organic gardening

Top Three Gardening Tools For Easy Maintenance

~ craigb

TIP! A handy trick is to turn the handle on a tool that you use often into a makeshift ruler. Larger handled tools like rakes, hoes, and shovels make great measuring sticks.

You may find organic gardening to either be a source of great relaxation, or a frustratingly difficult enterprise. The following advice will show you how to grow an organic garden successfully.

TIP! Try to plan a variety of perennials that are slug-proof. These creatures can wreak havoc on a garden in a short time.

Fill your garden with bulbs if you want to enjoy beautiful flowers through the spring and into summer. Bulbs are easy to grow and hearty, and they keep growing in years to come. The types of bulbs you use will determine the time of year your flowers will bloom, giving you the pleasure of blooms from spring to summer, if you plant them right.

TIP! When gardening, beware of stink bugs and other insects, particularly in the autumn. Stink bugs like to eat beans, peppers, tomatoes, and all sorts of fruit.

When you grow veggies in a garden, you need to ensure they get at least six hours of good sunlight each day. Most vegetables need that much sun to grow rapidly and successfully. This is also true for some flowers.

TIP! Keep the weeds out of your garden by removing them regularly. Weeds steal nutrients from plants, robbing a garden of its potential harvest.

A good fertilizer is important to add nutrients to your soil. Manure is a great garden additive, but it is important that you choose a manure that has been composted commercially so that there is less of a risk of pathogens. It is important that you use some sort of fertilizer, although it doesn’t really matter which variety you choose.

TIP! Do you enjoy fresh mint leaves though hate how they grow so fast and take over your entire garden? Stunt their growth a little by planting your mint into a garden container or large pot instead. You can simply put the container below the soil level.

Think about planting evergreen plants that will produce berries in the backyard. The evergreens will add some color to your garden or yard, especially during the winter, when other plants have died or lost color. Some plants provide color during the winter like the Winterberry, and American Holly, the American Cranberrybush and the Common Snowberry.

TIP! Be sure your garden is fertilized. Manure is an excellent fertilizer, but it needs to be combined with a synthetic compost to stop diseases from infecting your plants.

Gardening should be a relaxing activity. Countless methods of unwinding from the stresses of life exist. Working in the garden is among the simplest. It requires a small monetary investment and has numerous returns. The biggest perk of horticulture is the sense of satisfaction you get from what you grow with your own two hands.

TIP! Apply organic mulch generously around your vegetable plants. The mulch will help keep the soil moist for longer periods of time.

Try using aspirin water for fighting plant diseases. Dissolve three aspirin in four gallons of water. The solution can then be used to spray the entire plant, and will offer protection naturally. Be sure to repeat this process every two or three weeks.

TIP! Think about adding some berry-producing evergreens to your landscaping. Your yard will then have bright spots of color all year round, which is especially cheerful in the winter when all of your other flora is bare or colorless.

As you are working in your garden, you must take care to protect both knees. It is not good to bend from a standing position for a long period of time. If you kneel, you can easily work on your plants without placing stress on your back. A kneeling pad can be placed under your knees to help reduce the pain from compression.

TIP! You can create a great English garden by mixing types and sizes in one bed. A uniform and flat bed is created by using plants that are the same height.

Have plastic bags on hand so that you may cover your muddy horticulture shoes. This way, you can maintain your momentum and head right back to your garden so that you can finish what you were doing.

TIP! Consider planting strawberries, especially ones that are everbearing, for your garden if you have small children. 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.

When planting seeds in containers, remember that the depth should be at least three times bigger than the seed. Be aware that some seeds shouldn’t be covered, as they need sunlight. Among the seeds meeting this definition are 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! You can help your plants resist disease by spraying them with aspirin water. Three aspirins per four gallons of water will help keep your plants healthy.

Try using untreated stone, brick, or wood to create a raised bed. If you choose wood, ensure that it has not been treated with a sealant or other chemicals. The best varieties include cedar, locust and cypress wood. Don’t use treated wood in a garden for vegetables because the chemicals contained in them can leak into the ground. You may have previously used treated lumber; if so, you should use a plastic liner to cover it.

TIP! You should utilize around three inches of mulch that is organic in your flower beds. This is a simple method of discouraging weeds, retaining moisture, and adding excellent nutrients into the garden.

Horticulture, especially organic horticulture, helps you feel more “at one” with the earth. Any form of gardening gives a basic outline for all others; teaching you the general methodology behind sewing, planting, and harvesting properly.

Commercial Fertilizers

TIP! You need to avoid chores in your organic garden stacking up. If you’re too busy to do all those little things each day, there are some small steps you can take to not have all that work build up on you.

Always think about what alternatives to chemicals you can use to solve problems in your garden. Remember that chemicals have no place in organic gardening and should not be used. Make use of organic compounds or natural solutions instead of commercial fertilizers. Compost is a great example of what to use. Inorganic materials, such as those found in commercial fertilizers, are responsible for toxic chemical buildup in both soil and drinking water. This can be avoided by using eco-friendly organic methods.

TIP! If you’re planning on selling crops to people and labeling them as organic, you will need to receive an organic gardening certification. This can increase your sales and also prove to your customers that they are getting the best produce out there.

Here you have organic gardening, simplified! Plan your landscaping based primarily on native bushes, flowers and grasses. By choosing plants that coexist easily with your soil types, climate and neighboring plants, you will reduce the need for additional fertilizers and natural pesticides. Native plants will thrive if you encourage growth with organically made compost.

TIP! Throughout the year and in different climates, it may be necessary to vary your watering schedule. The amount of water a plant needs depends on the soil type, time of day and the water’s quality.

The healthier the soil the healthier your plants are, and when they are healthy they become that much more resistant to insects and disease. This won’t get rid of insects, but it does make them less harmful, which should make most people happy.

TIP! Drowning your plants with water can kill them! It will stop your plant’s roots from being able to obtain any nutritional goodness out of its surrounding soil Before watering your plants outdoors, check to see if there is rain in the forecast. You can skip watering for an entire day if rain is on the way.

You know that there are numerous benefits to using compost on organic gardens, but have you ever wondered what it is made up of? Compost includes natural ingredients and by-products, such as grass clippings, small branches, plant materials and even leftover veggies from the dinner table. It is much better to use this in place of chemicals and fertilizers.

TIP! Look up local botanical insecticides; they can be very useful in keeping the pest population at bay. You can find more power from natural insecticides, as opposed to engineered synthetic pesticides.

Organic horticulture is far more complex than it seems. While creating a lovely organic garden takes a lot of effort, the results are more than worth the work. By using the advice you learned here, you will be well on the path to becoming an organic gardening pro.

How To Grow A Bountiful Organic Garden

~ craigb

You can take organic gardening as a hobby, or as a science. The following article is designed to turn you into a successful and happy organic gardener.

TIP! Choose the right soil for best results. The soil that is already in your garden might need amending, depending on the particular plants that you want to grow.

If you work with clay soil, you have probably found using a shovel very frustrating and exhausting. Coat the shovel with floor or car wax, and buff it with a clean rag to make the job a lot easier. The wax will help keep dirt from sticking to the shovel, and will also keep the metal from rusting.

TIP! Your vegetable garden should get at least six hours of sun daily. Most vegetables require this amount of sun in order to grow properly and at a quicker pace.

Slug-proof your garden with smart perennial choices. Snails and slugs are garden nightmares, and only need a single evening to obliterate a plant. These garden pests prefer perennials with thin, flat, delicate leaves, particularly if the plant is not yet mature. You can discourage snails and slugs from eating your perennials by choosing plants with tougher or distasteful foliage. Excellent varieties include heuchera, achillea, euphorbia, campanula, and helleborus.

TIP! Deciduous shrubs and young trees need to be protected. Cold weather significantly affects these plants, especially if they are in pots.

For flowers throughout the spring and the summer, be sure to plant some bulbs. These are hearty choices, choices that will reward you for years despite the little effort that is involved in their care. The types of bulbs you use will determine the time of year your flowers will bloom, giving you the pleasure of blooms from spring to summer, if you plant them right.

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.

Keep your plants dry and aerated daily. Excess moisture on a plant will invite unwanted parasites or diseases to the plant. Fungus infections are common in overly moist plants. Fungi can be controlled with fungicide sprays, but it is important to treat your area with the spray, before you see any problems.

TIP! If you’re going to grow peas, start them indoors before putting them in the ground outside. When you plant them indoors first, the seeds will germinate better.

Do you enjoy fresh mint, but don’t like how they engulf your garden in their growth? Keep the growth under control by growing them in a large horticulture pot instead. You have the option of planting the container with the plant to keep the roots from taking the garden over.

TIP! When you’re dealing with a veggie garden, pest control may be difficult. The vegetables are intended to be eaten, thus you should refrain from using harsh pesticides and chemicals.

Place organic mulch as close to your vegetables as you can. Mulch will keep soil moist for longer. It will also prevent weeds from sprouting. This can prevent you from having to constantly pull weeds.

TIP! Plan your garden, and plant with fall colors in mind. This does not have to be so.

To give them a helping hand, pour the water you obtain after steaming vegetables over your plants. If you grow rhododendrons, azaleas or gardenias, increase the acid in your your soil by working in coffee or tea grounds. Herbal chamomile tea is an effective, affordable treatment for fighting fungi.

TIP! Make sure to water your garden properly. Utilize a soaker hose.

For visual interest, make one plant a focal point of your garden. A focal point, in a strong garden design, will attract eyes and hold them there. More often than not, it is a plant that is distinctively different from its neighbors.

Indoor Plants

TIP! Keep your garden tools close at hand to make the most of your gardening time. You can wear an apron or pants that have a lot of pockets, or use a big bucket or can.

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. The temperature needs to be this warm so they are able to grow. Another option is the use heat lamps that will protect your organic plants.

TIP! You should utilize around three inches of mulch that is organic in your flower beds. A thick layer of mulch will prevent weeds, reduce watering needs and fertilize your garden.

You should add a two to three inch layer of organic mulch to your flower bed. This is a simple method of discouraging weeds, retaining moisture, and adding excellent nutrients into the garden. Also, the flower beds will look beautifully maintained at all times.

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. Organic gardening techniques allow you to be involved in the entire planting and growing process, while using only the safest and most sustainable resources.

Horticulture can actually increase the value of your property! Landscaping has one of the highest returns you can get from home improvement. Strategic landscaping can increase the resale value of your home up to 20%, if you choose the right plants. Find plant materials for your landscape design that will thrive in your particular climate.

Plant Material

TIP! One way to create compost easily and cheaply is to mix up fruit peels and other refuse from fruit. These items will decompose and create a rich compost your plants will benefit for at no cost.

Use equal parts dried and green plant material for your own compost. Garden wastes, such as grass clippings, are classified as green materials. Dried plant material, however, can include items such as cardboard, sawdust and shredded paper. Avoid using ashes, charcoal, diseased plants and meat-eating animal manure.

If you want to sell your crops, you should become a certified organic gardener. This will increase sales and shows your customers they’ve been buying from the best.

TIP! Rainwater should be saved. You can use rain barrels or buckets to collect rainwater for use in your garden during the summer months.

Although organic horticulture is often much harder than using chemicals, the reward is much greater. Chemicals are extremely efficient, but the organic method is the best way to get healthy produce.

TIP! Use a ton of mulch to save on water in your garden. Covering the ground with mulch cuts back on the need for watering your plants.

Excessive amounts of water makes it harder for plants to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Before you set out to water your plants, you might want to verify that the forecast does not call for rain. Skip watering your plants for a couple of days if a heavy rainstorm has descended; natural rainwater can be particularly good for your plants as well.

TIP! Mulching is a very efficient method. Mulching your garden keeps soil moist longer by keeping water from evaporating so quickly.

Be cautious of what you are using on your garden. Experiment with organic and natural fertilizers instead of the usual chemical, commercial ones. Compost is a great example. Unlike inorganic fertilizers, compost fertilizers do not add toxic chemicals to the soil which could get in your water supply.

TIP! Before you start growing a garden, you should build a fence around it. This will keep animals and people out.

Organic gardening is a more involved form of horticulture than is often realized. Doing it successfully entails a good amount of patience and dedication, but achieving a productive organic garden is a worthwhile endeavor indeed. By using the advice you learned here, you will be well on the path to becoming an organic horticulture pro.

Want An Organic Garden? Here Are Some Tips To Try!

~ craigb

While organic gardening is a wonderful way to relax, it can also be a source of stress. These tips should help you to become a better organic gardener.

TIP! Do not plant perennials that are prone to snail infestation. A plant can be completely demolished overnight by slugs and snails.

Your plants need to adapt and must be gradually introduced to changes in temperature or condition. Put them in the sun outside for a couple of hours during the first day. Over one week, gradually build up the amount of hours you leave the plants outside. By the time the week ends, your plants will be ready for their big move and should have no problems!

TIP! Plants all need a good supply of C02 to grow properly! A major portion of plants grow their best in an environment with a saturated level of CO2. The best way to expose your plants to a high level of carbon dioxide is by growing them in a greenhouse.

Shoveling clay is very difficult and lots of work because the clay is hard and sticks to the shovel, making it tough to handle. To make the clay soft so you aren’t working as hard, take floor or car wax and rub a light coat on the surface of the shovel using a clean cloth, then buff the surface. This causes the clay to slide rather than stick, and prevents rust as a side effect.

TIP! When it’s autumn, it’s time to start planting all of your fall edibles. Instead of a clay pot, show some fall spirit by using a hollow pumpkin to plant your lettuce or kale in.

When partaking in gardening activities, particularly in the autumn months, keep an eye on those stink bugs. They love to inhabit peppers, beans, tomatoes and all kinds of fruit varieties. If not taken care of, these pests can damage the garden, so take steps to cut down their population.

TIP! If growing vegetables, make sure they are in a location in your garden where they will be exposed daily to at least six hours of the sun. Most vegetables need that much sun to grow rapidly and successfully.

Take the time to remove weeds. Weeds can take over a healthy garden faster than you think. A great way to get rid of them is to use white vinegar. White vinegar is natural, very inexpensive, and can really kill the weeds! Apply it full strength to any areas where weeds are a problem.

TIP! To give them a boost, pour out any leftover water from steaming or boiling vegetables on the plants or soil around them. Used teabags or grounds from coffee are a great way to add acid to the soil.

Draw up a garden plan before you plant the first seed. It will be easy to remember where each plant is when sprouts start to shoot up the following spring. You are also less likely to lose smaller members of the larger garden in the overall mix.

Knee Pads

TIP! Your children will enjoy being involved with your organic gardening endeavors. Gardens are a wonderful place for kids to learn, and working side by side with them can strengthen the bond that you have.

Knee pads are absolute miracle accessories if you work in a garden with plenty of low-growing plants. When you spend a lot of time kneeling while horticulture, your knees can be very achy by the end of the day A set of quality knee pads designed for gardening can be a world of relief for your central leg joints.

TIP! Coffee grounds are a great addition to soil. Coffee grounds contain many of the essential nitrogenous nutrients that plants are able to use.

Start a new garden from seeds. Starting from seed is far less harsh on the environment than using plants you buy at the nursery. The planters used to hold nursery plants are generally not made from eco-friendly materials, and thus get thrown into landfills. Starting from seeds, or buying from one of the few nurseries that use biodegradable planters, prevents this.

TIP! Get more value from your property. Landscaping is a cheap way to really increase the value of your property.

When you boil vegetables, use the leftover water on your potted plants. It is also possible to utilize coffee ground or tea to make the soil more acidic for gardenias, rhododendrons and other plants that prefer acidic soil. If your garden has a fungus problem, a highly effective treatment method is to sprinkle it with chamomile tea.

TIP! When planting seeds in containers, remember that the planting depth should be around three times bigger than the seed size. Certain seeds are an exception to that rule, since they require sunlight to germinate, so they should be barely covered or not at all.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you use plants that grow vertically at the same rate, you will end up with some flat, boring, uniform looking beds.

TIP! While it’s harder to grow organically than chemically, the rewards are much better. While chemical claims are wondrous, growing organically is a great reward to whomever eats your produce.

Asprin will actually help your plants out by killing diseases. Dissolve one and one-half aspirins into two gallons of cold water, and use it to fortify your plants. Next, coat the plant with the aspirin mixture by spraying it on the leaves. Try spraying your plants with this around every three weeks.

TIP! Adding a lot of mulch to your garden is a great tip to implement in order to keep your garden healthy. Mulch will protect and nourish the soil.

Take care of your knees when you’re horticulture. Bending over for extended periods can be harmful to your joints and muscles. You can get to your plants without straining your back if you kneel in your working area. A kneeling pad can be placed under your knees to help reduce the pain from compression.

TIP! Gardening is by far one of the most beloved hobbies among men and women from all over the world, but organic gardening takes it a step further by using earth-friendly methods. Approaching gardening in this way will enlighten you in the entire process from beginning to end.

Create a space perfect for any perennial garden with this easy method. You just need to use your garden spade for slicing underneath the turf, then flip it, and finally spread about three or four inch deep piles of wood chips. After a few weeks, you may then utilize the area to plant your flowers.

TIP! If you want to consistently grow healthy tomatoes, wait three weeks between planting each set. This allows your harvest to grow in stages.

Do you want to know how to kill weeds in a natural way? A good thick layer of newspaper can be laid down to control weeds. Weeds require sunlight for growing. 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. One way to enhance the appearance of your garden if you are using newspapers is to add an additional layer of mulch.

Organic Gardener

TIP! Before planting anything in the organic garden, decide exactly what you want to grow. Some flowers and vegetables require specific types of soil, a certain moisture level, and direct or indirect sun exposure.

Certification is important in order to be considered a legitimate organic gardener. 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! You can grow many different plants in your garden. Most acid-loving plants enjoy mulch.

Add mulch to your garden to improve the vitality of the soil. Mulch can help protect your soil. It helps keep your soil cooler on warmer days, which protects the roots underneath. The soil will also stay moist longer because it reduces evaporation. Mulch is also great for controlling weed growth.

Organic foods don’t contain any chemical pesticides. While this is great for your loved ones’ health, still check for pests and bugs.

Botanical Insecticides

TIP! You should know how to water your plants. A soaker hose would be of great use for this watering job.

You can find a lot of information on how to keep any unwanted pests away by researching local botanical insecticides. In many cases, organic insecticides work even better than commercial products that are full of chemicals. However, botanical insecticides do not last as long due to their composition.

TIP! You can fertilize your organic garden with compost you make yourself. If you aren’t squeamish, why not build a worm composting bin? Mix up some dirt, refuse from the kitchen, and newspaper clippings, then let the red wiggler worms go at it.

In conclusion, there are more aspects of organic horticulture than one would originally think. You need to work hard at it and be patient, and if you can do that then you will see a dazzling organic garden. Use this information and you will be in great shape for bettering yourself in terms of organic gardening knowledge.

Take This Advice To Become Successful At Organic Horticulture

~ craigb

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.

Holistic lifestyles are starting to become more popular, and people are starting to live more organically. People who live this kind of lifestyle usually grow herbs and plants to enjoy the health benefits of this vegetation; they must be grown organically. This article provides several useful tips on organic gardening that can help.

TIP! All soil is not the same. You need to check the soil to make sure it’s the best for what you’re planting.

Cover fences and walls with climbing plants. These types of plants can climb anything, which makes them perfect for covering up a wall or fence that needs to be hidden. Climbers can also be trained to grow and cover an arbor, and they will grow through or around existing trees and shrubs. Some may need to be attached to a support, and others will attach themselves to any surface using their twining stems or tendrils. Trusted variations of climbers are honeysuckle, jasmine, clematis, wisteria and climbing roses.

TIP! Use bulbs to ensure continuous flowers throughout the spring and summer. Bulbs are generally very simple to grow and hearty, as well; they will continue to grow for years.

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

TIP! Soak the seeds and store in a dark area overnight. Put a few seeds in a small container and fill it near to the top with water.

Keep your fragile shrubs protected from the winter weather. Tender, potted shrubs must be protected when the weather is cold. Fasten the tops of the canes together, and cover this wigwam loosely with a cloth. This is better than using plastic to wrap the plant, as more air can circulate.

Knee Pads

TIP! Don’t forget to use a good fertilizer in your garden. Manure is great in enabling plants to grow, although it’s vital to use commercially composted products in order to lessen the risk of a variety of pathogens.

A set of knee pads are a life saver if you’re an avid gardener and a lot of your plants sit close to the ground. Spending lots of time on your knees while horticulture can injure them and create lasting pain. With good knee pads, you can stay in the garden longer, and more comfortably.

TIP! Using natural materials in the garden will keep pests away. For example, planting a border consisting of marigolds or onions can repel slugs.

You could try to boil weeds if you are trying to remain organic. Any vessel of boiling water that you can carry safely can be used as an organic herbicide. Douse the weeds with this pot, just avoid the nearby plants. This can cause enough damage to the roots of any plant to kill it.

TIP! Be smart when you water your garden. Consider a soaker hose as a way to water multiple plants while saving time.

Split up irises. You can create additional irises by splitting up irises that are growing into each other’s space. Lift the dead bulbous irises. The bulbs often divide in your hand with no intervention on your part, and when you replant them, they will usually flower the following year. You can divide rhizomes with a knife. Throw away the center after carefully cutting new sprouts from the exterior. Divide your pieces carefully; they should each have one good quality offshoot apiece. For optimum viability, plant your new cuttings into the ground without delay.

TIP! To create an attractive, quintessentially English garden, you need to use a mixture of different plants that all grow to varying heights in each bed. Having plants that grow to the same height will result in a common and flat looking bed.

Pest control can become a major issue. It’s wise to avoid harsh insecticides if you plan on consuming your fresh fruits and vegetables. Staying on top of the problem will ensure that pests don’t take over your garden. If you catch them early, you can take them off the plants by hand.

TIP! Indoor plants need an environment that is between 65 and 75 degrees. Plants require a warmer climate to grow.

If you want to keep dogs our of your garden, take some aftershave, old perfume, or any other scented item and spray the grass around the area. Your dog will be less attracted to your garden when these scents overpower compost scents and other smells dogs like.

TIP! When mulching your flower beds, aim for anywhere between two or three inches of mulch. Using this much mulch retards weed growth, locks in moisture, and ensures that your plants are well-nourished.

Plant heather to attract beneficial insects. Heather is great for getting bees to stop by at the beginning of spring, as heather plants have nectar available early in the season. It is common to find all types of insects inside of an undisturbed heather bed. Because of this, you should put on a pair of gloves when it’s time to prune the heather.

TIP! Try to work as efficiently as possible when gardening. Do not waste your time looking for tools.

Aspirin water will strengthen your plants against diseases. One and one half aspirin crushed and added to a two gallon container of water will be a great help for your plants. All you need to do is spray the plants with the solution in order to battle common ailments. Plants should be sprayed once every two to three weeks.

TIP! Pine can be a wonderful mulch. Some plants like acidic soil because they have high acidity.

If you like the concept of organic horticulture, then why not take it one step further by leaving some of your land undeveloped for the area’s wildlife? Doing this will allow creatures that help plants to produce and pollinate to continue their actions, which will have a positive effect on the garden you develop.

TIP! Looking for a natural way to kill weeds in your garden? Put down old newspapers in several layers for controlling weeds. Weeds can’t grow without sunlight.

Sprouting seeds need less warmth than before. As your plants grow, move them away from the source of heat. Plastic films should be removed on the containers, as that helps to keep out humidity and warmth. You should know when the right time is if you are keeping an eye on the seeds.

TIP! Use untreated stone, brick or wood to build raised beds. Any wood you use needs to be untreated and resistant to rot.

Make sure you have some plastic bags around so that you can cover any muddy gardening shoes you have. You will be able to go in and out without having to keep taking your shoes on and off.

TIP! Consider the climate and season when watering your plants. You will need to water differently depending on what time it is or what kind of soil you are using.

Pine can make for a great type of mulch. Some plants are more acidic, and prefer soil that contains higher acidic levels. Plants like these thrive when you use pine needles as mulch. Using several inches of needles to cover your beds provides acid for the soil as they begin to decompose.

TIP! Over-watering your plants is not healthy because too much water may inhibit the roots from getting nutrients out of 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.

As you pick up more tips, acquire new techniques, and learn more in general about organic gardening, you will find organic horticulture becoming easier for you. Reading this article was the perfect way to set the ball in motion.

Learning The Tricks Of The Horticulture Trade

~ craigb

You are ready to grow a healthy organic garden. Now’s the time! Listed below are some tips that will help you get started with your organic gardening aspirations.

TIP! If powdery mildew appears on your plants, don’t purchase expensive chemical solutions. Mix plain baking soda with a small bit of liquid soap and water.

Transplanting plants and bringing them indoors can protect them from harsh winters. You may want to save the most beautiful or expensive ones. Dig around roots carefully before transferring to a pot.

TIP! CO2 is essential for growth. A higher level of CO2 will help plants grow better.

Do not mow your lawn 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. Leaving the grass short makes it more prone to drying out, which leaves your lawn look really brown and yucky.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! When mowing your lawn, avoid mowing the grass too short. Keeping grass with a little more height makes it healthier.

If your soil has a problem with high alkaline levels, mixing in some coffee grounds that have been used is a great solution. The coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to give some acid back to the dirt. Balanced soil will produce more flavorful, crisp vegetables and greens.

TIP! Deciduous shrubs should be protected from the elements. Cold weather is very hard on these tender shrubs, and potted shrubs should be shielded and protected.

Prior to planting a garden, think through what you want to do. It will be easy to remember where each plant is when sprouts start to shoot up the following spring. In addition, your small plants or groups of plants that are limited in number won’t become lost if you have a large garden.

TIP! Fresh mint is a wonderful addition to a herb garden, but it can quickly take over your entire yard. You should plant the mint in a rather large garden container or pot instead so you can monitor growth.

Do you enjoy fresh mint, but don’t like how they engulf your garden in their growth? You can slow their growth rate by planting them in 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! There are several all-natural ways to keep pests out of your garden, including certain plants. Onions and marigolds can get rid of pests in the garden.

Place organic mulch as close to your vegetables as you can. Mulch is used to keep extra moisture and provide nutrients for your plants. This also helps reduce the appearance of weeds. You’ll save a ton of time if you don’t have to constantly pull out weeds.

TIP! Chill out by taking time to garden. There are numerous ways to seek personal comfort and peace.

Two items you need to invest in when working in a garden are a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool. In order to relieve stress on your knees when horticulture, always use a small garden stool to be more comfortable. There is also a lot of heavy lifting involved with horticulture, so a good wheelbarrow is a great tool to have around.

TIP! Include your children in your efforts to organic gardening. An organic garden will help your child learn more about plants and insects, and it’s a wonderful bonding time while growing healthy produce.

Learn the best harvesting time for each kind of vegetable you plant. Each type of produce has unique time frames for harvesting at the peak of flavor. For instance, for the best flavor, zucchini and baby peas should be picked when they are young. Yet, in reverse, tomatoes must wait for prime-ripeness before they are subject to being picked. So, find out the best time to harvest your vegetables.

TIP! It’s simple to quickly prepare your soil for the planting of a perennial garden. Use your spade in a slicing motion to cut a flap of turf.

Protect yourself from sun overexposure while gardening by wearing the proper clothing. Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun is the best way to prevent sunburns and skin cancer.

TIP! Take your seedlings and saplings to a cooler spot once they are established. It’s important to move the plants away from any heat source as they grow larger.

When you are organic horticulture, ask your children to lend a hand. Horticulture is a great way for children to learn, and it gives you two a chance to spend some quality time together and produce healthy food.

TIP! Use equal parts dried and green plant material for your own compost. Green plant mulches include everything from fresh grass clippings, to unwanted vegetables, to recently pulled weeds.

If you want to start a small organic garden indoors, evaluate the amount of natural light that is present. If your home does not let in sufficient light, then consider getting plants that thrive in low-light situations. If you do and this does not help, consider investing in some grow-lights.

TIP! Do you want to know how to kill weeds in a natural way? You should layer some newspaper to get weeds under control. Weeds cannot grow without light.

Store a few plastic bags near your garden to slip on over your dirty gardening shoes. Doing this prevents lengthy work interruptions, and allows you to finish the job quickly.

TIP! Build raised beds with untreated stone, brick or wood. When selecting wood, make certain you pick untreated products that have a natural resistance to rot.

Get more value out of your property. Landscaping your yard will bring you a big return on your investment. Investing in the right plants could raise the resale value of your property by at least 20%. Put plants in your front yard as well as your garden that need low moisture, and are ideal for the environmental conditions that you face.

Beer Trap

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.

Use a beer trap to capture slugs and stop them from eating your plants. 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. Next, fill the jar with beer until there is only one inch left below the mouth of the jar. Slugs are attracted to beer. They will crawl into the jar and be trapped.

TIP! You will need to know the correct way to create planting beds if you want to make an organic garden. To do this, slice under the turf with a space.

One way to profitably sell products from your organic garden is to be a credible organic gardener. Get organically certified. This should boost your sales while proving to your customers that they are getting healthy products.

Organic foods don’t contain any chemical pesticides. Although this is better for your health, you do need to check organic produce for infestation of bugs before eating it.

TIP! Horde rainwater for your garden. You can collect rainwater in any number of containers and use this for your organic garden.

Consider using botanical pesticides to keep the pest that plague your garden under control. You can find more power from natural insecticides, as opposed to engineered synthetic pesticides. Natural products will not damage your plants and will disappear quickly. This means you might have to apply your insecticides more often.

TIP! A great way to obtain fertilizer for your garden is by making your own compost. One entertaining method of doing this is to start a worm composting bin.

Healthy soil doesn’t harbor disease and can be of tremendous benefit in helping your plants be as healthy as possible. Even though the insects remain there, you will prevent them from damaging your garden, keeping everyone happy.

TIP! When planning your organic garden, consider creating small ditches between your rows of plants. This will assist the water in flowing straight to the plants so that you will not have to water them quite as often.

You will now be better prepared as you start pursuing organic horticulture. You have just learned a lot of great information. The tips above should have given you some advice and a few ideas, so that you can begin an organic gardening adventure in your own backyard.

Top Organic Gardening Advice From The Experts

~ craigb

TIP! Keeping your garden soil rich and healthy is the best way to discourage garden pests. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases.

Growing an organic garden is a very pleasant and rewarding activity. Starting to garden can be intimidating at first. The question is, what can a beginner do to become knowledgeable on organic gardening? Reviewing the advice that follows would be a good place to begin!

TIP! Bulbs are a great option for people who want to enjoy spring and summer flowers. Not only are bulbs hearty and easy to grow, but they’ll continue to grow as time goes on.

It is very important to keep the weeds from taking over in your garden. Weeds steal nutrients from plants, robbing a garden of its potential harvest. A simple tool that is useful in removing weeds is white vinegar. White vinegar kills weeds. If you’re annoyed with pulling up weeds manually, douse them with a white vinegar solution.

TIP! Soak seeds overnight, preferably in a cool, dark place. Soak the seeds by placing them in a container where they are covered with water.

If you want your garden to sport flowers in the spring as well as summer, plant bulbs. Bulbs will grow every year and are easier to take care of than seeds. If you choose your plants carefully, you could have flowers in blossom from the first weeks of spring to the end of the summer.

Knee Pads

TIP! One way to correct your soil’s alkalinity is by amending your soil with used coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are an affordable means of adding acid to the soil so that it is pH-balanced.

Knee pads are absolute miracle accessories if you work in a garden with plenty of low-growing plants. If you spend a large portion of your gardening session on your knees, it could create pain over time. Having a pair of excellent knee pads for horticulture can help cushion the knees to provide additional comfort.

TIP! Boiling away unwanted weeds is an odd, but productive method used in many gardens. This is a safe way to eliminate weeds, as this will not damage the soil.

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. One parasite you have to watch out for in particular is fungi. To control fungi, use a fungicide spray on the area before you notice any problems.

TIP! Using natural materials in the garden will keep pests away. Plant marigolds or onions around other vegetables to keep slugs away from them.

There are natural steps you can take to keep garden pests at bay. Slugs stay away from marigolds and onions when they are planted in a garden. Mulch around the bottom of trees and shrub seedlings with wood ash to reduce unwanted infestation of pests. These are methods you can use to get rid of the need to use pesticides.

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.

Heather can bring you beneficial insects. Bees like it because it gives them nectar in the springtime. Beds of heather are largely undisturbed and make a perfect living space for spiders, beetles and a variety of other beneficial tenants. With this knowledge at hand, it is in your best interest to wear gloves when tending the heather.

TIP! Controlling pests can be quite challenging when trying to grow a healthy, hardy vegetable garden. You can’t use chemicals as they’re the last thing you want to be eating when you enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Asprin will actually help your plants out by killing diseases. Dissolve 1 aspirin per gallon of water for a plant disease fighting solution. You can easily spray the plans with this concoction to help them fight of disease. The spray ought to be applied approximately every three weeks.

TIP! Let your children be involved in your organic gardening efforts. Gardens are a wonderful place for kids to learn, and working side by side with them can strengthen the bond that you have.

Having a garden of perennials can be an easy and quick process. Use your spade in a slicing motion to cut a flap of turf. Carefully turn the flap over, then cover the area with a three-inch layer of untreated wood chips. Allow for at least 10 days to pass, then plant the perennials that you just purchased.

TIP! 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.

Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. Put them into a basket you carry with you, or use an apron with many pockets and hanging loops. Have gloves, shears, a trowel and anything else you need handy for quick use.

TIP! If you’re really serious about environmentally-friendly gardening practices, refrain from developing some of your land and use it as an animal habitat. This will also benefit your cultivated gardens as it will attract more bugs and birds to pollinate your other plants.

It is possible to control weeds with natural methods. Take layers of newspapers and use them for weed control. Weeds require sunlight to continue growing. When you put newspaper on top of weeds they will suffocate because they are not getting enough light. Newsprint also breaks down well, incorporating itself into the compost. One way to enhance the appearance of your garden if you are using newspapers is to add an additional layer of mulch.

TIP! It’s important to let your cuts heal prior to doing any gardening without gloves. It is possible for a cut to become extremely infected if it comes into contact with dirt and grime while gardening.

A useful technique for organic horticulture, is to gently disturb your seedlings by using your fingers or a piece of cardboard one or two times daily. Believe it or not, aerating the soil in this manner can actually make your seedlings grow larger.

TIP! Use plastic bags to cover muddy gardening shoes. This helps the flow keep going so that you can get into the garden quickly to finish what you’re doing.

An organic garden is a benefit to you and everyone else who consumes the food that grows there. Chemicals are extremely efficient, but the organic method is the best way to get healthy produce.

Tomato Seedlings

TIP! Lightly ruffle your seeds by hand or with cardboard, twice daily in your organic garden. You may think it odd, but studies show that this action results in plant growth that is more substantial than would otherwise be achieved.

Look closely at the seedlings you purchase. If you’re buying some tomato seedlings to use in your garden, keep a look out for starts that are lush and green, but have poor root systems. These starts can stay on the tomato seedlings for a long time, and the seedling won’t start to grow until these starts have gone.

TIP! Adjust your watering to the season and climate. The amount of water needed will change based on time of the day, the content of your municipal water and what your soil make-up is.

When it’s time to dig a hole for a shrub or a tree in an organic garden, make the hole super ugly-looking. 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.

TIP! When planting tomatoes in your organic garden, a great tip is to plant another set of tomatoes after three weeks of planting the original ones. This way you will not have to harvest all of your crops at once.

You should put a lot of thought into selecting the plants that will go in your all-natural garden. Keep this in mind when you are purchasing annuals, biennials, and perennials. It is important to purchase those with buds that don’t have any blooms. This way, they’ll able to develop a strong root system within your own garden.

TIP! When mulching around trees and flowers, the depth of the organic material should be at least 3 inches. This aids in environmental conservation and also saves you serious money on water each month.

An important tip for organic gardeners is to raise crops that are expensive to purchase. The value of plants will differ from person to person. If you grow veggie plants that cost a lot at the supermarket, you can save a lot of money. Plant vegetable plants that you love to eat.

TIP! Know which plants to buy for your organic garden. This is true especially when you purchase perennials or annuals.

If you plant things in your organic garden during the winter, construct a garden tent using materials you can find around the house. Find a few bean poles, and use them at each end of your garden bed by sticking them into the ground. Next, lay old sheets or lightweight blankets over the poles to make the tent. Use bricks or cinder blocks to hold the edges of the sheets on the ground. Even though it is cheap and simple, it is also an effective way of saving your crops during the cold season.

TIP! You can add richness to your compost heap by mixing in the dead leaves that you have raked in your yard. Leaves decompose, therefore creating an organic compost that is very healthy and nutrient rich for your plants.

By now you probably are beginning to understand why so many people enjoy working in their gardens. Horticulture can be an immensely rewarding hobby. Use these tips to get your organic garden up and running in no time.

Turn Your Thumb Green With These Horticulture Tips

~ craigb

TIP! To prevent your plants’ systems from becoming shocked, you need to gradually transition them from higher to lower temperatures. Start by placing your plants outside for a few hours only.

It goes without saying that taking care of an organic garden is critical for its success. Good organic horticulture techniques can be very useful in this context. By employing your knowledge you will be able to more efficiently and reliably produce healthy, tasty food. Use this information to make the best organic garden that you can.

TIP! When winter comes, you can save a few plants by transferring them inside the house. Try to save plants that are expensive or that are resistant enough to handle the transition.

If you work with clay soil, you have probably found using a shovel very frustrating and exhausting. One way to get around this problem is to coat the shovel with wax. Use a clean cloth to spread the wax evenly. You will be able to work with the clay more easily, and it will not stick to your shovel.

TIP! Use proper soil for the best results. Depending on what type of plants you have, your soil may or may not be adapted.

You can use the wooden handles of your tools as measurement sticks. Handles of things such as rakes, hoes or shovels make excellent measuring instruments. Simply lay the handles out on the floor and run a measuring tape next to them. Then, with a permanent marker, you want to label distances. When you are at work in the garden, you will always have a handy measuring device on each and every tool.

TIP! Prepare your seeds by soaking them in a dark environment. Put some seeds (a small amount) in a container that isn’t too large for the plant you’ll be growing.

When you go to mow your lawn, make sure you don’t mow it too closely to the ground. Higher grass has deeper roots, meaning a healthier lawn that will be less likely to dry out. The shorter the grass, the shallower the roots, which makes the lawn more likely to develop brown patches.

TIP! Always have a plan for the garden prior to the start of planting it. Use this to remind you where certain things were planted, later when they start sprouting.

Protect your plants from moisture on a daily basis. Parasites are attracted to the moisture on plants. Fungus infections are common in overly moist 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! Start your garden by planting seed in small pots. Planting seeds is the most eco-friendly way to start a new garden.

Protect the soil around your vegetable plants with an inch or two of organic mulch. Mulch will keep soil moist for longer. It will also dramatically decrease weed growth. This could save you lots of weed-pulling time.

TIP! Any time that you are gardening in direct sunlight, dress appropriately to prevent skin damage. Make sure you wear a wide brimmed hat along with sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

If you are going for a British feel with your garden, then vary the heights of your plants. Plants that are all at the same height makes a garden bed look flat and uninteresting.

TIP! If you’re really serious about environmentally-friendly gardening practices, refrain from developing some of your land and use it as an animal habitat. 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.

You should teach your children how to garden alongside you. Gardens are a wonderful place for kids to learn, and working side by side with them can strengthen the bond that you have.

Flower Beds

TIP! After your seeds begin to sprout, it is not as important to keep them warm. You should move your sprouted plants farther from the heat when they are past the sprouting stage.

When mulching your flower beds, aim for anywhere between two or three inches of mulch. Using this much mulch retards weed growth, locks in moisture, and ensures that your plants are well-nourished. In addition, your flower beds will have a beautiful, finished appearance year round.

TIP! Pine can make a great mulch. There are many common acidic plants that prefer acidic soil.

Pine can make surprisingly great mulch. Some plants do better in soil with high acidity as they are highly acidic themselves. Pine needles to line the bed of your garden are easy to find for these kinds of plants. Cover your beds with the needles, as they will decompose and disperse their acid throughout the soil.

TIP! Try using coffee grounds on the soil. They contain nitrogenous nutrients which are essential to plant growth.

Spacing is one important factor in gardening. Plants take up quite a bit of space as they grow, and it’s easy to underestimate just how much. Air circulation and room to grow is important for any plant. Think ahead and give each plant room for expansion, by properly spacing the seeds.

Treated Wood

TIP! One way to help maintain healthy soil is to incorporate mulch into your landscape. Mulch acts as a protective covering for the soil.

Create a raised bed for your garden out of stone, bricks or untreated wood. If you choose wood, it needs to be naturally rot resistant and untreated. Good choices are cedar, locust and cypress. In a veggie garden, don’t use treated wood since its chemicals can leech into the food crops and soil. If your existing garden structure contains treated wood, at least take the time to make a plastic lining beneath the soil.

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. Always be sure to check the weather and keep a tight watering schedule.

Drowning your plants with water can kill them! It will stop your plant’s roots from being able to obtain any nutritional goodness out of its surrounding soil Don’t go ahead and water your garden if the weather report predicts rain that day. If a downpour is coming, you may want to forgo watering your plants that day.

TIP! Any gardening can connect you with Mother Nature, but particularly if you employ organic gardening techniques. Organic gardening is an excellent lesson in the plant life cycle and how to get the most from the planting process.

One of the most wonderful things about buying food that is organic is that they don’t contain pesticides. 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.

TIP! When organic gardening, it is important to know how properly make an ideal bed for your plants. To begin this process, cut under the turf and leave a space open.

Gardening can not only be an excellent hobby for consuming time, but is great for saving money and aiding a healthy diet. Organic gardening is an excellent lesson in the plant life cycle and how to get the most from the planting process.

TIP! You should know how to water your plants. Purchasing a soaker hose would be a worthwhile expenditure.

Every year, rotate your organic garden. Repeatedly planting the same greenery in the same place can cause fungus and disease. The fungus and bacteria will stay in the ground a whole year and attack your plants when the time is right. If you mix things up, by planting in different spots, you will have enlisted a natural method of keeping fungus and diseases at bay.

TIP! You can be a bit more environmentally friendly by doing things like saving rainwater. Use barrels or buckets to catch water for your garden.

Grow garlic. Cloves should be planted whole during the fall or early spring months. Garlic grows best in soil that retains moisture but drains well. Place them about one or two inches deep into the soil pointed upwards and four inches apart. Green garlic shoots, which can be cut while growing, can substitute nicely for scallions or chives. You will know when to harvest the garlic, because the tops will gradually turn brown. Allow the skin to harden by letting your bulbs sit out in the sun. You should store your garlic cloves in a cooler area and tie them in some bunches.

TIP! Draw up a planting calendar to plan your gardening efforts. This calendar should have the dates when each type of plant will go in the garden.

As you now know, the taste and quality of your produce can be greatly enhanced from utilizing the method of organic gardening. 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.

Organic Gardening Tips That Are Fun And Easy

~ craigb

TIP! You can make your flower beds brighter with biennials and annuals. Your flower beds will look different from one season to another.

There are many people who’d like to have their own organic garden, but not many take the time to actually create one. This is because people often feel too discouraged or incompetent to try something that sounds as complicated and unusual as organic gardening. Read through this article and you can gain better insight on what it takes to start and grow your own organic garden; it’s not as hard as it may seem.

TIP! It is very important to keep the weeds from taking over in your garden. Those nasty weeds can turn your beautiful garden into a scruffy version of its former self.

Think about starting plants in pots, and then placing the seedlings in the garden later. Once the plant is hardy enough, plant it in your garden. In addition, you can shorten the intervals between your plantings. The seedlings are ready to go, once you remove the mature plants.

TIP! Before planting seeds, soak them overnight. Place them in a cupboard or other place where they won’t be exposed to light.

An excellent garden shouldn’t begin from plants. They should begin from seeds. When you grow a new garden, start the environmental way, from seeds. Since plastics that are in nurseries aren’t recycled very often and therefore usually wind up in landfills, you should begin with seeds or purchase from the nurseries that use natural materials in their plants’ packaging.

TIP! Using boiling water to kill weeds is both efficient and organic. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find.

Using natural materials in the garden will keep pests away. Onions and marigolds can help to deter slugs. Insects also avoid shrubs and trees that are mulched with wood ash. Doing these things can ensure that you do not need potentially harmful chemicals.

Organic Mulch

TIP! Do you enjoy fresh mint, but don’t like how they engulf your garden in their growth? Try to keep your mint in a container in your garden to stop their rampage. If you would like the mint leaves to still be in the ground, simply plant the container, and the leaves will stay within the boundaries of the pot.

Take the time to place organic mulch in the area around your vegetable plants. The organic mulch will keep moisture in the soil for a little longer. It also keeps weeds from growing. This can save you a lot of time and effort in pulling out the weeds.

TIP! If you decide to grow peas, think about planting them indoors when you first start them off, as opposed to planting them outdoors. The seeds will grow better in your home if planted there first.

Get a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool to work in your garden. In order to relieve stress on your knees when horticulture, always use a small garden stool to be more comfortable. There is also a lot of heavy lifting involved with gardening, so a good wheelbarrow is a great tool to have around.

TIP! Do not use broad-spectrum pesticides within your garden. If your pesticide has too wide a range of targets, it can kill off useful insects that fight off other pests.

Controlling pests in your vegetable garden can be extremely difficult to deal with. Since your vegetables are meant to be eaten, refrain from spraying them with harsh chemicals. The key to keeping garden pests at bay is to be relentless. In many cases, you can simply remove the pests from your plants by picking them off.

TIP! Choose a specific plant to become your garden’s focal point. There should be a solid focal point for every good garden design.

Pick a plant that will be a focal point. In any great garden design, a good focal point captures the eye. Mostly it is a distinctive plant that sets it apart from the neighboring plants and flowers.

Planting organic strawberries is a great way to encourage your children to get involved. Children enjoy picking fresh fruit, especially if they can eat it right away.

TIP! If you have plants inside, make sure the thermostat stays between 65 and 75 degrees. The temperature needs to remain steady and warm so the plants can grow.

Add aspirin to your plants to help them fight sickness. One and half tablets of aspirin in a couple gallons of water will be a wonderful help to the plants you have. The solution can then be used to spray the entire plant, and will offer protection naturally. Spraying should be one time every three weeks.

TIP! Try to work in your garden at least a short time each day. No matter what your schedule is like, you should be able to fit in small things that will help you avoid having an overwhelming amount of work all at once.

In order to maximize the efficiency of your horticulture, ensure your gardening tools are kept close by you. You can keep them in a good sized bucket, or wear utility pants that have plenty of large pockets. Have shears, a trowel, gloves and other commonly used garden tools portable and easy to access.

Pine Needles

TIP! If organic gardening is something you desire to do, it’s critical that you are aware of the proper method to make beds. To start this, slice underneath your turf with a spade.

Pine can make a great mulch. Some plants need acidic soil to grow properly, because of their own acid content. If your garden contains plants like this, there are few things simpler than spreading some pine needles across your beds. If you spread a few inches of pine needles around your garden beds, when they break down, the acid they contain will leach into the soil.

TIP! When getting ready to plant a tree or a shrub in your organic garden, try digging an ugly hole to plant them in. If you place a plant in a hole with glazed sides, the roots will not be able to penetrate the soil properly.

As a good general practice, you should make sure to plant your seeds three seed-widths deep into their containers. Be aware that some seeds shouldn’t be covered, as they need sunlight. Some of these seeds are petunias and ageratum. When in doubt about whether a seed requires direct sun exposure, you can find lots of information online or on the seed packaging itself.

TIP! There are a variety of plants that are possible to be grown in organic gardens. Many acid-loving plants love mulch.

When you run your personal organic garden, try ruffling seedlings using your hands or cardboard one or two times daily. This will make your plants grow faster and they will get bigger than they would have without this practice.

TIP! While you may have heard a few things here and there about composting, how much do you really know about it? Good compost is a combination of grass clippings, produce scraps, leaves, straw and wood chips or small twigs that has broken down into “pseudo-soil.” Compost adds nutrients to your soil without the dangers of commercial fertilizers.

If you want to sell your crops, you should become a certified organic gardener. This attracts customers who are willing to drive a little farther and pay a little more for products that are safe and healthy.

TIP! Garlic strategically located throughout your garden is a great way to keep the insect pests away without using chemicals. Garlic functions as a repellent for many insects.

Check the roots of your plants. Evaluate each tomato and check for green starts, as they generally have bad root systems that impede growth. These starts will stick to the seedlings for quite some time, which prevents the seedlings from growing until the starts are gone.

TIP! Don’t waste or discard that precious rainwater. Use barrels or buckets to catch water for your garden.

If you keep these various tips in mind, horticulture should not be so daunting. Start applying some of the tips presented above, and in the near future, you could have your very own productive organic garden.

Growing A Green Garden, Even If You Were Not Born With A Green Thumb

~ craigb

TIP! Use pots to start your plants, then transfer them to a garden when they become seedlings. Your plants will be more likely to survive if you do this.

Application of correct organic gardening tips and products will shine through in the quality of your garden. It lets other know that you are serious about getting the most out of your organic plants. That is a great trait to have. Improvement to any skill can always be achieved, and this skill set is no different. Below are some tips to help.

TIP! When it’s autumn, you know what that means. It’s time to plant fall vegetables! Clay pots are boring, so replace those ordinary lettuce and kale pots with pumpkins.

Select plant types that will bring a higher profits and yield. In most circumstances, a cold-tolerant or disease-resistant hybrid will have a higher yield when compared to a more traditional variety.

TIP! In a place that’s dark, pre-soak the seeds. Soak the seeds by placing them in a container where they are covered with water.

Create useful rulers from your tool handles. Tools with substantial handles, like rakes, hoes and large shovels are great for taking measurements. After laying the handles on the floor, run the measuring tape along beside them. Then, with a permanent marker, you want to label distances. Next time you are working in the garden, you will have a large ruler at your fingertips!

Healthy Soil

TIP! Prior to planting a garden, think through what you want to do. Planning gives you a map of your garden.

Keeping your garden soil rich and healthy is the best way to discourage garden pests. Healthy soil encourages vigorous plant growth and makes your garden more resistant to common diseases and insects. For healthy plants, start with healthy soil that is properly amended and free of chemicals in order to avoid salt accumulation.

TIP! If you want to effectively weed out young plants, you can try “boiling” away the weeds. Considering that boiling water is rather safe, you don’t have to worry about toxins in your soil or at your dinner table.

Try growing some cat grass or wheat grass in the vicinity of the plants that your cat likes to eat. Alternatively, you can try putting mothballs, citrus peel or anything else with an odor that cats find distasteful in the soil surrounding the plants.

TIP! Be sure your garden is fertilized. Manure can be effective, though you should use products which minimize pathogens.

A set of comfortable knee pads makes a great investment if your garden is full of plant material that stays low to the ground. If you spend a large portion of your horticulture session on your knees, it could create pain over time. Using a pair of quality knee pads designed for horticulture can provide your knees with cushioning and support, preventing any discomfort.

TIP! You can keep pests away from your garden by using other plants or natural materials. For example, slugs can be deterred by the presence of marigolds or onions.

Do you enjoy your mint leaves, but can’t stand how they dominate your garden? Control their expansion by confining them to a large pot. You can simply put the container below the soil level. Once you do, the container will constrain the roots, preventing them from overshadowing all of your other plants.

TIP! Learn the ideal times for harvesting your vegetables. Individual vegetables have distinct windows of time to pick for getting the greatest flavors.

To grow peas, try growing them indoors first, instead of outside. The seeds will have a better germination rate if you start them indoors. This will also make the seedlings hardier, which will help them resist diseases and pests. You could transplant the seedlings outdoors once they are able to survive and thrive.

TIP! If you’re growing indoor organic plants, you should ensure that you think about how much light is available for them. If you are living in a place that does not have a lot of natural sunlight, think about cultivating plants that do well in lower lighting situations.

Get a wheelbarrow, and a stool so that you can kneel down while gardening. Horticulture can be very tough on the knees as you spend much time leaning near the ground, so a portable stool can make all the difference to your comfort. It is also normal to move heavy objects and dirt around the garden, so a wheelbarrow is something you should have.

TIP! As the seeds sprout, they’ll need less warmth. You should move your sprouted plants farther from the heat when they are past the sprouting stage.

Learn the best harvesting time for each kind of vegetable you plant. Each type of produce has unique time frames for harvesting at the peak of flavor. Harvesting zucchini is best done when they are small and baby peas should be harvested when they are young. Tomatoes, however, are best picked from the vine later when they are very ripe. To get the most out of your gardening efforts, find out when to harvest your crops.

TIP! Try using coffee grounds on the soil. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth.

Think about planting everbearing strawberries in your garden, especially if you have small children. Little ones will be more likely to help when they can enjoy the fun of harvesting their own fruit.

TIP! When it’s harvest time, you should utilize a basket that you put laundry in to carry your veggies. The basket will make a great strainer when you wash your vegetables.

Prepare the ground for a perennial garden quickly and easily. Turn over the soil in your garden so it will be soft and easy to plant before spreading wood chips around your garden. Wait for a few weeks and plant new perennials in this area.

TIP! If you’re trying to decide how to water the plants in your organic garden, consider a soaker hose. The water comes out very slowly and evenly, and the hose can be placed exactly where water is needed, such as at the roots.

Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. You can wear an apron or pants that have a lot of pockets, or use a big bucket or can. Keep your trowel, pruning shears and gloves handy so you can do your garden work quickly and easily.

Plastic bags are great to cover gardening shoes when they get muddy. This lets you be able to return to the garden without interrupting your work.

TIP! Make sure your garden has biodiversity. Wildlife will be attracted by different varieties of plants, so make sure you have a wide choice for them.

Put coffee ground into your soil. Coffee has a lot of essential nutrients that plants need. 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! There are many options when growing an organic garden. If you choose plants that require acid to grow properly, use mulch.

Your compost pile should contain green plants and dried ones in equal amounts. When you pull weeds from your garden, throw them in the compost. The same goes for vegetable trimmings and grass clippings. These are considered green materials. Sawdust, straw, cardboard, paper and wood pulp are all examples of dried plant material. Diseased plants, meat and fire-waste like charcoal or ashes should not be placed in your compost pile.

TIP! In organic gardens, like any garden, weeds take a lot of attention to keep them under control. You can use this to kill weeds in your garden and keep it organic.

If you have recently planted seeds in your organic garden, you should regularly aerate the soil by using your hands to gently sift it. That may sound like a silly thing to do, but it’s been proven to help plants grow larger than they would otherwise.

TIP! Know what to look for when choosing plants for your organic garden. These rules of thumb are especially important when you are shopping for perennials or annuals.

One way to profitably sell products from your organic garden is to be a credible organic gardener. Get organically certified. This will increase your sales, and it will prove to your customers that they have quality products.

TIP! Bumblebees aid in pollination, so they are quite beneficial to your garden. Keep in mind though that there are some bees that can harm your garden.

Excessive amounts of water makes it harder for plants to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Check the weather for the next couple of days to see if you actually need to water your plants. Depending on the weather, you might want to skip watering for the day.

TIP! Humidity might be needed by some houseplants. To create humidity anywhere, group plants of different types into one large pot and fill gaps with stones or compost.

You now have the skills, the tools, and the equipment necessary to apply these strategies to your own organic garden. This is great news! The tips here should help you with your organic gardening. Don’t stop here, though, you should continue learning. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, you can always find a small bit of information you may not have previously known.

Organic Gardening Tips To Improve Your Family’s Health

~ craigb

TIP! Choose perennials that are not vulnerable to attack by slugs. These creatures can wreak havoc on a garden in a short time.

Organic gardening can be a very enjoyable and relaxing activity in which anyone can participate. Gardening can be overwhelming for a beginner. So, what exactly should a novice learn and do when they want to start growing plants? Read the information provided below, of course!

TIP! Healthy soil will also assist in your battle against pests. The hearty plants that will grow in a garden with rich soil can resist the bugs and diseases that weak plants can’t withstand.

Clay soil is hard and will also stick to a shovel, making it difficult to work with. Simplify the process by putting a bit of wax onto the shovel. The clay won’t stick then. This will keep the soil from sticking, and prevent rusting of the tool.

TIP! Try using annuals and biennials to add color to your flower beds, and brighten them up. Your flower beds will look different from one season to another.

Plants that result in a larger yield should be higher on your priority list when planning the garden. Frequently, a hybrid that is able to deal with extreme temperatures will bring higher yields than the more traditional variety of a plant.

Handy Measuring

TIP! You can plant wheat grass or cat grass near the plants that the cat eats. Alternatively, you can try putting mothballs, citrus peel or anything else with an odor that cats find distasteful in the soil surrounding the plants.

Turn your tool handles into convenient rulers. Tools with long handles, such as rakes, hoes, and shovels can be converted into handy measuring sticks. Lay the tools down on the floor, then place a measuring tape along the handle. Next, use a Sharpie to accurately label the distance between each one. When you are at work in the garden, you will always have a handy measuring device on each and every tool.

TIP! Plan your garden before you plant it. This way, when the sprouts start shooting up, you can recall where you planted each plant.

You do not need store-bought chemical treatments for plant mildew. Combine a bit of liquid soap and some baking soda with water. Once every week, you should spray the mixture on your plants; the mildew will disappear shortly thereafter. Baking soda treats the mildew effectively and gently and it won’t damage your plants.

TIP! If your garden contains lots of short plants, purchase some gardening knee pads. Your knees will take a beating if you spend a great deal of time on the ground while tending your garden.

When the fall season arrives, it is time to plant your fall edibles. Why not plant lettuce and kale inside a hollowed-out pumpkin? First, cut out the pumpkin’s top layer and remove the seeds. Then, spray some Wilt-Pruf on the insides to prevent the rot that would follow otherwise. You can now use it to plant in, as you would a pot.

TIP! Divide irises. Take clumps that have become overgrown and divvy them up into separate plants.

If you are going to grow peas, start them inside rather then planting them outdoors. When you plant the seeds indoors, your seeds will start to germinate better. This method also results in hardier seedlings that can better resist insects and disease. After the seedlings have grown strong indoors, it will be time for you to transplant them to outdoor beds.

TIP! Get a wheelbarrow, and a stool so that you can kneel down while gardening. 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.

An eye-catching plant makes an attractive focal point for your garden or flowerbed. Gardens are like art; you need to give the piece (or garden) an initial focal point. More often than not, it is a plant that is distinctively different from its neighbors.

TIP! Pest control is very difficult if you are dealing with your veggie garden. It’s wise to avoid harsh insecticides if you plan on consuming your fresh fruits and vegetables.

Be smart when you water your garden. You can water efficiently by using a soaker hose which will eliminate the necessity of watering each plant one by one with a nozzle, or having to use a water can that you have to refill over and over. Use low water pressure for your hose so that you do not cause harm to the tender members of your garden. Give it a few hours to water the plants so you have schedule freedom to tend to other matters.

Pick your vegetables when the temperature is moderate to avoid bruising them. Cut vegetables off at the vine, and don’t twist them off, as this could hurt the plant.

TIP! Using a solution of aspirin and water can prevent certain plant diseases. Dissolve 1 aspirin per gallon of water for a plant disease fighting solution.

One way to create a great organic garden is to allow for a portion of your yard to be undeveloped for wildlife. 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! If you are a fan of organic, sustainable gardening methods, consider leaving part of your backyard untouched so that natural plants and wildlife can flourish in the area. The kind of birds and insects needed for pollination will be naturally present on your property and help with your organic garden.

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. 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 still are unable to get enough light to your plants, consider purchasing grow-lights.

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

When choosing plants, dig a little deeper. When buying tomato seedlings for the garden, keep an eye on lush green starts with root systems that are bad. The reason is because these particular starts will stay on the seedlings for weeks, which will not allow the seedlings to grow until these starts are gone.

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.

Plant a variety of foliage native to your region for the best garden. The different types of plants will draw a variety of wildlife to your garden. Plant various plant types to create a natural environment. By doing this, your garden will have a nice appeal to it, and you can relax knowing you’ve done something good for the earth.

Rganic Methods

TIP! If you’d like to improve the health of your soil, try adding some mulch. Mulch will protect and nourish the soil.

When gardening, know what is available for you to use. Try using organic substitutes for the typical chemical fertilizers. Compost is a great example of what to use. One advantage to using organic horticulture methods as opposed to non-organic methods is that non-organic methods have a small chance of reducing soil quality or poisoning the water table.

TIP! While all kinds of gardening can help you feel more connected to the planet, gardening organically is especially good for this. 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.

It is by now obvious how beneficial and enjoyable organic gardening can truly be when you know how to approach it. The activity is fun, relaxing, rewarding and potentially challenging. Using these tips, you can become an excellent organic gardener.