make sure you follow instructions on your tools and chemicals to the letter.

TIP! Learn the best harvesting time for each kind of vegetable you plant. Each veggie has its own prime time for harvesting.

You can spray scents such as after-shave and cologne around your garden to deter your dog. 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.

Include your children in your efforts to organic horticulture. A garden can teach your children about the joy of rewarding work and nutrition while bonding.

TIP! Prevent damage from the sun by making sure you dress correctly whenever you go outside to garden. Pair sunglasses with wide-brimmed hats and a dab of sunblock.

Take care of your knees while working in the garden. It’s difficult for most people to bend while standing, especially at the waist. You can kneel instead to help keep your back relaxed while tending to your plants. You can use knee pads to kneel without the pain.

TIP! Keep your plants in a warm, moist environment, if possible. Plants require a warmer climate to grow.

Work efficiently in your garden. It’s frustrating to search for a tool for a half hour. Take the time to prepare the necessary tools, and then store them in a easily accessed place once you are done horticulture. You can use a tool belt, or you may want to wear pants with extra pockets.

TIP! Use this simple tip to get your perennial garden ready in a flash. Use your spade to slice chunks of turf up, then flip each piece over, and spread wood chips on top to a depth of four inches.

Do you want to kill weeds naturally? You should layer some newspaper to get weeds under control. It is a fact that weeds cannot thrive without light from the sun. If you place sheets of newspaper over the weeds, they will die due to a lack of sunlight. Because newspapers decompose well with the passage of time, they make great additions to compost. Try adding some mulch on top of it to make appear more attractive.

TIP! Do not plant your seeds in a rush. Begin by adding moisture to the dirt.

Using organic produce from organic gardens which are free of pesticides is a great benefit. Although this is great for your health, you need to make sure that you check all the produce careful for any bugs or pests before consuming.

TIP! For claiming your crops are credible and truly organic, get organic garden certified. This can increase your sales and also prove to your customers that they are getting the best produce out there.

This isn’t as horrible as you thought, is it? Like most topics, horticulture has a great deal of information to be learned and the advice is readily available from a number of sources. Sometimes, all it takes is one little tip that can help guide you along your way to help you get started. With the tips provided in this article, you have the knowledge to start your own garden.

Tips to Become An Expert On Organic Horticulture

~ craigb

TIP! Try not to cause shock to your plants by gradually changing their conditions and temperature. Put them outdoors in the sun for no more than two hours the first day.

Growing your own organic fruits and vegetables is a great way to save money and adopt a healthier diet, but it also requires efforts from you. You also have a wide variety of seeds that you can select from. Here are a few tips and techniques you can use to get started in your own organic garden.

TIP! The handles of your tools can double as clever rulers. Tools that can be used for more than one task are quite handy to own.

Lay sod properly. Before laying sod, you have to make sure the soil is accurately prepared. Remove weeds and break your soil until all the clumps are gone. Make sure your soil is flat and compacted. Now make sure the soil is thoroughly dampened. You should lay your sod staggered, and have the joints offset. Pat down the sod and fill any gaps with soil. You will have to water the sod every day for 2 weeks, and then it should be firmly rooted to the ground, and able to be walked on.

Flower Beds

TIP! When you are tending your garden in the fall, be on the alert for stink bugs. Stink bugs are attracted to tomatoes, beans and most fruits.

Plant a variety of annuals, biennials and perennials to keep your flower beds bright. These fast growth plants make flower beds vibrant, and they let you alter the appearance seasonally and annually. Sunny areas in the middle of shrubs and perennials can be filled in nicely with these plants. The most popular varieties to use include petunia, zinnia, cosmos, snapdragon, marigold, hollyhock, and sunflower.

TIP! When autumn has arrived, you must plant everything you want to eat before winter. This time, use a pumpkin for the container for your lettuce and kale, instead of plain clay pots.

Both cat grass and wheat grass are good for giving your errant feline pause. You could also place mothballs and citrus peels around your plants to keep your cat away.

TIP! If you discover that your soil is very alkaline, take used coffee grounds and mix them thoroughly with your soil. Basically, the grounds resupply the soil with acid.

Don’t cut your grass too short! When the grass is a little longer, the roots will be stronger and the lawn becomes more resistant. Short grass means short roots and dead grass.

TIP! Keep your garden fertilized. One type of fertilizer that really helps plants grow is manure, but be sure to utilize a type that is commercially composted to reduce the chances of pathogens.

Garden vegetables should be planted in areas of the ground that receive a minimum of six hours of daily sunlight. Pretty much any vegetable you plant in your garden requires sunshine for this duration. It allows them to grow in the proper manner and also much faster. It’s also the same for some types of flowers.

TIP! When you’re dealing with a veggie garden, pest control may be difficult. Do not spray harsh chemicals on the vegetables you are going to eat.

Irises should be divided. Take clumps that have become overgrown and divvy them up into separate plants. Lift bulbous irises when the foliage is dead. The bulbs should automatically divide in your palm, and once you put them back into the earth, they will typically flower the following year. Cut rhizomes into pieces with a knife. You can trim new pieces away from the outside of the bulbs and then simply throw the old center away. Every piece needs to have a minimum of one good offshoot. For optimum viability, plant your new cuttings into the ground without delay.

TIP! Working in your garden is an excellent way to relax yourself. There are numerous ways to seek personal comfort and peace.

Buy a wheelbarrow and kneeling stool to work with in the garden. Spending lots of time close to the ground while working tends to be hard on your knees, that is why it is important to have a portable and lightweight garden stool that you can use for comfort. Also, gardening can involve a lot of heavy lifting and moving items, therefore a robust wheelbarrow can make that aspect much easier.

TIP! If little ones live in your home, consider including everbearing strawberries in the garden plot. 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.

Select a specific type of plant to be the focal point of your garden. Gardens are like art; you need to give the piece (or garden) an initial focal point. Quite often a distinctive plant works well as a point of interest.

TIP! I

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. Using this will cover up the odors that your dog likes and will cut down on the intrigue of your landscaping for your furry friend.

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.

Any time that you are gardening in direct sunlight, dress appropriately to prevent skin damage. This includes wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Protecting yourself from the sun is the best way to prevent sunburns and skin cancer.

TIP! Take the necessary time when planting seeds. Water the soil first.

Allow your children to assist with the work to be done in your organic garden. Growing a garden offers a unique learning experience, and you and your child can grow closer while growing healthy food for your family.

TIP! When it is time to gather your produce, you should use an older laundry basket. The laundry basket is a perfect strainer for any produce run off.

If you are growing plants inside of your home, you need to keep the thermostat set to 65 to 75 degrees during the day. Warm temperatures encourage plant growth. If you aren’t wanting your house to be this warm in the winter, you can use a heat lamp on the plants.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Lightly ruffle your seeds by hand or with cardboard, twice daily in your organic garden. Although this method may seem counterproductive, it actually helps the seeds to grow quicker and stronger.

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. Nitrogen is often the most important nutrient when it comes to plants thriving, and a solid source of nitrogen, like coffee grounds, urea, or compost, can boost growth speed and increase height.

TIP! To get a good start, look below the surface! When buying tomato seedlings, avoid the ones with a bad root system or green starts. These starts will suck the resources from your seedlings for several weeks, inhibiting their growth.

As mentioned earlier, an organic garden could be a valuable asset for improving your diet. It is also important to be knowledgeable of the various types of plants that you can choose from. Following the advice you have read here is a great first step in starting your own successful organic garden that you can enjoy for years to come.

Organic Gardening Can Be Fun With These Tips

~ craigb

TIP! The handles on your gardening tools can be used as a convenient measuring instrument. Tools that can be used for more than one task are quite handy to own.

A garden can provide far more than just decorative appeal. It isn’t just a hobby or pastime for green-thumbed enthusiasts. Gardens give the people working on them a feeling of serenity and a close bond with nature. The effects can be especially profound if horticulture is something you excel at.

TIP! Prior to planting anything in your garden, check your soil. 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.

When you’re out and about in the garden, particularly in the fall, keep an eye out for sink bugs. Stinkbugs are most prevalent on tomatoes, beans and peppers. Stink bugs may get out of hand and do significant damage in your garden. It is important to take steps to eliminate them from that area.

TIP! Plants need CO2 grow well. In general, higher amounts of CO2 are related to better plant growth.

If you want your garden to sport flowers in the spring as well as summer, plant bulbs. Bulbs are hearty and will continue to grow every year. Different bulbs will bloom during different time periods. Therefore, if you select your bulbs correctly, you could have blooms in your garden for all of spring and summer.

TIP! In a place that’s dark, pre-soak the seeds. Take 3-4 seeds, put them in a small jar or container, and cover them with water.

Your vegetable garden should get at least six hours of sun daily. Pretty much any vegetable you plant in your garden requires sunshine for this duration. It allows them to grow in the proper manner and also much faster. This holds true for some types of flowers.

TIP! Plant a little catnip or wheatgrass in the area surrounding the plants that your cat is devouring. Alternatively, you can try putting mothballs, citrus peel or anything else with an odor that cats find distasteful in the soil surrounding the plants.

Try to keep your plants aerated and dry, every day. Moisture not only attracts parasites, but also makes it easier for your plants to contract diseases. Fungi is the most common parasite for plants. To control fungi, use a fungicide spray on the area before you notice any problems.

Mint Leaves

TIP! Use fertilizer for maximum planting success. Composted manure is effective in raising healthy plants, and commercial fertilizer products are safer and more convenient.

Do you love fresh mint leaves but hate how they quickly grow to take over your garden? Control their expansion by confining them to a large pot. The container will keep the roots from spreading throughout you garden, and prevent the mint leaves from sprouting in other areas.

TIP! Using pest-resistant plants or natural materials in your garden is a good way to keep pests away. For example, slugs can be deterred by the presence of marigolds or onions.

Familiarize yourself with the optimum harvesting time of your vegetables. Most vegetables have a relatively small harvesting window when they will taste best. For instance, zucchini and baby peas have the best taste when you pick them early. Yet, in reverse, tomatoes must wait for prime-ripeness before they are subject to being picked. So, make sure you do some research, and find out when the best time to harvest your vegetables is.

TIP! Be aware of the optimum time frame for harvesting vegetables. Each type of vegetables has its own ideal time for picking for the best flavor.

If you have a vegetable garden, it can be quite difficult to decide what to do about pest control. It is wise to limit the use of harsh chemicals, because the vegetables will be eaten. There is only one way to effectively control pests in your garden, and that is to stay vigilant in your efforts. When you are vigilant, you can simply remove the pests from your plants manually as soon as you notice them. Early detection is the best solution to ridding your garden of pests.

TIP! Pest control can be very difficult when dealing with a vegetable garden. You want to avoid spraying harsh chemicals since the vegetables are meant for consumption.

Prevent damage from the sun by making sure you dress correctly whenever you go outside to garden. Wear sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and sunblock. Protecting yourself from the sun will lower your chances of getting skin cancer, as well as prevent premature aging from sun damage.

TIP! Pick one plant to serve as your garden’s focal point. When you design your garden, think of a great focal point that will grab attention and add interest.

Vegetables are softer when they are warmer, increasing the risk that you will damage them. Do not twist the vegetable to remove it from the vine; instead, cut the stem to avoid damaging the plant.

TIP! Put coffee grounds in your soil. Coffee grounds are filled with nutritional elements plants need, such as nitrogen.

Are you a parent? If you are, try planting some strawberries like everbearing strawberries in your garden. Kids really enjoy plucking snacks directly from the ground, and may have greater enthusiasm for the work if they see the results of their labor right away.

TIP! When planting seeds in containers, plant the seed roughly three times deeper than the seed’s size. It is important to note though, that not all seeds are covered to this depth, as some need direct sunlight to grow properly.

Add aspirin to your plants to help them fight sickness. An aspirin and a half, combined with a couple of gallons of water, will do amazing things for your plants. The solution can then be used to spray the entire plant, and will offer protection naturally. Plants should be sprayed once every two to three weeks.

TIP! A beer trap is an effective way of of dealing with any slugs that invade your organic garden. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden, making sure that the lip of the jar is even with the soil.

Your seeds, once they begin sprouting, don’t need the same amount of warmth as they did before. It’s important to move the plants away from any heat source as they grow larger. Make sure you remember to remove any plastic films that were on the plant containers to repel humidity and warmth. You should know when the right time is if you are keeping an eye on the seeds.

Flower Beds

TIP! One of the benefits of organic produce over commercial produce is that it is not spayed with any toxic pesticides. This is great for the health of your family, but you will still have to regularly check your plants for bugs and pests.

In your flower beds and garden, utilize a few inches of organic mulch. This will help to inhibit weed growth, helps to lock in moisture, and adds needed nutrients to your organic garden. In addition, your flower beds will have a beautiful, finished appearance year round.

TIP! The watering of organic garden plants should be done with care. Visit a home and garden center to purchase a soaker hose.

Pine needles make a great organic mulch. A number of plants commonly grown in garden settings do best in an acidic soil. If that’s the case, the easiest thing to do is use pine needles for beds. Cover up your beds with a few inches of needles. As they start to decompose, they’ll spread out acid onto the ground and soil.

TIP! Laying mulch is a wonderful way to keep your garden vibrant. It also has the added benefit of keeping the soil moister and reducing the likelihood of weeds.

It can be hard to grow an organic garden without chemicals, but the end result is worth the effort. Growing organic is healthier and just overall better for you. Make sure you try your best to grow organic as opposed to adding chemicals to your garden.

TIP! Healthy gardens cannot exist without water. Your plants need it to survive.

Garlic can be simple to grow organically. It’s best to plant garlic cloves in either spring or fall. Make sure the soil is drained well. Plant individual cloves pointed end up approximately two inches deep and four inches apart. Green garlic can be cur directly from the plant and used in a pinch instead of scallions or chives. Harvest the garlic bulbs when the tops of the plants turn brown. Allow the sun to dry out the bulbs for a few days until the skin gets hard. Store them in a cool, dry location. You can store them as loose bulbs, or fasten them together into bunches.

TIP! Use a mix of ammonia with water to keep the snails away. The ammonia won’t hurt the fragile plants, and it will later convert to useful nitrogen.

Use the tips you just read to revitalize your garden with your new found green thumb. When your plants bloom and come alive you will feel tremendous joy and satisfaction. Horticulture is a way of relieving stress and making the world a prettier place so go out and start growing things and bringing life back to the world.

Your Dream Garden Is Just A Few Days Away!

~ craigb

TIP! Plant perennials that slugs and snails won’t be interested in eating. Slugs and snails can decimate a plant in one night.

Pay close attention to your organic garden, and take the absolute best care of it that you possibly can. Smart organic gardening can com in handy here. This will help you grow more healthier, happier and tastier produce in your garden. If you apply the tips from this article, you will have a lush, green organic garden.

TIP! Insects and various garden pests can be avoided by making your soil healthy. If you have healthy looking plants, they are stronger and more resistant to diseases and bugs.

Brighten your garden with biennials and annuals. The annuals and biennials are usually fast growing because they only last one season, and this will let you change the garden every season for a nice change of pace. You can fill any spaces between shrubs and perennials when they are in the sun. The most popular varieties to use include petunia, zinnia, cosmos, snapdragon, marigold, hollyhock, and sunflower.

TIP! Try using annuals and biennials to add color to your flower beds, and brighten them up. These fast growing flowers let you change how your flower bed looks season to season.

It’s sometimes possible to save certain plants from winter cold by bringing them inside. Choose the plants that are most likely to survive. Use caution when digging around the roots of your plant. You need to keep the root structure intact for it to thrive after being potted.

Carbon Dioxide

TIP! Do a soil analysis prior to planting. Consider getting a soil analysis and working on enrichment techniques for giving your garden a vibrant and healthy environment.

Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is essential to the growth of plants because of its role in photosynthesis. The majority of plants thrive when they are exposed to a high level of carbon dioxide. A greenhouse will provide the best method of providing enough CO2 for your plants. CO2 levels, when kept high, give your plants optimal growing conditions.

TIP! Remember to remove weeds from the garden. A vibrant garden will be overrun with weeds if they are left alone.

Grow some wheat grass or cat grass next to the plants your cat seems to prefer. Another option is to place something smelly, like citrus peels or mothballs, on the soil surrounding the plants that have previously been eaten.

TIP! Both cat grass and wheat grass are good for giving your errant feline pause. Additionally, use your cat’s keen sense of smell to your advantage.

You could try to boil weeds if you are trying to remain organic. Water is cheaper than chemical herbicides, and less hazardous to humans and soil. One simple layer across the weeds with a pot of boiling water will take care of the problem, but you have to remember the same applies to your plants, as well. What this does it essentially kill the weeds by damaging their roots. The result is that those weeds are unlikely to regrow.

TIP! You should get a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool for garden work. Spending too much time on the ground working can be quite hard on your knees, and a gardening stool can help alleviate this, plus make things more comfortable for you.

If your gardening plans include pea plantings, try starting them off indoors rather than planting the raw seeds in outdoor beds. Seeds are more likely to sprout when started indoors. They will also be healthier and hardier, allowing them to better resist pests and disease. You could transplant the seedlings outdoors once they are able to survive and thrive.

TIP! When growing a vegetable garden it can be hard to control pests. It is important not to use harmful chemical agents, because you are growing produce that is intended to be eaten.

Horticulture is an excellent relaxation tactic. There are a variety of ways to find peace and relaxation on a personal level. One of the greatest such methods is the art of horticulture. The returns are huge for a very minute up front investment cost. Great satisfaction will come from raising produce and flowers in your own environment.

TIP! Plant items with fall color. That doesn’t have to be it though.

To defend your garden from errant dogs, spray something with a strong scent, including aftershave or old perfume around the perimeter of the garden. 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.

TIP! Make a plant you love the focal point of your garden. A good garden design will have a focal point which captivates attention.

The flesh of vegetables gets soft in the heat of the day, making them especially vulnerable to inadvertent damage with even the gentlest picking. See to it that you cut their connection to the vine as opposed to twisting them, because twisting could hurt the plant.

TIP! Prevent damage from the sun by making sure you dress correctly whenever you go outside to garden. Wear sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and sunblock.

Heather can bring you beneficial insects. Bees like it because it gives them nectar in the springtime. Heather beds are common grounds for helpful insects such as spiders and ground beetles, because they don’t usually get bothered by human activity. Because of this, you might want to invest in a good pair of horticulture gloves for the times when you need to prune it.

TIP! Add used coffee grounds to your garden soil. These coffee grounds have many nitrogenous nutrients that your plants could use.

You must always take care of your knees when working in the garden. Bending over for extended periods can be harmful to your joints and muscles. Kneeling is much better for your back, and it will help you to tend to your plants with greater ease. You can pick up a knee pad for you to rest on so that your knees are at ease on the ground.

TIP! Increase the value of your property! Landscaping your yard will bring you a big return on your investment. There are some varieties of plants that increase property values by over 20%.

Easily and quickly prepare your ground for a garden of perennials. Simply slice into the ground with a spade, flip the top layer of soil, and then cover it with several inches of wood chips. Wait for a few weeks and plant new perennials in this area.

Flower Beds

TIP! Feeling in harmony with the earth is a benefit of gardening as a hobby, and this holds especially true when it comes to organic gardening. 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.

Add three inches of mulch to your flower beds. Doing this keeps weeds down, keeps the moisture in your plants, and gives more nutrients to the plants. Also, the flower beds will look beautifully maintained at all times.

TIP! If you are planning to plant trees or shrubs in your yard, you should pay close attention to the hole that you have dug. If, after digging a hole, you notice the sides look “glazed” from the action of the shovel, this could restrict plant roots from growing through to the surrounding soil.

Get the most out of what you have, and your property. You can get a very high return from improving your home through landscaping. Some plant investments can raise your resale value by 20% or more. Get low moisture plants for your garden and yard that are suited for your environment.

TIP! While you may already understand the importance of compost to organic gardening, are you aware of its true components? Compost is made up of things like old produce scraps, leaves, twigs, grass clippings and wood-chips that have broken down into something similar to soil in texture. It is recommended that you use this compost in place of commercial fertilizer on your organic garden.

It can be hard to grow an organic garden without chemicals, but the end result is worth the effort. Chemical giants claim miracles, but those miracle crops come at a price to whoever eats the produce.

TIP! Increase the amount of mulch you use in your garden to conserve water. Watering will be decreased with an increase in mulch.

Change how much you water your plants with the changing of the seasons. You should also adjust your watering habits if the temperature or amount of rainfall changes dramatically. You will need to water differently depending on what time it is or what kind of soil you are using. An example would be that if you live in a humid and warm climate, then you’ll want to avoid watering the plant’s leaves as this will cause fungus to grow on your plants. Instead, water the roots only.

TIP! One way to improve the quality of an organic garden, is to separate rows of plants with ditches. This will mean that water will flow directly to the plants with no additional effort on your part.

As you can conclude from what you have just read, having an organic garden can provide you with nutrient rich and fresh fruits and vegetables. It takes a lot of work and tons of patience, but it is all worth it in the end to have a successful organic garden.

Gardening Like A Pro: Organic Gardening Tips

~ craigb

TIP! Start your plants in containers before transferring them to the garden. This raises the chances of the plants growing until adulthood.

There are many sources of advice and information about gardening techniques. You can easily go through an entire day looking at various websites, and searching for tips that can help your garden. If you are ready to start creating your own garden you don’t have to learn everything there is to know about horticulture, but you will want to pay attention to a few important steps that can increase the success you will have with planting and maintaining your garden. Read on to start learning.

TIP! Insects and various garden pests can be avoided by making your soil healthy. If you have healthy looking plants, they are stronger and more resistant to diseases and bugs.

Start your plants in containers before transferring them to the garden. This boosts the chance that the plants can survive to adulthood. In addition, it offers you a smaller time frame between plantings. As soon as the mature plants are removed, you can replace them with fresh seedlings.

TIP! When fall is here, you need to plant autumn edibles. This year, instead of using your regular clay pots to plant your kale and lettuce, use a pumpkin as the container instead! To use the pumpkin as a planter, it is important to prevent it from rotting.

When dealing with any type of seeds in gardening, it’s important that you soak them overnight in a cool, dark location. Place a small amount of seeds in a little container, while filling it to the brim with water. That way, the seeds will have sufficient hydration and will have the best start possible. The seeds will have a better chance of surviving and maturing.

TIP! Don’t mow 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.

Allow enough room between plants for air to circulate, so that plants do not stay too wet. Damp leaves can lead to plant disease and parasites. A fungus is one of the most important and debilitating parasites 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.

TIP! Prior to planting your garden, devise a plan. Use your seed packages to make fun markers that will remind you where each type of plant is growing.

Learn the best harvesting time for each kind of vegetable you plant. Most vegetables have a relatively small harvesting window when they will taste best. Peas, for instance, should be harvested rather young if you wish to obtain the best flavors and texture. On the contrary, tomatoes shouldn’t be picked from the vine until they are ripe as can be. So, make sure you do some research, and find out when the best time to harvest your vegetables is.

TIP! If your garden contains lots of short plants, purchase some gardening knee pads. Weeding, watering and picking through your vegetation can cause a lot of damage to your knees if left unprotected.

Always protect yourself from the sun when you are outdoors working in the garden; you can do this by wearing clothes that will shield you from the sun. Wear sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and sunblock. Using the right protection from the harmful rays of the sun means less of a chance of you getting sunburn and skin cancer.

TIP! Split up your irises. You can divide those overgrown clumps and increase the amount of irises you have.

Vegetables are softer in the heat of the hottest part of the day; even gently picking them at that time can damage them. Cut vegetables to remove them from vines rather than twisting and pulling them. Twisting vegetables off vines damages them.

TIP! Interested in using Mother Nature to keep pests at bay the natural way? Forming a border around your vegetable garden with marigolds or onions are ideal for repelling slugs. Insect pests will stay away from seedlings and trees if you use wood ash around the base as a mulch.

The ideal temperature to set your thermostat for indoor plants is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the daylight hours. Warm temperatures encourage plant growth. If there are times during the year when you would prefer not to have the temperature that high, another solution you can utilize is to purchase heat lamps for your organic plants.

Flower Beds

TIP! Keep your pet out of the garden with old perfume or aftershave in the grass. Using this will cover up the odors that your dog likes and will cut down on the intrigue of your landscaping for your furry friend.

The optimal amount of organic mulch to use in your flower beds is 2-3 inches. Mulching is the perfect way to lock in moisture, nourish soil, and to keep away weeds. This also gives your flower beds a more aesthetic aspect.

TIP! One way to help your organic garden thrive is to leave an undeveloped area that is conducive to the wildlife around your area. Wildlife can help the plants in your garden to thrive, as insects support plant reproduction, while the excrement of many species contains nutrients which can help to fertilize your soil.

Pine is a mulch that is great. There are some plants that thrive in acidic soil. If that’s the case, the easiest thing to do is use pine needles for beds. Sprinkle the pine needles over your beds. As the needles decompose, they add to the acid level in the soil.

TIP! When you are growing organic plants within the home or an enclosed area, considering how much light the plants will receive must be emphasized. The amount of light available can determine which type of organic plants you should grow.

Increase the value of your property! Landscaping can make the value of your property go up. Certain plant investments could raise your home’s resale value by approximately 20% or possibly more! Plants that are low in moisture and suit your environment are a good investment.

TIP! After your seeds sprout, the containers do not need to stay as warm as they once did. You should move your sprouted plants farther from the heat when they are past the sprouting stage.

Mulch is necessary for a healthy soil. Protection is provided by placing the layer of mulch upon the soil. This protective effect is especially important during the summer, as it protects the roots from the effects of the heat. 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 all the weeds you have stay under control, relieving stress from your shoulders.

TIP! Organic fruits and vegetables grow without being exposed to pesticides and other chemicals. Though this is certainly a great thing for the health of your loved ones, it is important to watch for additional pests and insects that may be present.

If you over-water your plants, they can’t get all the nutrients they need from the dirt. Check the weather for the next couple of days to see if you actually need to water your plants. After reviewing the weather forecast, you can decide whether or not to spend the time and resources watering the garden.

TIP! When setting up an organic garden, plant tomatoes three weeks apart. The reason is, this will prevent your entire harvest from coming in all at once.

Make sure you plant your garden in different areas every year. Planting the same family of plants in the same area over and over can cause disease and fungus to start growing. The diseases and fungi are harbored in the soil and are ready to make a comeback each year. However, by alternating the locations of your different types of plants, you can naturally prevent the fungi and diseases from developing.

TIP! Build a garden full of diversity. Packing your garden with multiple species and varieties helps ensure you attract wildlife.

Knowing what you are doing in the garden can be very satisfying. The rewards increase as you develop your skills and your garden flourishes. You should take all the good information you can get. Start out with the tips you have learned from this article, and soon you will have an amazing garden that you thought was never possible.

Excellent Advice For Giving Your Garden A Makeover.

~ craigb

TIP! Turn the handles of tools you have on hand into rulers to make measurements in your garden. Larger handled tools like rakes, hoes, and shovels make great measuring sticks.

Most likely, you have seen organic foods in your local grocery store or read about them in a newspaper. Organically produced foods typically stand out from the rest. They have special packaging and cost a fortune. You can cut the store out of the equation and save a lot of money by planting your own patch of organic vegetables in the back yard!

Flower Beds

TIP! Make sure to pre-soak seeds, preferably in a dark location. Drop your seeds into a small jar that is filled with cold water.

Give your flower beds a boost by introducing annuals and biennials. 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. You can fill any spaces between shrubs and perennials when they are in the sun. Notable varieties include cosmos, rudbeckia, petunia, hollyhock, marigold and sunflower.

TIP! If you have a vegetable garden, it is crucial they are kept in a spot with at least six hours of sun each day. Many types of veggies require this amount in order to thrive and produce the food source that you are hoping for.

If your landscape includes low-growing plants, you should invest in a set of knee pads specifically designed for gardening. The time that you will have to spend on your knees in your garden can cause you unnecessary knee pain. Your knees can get supported with a decent pair of gardening knee pads.

TIP! Before you start planting your garden, plan it out. That way, if you see your plants beginning to bud but can’t recall what they are, you can refer back to your plan to refresh your memory.

Broad-spectrum pesticides are really not the optimal choice for pest control in your garden. This particular type of pesticide will also kill the useful insects that consume the pests. Beneficial bugs are usually several orders more sensitive to the things you spray than the pests you are trying to kill, so you might wind up dropping the good bug populace and open the door to pest population growth. If you respond to the growing pest problem with more broad-spectrum pesticide, you only continue the harmful cycle.

Fall Season

TIP! Purchase an inexpensive gardening kneeling pad, as well as a wheelbarrow or wagon. You can make gardening much more comfortable on your knees by using a portable garden stool.

Don’t count the fall season out. This might not be the reason why. The fall season is probably the most colorful of the year in terms of foliage. Maple, Beech and Dogwood trees are available in a number of fall colors, varying from bright yellow to rich crimson. Shrubs such as cotoneaster, hydrangea, and barberry will also provide a splash of color in the fall.

TIP! When gardening, don’t use any broad-spectrum pesticides. These pesticides will kill every type of pest in your garden, including beneficial bugs that eat garden pests.

You must always take care of your knees when working in the garden. Bending over while horticulture can be painful and unhealthy for your back. Kneeling is a preferred way to get to your plants while minimizing back pain. Many types of horticulture pads and cushions are available so that avid gardeners can kneel for longer periods of time without experiencing knee pain.

TIP! Try to relax with gardening. There are numerous ways to seek personal comfort and peace.

A great way to ensure that your organic garden will do well is to keep a section of your land unspoiled. The natural wildlife will spring up and make for a perfect organic habitat. The kind of birds and insects needed for pollination will be naturally present on your property and help with your organic garden.

TIP! Scent the grass around your garden with old perfume or discarded aftershave to prevent your dog from wandering into your garden. This helps mask the attractive scents and can make your garden unappealing to them.

Organic material piled three inches deep is an effective mulch in your flower gardens. This is a good way to keep weed growth at bay and add nutrients that you need in your garden. It will also increase the visual appeal of the flower beds.

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.

Pine is a wonderful mulch so do not discard the idea. A number of plants commonly grown in garden settings do best in an acidic soil. If you have some of these plants, then pine needles are an easy way to add acid to their bed. Cover the beds with a couple inches of needles and as they decompose, they will disperse acid to the soil.

TIP! Make sure you have your gardening tools near you, so you can maximize your gardening efficiency. You have several options including using a bucket to hold your tools or wearing pants with lots of sturdy pockets.

A good way to plant seeds is in containers. Plant them three times as deep as their overall size. Some seeds shouldn’t be covered and must be in sunlight at all times. Some common examples include ageratum and petunias. If you are not sure whether your seeds need to be exposed to sunlight, resources are usually provided with the seeds or can be found online.

TIP! After your seeds begin to sprout, it is not as important to keep them warm. As your plants grow, move them away from the source of heat.

One odd but apparently useful tip for growing organic plants, is to lightly brush your plants with your fingers or a piece of cardboard 1-2 times a day. You may think it odd, but studies show that this action results in plant growth that is more substantial than would otherwise be achieved.

TIP! You can use something like a laundry basket to gather all of your produce together when the time comes. This type of basket can double as a large colander for the fruits and vegetables you pick.

You can get rid of slugs with a simple beer trap. First, place a glass canning jar in the soil, burying it until the mouth is even with the surface of the soil. Pour enough beer into the jar to fill it below an inch from the top. Slugs are attracted by the beer and won’t be able to exit the jar once they enter.

TIP! Lightly ruffle your seeds by hand or with cardboard, twice daily in your organic garden. While this appears strange, research shows it can help plants grow larger, versus not petting them at all.

Get your organic garden certified so you can credibly claim that your crops are organic. This can boost sales and tell loyal customers that you’re providing the best to them.

TIP! A diversity of materials can be used to construct raised beds. These include brick, stone, and wood.

An organic garden is a benefit to you and everyone else who consumes the food that grows there. Growing organic is healthier and just overall better for you. Make sure you try your best to grow organic as opposed to adding chemicals to your garden.

TIP! A good tip for an organic garden with tomatoes, is to plant an additional set of tomatoes once three weeks have passed since you planted the original ones. When you stagger your planting in this manner, your tomato plants will not be in bloom all at once, meaning you have fresh tomatoes for longer.

Mulch your garden to keep the soil nourished. Mulch acts as a protective covering for the soil. It can also keep the ground from overheating during hot weather, which will protect the roots of your plants from damage. The soil will also stay moist longer because it reduces evaporation. This will also help to keep weeds under control.

TIP! The mulch in your organic flowerbeds should be made of organic material and be no shallower than three inches. Doing this will nourish the soil in your garden and improve its ability to retain moisture.

An excellent feature of organic vegetables is that they contain no 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.

TIP! Pay attention to which products you can use in your garden. Try natural or organic alternatives to the usual chemical fertilizers.

Growing your garden at home might not be the most convenient thing for you, but you will save a lot of money and always have the confidence that what you’re eating and feeding your family is as fresh and as healthy as possible. Use the tips you’ve learned here and get started on your garden today.