organic gardener

Garden The Organic Way With These Great Tips!

~ craigb

TIP! Digging in clay soil with a shovel can be very difficult. The clay isn’t easy to work with and will adhere to the shovel, which only makes the problem worse.

A lot of people are finding out the benefits of growing an organic garden. If you use the suggestions here, you’ll be able to create your own successful organic garden. Simply follow through with our handy tips and tricks and take advantage of these great results.

TIP! Cooling weather of early fall signals the opportune time to plant seasonal edibles. Clay pots are boring, so replace those ordinary lettuce and kale pots with pumpkins.

Use biennials and annuals to beautify your flower beds. By utilizing quick-growing biennials and annuals, not only will you be brightening up your flower bed, you can also alter its look each season and each year. In an area that is sunny, they make good plants to place in the gaps found between shrubs and perennials. A variety of flowers that will thrive in your region are available.

TIP! Try growing wheat grass or cat grass in the area of the plants your cat wants to eat. Another option is to place offensively smelling objects on the topsoil near and around the plants you want to protect.

Make sure your soil is healthy enough before you start planting anything. Have a soil analysis completed so you can know what you need to add to have soil which will fully support your garden. A lot of cooperative extension offices can provide this service to you and it is worth knowing what you need to do in order to avoid ruining your plants.

TIP! Keep your plants dry and aerated daily. Moisture on plants is sure to attract disease and parasites.

Don’t cut your grass down by the soil when you run the mower. If you leave a bit more height, the grass roots will get deeper, making your lawn stronger. If the grass is too short, it produces shallow roots and that leads to a lawn with brown spots and dried-out patches.

TIP! The best gardens start with seeds, as opposed to plants. When planting a garden, the best way is to initially start with seeds.

Start your garden off right with seeds, not plants. It’s better for the environment to begin from seed. Plastic used in nurseries normally end up in landfills. For an garden that helps the environment, plant seeds directly in the garden’s soil or purchase plants grown in organic packaging.

TIP! Gardening is an excellent relaxation tactic. There are countless ways that people find to relax.

When it comes to harvesting your vegetables, know when the optimal time is to do so. Each type of produce has unique time frames for harvesting at the peak of flavor. For example, zucchini and baby peas are best picked 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.

TIP! Your children can help you with your garden. Growing a garden is a great way to teach your children about nature while allowing you to have time to bond with them.

When you’re dealing with a veggie garden, pest control may be difficult. One major benefit of growing your own produce is knowing that they haven’t been treated with pesticides and other harsh chemicals. Remain alert in order to control garden pests. When you see bugs, remove them by hand before they have a chance of spreading.

TIP! One of the problems that people come up against when trying to grow organic plants indoors is a lack of natural light. If the room you wish to grow them in faces in a direction that gets little light, choose varieties of plants which can accept this type of environment.

An easy, inexpensive way to give them nutrients is to pour the leftover water from your steamed vegetables into the soil. Tea and coffee grounds can be used to add acidity to your soil for plants like gardenias and rhododendrons. If fungus is ravaging your potted plants, sprinkle a bit of Chamomile tea on them, and see if it helps.

TIP! Use this simple tip to get your perennial garden ready in a flash. Only a garden spade and woods chips are necessary.

Do not use broad-spectrum pesticides within your garden. Besides killing the insects you don’t want, this type of pesticide will also kill beneficial insects. 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 result in your using more pesticides to eradicate the problem.

TIP! To make the most of your time in the garden, you should store all of your tools and implements in a close, accessible location. You can wear an apron or pants that have a lot of pockets, or use a big bucket or can.

Plant items with fall color. It doesn’t have to be this way, however. When it comes to brightly colored foliage, fall is an amazing time of year. Maple trees are an autumn rainbow of crimsons to yellows, and so are beech and dogwood trees. Consider hydrangea, barberry and cotoneaster when considering purchasing a shrub.

TIP! Spacing is one of the primary considerations when planning an organic garden. It’s common to not think about how much space a plant will need once it’s full grown, and you don’t want to crowd your garden.

Take the time needed to plant your seeds. Begin by adding moisture to the 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 you won’t have to bury because they need light in order to grow.

TIP! Keep your compost pile balanced with a combination of dried and green plant mulch. Green plant material can include items such as leftover produce waste, grass clippings and leaves.

When your plants begin to sprout, they can survive in somewhat cooler temperatures. As your baby plants grow, you can move them from their heat source. Take any plastic film off of your containers because they hold in heat and humidity. You need to read the seeds to know the best time to do this.

TIP! In an organic garden, ruffle any seedlings with a piece of cardboard, or even your hand, a couple times each day. This will make your plants grow faster and they will get bigger than they would have without this practice.

When planting your organic garden, spacing is an important thing to keep in mind. It’s common to not think about how much space a plant will need once it’s full grown, and you don’t want to crowd your garden. Your plants will need the space not only because of their physical size, but also because the space will provide air circulation for the garden. Because of this, you should always take the time to ensure that there’s enough distance between all your seeds.

TIP! If slugs are disrupting the balance of your garden, you can diminish their population by using a beer trap. Place a jar into the soil so that the top of it’s mouth rests parallel with the soil.

Try using a beer trap to naturally eradicate slugs from your organic garden. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden so that the top of it is level with the soil. Pour beer into the jar until it is an inch from the top. The beer helps attract slugs and they end up trapped.

TIP! Know what you’d specifically like to grow within your organic garden. Different types of flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables, require different kinds of soils and environmental conditions to grow properly.

To be able to say you have legitimate organic and credible crops, you will need to be certified as having an organic garden. Obtaining this certification will give you further credibility as an organic gardener, boosting sales and proving to your customers that you provide only the best.

TIP! An organic garden doesn’t have to be restricted to a few types of plants. You can grow anything.

As stated earlier, applying organic gardening methods requires only a modest amount of time and effort. Use what you learned today, and apply it to your garden to see how much of a difference it makes. You can succeed as an organic gardener. You will have tasty, fresh vegetables and a beautiful addition to your home.

These Tips Can Help Your Organic Garden Thrive!

~ craigb

TIP! Clay soil is hard and will also stick to a shovel, making it difficult to work with. Coat and buff the digging end of the shovel with automobile wax to make digging easier.

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! When gardening, beware of stink bugs and other insects, particularly in the autumn. They enjoy tomatoes, peppers, beans, and many different varieties of fruits.

When winter comes around, save some plants by putting them in the house. Think about saving your resistant plants or the expensive ones. Carefully dig up the plants, using caution not to disturb the roots, then transfer into a pot.

TIP! Regular weeding is essential to the health of any garden. Weeds can truly ruin a good garden.

CO2 is essential for growth. When exposed to high levels of CO2, most types of plants will grow better. A greenhouse is the best way to create an environment rich in CO2. CO2 levels are best kept high, in order to provide optimal growing conditions for your plants.

TIP! When fall arrives, it’s time to plant your autumn vegetables. A pumpkin makes a great container, and costs less than a clay pot.

Try dividing the irises. Increase your iris population when you divide up overgrown clumps. Try to life the bulbous irises when foliage begins to die. As soon as you pick up the bulb, it’ll split into pieces. That’s okay – in fact, it’s desirable. You can replant the bulb pieces and next year you’ll have a healthy bed of new irises. Rhizomes may need to be divided by using a knife. Cut the center out of each rhizome but save the pieces. Each piece needs one strong offshoot. Replant right away.

TIP! Create your own garden from scratch with seeds, rather than plants. It’s better for the environment to begin from seed.

Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. Seeds that are planted indoors will enjoy superior germination. The seedling may also be hardier, which means that they can better resist disease and attacks from pests. Transplant them outside when they are fully established and able to thrive.

TIP! Avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides in your garden. These strong pesticides are non-selective, killing beneficial insects as well as pests.

Know when to harvest your vegetables at precisely the right time. Every vegetable has a proper time to be picked in order to capture the perfect flavor. For instance, peas and zucchinis are tastiest when picked young. Plant winter vegetables at the right time for a sweeter flavor. So, find out the best time to harvest your vegetables.

TIP! When planting anything, think about planting for color so that you have something to enjoy in the fall. That doesn’t have to be way it is though! The autumn season can be one of the best growing seasons and is certainly the most colorful.

Try to relax with gardening. You can relax and be at peace in many different ways. Gardening is one of the easiest ways to attain this. While you do have to invest a little bit of money, the returns on that are huge. The best part of it is not the plants themselves, but the stillness achieved by tending to them.

TIP! Gardening can be hard on your knees. It’s difficult for most people to bend while standing, especially at the waist.

When you are organic horticulture, ask your children to lend a hand. Children will benefit from the fresh air while bonding with you in your efforts to provide healthier food alternatives for them.

TIP! If you are looking at creating an endurable organic garden, you should think about keeping some of your property vacant so that wildlife may flourish there. You will find that many of the supporting cast of insects and birds that aid in plant production and pollination will be present on your land and actually help your developed gardens to produce better.

Take the time needed to plant your seeds. A key first step is to add moisture to your soil. Then distribute the seeds so that they are evenly spaced and have sufficient room to grow. Bury them at a depth that is three times that of the height of the seeds. Certain types of seeds should simply be dropped on top of the soil due to needing sunlight for growth.

TIP! As the seeds sprout, they’ll need less warmth. Move your plants away from the heat as they grow.

After your seeds have sprouted, heat lamps are not needed. It’s important to move the plants away from any heat source as they grow larger. This also includes removing any plastic that you had covering the plant or container. Keep a close watch on your seeds to know when to do this.

TIP! You should utilize around three inches of mulch that is organic in your flower beds. Covering the beds with mulch serves multiple purposes; it helps the flowers by retaining moisture and adding nutrients, and it discourages the growth of unwanted plants.

Spacing is one important factor in horticulture. As plants grow and spread out, you will not always know how much space will be required. Beyond just the physical space that the plants will need, you should also consider the airflow that the plants will require. Make sure your seeds have a good amount of space between each other for optimal growth.

TIP! Spacing is one of the primary considerations when planning an organic garden. It is easy to underestimate the amount of space that the plants will take up once they start to grow.

Use a beer trap to capture slugs and stop them from eating your plants. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden so that the top of it is level with the soil. Fill it with beer to about one inch below the top of the jar. Slugs are attracted to beer. They will crawl into the jar and be trapped.

TIP! Do not let your gardening chores add up. Even if you are too busy to tend to your gardens needs every day, you can try little things that will prevent you from having a lot of work when you return to your garden.

Try to use untreated wood, brick or stone and make a raised bed. If you choose to use wood, make sure it is naturally rot resistant and untreated. Good choices are cedar, locust and cypress. In order to avoid toxic substances from getting into the ground and perhaps into your vegetables, avoid using treated wood to enclose or demarcate different sections of your vegetable garden. If you have already used lumber that is treated, you can line it with plastic or another type of barrier.

TIP! When planting seeds into a container, the depth of your planting should be 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.

While organic gardening costs more and requires more effort, the produce that will come out of your garden will be healthier for you. While chemical pesticides and fertilizers may claim to do great things for your garden, organic methods will give you the best crops possible.

TIP! You can make organic gardening much easier. Make use of flowers, native grasses, and bushes in your landscaping.

Now you know a little more on how you can be a successful organic gardener. You have much of the information that you need right at your fingertips. All that remains is for you to apply it. You can use whatever information you find useful when you create your own beautiful organic garden.

Have Fun In The Garden With These Tips

~ craigb

TIP! Start your plants in some pots and plant its seedlings in the garden. Once the plant is hardy enough, plant it in your garden.

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.

Clay Soil

TIP! Plants need to take in CO2 to grow and thrive. The majority of plants thrive when they are exposed to a high level of carbon dioxide.

Trying to shovel through clay soil can be extremely difficult and tiresome. Take the hard work out of using a shovel in clay soil by rubbing a light coat of car or floor wax over the surface with a clean cloth and buff the surface. The shovel will glide through the clay and as a bonus, your shovel will be resistant to rust.

TIP! For showy flowers throughout the spring and summer, plant plenty of bulbs. Most bulbs are extremely hearty and grow easily.

Start your seedlings in pots inside and then transplant them into your garden. This really increases the survival rate of young plants. You will then be able to lessen the time between planting your seeds. Your next crop of seedlings will be started and ready to be planted immediately after you remove your last crop from the garden.

TIP! One way to correct your soil’s alkalinity is by amending your soil with used coffee grounds. This is an easy and inexpensive method to increase the acidity of your soil.

Starting a garden with the best soil is a great defense mechanism against pests. Healthier plants are stronger, which in turn can help the plants you grow to become more resistant to disease and bugs that can harm them. Starting with soil that is in good condition can yield the best plants.

Climbing Plants

TIP! To make an interesting English garden, mix various plants and plant heights in the same bed. If you want a more organized look, select plants that will grow to the same height and put them in the same bed.

Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. Climbing plants can cover a wall after one growing season only. They can be trained to grow over an arbor, or through trees and shrubs that are already in the garden. Sometimes the plants will require being tied to supports, but some climbers will attach themselves naturally. Honeysuckle and jasmine are very beautiful varieties of such climbers.

TIP! Add aspirin to your plants to help them fight sickness. An aspirin and a half, dissolved in about two gallons of fresh water, is great for your plants.

It’s sometimes possible to save certain plants from winter cold by bringing them inside. Maybe you could pick out the most expensive plants or the most hardy ones. Dig around roots carefully before transferring to a pot.

TIP! If you have a cut, be careful about exposing it to soil or gardening chemicals. It is possible for a cut to become extremely infected if it comes into contact with dirt and grime while gardening.

CO2 is essential for growth. Most plants grow better in higher levels of CO2. Growing plants in a greenhouse is the best way to contain CO2 for use by your plants. The levels need to be kept high for optimum greenery growth.

TIP! You should utilize around three inches of mulch that is organic in your flower beds. Using this much mulch retards weed growth, locks in moisture, and ensures that your plants are well-nourished.

Regular weeding is essential to the health of any garden. Weeds can kill a precious garden. White vinegar is one option you can use in your routine weed removal. That’s right, you have safe way to get rid of weeds right there in your kitchen cabinet. So, use a spray solution of white vinegar if you are tired of pulling those weeds by hand.

TIP! Increase the value of your property! Landscaping increases your house’s curb appeal and give you a good return for the money invested. When you invest into plants they can do a lot to your home, they can raise the resale value of your home by 20% and possibly more.

Autumn not only means colder weather but new vegetables to plant. A pumpkin makes a great container, and costs less than a clay pot. Slice a hole around the stem, and pull the pumpkin top out. Then remove the guts and use Wilt-Pruf to cover the insides and prevent rot. After you have finished this, you will be ready to start planting.

TIP! A good general rule when planting your seeds into containers is that the depth of the planting should be about three times the size of 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.

Come up with a horticulture plan before planting anything. 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. The plan will also help you keep track of your more diminutive plants and smaller groups that could otherwise become lost among a sea of larger plantings.

TIP! Slugs are a nuisance that can be easily remedied with the use of an organic beer tramp. Use a glass jar buried in the soil so the rim of the jar is at ground level.

An excellent garden shouldn’t begin from plants. They should begin from seeds. This is a more sustainable way to start a garden. Seeds eliminate the waste of plastic containers from nurseries which rarely get recycled. There are some nurseries, however, that send their plants out in organic potting materials.

TIP! Add mulch to your garden to improve the vitality of the soil. A couple of inches of mulch will protect what lies beneath it.

The sun can cause irreparable skin damage; therefore, it is essential to dress accordingly when horticulture. Wear sunglasses and hats with wide brims, and apply sunscreen. Utilizing the correct sun protection makes it less likely that sunburn will occur and decreases the chance that skin cancer will develop.

Grow Plants

TIP! You could simply make a new perennials garden in a couple easy steps. Use a spade to cut the turf and flip it over.

One of the problems that people come up against when trying to grow organic plants indoors is a lack of natural light. If your apartment or home does not receive a huge amount of sunlight, you might want to grow plants that adapt to medium and low light environments instead. If you want to grow plants that need a lot of light, consider using artificial lighting.

TIP! Determine which plants you want to grow in advance when planning an organic garden. Different variations of a certain flower or vegetable need different kinds of environments.

Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. Use a large bucket, or wear rugged pants with several pockets. You should always have your gloves, pruning shears and a trowel close to you.

TIP! It is wise to build a fence around your garden prior to starting in planting your garden. A protective barrier that protects a garden from animals gives plants the chance they need to grow from seeds to maturity.

Seeds that have sprouted don’t require the extra warmth that was needed before they sprouted. After growth begins, you can remove plants from any excessive heat sources. Also take any plastic films off of your containers, so you can keep the warmth and humidity out. You should know when the right time is if you are keeping an eye on the seeds.

Pine Needles

TIP! Draw up a planting calendar to plan your gardening efforts. A calendar used for planning can tell you when each plants grows in each season.

Do not overlook the benefits of pine mulch for your garden. A number of plants commonly grown in garden settings do best in an acidic soil. If you have these plants in your garden, keep them healthy by using pine needles as mulch. Sprinkle the pine needles over your beds. As the needles decompose, they add to the acid level in the soil.

TIP! If you know what a chicken tractor is, then consider utilizing one to prepare your future garden with fertilizer. This device is a chicken coop that can be moved from one spot in your garden to another.

Spacing is an important factor to consider when planting your garden. When the garden is bare, it is sometimes hard to envision how much space a mature plant actually needs. Your plants will need the space not only because of their physical size, but also because the space will provide air circulation for the garden. Plot out all of these considerations before putting that first seed in the ground.

TIP! If you want to develop strong roots in your plants, you should make sure to plant them in the fall. Planting larger plants during the fall gives them the foundation they need for proper growth.

After you have read the suggestions here, you will have a better idea of what you need in order to be an organic gardener. This is a field of endeavor where a wealth of useful information exists, and you have to delve into this knowledge. With these tips in mind, you will be able to create your very own methods of creating a great organic garden.

Tips That Will Get You Enthusiastic For Gardening

~ craigb

TIP! Your plants will respond better to gradual changes of environment. Leave them outside in sunlight for a couple of hours on the initial day.

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! 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. Use a thin coat of floor or car wax on your shovel, then buff it with a nice clean cloth to make dealing with clay soil easier.

Pay attention to how you lay sod. Start by preparing your soil with care. Pull all the weeds and loosen the soil so the new roots can take easily. Make sure the soil is packed firmly and even. You then will want to thoroughly wet the soil. Avoid laying your sod in straight rows with all of the seams lining up. Instead, stagger the rows for a more pleasing visual effect. Make sure that the sod forms an even, flat surface, and if you have any gaps show between the sod, fill them with a little bit of soil. Sod has to be watered daily for two weeks, and then it can be rooted.

TIP! Use proper soil for the best results. Depending on the type of plants you desire in your garden, your natural soil may or may not be appropriate.

Keeping your garden soil rich and healthy is the best way to discourage garden pests. Healthy plants are stronger and more able to resist both pests and disease. Begin with a high-quality soil with less chemicals to avoid salt accumulation, and you give your garden an excellent chance of growing healthy plants.

TIP! Plants need CO2 grow well. Plants are more likely to thrive in environments where high levels of CO2 are present.

When winter arrives, you could save some plants by placing them inside your house. Think about saving your resistant plants or the expensive ones. Dig carefully around the roots and transfer the plants to a pot.

You can plant wheat grass or cat grass near the plants that the cat eats. Try putting mothballs or citrus on your soil to wards pets away.

TIP! Keep your plants dry and aerated daily. Parasites and pests are attracted to excess moisture on the plants.

Don’t mow your grass too short. If you leave your grass kind of high, your roots will be deeper and your lawn will be stronger and not dry out. Leaving the grass short makes it more prone to drying out, which leaves your lawn look really brown and yucky.

TIP! You can prevent pests using other plants or natural materials. Slugs can be kept at bay with a patch of marigolds or pungent vegetables.

Many people delight in the taste of fresh mint leaves, but become frustrated when the plant spreads wildly. Control their expansion by confining them to a large pot. If you prefer, you can even place the container in the ground, but the pot’s walls will prevent the mint from spreading and being a nuisance in your garden.

TIP! You can help provide nutrients by watering your plants with room temperature water that is leftover after cooking vegetables. Tea and coffee grounds can be used to add acidity to your soil for plants like gardenias and rhododendrons.

Keeping pests out of a vegetable garden can be difficult. Since you are growing the vegetables for your own consumption, you want to stay away from pesticides. Instead of resorting to these harmful chemicals, you can keep garden pests at bay simply by paying close attention. By noticing them at an early stage, you can simply pluck them away from your plants with your fingers.

TIP! Look for targeted pesticides instead of using popular but damaging broad-spectrum products. These pesticides can kill the useful insects that work as predators to pests.

To draw good insects to your garden, plant heather. Heather attracts bees, and when they come out in the spring, this provides an early nectar source. Spiders, ground beetles and other insects helpful to your garden tend to live in a heather bed, because heather beds are generally undisturbed. Because of this, you should put on a pair of gloves when it’s time to prune the heather.

TIP! Choose a plant as a focal point. Your focal point will be the main center of attention for anyone who sees your garden.

It can be extremely fast and easy to plant perennials into your garden. Use a spade to dig up some soil, flip the soil over, and finally, sprinkle around 3-4 inches of wood chips on the soil. Give the area a couple of weeks, then dig into it and plant your new perennials.

TIP! Indoor plants have been bred over time to thrive in temperatures that are characteristic of a home. Most indoor plants like to be in about 70 degree temperatures, plus or minus 5 degrees.

Have your tools for horticulture nearby in order to maximize your efficiency with gardening. For example, you could use an over-sized tote bag or an apron with multiple pockets. You should be able to do your garden work quickly if you keep a trowel, gloves, small pruning shears, and other handy devices close to you.

TIP! It can be easy to prepare the soil in a perennial garden. Turn over the soil in your garden so it will be soft and easy to plant before spreading wood chips around your garden.

Pine makes a much better mulch than you might think. Some garden plants have a higher acidity, and prefer a more acidic soil. For such plants, pine needles function both as a handy mulch and as a soil amendment to lower the pH. 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.

Treated Wood

TIP! Make sure you plant your garden in different areas every year. Planting the same plants in the same place each year can promote the growth of disease and fungus.

A diversity of materials can be used to construct raised beds. These include brick, stone, and wood. If you use wood, be sure that it is untreated and naturally rot resistant. Optimal wood choices that fit these criteria are locust, cypress, and cedar. Avoid using treated wood in an organic vegetable garden. The chemicals in the wood can leak into the soil, and eventually into the plants. In the event your vegetable garden already has treated wood as part of its enclosure, consider replacing it, or painting it, or wrapping the treated wood in some protective covering. Keep in mind that if any of the untreated wood is below the ground, you should dig it up to make sure that you completely protect your vegetable garden from the chemicals in the treated wood.

TIP! If you would like to create a garden that is organic, it is vital you understand how to correctly make beds. First cut beneath the turf and leave a space.

After you have read the suggestions here, you will have a better idea of what you need in order to be an organic gardener. Knowing how to make use of the wealth of information out there is important. Keep this advice in mind and put it to good work for you in your own organic garden and hopefully, yield very successful and beautiful results.

Tips To Help You Succeed With Organic Gardening

~ craigb

TIP! Put down sod correctly. Get your soil ready before you lay your sod.

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 on your gardening tools can be used as a convenient measuring instrument. Tools with long handles, such as rakes, shovels or hoes can work as great measuring sticks.

Create useful rulers from your tool handles. You can convert any large handle tool, such as a hoe, shovel, or rake into a measuring tool. Simply lay the handles out on the floor and run a measuring tape next to them. Use a permanent marker to label distances. When you are gardening next, you’ll have a ruler beside you at all times.

TIP! The first thing you can do to avoid pests is to start with healthy soil in your garden. Healthy plants are naturally more resilient against pests and disease.

Always take the time to get the weeds out of your garden. Unwanted weeds fight for the same nutrients that more desirable plants do, and they also are unsightly. To help with weed destruction, use white vinegar. White vinegar can kill weeds! By placing a white vinegar solution in a spray bottle, you can spray the weeds away instead of having to pull them out manually.

TIP! 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.

Protect your delicate shrubs from harsh, wintry elements. Shrubs in pots especially need special care in the colder weather. With a sheet or blanket, you want to loosely cover the wigwam after you tie the tops of the canes together. This method is much better than wrapping the plant in plastic, as it allows air to circulate, which can prevent rotting.

TIP! Do not mow your lawn close to the bottom. Higher grass sends roots further down, increasing lawn strength and viability.

Split up your irises. If you divide the overgrown clumps of flowers, you’ll find that your stock grows proportionally. When the foliage dies, take the bulbous irises and lift them. As soon as you pick up the bulb, it’ll split into pieces. That’s okay – in fact, it’s desirable. You can replant the bulb pieces and next year you’ll have a healthy bed of new irises. Use a knife to carefully divide rhizomes. New pieces should be cut from the outside, then the old center you want to discard. Each piece should retain a minimum of one sturdy offshoot capable of spurting new growth. Replant your cuttings immediately for the best results.

TIP! Make a plan for your garden. This way, when the sprouts start shooting up, you can recall where you planted each plant.

Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. Seeds that are planted indoors will enjoy superior germination. Your seedlings will be stronger, and this will mean they can withstand diseases and bug attacks. You can transplant the seedlings outside after they are sturdy enough.

TIP! Your plants need to be kept dry, but sill receiving a good amount of air. Moisture can be a magnet for disease and parasites on your plants.

Two items you need to invest in when working in a garden are a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool. 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. A wheelbarrow will help you move heavy items without hurting your back so ensure that you invest in one promptly.

TIP! Place organic mulch close to your vegetables. Mulch is used to keep extra moisture and provide nutrients for your plants.

Learn the ideal times for harvesting your vegetables. Different vegetables have different, ideal times that they should be picked for best flavor. Zucchini and baby peas, for example, have the best flavor when harvested early. At the opposite end of the spectrum, tomatoes are at their best when mature. Find out what the best harvest time is for your vegetables.

Pick your vegetables when the temperature is moderate to avoid bruising them. Use garden shears to remove your vegetables from the vine to avoid damaging the plant.

TIP! When you boil vegetables, use the leftover water on your potted plants. You can also use tea or coffee grounds to acidify soil for plants such as rhododendrons and gardenias.

Using aspirin water will help your plants fight diseases. Dissolve aspirin (1.5 pills per 2 gallons of water) in a bucket and administer to your plants. Simply spray your plants with the mixture, and this will help them fend off various diseases. Plants should be sprayed once every two to three weeks.

TIP! Add some heather plants to your garden, to attract good insects. Bees love heather, and it’s one of the earliest sources of nectar for the bees when they emerge during springtime.

Preparing a plot for planting a perennial garden can be done quickly and without difficulty. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips. After a few weeks, you can then dig into the turf and plant the perennials of your choosing.

TIP! Use several inches of organic materials for mulch in your flower beds. By doing this, you can lock in moisture, discourage weed growth, and nourish your plants.

After your seeds sprout, the containers do not need to stay as warm as they once did. Remove plants from the heated environment once they begin growing. Make sure you remember to remove any plastic films that were on the plant containers to repel humidity and warmth. Watch your seeds closely to know how to go about this.

TIP! Pine is a wonderful mulch so do not discard the idea. Some plants like acidic soil because they have high acidity.

If you have problem slugs in your organic garden, get rid of them naturally with a beer trap. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden so that the top of it is level with the soil. Pour beer into the container to within an inch of the jar lip. The slugs will be attracted to the beer and will end up being trapped within the confines of the jar.

TIP! Don’t let the chores for your organic garden pile up. Even if you can’t tend to your garden daily, you can do little things to help so that there is not a huge amount of work to be done when you are ready to get back to it.

Build raised beds with untreated stone, brick or wood. If you choose wood, it needs to be naturally rot resistant and untreated. Cypress, locust and cedar are all great examples of what woods to use when building a raised bed. Consider the chemicals that will leach out of the wood before choosing anything that has been treated. Remember the affect that such chemicals will have on your plants and soil. If you have placed treated wood in your garden, line it with a coat of plastic.

TIP! If slugs are a problem in your garden, use a beer trap to kill them naturally. Get a clean, empty glass jar to use as a trap.

You now know what organic horticulture is about, and exactly how to achieve excellent results. There is much to do and only a few particular ways to do it best, at the right time and under the most suitable conditions. Grow an aesthetically pleasing organic garden that will feed you well by applying the simple tips you got in this article.

Simple Things You Must Know When It Comes To Organic Gardening

~ craigb

TIP! To prevent your plants’ systems from becoming shocked, you need to gradually transition them from higher to lower temperatures. On the first day, place them in the sun outside for only an hour or so.

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! Keeping your garden soil rich and healthy is the best way to discourage garden pests. If you have healthy looking plants, they are stronger and more resistant to diseases and bugs.

Use biennials and annuals to beautify your flower beds. These fast growth plants make flower beds vibrant, and they let you alter the appearance seasonally and annually. Use these beautiful flowers to line your driveway, surround trees and shrubs, and for decorative hanging baskets. Some varieties are hollyhocks, petunias and sunflowers.

TIP! When mowing your lawn do not cut it as short as possible. 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.

When winter arrives, transfer some plants into the house to save them. You may want to save the most beautiful or expensive ones. Remember to be gentle when digging up your plants; carefully dig away from the roots and gently place the plant into a container.

TIP! Split up the irises. Divide any overgrown clumps to increase your stock.

Plants will respond with maximum growth if they have the amount of CO2 they require. Most plants will grow better with more CO2. Getting a greenhouse is the best way to get a higher amount. To maximize your plants’ growth, make sure to monitor these levels to ensure they’re adequate.

TIP! To keep pests away, you can use plants in the garden or other natural materials. Onions and marigolds can get rid of pests in the garden.

Prepare your seeds by soaking them in a dark environment. Drop your seeds into a small jar that is filled with cold water. The idea here is for your seeds to become fully hydrated by the time they hit the dirt. Seeds that are cultivated this way are more likely to survive and mature properly.

TIP! Invest in a quality wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool if gardening work is going to happen often. Get a portable stool if you want to garden comfortably without damaging your knees.

It’s easy to just jump in and start horticulture without thought, but it’s important to plan your garden first. Having a planting plan will help you correctly identify the young plants once they start to sprout. It can also keep you from planting any of your garden favorites too close to each other.

Mint Leaves

TIP! Aspirin water will strengthen your plants against diseases. Your plants can benefit from a solution you can make by dissolving one and one-half aspirins into a couple of gallons of water.

Many people delight in the taste of fresh mint leaves, but become frustrated when the plant spreads wildly. Contain their growth with a garden container or large pot instead. The container will keep the roots from spreading throughout you garden, and prevent the mint leaves from sprouting in other areas.

TIP! Having a garden of perennials can be an easy and quick process. It isn’t as hard as it may seem; you basically just slice down under the turf, flip it over, and spread wood chips four to three inches.

Split up the irises. You can increase the number of irises you have by splitting clumps that are overgrown. When the foliage has died off, it is time to harvest the iris bulbs. The bulbs split in your hand, then you replant them, and they will most likely flower next year. If you have a rhizome you will need to split it with a knife. Cut out new pieces from outside the bulb and throw away the old center. Divide your pieces carefully; they should each have one good quality offshoot apiece. You also need to make sure that you replant the new pieces as soon as possible.

TIP! Be aware of spacing considerations when you are first planting your organic garden. Plants take up quite a bit of space as they grow, and it’s easy to underestimate just how much.

If you are planning on growing peas, begin the plantings inside instead of outside. Planting them inside helps the seeds germinate better. Your seedlings will be stronger, and this will mean they can withstand diseases and bug attacks. Transplant them outside when they are fully established and able to thrive.

TIP! 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.

Know when is the best time to harvest your vegetables. Different vegetables and fruits have their ideal seasons and months where they flourish, survive, and are harvested at the highest quality. As an example, zucchini and baby peas both have the best flavor when they are harvested at a young age. At the opposite end of the spectrum, tomatoes are at their best when mature. Simply educate yourself on what the best time is to harvest each of your garden vegetables.

TIP! Adding too much water could be harmful to the plants, because excess water will hinder the roots ability to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Prior to watering your outdoor plants, you should check with weather stations to see if it will be raining later in the day.

To keep your dog out of your garden, spray old perfume, aftershave, or other scented items in the grass around 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! While all kinds of gardening can help you feel more connected to the planet, gardening organically is especially good for this. Approaching gardening in this way will enlighten you in the entire process from beginning to end.

In the middle of the day the vegetables have softened, which means they are easily damaged. Also ensure that you use a tool to cut the vegetables off at the vine. If you just yank or twist the whole plant, it may become damaged.

TIP! In order to start a garden, you are going to need to know how to make beds. To begin your bed, slice under the grass with a spade.

A typical English garden combines various plants of differing heights in a single bed. Having plants that grow to the same height will result in a common and flat looking bed.

TIP! Dig a large hole in the organic garden when you want to plant a shrub or tree. If the hole that you create for them has any “glazed” sides that were caused by a shovel, then it may restrict the root from penetrating into the nearby soil.

If you want to get children in on the fun, plant a few strawberries, everbearing if possible. Children love to snap up these sweet juicy fruits for themselves and will be much more willing to eat other foods you’ve planted as well.

TIP! Use materials that you have around the house to make a winter tent for your garden. Make use of old bean poles as you stick them to the edge of your beds.

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. Examples of good green material to use for compost include grass clippings, flowers, leaves, and weeds. Sawdust, straw, cardboard, paper and wood pulp are all examples of dried plant material. Don’t include ashes, diseased plants, charcoal meat, or carnivorous animal waste.

TIP! Water is your garden’s best friend. Just like people.

You now know what organic gardening is about, and exactly how to achieve excellent results. There are many resources available; you just have to learn how to find and use them. If you recall this advice, you can develop and hone your own techniques to create a flourishing organic garden.

Spruce Up Your Garden With These Handy Tips

~ craigb

TIP! Look for the variants of a plant that offer the highest yield. There are genetically modified plants that resist cold and/or disease.

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! There is no need to purchase a costly chemical if your plants develop powdery mildew. Put a little baking soda and some dish soap in water.

It can be very hard to shovel clay soil, especially when it sticks to your shovel as you are working. Take the hard work out of using a shovel in clay soil by rubbing a light coat of car or floor wax over the surface with a clean cloth and buff the surface. The wax will help keep dirt from sticking to the shovel, and will also keep the metal from rusting.

TIP! Before you plant a garden you should plan it out. This way, when the sprouts start shooting up, you can recall where you planted each plant.

Long plants that run up or around a fence or wall are often useful for masking ugliness. Plants that grow as climbers are quite versatile, helping you hide ugly walls or fences, many times within only one season of growth. They can also grow through existing shrubs or trees, or be trained to cover an arbor. Sometimes the plants will require being tied to supports, but some climbers will attach themselves naturally. Some dependable types include honeysuckle, clematis, jasmine, climbing roses, and wisteria.

TIP! Start your garden by planting seed in small pots. As a green-friendly gardener, you always want to use seeds to start your new plot.

Be sure to weed your garden. Weeds can truly ruin a good garden. To aid in this venture, you might want to use white vinegar. That’s right, you have safe way to get rid of weeds right there in your kitchen cabinet. Mix white vinegar and water into a spray bottle instead of pulling the weeds by hand.

TIP! Be sure your garden is fertilized. Manure is very effective in helping plants grow, although it is important to use a commercially composted product to minimize the risk of pathogens.

Bulbs will give you wonderful flowers that you can enjoy in early spring and right through the summer. Most people have no trouble successfully growing bulbs, and their flowers will return each and every year. Find out which flowers will bloom when and then plant a variety, so that you can have fresh blooms all the way through the spring and summer!

TIP! If you plan on growing peas, you should consider starting them indoors instead of beginning them outside. Planting them inside helps the seeds germinate better.

Protect your delicate shrubs from harsh, wintry elements. Any potted shrubs should be sheltered in the winter from cold weather. Fasten the tops of the canes together, and cover this wigwam loosely with a cloth. Covering your foliage in plastic will let the air in – and may lead to decay.

TIP! Place a few inches of organically based mulch around your vegetable plants. Mulch will retain water so that you won’t have to water your plants as often.

Keep your plants dry and aerated daily. If your plants get too moist, they may get sick or infested with parasites. Fungi is very common. 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.

Mint Leaves

TIP! You should think about adding evergreen plants that yield berries into your yard space. These evergreens will color your lawn, even when other flowers are not blooming.

Do you hate how fresh mint leaves grow and take over your lovely garden but still like them? Rein their growth; you can do this simply by planting mint inside a larger garden container or pot. The container will keep the roots from spreading throughout you garden, and prevent the mint leaves from sprouting in other areas.

TIP! If you want to draw advantageous insects to your garden, plant some heather. Heather attracts bees, and when they come out in the spring, this provides an early nectar source.

If you plan on growing peas, you should consider starting them indoors instead of beginning them outside. The seeds will have a better germination rate if you start them indoors. The seedlings tend to be healthier, which would help them resist diseases and pests more easily. Once your seedlings are sturdy, you can then move them outside.

TIP! Have your tools for gardening nearby in order to maximize your efficiency with gardening. You can do this by using a bucket, or you can wear rugged pants or a gardening apron that has several pockets.

A wheelbarrow and kneeling bench or stool are smart investments for your garden. It is important to protect your knees when you are kneeling in the garden, and a foam kneeling pad will help with that. Using a wheelbarrow or wagon to transport heavy loads of dirt will help protect you from back injuries so make sure that you have one.

TIP! Get more profits from your property. Landscaping provides some of the best home improvement returns.

You don’t have to plant just for spring and summer. Consider what are often beautiful colors in the fall. But, that does not have to be the case! Foliage never looks as colorful and vibrant as it does in the fall. Maple, beech, and dogwood trees are many colors in the fall, from yellow to a deeper crimson. 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! When planting seeds, you should bury them three times as deep as their actual size. It is important to note though, that not all seeds are covered to this depth, as some need direct sunlight to grow properly.

An eye-catching plant makes an attractive focal point for your garden or flowerbed. There should be a solid focal point for every good garden design. Focal points in gardens are normally a plant specimen that no one else in the neighborhood has in their landscape.

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.

Spray fragrances such as old perfume or aftershave on grass around your garden to help keep your dog away from the plants. This will mask the garden smell that is attracting your dog, and it will make it a less appealing place for your dog to visit.

TIP! A beer trap can help to eradicate slugs. To create a beer trap, dig a hole in your garden that is the depth of a glass jar, leaving the mouth of the jar level with the soil.

Make sure that you take time to properly plant any seeds that you buy. To begin with, you need to dampen the soil sufficiently. Plant the seeds evenly to ensure that they have ample room to grow. Plant them depending on how big the seeds are. It isn`t necessary to bury all seeds; some of them need light for growth to occur.

TIP! To get a good start, look below the surface! Evaluate each tomato and check for green starts, as they generally have bad root systems that impede growth. These kind of starts stay on these seedlings for weeks at a time; this doesn’t allow the seedling to grow unless the starts are gone.

Organize the chores for your organic garden so they do not pile up. Even if you’re to busy to focus on your garden’s needs each day, you could do small things that could prevent you from piling up work when you wish to work on your garden. If you put the dog outside, weed a few spots in the garden while your dog goes to the bathroom.

TIP! Find out more about botanical insecticides to get rid of the pest. You can find more power from natural insecticides, as opposed to engineered synthetic pesticides.

For container planting, be sure to plant your seeds at a depth around three times the radius of the seed. However, it is important to understand that some seeds require sunlight and should never be covered. Some examples are petunias and ageratum. The directions for how to handle the seeds will usually be found on the seed’s package. You can also find this information online.

TIP! Organic gardening has been made much easier! Chose plants that are native to your area. Selecting plants which will thrive in your area, and get along with the plants you already have, you won’t have to use as much fertilizer or pesticides.

These tips are intended to help you become an excellent organic gardener. There is plenty of information out there for you to use, it’s all a matter of how you apply it. Using this advice, you will find the best way to create your dream organic garden.

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.

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.

Top Notch Organic Horticulture Ideas To Increase Your Crops!

~ craigb

TIP! Do not improperly lay your new sod. Prior to laying the sod, prepare your soil.

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! So that you don’t shock your plants, try gradually accustoming them to conditions and temperature. Try to place them in the new area for a couple of hours at a time the first day.

Create useful rulers from your tool handles. You can convert any large handle tool, such as a hoe, shovel, or rake into a measuring tool. Lay the tools down on the floor, then place a measuring tape along the handle. Label the distances on the handle with a marker pen that will not smear or fade away. When you decide to work in the garden again, you will now have a ruler at your disposal.

TIP! Shoveling clay soil is tiresome since clay is hard, and it can also stick to your shovel for twice the difficulty. Rub a thin layer of floor or car wax over the surface of the shovel, and then buff the surface using a clean cloth.

Cover fences and walls with lots of climbers. Climbing plants are great for hiding hideous fences and walls, and they usually grow within a season. No need to worry if a bush or tree is in the way, as climbers can grow through them. Also, they can match the shape of an arbor. Some varieties will climb and attach using their tendrils or branches, but some will need to be trained or supported with ties. Reliable varieties include wisteria, honeysuckle, climbing roses, clematis, and jasmine.

TIP! If you want to keep your garden free of pests, start with healthy soil! The healthier the plants you grow, the more resistant they’ll be to illness, fungus, or bugs. To give your garden the best chance of yielding the healthiest plants, start with a high-quality soil that has fewer chemicals which over time will accumulate salts.

Use the correct type of soil for best results. Your soil may not be correct, but it depends on what sorts of plants you want to grow. It’s also possible to make a fabricated area that contains only one type of soil.

TIP! Plants all need a good supply of C02 to grow properly! The majority of plants thrive when they are exposed to a high level of carbon dioxide. The best way to get higher CO2 for your plants is to grow them in a greenhouse.

Your soil needs to be of good quality before you start a garden. For a small fee, a soil analysis can be obtained – based on that report – the soil can be properly enriched to support a vibrant garden. The cost of the analysis will be easily offset by the benefits of a healthy and vibrant crop.

TIP! As fall arrives, it is the time to prepare for planting fall edibles. Try something different by planing kale or lettuce inside a pumpkin, instead of using the planter pots you traditionally use.

Be sure to weed your garden. Weeds can take a promising garden and turn it into a shell of its potential. To help you do this, you may want to consider using white vinegar. Use it instead of chemical solutions to kill weeds. So, use a spray solution of white vinegar if you are tired of pulling those weeds by hand.

TIP! Pre-soak your seeds through the night in a dark area. Place a couple of seeds in a tiny container, and fill it with water nearly to the top.

If beautiful flowers throughout the warmer months are important to you, make sure you put bulbs into the ground. These are hearty choices, choices that will reward you for years despite the little effort that is involved in their care. Specific types of bulbs usually bloom at specific times of the season, so if you make appropriate selections, you can be rewarded with blooms from the early part of spring to the later part of summer.

TIP! If you want an organic way to weed your garden, try “boiling” them. Boiling water is a very safe alternative to other potent herbicides.

During fall, you should plant cold weather vegetables. Try using a pumpkin as a natural plant pot. You can plant fall vegetables such as lettuce in an empty pumpkin shell. Use some Wilt-Pruf to prevent your pumpkin from decomposing and then you can put your plants right inside. After you have finished this, you will be ready to start planting.

TIP! If you want to grow peas, consider starting them indoors instead of planting them outside. When the plants are started inside, the seeds will have an easier time germinating.

One natural method of weed removal is called “boiling”. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find. Douse the weeds with this pot, just avoid the nearby plants. Weeds will usually stop growing if boiling water damages their roots.

TIP! Pest control is one of the hardest things about growing a vegetable garden. The vegetables are intended to be eaten, thus you should refrain from using harsh pesticides and chemicals.

Try to keep your plants aerated and dry, every day. Excess moisture on a plant will invite unwanted parasites or diseases to the plant. Fungi is very common. Although fungi can be treated with sprays, it is possible to preempt the problem and very important to plant health that you do so.

TIP! To keep your dog out of your garden, spray old perfume, aftershave, or other scented items in the grass around it. This will help mask the scents that attract your dog, and will make your garden a less interesting place for your pet to be.

If you would love to have access to fresh and healthy mint leaves from your own back yard, but dread the way the plant spreads so quickly, worry not. Keep the growth under control by growing them in a large gardening pot instead. You can plant the container into the soil if you want to, but the container will restrict the roots, and make sure that the plant doesn’t run rampant in your garden.

TIP! Make sure any open cuts are completely protected from dirt and chemicals before you go to work in your garden. A cut or abrasion can become infected if it is not properly protected from dirt, pesticides and other irritants.

Good green gardens begin from seeds, not plants. Starting with your own seeds is more environmentally friendly than buying plants from a nursery. Many nurseries use plastic growing pots that are very seldom recycled. Try buying from organic nurseries and farms so your garden is not using anti-environmental products.

TIP! Indoor plants have been bred over time to thrive in temperatures that are characteristic of a home. Most indoor plants like to be in about 70 degree temperatures, plus or minus 5 degrees.

Two items you need to invest in when working in a garden are a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool. Spending time on the ground is rough on the knees, a portable and light stool can help make gardening easier. You will need a wheelbarrow in order to perform various gardening chores, it is a good thing to have on hand.

TIP! Easily and quickly prepare your ground for a garden of perennials. Use your spade in a slicing motion to cut a flap of turf.

Aid them by dumping any leftover water from steaming vegetables over them. You should also try using a bit of coffee grounds or tea to increase the acidity of the soil for your gardenias or your rhododendrons. If your garden has a fungus problem, a highly effective treatment method is to sprinkle it with chamomile tea.

TIP! When a seed actually sprouts, it doesn’t need to be in as warm an environment. As your baby plants grow, you can move them from their heat source.

Horticulture is an excellent relaxation tactic. There are a variety of ways to find peace and relaxation on a personal level. Gardening is easily one of the most relaxing and gratifying ways to spend your extra time. Without too much effort, you can enjoy great returns. The best part of it is not the plants themselves, but the stillness achieved by tending to them.

TIP! Spacing is essential when planting an organic garden. Do not underestimate the space that plants need to develop their root systems.

Efficiently water your garden. You can save time by using soaker hoses to water more than one plant. Keep the water running slowly so it doesn’t spray up onto the plants’ leaves. Let the soaker hose do its thing for a couple hours, and your plants are watered.

TIP! Get the most value from your property. Landscaping increases your house’s curb appeal and give you a good return for the money invested.

The tips laid out in this article should help you gain an understanding of what goes into making a successful organic garden. There is much information on the subject; you only need to know what to do with it. You can use whatever information you find useful when you create your own beautiful organic garden.