organic gardening

Use These Ideas To Build A Pesticide Free Organic Garden

~ craigb

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

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

Clay Soil

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

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

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

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

Coffee Grounds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do not let your gardening chores add up. Sometimes it might prove difficult to get in a little horticulture time every day. However, you shouldn’t fret, as there are a few things you can do that can minimize the time you spend horticulture when you do manage to get to it. You can pull a few weeds when you take your dog outside.

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

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

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

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

Organic Horticulture

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make Your Garden Organic With These Top Tips

~ craigb

TIP! The quick and drastic change in the weather conditions can shock your plants and cause them to die. It’s important that you gradually change temperate conditions over time, so that your plants can adjust.

A smart way to build a healthier diet is to start an organic garden. Much patience and effort are required though, in order to produce a successful and flourishing organic garden. You probably have many questions about how to accomplish your horticulture goals.

TIP! Clay soil is hard and will also stick to a shovel, making it difficult to work with. Make your shoveling job easier by lightly coating a shovel with a layer of wax, then buffing the surface.

To prevent your plants from getting shocked by a big change, get them gradually used to climate and temperature changes. On the first day, place them in the sun outside for only an hour or so. As time goes by, slowly increase the time they spent outdoors. If you do this correctly, the plants should be able to make their final move at the end of a week’s time.

TIP! Use annuals and biennials to enliven your flower beds. Biennials and annuals that grow quickly can add color to a flower bed, plus they permit you to modify the way the flower bed looks each season and each year.

Think about planting your seeds in indoor pots and then transplanting them to your garden once they become seedlings. Doing this betters your odds of your plants making it to adulthood. This method also reduces the waiting time between plantings. After you remove the mature plants from your garden, you can immediately replace them with the seedlings and start the cycle over again.

Healthy Plants

TIP! Remember to remove weeds from the garden. Weeds can destroy a once promising garden and take away all its potential.

The first thing you can do to avoid pests is to start with healthy soil in your garden. Healthy soil equals healthy plants and healthy plants can fight off diseases with ease. For the most vigorous and healthy plants, start with high-quality soil, and stay away from chemicals. These can accumulate salts over time.

TIP! If your garden includes vegetables, make sure you plant them in a location whether they are exposed to sunlight for a minimum of six hours each day. Most members of the vegetable family need this minimum of light for proper growth.

In the cold winter months, you can salvage certain plants by bringing them into the house. You may be able to save your most resistant or expensive plants. When you dig up the plant, carefully avoid the roots then place it in a container.

TIP! It’s easy to just jump in and start gardening without thought, but it’s important to plan your garden first. This way, when the sprouts start shooting up, you can recall where you planted each plant.

Be sure to weed your garden. If you have weeds in your garden, it will not be as nice as it could be. To help you do this, you may want to consider using white vinegar. White vinegar is a weed killer! Putting white vinegar on your plants gets rid of much of the need to pull out the weeds.

TIP! Do you want fresh mint leaves without having to worry about them growing too quickly? Contain their growth with a garden container or large pot instead. 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.

Prior to planting your garden, devise a plan. Use this to remind you where certain things were planted, later when they start sprouting. You might end up losing small plants in a large area, because you did not water them.

Tender Shrubs

TIP! Broad-spectrum pesticide is not a good garden choice. These pesticides can kill the useful insects that work as predators to pests.

Make sure to protect your tender shrubs from the elements. If you have tender shrubs in pots, they need to be protected in the cold weather. The tops should be tied together, and the wigwam should be loosely covered with a sheet or blanket. This will work better than wrapping your plant with plastic, because air can still circulate, which will help to prevent rotting.

TIP! Don’t count the fall season out. That doesn’t have to be the case.

Start your garden off right with seeds, not plants. 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! Gardening can be very relaxing. There are numerous avenues to pursue when attempting to find your personal peace and relaxation.

If you have a problem with your dog disturbing your garden, you can repel him by spraying perfume or other scents on the grass near the edge. This will help mask the scents that attract your dog, and will make your garden a less interesting place for your pet to be.

TIP! Vegetables tend to soften during the hottest part of the day, which means they are easily damaged, even when handled with care. Cut vegetables to remove them from vines rather than twisting and pulling them.

To create a beautiful English garden, use the same bed to mix various kinds of plants, as well as different heights. Having plants that grow to the same height will result in a common and flat looking bed.

TIP! You can create a great English garden by mixing types and sizes in one bed. Plants that grow to be the same height end up uniform and flat looking.

It’s important to let your cuts heal prior to doing any horticulture without gloves. If grime gets into the cut, it could become infected. However, there are bandages available that will seal the cut completely. Using these should protect the cut from any infection while horticulture.

Tools Handy

TIP! Gardening is not only a great hobby, but also a way to feel at peace with the earth. Organic gardening will accomplish that feeling even more so.

To be as efficient as possible in the garden, always have your tools handy. Use a large bucket, or wear rugged pants with several pockets. Keep your gloves, pruning shears, a hand spade and your other tools handy to quickly and easily do your garden maintenance.

Use plastic bags to cover muddy gardening shoes. This lets you be able to return to the garden without interrupting your work.

TIP! Take some time to carefully plan the items to include in your organic garden. You will need to cultivate specific environments for various vegetables and plants.

Get added value from your property. Landscaping your yard will bring you a big return on your investment. Certain plant investments could raise your home’s resale value by approximately 20% or possibly more! Select plants that will adapt well to your regional area and require minimum maintenance.

TIP! Nobody likes to see weeds popping up in their beloved garden. This method is much safer for your other plants.

Procrastination leads to problems in a variety of areas, including organic gardening. If your busy life prevents you from tending your garden every day, do small tasks to avoid having so much work when you do have some time. Grab a handful of weeds, throw down some mulch, or toss some water on it anytime you walk by.

TIP! You have heard a lot about the uses of compost, but you may not know how it is produced. It is made of things such as wood chips, lawn cuttings, fallen leaves, bits of produce, straw and other yard waste that has started to decompose.

If you want to sell your crops as organic, you should look into obtaining a certification proving that you are an organic garden. This will not only increase sales, but it will demonstrate to your customers that your products are legitimate and that you are doing what it takes to grow the best crops.

TIP! You should know how to buy plants for your organic garden. This is evident when purchasing perennials or annuals.

One of the benefits of organic produce over commercial produce is that it is not spayed with any toxic pesticides. While organic foods are healthy for your family, you will still need to check closely for bugs or worms.

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

Always give your garden the benefit of looking beneath the upper portions of a plant. 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. The first start remains attached to the developing seedlings for many weeks. Until these sneaky starts fall away, the plant will not grow.

TIP! Conserve your rainwater! Retain it in barrels or buckets and use it in your organic garden when it’s time to water. This saves on watering bills.

As the article has referenced, organic gardening takes work, research, and effort in order to be successful. Persistence is also a necessary ingredient for success. If you keep all these suggestions in mind, you have taken the right steps towards becoming a successful organic gardener.

The Best Advice On Growing A Great Organic Garden

~ craigb

TIP! Gradually acclimate plants to temperature changes and conditions, if you want to avoid shocking them. Place them outside in the sunlight for an hour or two on the first day.

It goes without saying that taking care of an organic garden is critical for its success. In order to get good results in an organic garden, you need to use smart gardening techniques. This will make the fruits and vegetables in your garden healthier and taste better. Use this advice to take your organic garden to the next level.

When choosing plants, pick those that produce a high yield. If yield is important, choose hybrids designed to resist cold and diseases rather than traditional varieties.

TIP! Soak the seeds and store in a dark area overnight. Put some seeds in a container and fill the container to the brim with water.

Use slug-proof varieties of perennials wherever possible. Snails and slugs can do irreparable damage to your garden in a single night. These pests are especially attracted to tender sprouts and to delicate, soft leaves. Some perennials are not preferred meals for snails and slugs, especially if their foliage is hairy and tough, or tastes bad. Consider planting these varieties of perennials to discourage slugs and snails from eating your flowers. Euphorbia and achillea are examples of slug-proof perennials.

Healthy Plants

TIP! Deciduous shrubs should be protected from the elements. If you have tender shrubs in pots, they need to be protected in the cold weather.

A garden with a foundation of healthy soil is the best defense against pests. Healthy plants grown in robust and enriched soil have an advantage in fighting pest infestation. 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! There are natural steps you can take to keep garden pests at bay. Onions and marigolds can get rid of pests in the garden.

Your plants will reach maximum growth if they have a sufficient supply of carbon dioxide. Most plants grow better in higher levels of CO2. The best way to get a high level is to plant them in a greenhouse. CO2 levels are usually kept high to get the best growing situation for your plants.

TIP! Familiarize yourself with the optimum harvesting time of your vegetables. Every type of vegetable has a different moment of ripeness.

If you are growing vegetables in your garden, it is important that you have them in a spot where they can get at least six hours of sun a day. Most vegetables need at least that much sun for optimal growth speed. This holds true for some types of flowers.

TIP! Use plants to get some autumn color. However, you can still maintain your gardening hobby throughout the fall months.

Try to have a plan with your garden. A thoughtful plan can remind you of previous plantings and what you will see appearing from the soil in the months of spring and summer. 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! Include your children in your efforts to organic gardening. Toiling together in the garden brings your family closer together and offers many different opportunities to learn new things and instill green values.

Your plants need to be kept dry, but sill receiving a good amount of air. Excess moisture creates an appealing environment for disease and parasites. A fungus is one of the most important and debilitating parasites for plants. It is possible to control fungi by using fungicide sprays. However, these sprays should be used before issues become apparent.

TIP! Plants growing in your home need a constant temperature of no less than 65 degrees. They need the temperature to be that warm so that they can grow.

Split up the irises. You can increase the number of irises you have by splitting clumps that are overgrown. When you see the foliage is definitely dead, lift up the 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. Use a knife to divide the rhizomes. Discard the center and cut pieces from the exterior. Every piece is suppose to have at least one durable offshoot. Replant your pieces right away.

TIP! When you are growing organic plants within the home or an enclosed area, considering how much light the plants will receive must be emphasized. If you want indoor plants, choose specimens that can grow in relatively dark places.

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

TIP! When your seeds sprout, they will not be in need of the warmth they needed to germinate. As your plants grow, you will want to put a little distance between them and heat.

Choose one plant and make it the focal point of your garden. A focal point can help direct a viewers gaze. Frequently, it will be a plant that’s very different from others in the neighborhood.

Try to keep plastic bags on hand to cover shoes that are muddy. This lets you be able to return to the garden without interrupting your work.

TIP! When planting your organic garden, spacing is an important thing to keep in mind. It is easy to underestimate the amount of space that the plants will take up once they start to grow.

Your watering schedule should flow perfectly with the seasons, yet be adjustable according to climate. The amount of water you need to give your plants depends on soil type, quality of water and time of day. For instance, if you live in a warm, humid climate watering the leaves can cause leaf fungus. Instead, water the roots only.

TIP! Try to avoid letting your organic garden chores build up. If your busy life prevents you from tending your garden every day, do small tasks to avoid having so much work when you do have some time.

Excessive amounts of water makes it harder for plants to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Before watering your plants outdoors, check to see if there is rain in the forecast. After reviewing the weather forecast, you can decide whether or not to spend the time and resources watering the garden.

TIP! Use untreated stone, brick or wood to build raised beds. If you use wood, be sure that it is untreated and naturally rot resistant.

One thing that sets organic gardening apart from conventional horticulture is that commercial pesticides are not used. Organic horticulture is wonderful for your family and their health, but you also need to be vigilant about pests.

TIP! You have to decide what you want to grow in your organic garden. Each plant needs a specific environment to blossom.

Rotate where you plant each type of plant each year. For example, if you usually plant corn in one area of your garden and flowers in another, switch which plant is planted in each section. Keeping plants that belong to the same family in the same place can eventually spark fungus growth and disease. The diseases and fungi are harbored in the soil and are ready to make a comeback each year. Change the design of your garden regularly to prevent diseases from spreading.

Tomato Seedlings

TIP! Water is your garden’s best friend. Plants, just like humans, require water for survival.

Look closely at the seedlings you purchase. When buying tomato seedlings for the garden, keep an eye on lush green starts with root systems that are bad. 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! Go green with rain water to irrigate your garden. Collect the rainwater in a container or barrel, which makes for a great natural resource, not only that it saves you money on water bills.

When mulching your flowerbed or garden, most people recommend adding about three inches of mulch. Mulch adds nutrients to your soil, prohibits water evaporation, inhibits weeds and creates a finished look to your flower or gardening beds.

TIP! Bumble bees can help with the pollination of your garden. However there are some forms of bees, like carpenter bees, that can harm your garden.

Having an organic garden means that you can enjoy fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables whenever you want. Organic gardening takes patience and manual labor, but it’s worth it when you start reaping the benefits of your labor.

Organic Gardening Can Be Easier Than You Think

~ craigb

TIP! Digging in hard clay soil is made even more difficult because it sticks to the shovel. To make working in clay easier, rub the shovel with floor or car wax and then buff it with a cloth.

It may seem like horticulture would be hard to learn, but the truth is that you can get started with horticulture quite easily. Now you know what you need to do, you can hopefully be more knowledgeable about gardening, so you can get more from it.

TIP! Select plants that produce a relatively high yield. A plant that is resistant to disease, or one that is tolerant of extreme weather, will deliver a higher yield.

Slowly acclimatize your plants to the outside environment to keep from shocking them. Put them out in the sun for approximately one to two hours on the very first day. Then over the next week, gradually increase the time they are in their new habitat. By the time the week ends, your plants will be ready for their big move and should have no problems!

TIP! Having healthy soil in your garden is your number one defense against pests! Healthier plants are greater in strength and resistance to illness and insects. To boost your garden’s prospects of giving you the healthiest possible plants, make sure you begin with premium soil devoid of salt-accumulating chemicals.

Ensure you have the proper soil for the plants you have selected. The kind of plants you want in your garden should let you know what kind of soil you need to get. You can also make an artificial area with one variety of soil.

TIP! For a garden that thrives, choose the right type of soil. You may need to alter the kind of soil you use based on the types of plants you intend to grow.

As fall arrives, it is the time to prepare for planting fall edibles. Why not plant lettuce and kale inside a hollowed-out pumpkin? Simply cut the pumpkin open at the top, so you can remove the seeds and insides. After that, spray Wilt-Pruf along the edges and on the inside of the pumpkin, so it doesn’t rot. Once you have completed this, start planting!

TIP! Check the soil before you plant anything in your garden. An inexpensive soil report can be used to adjust soil nutrients to optimum levels, which will ensure your garden thrives.

You can plant wheat grass or cat grass near the plants that the cat eats. You may also place something offensively smelly atop the soil, like citrus peel or mothballs.

TIP! Be diligent in your efforts to banishing weeds! Weeds can kill a precious garden. A great way to get rid of them is to use white vinegar.

When you grow veggies in a garden, you need to ensure they get at least six hours of good sunlight each day. Most members of the vegetable family need this minimum of light for proper growth. Some flowers are especially sun-loving as well.

TIP! During fall, you should plant cold weather vegetables. Instead of a clay pot, show some fall spirit by using a hollow pumpkin to plant your lettuce or kale in.

If you find yourself in love with mint leaves, but not with how they dominate a garden, read on. Instead of planting mint in your garden, keep it in a large container or pot to prevent it from spreading. Then, you can plant the container into the ground. However, the container walls will keep the roots held, and prevent the plant from consuming too much of your garden space.

TIP! Invest in a quality wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool if gardening work is going to happen often. Gardening can be very tough on the knees as you spend much time leaning near the ground, so a portable stool can make all the difference to your comfort.

Use common sense when watering your garden. Consider a soaker hose as a way to water multiple plants while saving time. Keep the soaker’s water pressure at a low level, so that your tender plants will not be harmed. Give it a few hours to water the plants so you have schedule freedom to tend to other matters.

TIP! Choose a specific plant to become your garden’s focal point. Your focal point will be the main center of attention for anyone who sees your garden.

Protecting your knees while you are gardening is very important. Most people can’t bend over while standing up for a long period of time. Kneeling is much better for your back, and it will help you to tend to your plants with greater ease. A knee pad can be placed under your knees to protect them from damage and strain while you are working.

TIP! Make sure that you wear appropriate clothing when you garden so as to avoid any sun damage. Clothing should keep your skin covered, and don’t forget to wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

If you are growing plants inside of your home, you need to keep the thermostat set to 65 to 75 degrees during the day. Young plants need a temperature within that specific range to grow. These temperatures may not be comfortable for you, however. As an alternative to keeping your entire home that warm, consider getting heat lamps for your organic plants.

TIP! While gardening you must make sure your knees are protected. It is not good to bend from a standing position for a long period of time.

Pine is a mulch that is great. Some plants like acidic soil because they have high acidity. If that’s the case, the easiest thing to do is use pine needles for beds. Using several inches of needles to cover your beds provides acid for the soil as they begin to decompose.

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. Cuts that are infiltrated by soil or other substances have the potential to breed serious infections.

One unusual tip in organic gardening, is to “pet” your seedlings often. Use your hands or a piece of cardboard and lightly ruffle the seedling about one or two times a day. It sounds weird, but research has shown that handling the seedling like this often will make them grow bigger than seedlings that are ignored.

TIP! Try not to let the chores associated to your organic garden build 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.

Consider the climate and season when watering your plants. Knowing how much to water your plants can be a difficult task. You will want to look into various things, such as time of day, quality of water and type of soil. Gardeners in warm, moist climates should avoid watering leafy plants as this makes them more vulnerable to fungal growths. Rather, see to it that you water the root system well.

One of the more rewarding hobbies is organic gardening. You will be a witness of the growing process of many different plants and understand how a whole ecosystem functions.

TIP! To make a credible claim that your crops are organically grown, you should be certified as organic by a credible organization. This should improve sales and attract customers who are environmentally conscious.

You should rotate your garden every year. When you continuously plant some plants from the same family in the same area every year, disease and fungus is encouraged in these areas. These plant enemies can become stored in the ground, ready to attack your plants the following year. Different plants have different immunities and vulnerabilities. Changing what you plant where will naturally stave off fungus and disease.

TIP! Over-watering can essentially drown the roots of plants, making them unable to grow well. Only water as necessary when there is no rain in the forecast, or for plants which need extra watering.

A perennial garden can be set up in a few easy steps. Dig into the existing turf with a shovel or spade, flip it, and then layer the entire area with wood mulch. You’ll be able to dig into your new garden to plant out perennials within a few weeks.

TIP! You can find a lot of information on how to keep any unwanted pests away by researching local botanical insecticides. All insecticides are strong, including botanical ones.

If you have a problem with bugs in your organic garden, give garlic a try by planting several garlic bulbs around where the problem is occurring. The smell will repel pesky insects. Take care to plant the garlic near the perimeter of your garden or by plants that often become infested with bugs. You can also eat the garlic when you plant it.

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

Now, admit it, horticulture isn’t as complicated as you thought! Like any other subject, the world of gardening is vast and has a wealth of information available on it. It is easy to become overwhelmed. Sometimes, it helps to have a place to start! Hopefully, you received that from the above tips.

Organic Gardening Tips That Everybody Should Know

~ craigb

TIP! Grow wheat or cat grass around the plants your cat likes nibbling. You can also try to offend the cats sense of smell with orange rinds or mothballs.

Taking the time to use good horticulture practices really shows in the end. It presents the fact that you are concerned about your plants and you want them to thrive. That is a quality to be admired. As with any other useful skill, there is always more to learn. The advice in this article will help in your quest for the perfect organic garden.

TIP! Fertilizer in the garden is a must. While a lot of people use manure, it is better to choose fertilizer from a reputable company, as this will reduce the risk of any pathogens getting into your soil.

Your plants will respond better to gradual changes of environment. Put them out in the sun for approximately one to two hours on the very first day. After a week, leave your plants outside for twice as long. Finally, after about a week, you should be able to move them outside and leave them there for the summer.

TIP! Before you start working in your garden, purchase a wheelbarrow and a good 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.

You do not need store-bought chemical treatments for plant mildew. Plain water with a bit of liquid soap and baking soda will do the trick. Spray this mixture on your plants weekly until the mildew is gone. This mixture will not hurt your plants and it will eliminate the mildew slowly but efficiently.

TIP! Broad-spectrum pesticide is not a good garden choice. These kinds of pesticides kill the helpful insects that destroy the pests.

Try using climber plants to cover up your fences and walls. Climbers have many different uses and spread quickly. They can grow through shrubs and trees, or even cover an arbor. Some may need to be attached to a support, and others will attach themselves to any surface using their twining stems or tendrils. Reliable varieties include wisteria, honeysuckle, climbing roses, clematis, and jasmine.

TIP! Some people use gardening as a source of relaxation. There are a variety of ways to achieve a state of inner peace.

Keep your plants thriving through the winter by bringing them inside. You might want to transplant your most valuable varieties. Dig the plant up without damaging the roots and place it a big enough pot.

TIP! In order to bring in good insects to your garden, you need to plant heather. Bees love heather, and when the heather blooms in early spring, it provides a good nectar source for them.

Grow some wheat grass or catnip for your cat to eat instead. 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! It is simple to prepare your garden for perennial flowers. Take your spade and work up a thin layer of soil.

If your plants do not grown very tall, try buying some knee pads used for horticulture. Excessive time spent kneeling often results in significant stiffness and pain. Cushion your knees with a pair of gardening knee pads.

TIP! The optimal amount of organic mulch to use in your flower beds is 2-3 inches. By doing this, you can lock in moisture, discourage weed growth, and nourish your plants.

The best gardens will evolve from original seeds rather than transplanted items. Starting from seed is far less harsh on the environment than using plants you buy at the nursery. The plastic used in nurseries often end up in landfills, that is why it is advised to use seeds or purchase from nurseries that make use of organic materials when packaging their plants.

TIP! You may find an old plastic laundry basket ideal for gathering vegetables from your garden. This will be like a strainer for all your produce.

Choose one plant to be the focal point. There should be a solid focal point for every good garden design. Mostly it is a distinctive plant that sets it apart from the neighboring plants and flowers.

TIP! Your compost pile should contain green plants and dried ones in equal amounts. Examples of green plant material are spent flowers, fruit and vegetable waste, grass clippings, weeds, and leaves.

Your seeds, once they begin sprouting, don’t need the same amount of warmth as they did before. To ensure that your plants do not suffer shock, start eliminating the use of a heat source. Also take any plastic films off of your containers, so you can keep the warmth and humidity out. Check on your seeds often so you catch them when they are ready.

TIP! Use alcohol to help control the slugs in your garden by fashioning a beer trap. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden so that the top of it is level with the soil.

Organize the chores for your organic garden so they do not pile 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. Take the time to do a little weeding or something else that needs to be done each time you have to be outside keeping an eye on your dog, which for some can be several times a day.

TIP! An easy to grow plant to grow in your organic garden is garlic. Plant some individual garlic cloves into well-drained soil in early spring.

Botanical pesticides that are from your local area can be incredibly effective on pests. Natural insecticides are sometimes more effective than the myriad synthetic, chemical-based products available. Keep in mind, however, that natural pesticides frequently deteriorate more quickly than those with a man-made base.

TIP! When you are organically growing tomatoes, try planting only some seeds at once; then go back and plant an additional set of seeds in three weeks. The reason for this is because it helps to prevent the entire harvest from producing all at once.

With just a small amount of steps, you can add a new garden just for any of your perennials. Cut beneath the turf using a spade, then flip it over. Finish by covering the entire area using several inches worth of wood chips. After a few weeks, you can cut into the new bed and plant your perennials.

TIP! Think about what types of products you can use on your garden. Always look into natural solutions before turning to chemicals.

You need to learn how to make beds correctly prior to beginning organic garden. Use a spade to slice under the grass. Next, turn the earth upside-down and evenly cover the area with up to four inches of mulch. After about three weeks, you may cut it and plant.

TIP! You can plant your organic garden in a shady area. These kinds of gardens are usually low in maintenance, which a lot of individuals like to hear.

Want to make organic gardening less complicated? Use native grass, plants and bushes. If you choose groups of plants that all mesh with each other in terms of optimal soil conditions, weather requirements and plant interaction, you won’t need to do as much work to get the plants to coexist peacefully. Native plants will thrive with only natural compost.

Organic Garden

TIP! Weeds are the bane of any garden’s existence. This is an organic weed killer that is safer for you and for the environment.

You now have the knowledge necessary to taking care of an organic garden. That’s awesome! The tips in this article were intended to enhance your organic gardening skills, as everyone can benefit from learning. Now, you can apply this new information to make your organic garden function better and become a more enjoyable endeavor.

Great Organic Gardening Tricks From The Pros

~ craigb

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

Gardening is something people have loved doing for centuries. Gardening may be a relaxing hobby for some, or a way of feeding nutritious food to your family. If you want to learn more about horticulture, then this is the article for you!

TIP! Plant some perennials in your garden that repel slugs. A particularly vulnerable plant can be killed by snails and slugs overnight.

When horticulture, be watchful of stink bugs, particularly in the fall. They enjoy tomatoes, peppers, beans, and many different varieties of fruits. If you don’t take care of them, they can decimate your garden, so it’s best to do all you can to get rid of them.

TIP! Annuals and biennials are an excellent way to add a splash of bright color to your flower gardens. These flowers grow quickly and can be planted at any time during the year.

If you want your garden to blossom with flowers throughout the spring and summer, plant some bulbs in it. Typically, bulbs are simple to grow, and they’ll grow every single year. Remember that different bulbs will bloom at all different times of the year, so if you are careful to choose the right bulbs, you will see blooms in the early spring, and have flowers all the way to late summer.

TIP! If you want to cover up your walls or fences, make sure that you specifically use climbing plants. These versatile plants can grow over fences to enhance the fence’s appearance.

Seeds should be soaked in a dark area overnight. Place some seeds in your smaller pots and add water almost to the brim. This will hydrate your seeds and it will cause them to grow faster. The seeds will be better able to survive and grow up.

TIP! Check the soil before you plant anything in your garden. There are soil testing services that can analyze a garden’s soil content for a small charge.

When mowing your lawn, be careful not to cut the grass too far down. 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. Grass that is shorter has a root system that is easier to dry out.

Knee Pads

TIP! It is a good idea to pre-soak your seeds in a dark environment overnight. Place a small amount of seeds in a little container, while filling it to the brim with water.

Get some horticulture knee pads if you find yourself kneeling on the ground a lot to do your gardening. You will end up spending a good deal of time on your knees and this can cause a lot of pain by the end of the day. Investing in a comfortable pair of knee pads made specifically for gardening can really reduce the pain you may feel from the pressure of being on your knees for extended periods.

TIP! Take a look at planting berry-producing evergreens in your yard. 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.

Use a plant for a focal point. You need a focal point that can catch your eye in garden design. The best focal points are those plants that really stand out from those that are adjacent.

TIP! You should get a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool for garden work. Working in the garden means you’ll be down on the ground a lot.

If you are growing plants inside of your home, you need to keep the thermostat set to 65 to 75 degrees during the day. The temperature needs to remain steady and warm so the plants can grow. If this is a little too warm for your house, grow your organic plants under a heat lamp.

Flower Beds

TIP! Controlling pests in your vegetable garden can be extremely difficult to deal with. While chemicals can help with pest control, you should avoid using overly harsh ones, as veggies you grow in your garden are meant for eating.

When mulching your flower beds, aim for anywhere between two or three inches of mulch. This will prevent weeds from growing, retain humidity, and feed your plants with the nutrients they need. In addition, your flower beds will have a beautiful, finished appearance year round.

TIP! Take advantage of gardening as a means to unwind. There are many ways to find personal relaxation and peace.

Soil health can be improved by adding mulch. The soil will be efficiently protected. The roots of your garden are less likely to become overheated on hot days. Since it decreases the rate at which moisture evaporates, the soil also stays more moist. It also doubles as weed control.

TIP! The warmth of the day can make vegetables soft, making them more prone to damage as you pick them. When you remove the produce from the plant, use shears or a knife to cut them from the vine without twisting, as this can damage the plant.

Horticulture can not only be an excellent hobby for consuming time, but is great for saving money and aiding a healthy diet. By engaging yourself in organic gardening, you can start to gain knowledge and better understand the full process of planting.

TIP! Organic gardening is a safe hobby to share with your children. You can provide a good learning experience that your children can appreciate the more they learn on how to grow healthy produce.

A perennial garden can be set up in a few easy steps. Simply use a spade to cut underneath your turf, then flip the turf over and spread a few inches worth of wood chips across the area. After letting the garden sit for several weeks, you will be able to plant your perennials.

TIP! A mixture of aspirin and water can protect your plants from common diseases. Dissolve 1 aspirin per gallon of water for a plant disease fighting solution.

Build a garden full of diversity. Increasing your plant variety will draw further variety in the wildlife around. Plant things that are well-suited for the environment you live in. Not only will wildlife enjoy the space you have created, but you will have a pleasant spot to relax, and feel satisfied that you are helping the environment.

Native Plants

TIP! When organic gardening, know when and how much to water your plants. Use a soaker hose.

This tip greatly eases your organic gardening attempts. Stick to native plants, grasses, flowers and bushes when you plan out your landscape. If you chose plants that will thrive well in your environment, the need for having to purchase fertilizers and pesticides could be eliminated. Native plants will thrive and grow with compost made of dead plants which came before.

TIP! A terrific way to fertilize your plants in the garden is by creating compost of your own. A fun way that this can be done is by placing small worms in a compost bin.

There are all sorts of plants that you can plant in your garden. A lot of acidic plants like mulch. These kinds of plants will do better if they are mulched with a nice thick layer of needles from a pine tree during the fall season each year. The needles will decompose and transfer their acidity to the soil.

TIP! When you maintain your organic garden during winter, use materials from home to make a tent. Use an old bean pole, or something similar, and place them in the ground at the end of your beds.

When you are looking for a very low cost and fun method of creating your own compost, utilize those fruit peelings and left over bits of fruit. These natural compost creating items will create a great natural and organic compost for your beds, giving you naturally beautiful and healthy plants as well for virtually no cost.

TIP! When you are ready to start your garden, think about which vegetables you use often while cooking, and make sure to plant those. This will be useful in lowering your monthly grocery bill and effectively utilizing garden space.

To improve the efficiency of your organic garden, try digging tiny ditches between each of the rows you have planted. This way, when you water your plants, the water will flow directly to them, and they won’t need to be watered as much. This will allow you to use much less water, which means your water bill will be a lot lower.

TIP! Some plants benefit from being re-potted, however others are sensitive to the disturbance re-potting inflicts on their roots. Determine whether or not you need to re-plant by looking at the number of roots in the bottom of the current container.

Bees can be very helpful to your garden. Bumble bees are good for helping with pollination. However, certain bee varieties, such as carpenter bees, can be harmful because they create their hives by burrowing into wood structures. Mostly though, bees are an essential part of your garden, so it is a great idea to let them be, and let them do what they are meant to do.

TIP! Wash your vegetables outdoors, and use the runoff in your garden. This water will contain the nutrients removed from the produce and they will help fertilize your garden.

As previously discussed, horticulture has been enjoyed by civilizations for centuries. At one time, most people saw gardening as the sole means of providing food for their family. Now, people do it for pleasure, need and even profit. What you read here can make gardening more pleasant for you. Enjoy the rewards that horticulture provides!

Grow Your Gardening Knowledge – Here’s Some Great Tips

~ craigb

TIP! Choose the varieties of plants that will produce a higher yield. Many times, a cold-tolerant or disease-resistant hybrid can have a higher yield versus traditional ones.

Organic horticulture may seem to be a very complicated matter when examined closely. If you want a natural garden, you will have to find out about things such as natural bug repellent or pH balances of a soil. If you are a beginner, take things slowly. Use the tips below to grow like a pro.

TIP! Biennials and annuals are great if you would like to better your flower bed. Your flower beds will look different from one season to another.

Having healthy soil in your garden will help your plants avoid insect pests. Healthy plants are stronger and more able to resist both pests and disease. Starting with soil that is in good condition can yield the best plants.

TIP! When powdery mildew appears on your plants, you should not rush out to purchase a costly chemical treatment. All you need to do is mix baking soda with a tiny bit of liquid soap in with some water.

Don’t bother with expensive chemicals if your plants start to sport powdery mildew. A great home remedy is to mix baking soda with water and a little bit of liquid soap. This solution can be sprayed onto your plants once per week until the problem is resolved. This method is not going to cause any damages to your plants and the mildew will go away slowly.

TIP! If you are going to be doing some gardening, watch out for stink bugs, especially in the fall! Fruits, peppers and tomatoes are among the foods they love to eat. They can do a lot of damage if they are not controlled.

Bulbs planted in the spring can flower all the way into summer. Most bulbs are hardy and require little to no care in order to develop into beautiful perennials that will reappear each and every year. Different bulbs will bloom during different time periods. Therefore, if you select your bulbs correctly, you could have blooms in your garden for all of spring and summer.

Knee Pads

TIP! A wheelbarrow and kneeling bench or stool are smart investments for your garden. Spending a lot of time near the ground working is very hard on the knees, so a lightweight and portable garden stool will make gardening more comfortable.

To save your knees from the wear and tear of horticulture, invest in some knee pads if your garden includes a lot of low-growth plants. Gardening is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable; you don’t want to finish every gardening session with aching, throbbing knees. Pick up a good pair of gardening knee pads to help cushion your knees.

TIP! When you boil vegetables, use the leftover water on your potted plants. 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.

Do you love fresh mint leaves but hate how they quickly grow to take over your garden? You can stunt the growth of mint by planting it inside a container or super-sized bowl. The container can be planted in the ground, and it will still prevent the plant from dominating the garden.

TIP! Try to avoid direct sun exposure when you are gardening during the day; wear protective clothing. Try wearing a large sunhat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes, and use sunscreen on any exposed skin.

Split up irises. Try increasing your stock by dividing your overgrown clumps of plants. Lift bulbous irises when the foliage is dead. The bulbs will split up naturally in your hand, and when replanted, will often flower the next year. Rhizomes may need to be divided by using a knife. Throw out the center and cut pieces on the outside that are new. If done properly, each piece that remains for planting should have a minimum of one viable offshoot. All that is left to do is immediately replant the pieces you have created and let the cycle begin anew.

TIP! Allow your children to actively participate in planting your organic garden. Gardens are a wonderful place for kids to learn, and working side by side with them can strengthen the bond that you have.

Using natural materials in the garden will keep pests away. Slugs are repelled by bordering your vegetable garden with either onions or marigolds. Mulch around the bottom of trees and shrub seedlings with wood ash to reduce unwanted infestation of pests. Natural remedies, like the ones listed, will help reduce the need and usage of harsh chemical pesticides.

TIP! Ward off certain diseases that plague plants with the use of aspirin. An aspirin and a half, dissolved in about two gallons of fresh water, is great for your plants.

Cooled water left over from steaming vegetables can be fed to them as a little snack. Tea and coffee grounds can be used to add acidity to your soil for plants like gardenias and rhododendrons. If fungus is an issue, Chamomile tea sprinkled on the plant may be effective.

TIP! Plants growing in your home need a constant temperature of no less than 65 degrees. They need this type of warm temperature in order to grow.

Water your garden wisely. You can save time by using soaker hoses when watering plants. By doing this, you won’t need to water your plants individually. Be sure to keep the pressure of the water on low so that the hose does not damage the tender plants. It can water the plants for two hours so that you can do other things.

TIP! One of the problems that people come up against when trying to grow organic plants indoors is a lack of natural light. 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.

If you have a cut, be careful about exposing it to soil or horticulture chemicals. Your cut could get infected if you’re dealing with grime and dirt when horticulture. Now, there are bandages available that will cover and seal the injured area completely, allowing you to continue your gardening projects.

Indoor Plants

TIP! When the time has come to gather up the produce, you need to use an old laundry basket. An old basket will act like a strainer does.

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. Indoor plants grow best at these warm temperatures. These temperatures may not be comfortable for you, however. As an alternative to keeping your entire home that warm, consider getting heat lamps for your organic plants.

TIP! It is a great idea to help your garden by ruffling seedlings, either with cardboard or with your own hands, a couple of times each day. This probably sounds like an odd recommendation, but research has shown that this technique encourages more plant growth, than no petting at all.

Some advise passing your hand gently over your newly planted seedlings each day. You may think it odd, but studies show that this action results in plant growth that is more substantial than would otherwise be achieved.

TIP! You can get rid of slugs with a simple beer trap. First, place a glass canning jar in the soil, burying it until the mouth is even with the surface of the soil.

Organic foods don’t contain any chemical pesticides. While this is good for your family’s health, you will want to be sure to check even more for bugs and other pests.

Organic Gardening

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.

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. Organic gardening is an excellent lesson in the plant life cycle and how to get the most from the planting process.

TIP! Always give your garden the benefit of looking beneath the upper portions of a plant. Make sure that the root system is healthy when you buy tomato seedlings and that the starts are healthy looking as well.

Rotate your garden at least once a year. If the types of plants that you grow are consistent from one year to the next, they may be more prone to diseases and plant fungus. The problems leech into the soil, staying there for the next year’s crop. By mixing up your plants and planting them in different areas, you’ll be using a natural way to keep away any fungus and other diseases.

TIP! Mulch your flowers and trees with three inches of organic materials. Proper mulching will not only help your plants grow correctly, but it also saves a lot of water.

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

Organic Gardening Tips To Improve Your Family’s Health

~ craigb

TIP! Create useful rulers from your tool handles. It is possible to utilize tools with long handles, such as rakes, hoes and shovels, as measuring sticks.

One of the most sensible ways to improve your diet is through organic gardening. It requires effort to grow. Oftentimes, new gardeners can be intimidated because they’re not quite sure where to start.

TIP! You don’t need a costly chemical solution to deal with powdery mildew in your garden. Combine baking soda with a small dollop of liquid soap and add it to water.

Start your seedlings in pots inside and then transplant them into your garden. They are then more likely to survive and to become thriving, mature plants. It also allows you to tighten up the time periods between plantings. You will have healthy seedlings that are ready to be planted when you get rid of old plants.

TIP! If you have a wall or fence that you do not like, plant climbers to mask its appearance. Climbers have many different uses and spread quickly.

Plant some perennials in your garden that repel slugs. Slugs and snails will quickly destroy your garden if you let them. Young plants with smooth and tender leaves are their favorite. Some perennials are not preferred meals for snails and slugs, especially if their foliage is hairy and tough, or tastes bad. Examples of these include euphorbia, hellebourus and achillea. Others you may want to consider are campanula and heuchera.

TIP! In the cold winter months, you can salvage certain plants by bringing them into the house. You may be able to save your most resistant or expensive plants.

Brighten your garden with biennials and annuals. Annuals and biennials that grow quickly can really wake up your flower beds, and they allow you to have a new garden look every season or every year, if you choose to. They are very useful for filling in the gaps between perennials and shrubs in a sunny area. Notable varieties include cosmos, rudbeckia, petunia, hollyhock, marigold and sunflower.

TIP! When autumn has arrived, you must plant everything you want to eat before winter. Why not plant lettuce and kale inside a hollowed-out pumpkin? After cutting an opening and removing the meat and seeds from inside the pumpkin, use Wilt-Pruf, sprayed throughout the inside and cut edges, and prevent rot from occurring.

Cover any wall or fence with climbers. Many climbers are so robust that they can cover an unattractive wall or fence in a single growing season. They may grow up through some existing shrubs and trees, and can even be worked to grow around an arbor. Some must be tied to supports, but some climbers use twining stems or tendrils and attach themselves to those surfaces. Wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle, clematis and some rose varieties are good choices for climbers.

TIP! Try growing some cat grass or wheat grass in the vicinity of the plants that your cat likes to eat. You may also place something offensively smelly atop the soil, like citrus peel or mothballs.

When winter arrives, you could save some plants by placing them inside your house. Maybe you could pick out the most expensive plants or the most hardy ones. When you dig up the plant, carefully avoid the roots then place it in a container.

TIP! It is a good idea to invest in a good pair of knee pads, made specifically for gardening. They can be very helpful when working close to the ground on low-growth plants.

For showy flowers throughout the spring and summer, plant plenty of bulbs. Bulbs are easy to grow and hearty, and they keep growing in years to come. Keep in mind that different bulb types bloom differently and at different time periods, so when you choose a bulb plan accordingly, you can have your plant blooms lasting spring into summer.

TIP! A good fertilizer is important to add nutrients to your soil. Manure can be very helpful in growing plants, but it is essential to use a commercial product that has been composted, in order to minimize pathogen risk.

You can alleviate this problem by planting grasses that your cat will naturally gravitate towards. Additionally, use your cat’s keen sense of smell to your advantage. Citrus fruit peels and mothballs both smell horrible to cats, so put them on the soil near the plants your cat likes to eat.

Horticulture Knee

TIP! Wisely water your garden. Utilize a soaker hose.

If many of the plants in your garden grow close to the ground, some horticulture knee pads will prevent pain and knee injuries. Weeding, watering and picking through your vegetation can cause a lot of damage to your knees if left unprotected. You can be more comfortable in the garden with a good pair of horticulture knee pads.

TIP! Allow your children to actively participate in planting your organic garden. A garden can provide a wonderful learning experience for children, and will give you an opportunity to bond with them while you produce healthy food.

Do you like mint, but not how they ruin your garden? Keep your mint growth under control by planting them in pots and/or garden containers. 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! As you are working in your garden, you must take care to protect both knees. Bending over for a long while is quite difficult for a lot of people.

Make sure that you wear appropriate clothing when you garden so as to avoid any sun damage. Wear sunglasses and hats with wide brims, and apply sunscreen. When you protect yourself against the sun’s rays, you are more likely to avoid both skin cancer and sunburn.

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. The temperature needs to remain steady and warm so the plants can grow.

If you want a sustainable garden, leave a part of it undisturbed for wildlife to enjoy. This can be a good area for the types of insects that pollinate plants. It can also be a sanctuary for birds, which will help some plants thrive. This can greatly improve the production of your organic garden.

TIP! Have your tools for gardening nearby in order to maximize your efficiency with gardening. Put them into a basket you carry with you, or use an apron with many pockets and hanging loops.

Keep slugs out of your organic garden naturally, using a beer trap. Get a clean, empty glass jar to use as a trap. Bury it with its mouth facing upwards. Keep putting dirt over the jar until the mouth is at the surface of your garden. Fill the jar with beer within one inch of the top. Slugs are attracted to beer. They will crawl into the jar and be trapped.

TIP! Regular maintenance prevents your gardening tasks from becoming overwhelming and unappealing. 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.

Build raised beds with untreated stone, brick or wood. If you choose wood, ensure that it has not been treated with a sealant or other chemicals. Cypress, locust and cedar are all great examples of what woods to use when building a raised bed. If you use treated wood in your vegetable garden, the chemicals in the wood can make their way into the soil, and in turn, to your crops. If you have built a bed with treated lumber already, use a barrier such as plastic to line the bed.

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

Organic horticulture is not rocket science, but it does some require some forethought and planning. Research and information will help you get started. If you want to see success at your efforts, you have to continue working at it. If you use the advice in this article, you will soon see great results from your organic garden.

Things That You Need To Know When It Comes To Organic Horticulture

~ craigb

TIP! Trying to shovel through clay soil can be extremely difficult and tiresome. Get better results in clay by rubbing car wax or floor wax onto the shovel, then buff off and dig.

Taking the time to use good gardening practices really shows in the end. It proves you care about growing healthy plants. This is a great thing. Just like most things in life, there are continual ways to improve your skills. Here are some suggestions that can help.

TIP! If you want to cover up your walls or fences, make sure that you specifically use climbing plants. Climbing plants can cover a wall after one growing season only.

Always allow your plants to adapt gradually to any changes in light conditions, temperatures or soils, if you do not, you might shock them and cause them to die. Place them outdoors in the sun for about an hour or two on the first day. Throughout the week, you should leave your plants out for a little longer each day. If you do this correctly, the plants should be able to make their final move at the end of a week’s time.

TIP! Before actually putting plants into your garden, check the type and compostion of your soil. A soil analysis report can be acquired for a nominal fee.

Shoveling clay is very difficult and lots of work because the clay is hard and sticks to the shovel, making it tough 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. The shovel will glide through the clay and as a bonus, your shovel will be resistant to rust.

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

Start your plants in containers, and then transplant the seedlings into the garden later on. This can give your seedlings the advantage they need to survive and reach adulthood. In addition, you can shorten the intervals between your plantings. As soon as the mature plants are removed, you can replace them with fresh seedlings.

TIP! One particular plant should be the focal point of your garden. Any great garden design involves using a focal point to grab someone’s attention and keep it there.

The handles on your gardening tools can be used as a convenient measuring instrument. Tools that can be used for more than one task are quite handy to own. Just run some measuring tape right on the floor next to the handles. Label the distances with a permanent marker. You will never find yourself looking for a ruler thanks to this simple tip.

TIP! Heather can bring you beneficial insects. Bees are very attracted to heather.

When mowing the lawn, don’t mow the grass all the way down to the root. Higher grass has deeper roots, meaning a healthier lawn that will be less likely to dry out. Short grass means short roots and dead grass.

TIP! When gardening, remember to take care of your knees! Many people find it difficult to bend over for extended periods of time when standing up. Kneeling allows you to reach your plants easily and is healthier for your back and legs.

If you want to grow vegetables in you backyard, it is vital that you place them in an area where they could get roughly six hours of sun on a daily basis. Most vegetables need at least that much sun for optimal growth speed. The same can be said for some flowers.

Kneeling Stool

TIP! To be more efficient when working in your organic garden, have your tools close at hand. For example, you could use an over-sized tote bag or an apron with multiple pockets.

Purchase a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool to use in your garden. Gardening can be very tough on your knees, so a kneeling stool that is ergonomic and lightweight can make things much more comfortable and enjoyable. Also having a garden usually requires moving heavy dirt and objects, so investing in a wheelbarrow is a very sound investment.

TIP! Pine can make a great mulch. Some garden plants have a higher acidity, and prefer a more acidic soil.

The water that is leftover from the steamed vegetables is great to pour over them. To add acidity to the soil of your rhododendrons and gardenias, use coffee or tea grounds. Chamomile tea can be effective if you have problems with fungus in your garden. Simply sprinkle it on the affected plant.

TIP! When you run your personal organic garden, try ruffling seedlings using your hands or cardboard one or two times daily. It may sound a little odd to do this, but there is actually proven research that shows this helps the plants grow.

Look for targeted pesticides instead of using popular but damaging broad-spectrum products. These pesticides will also kill any beneficial insects that consume the pests you are trying to get rid of. These helpful bugs are usually more sensitive to the chemicals than the pests, so if you find yourself in a situation where the good bugs are dying out, you can expect the pest problem to 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! Use untreated wood, stone, or brick to build a raised bed. Any wood you use needs to be untreated and resistant to rot.

Horticulture can be a relaxing hobby. There are a variety of ways to find peace and relaxation on a personal level. Of these, gardening is by far one of the most enjoyable and easiest to start. It is not prohibitively expensive, and has numerous benefits. You will feel great satisfaction by creating your own garden of tranquility.

TIP! Adopting organic gardening methods may take more effort than traditional approaches, but the payoff is considerably worth it. Growing organic is healthier and just overall better for you.

The prevent your dog from trampling through your garden, spray some old aftershave, perfume or other heavily scented things on the grass around your plants. This helps mask the attractive scents and can make your garden unappealing to them.

TIP! To become a great organic gardener, you need to look under the surface! Look out for green starts that are lush that might have bad root systems when you start purchasing tomato seedlings to help your organic garden prosper. These starts will suck the resources from your seedlings for several weeks, inhibiting their growth.

A mixture of aspirin and water can protect your plants from common diseases. One and half tablets of aspirin in a couple gallons of water will be a wonderful help to the plants you have. The simple practice of spraying them with the mix will help them fight off diseases. Give your plants a spray of the aspirin-water mixture about one time every three weeks.

Garden Chores

TIP! It is economically smart to focus your gardening efforts on crops that would cost you more to buy at the supermarket. The value of each plant will be different for each person.

Try to avoid letting your organic garden chores build up. Even if you end up being too busy to do garden chores every day, do small tasks that will help you avoid having to do large tasks when you finally do have time. You can pull a few weeds when you take your dog outside.

TIP! Creating compost of your own is a terrific method of procuring garden fertilizer. An easy way to start creating compost is to start a small worm bin for composting.

You now have your garden tools, seeds and supplies needed to skillfully grow an organic garden, using the tips given here. Awesome! As with most things, organic gardening requires that you never stop learning to improve your craft. Take the tips from above to boost your knowledge arsenal about organic gardening. Hopefully you have found at least one new strategy to utilize in your organic garden.

Horticulture Is Easy When You Follow This Advice

~ craigb

TIP! Starting seedlings in pots before planting in your garden is a smart idea. This really increases the survival rate of young plants.

There are many different reasons for adopting organic gardening methods. For example, some people prefer to use organic gardening to cultivate edibles for the dinner table. Much patience and effort are required though, in order to produce a successful and flourishing organic garden. Are you wondering where to start?

TIP! Create useful rulers from your tool handles. Large handled tools such as shovels, rakes, and hoes can be used as measuring sticks.

Think about planting your seeds in indoor pots and then transplanting them to your garden once they become seedlings. By allowing them to sprout first, you are increasing the odds of a seedling reaching maturity. It also allows you to tighten up the time periods between plantings. You will have healthy seedlings that are ready to be planted when you get rid of old plants.

TIP! Plant some perennials in your garden that repel slugs. It is alarming to see how quickly slugs, and their cousin snails, can annihilate a plant.

Soak the seeds and store in a dark area overnight. You then want to place a small amount of seeds in a container that’s smaller and then fill it up with water to the top. This lets water soak into the seeds, giving them an extra boost of hydration when they start growing. The seeds will be better able to survive and grow up.

TIP! When winter arrives, transfer some plants into the house to save them. It’s a good idea to save any expensive plants or those that will thrive in indoor heat.

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

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Deciduous shrubs need protection from the cold. If you have them in pots, you need to guard them from cold weather that will damage or kill them.

A simple way to lower the alkaline content of your soil is to dilute it with coffee grounds. Used coffee grounds will add acidity, helping to optimize the soil’s pH. The greens and vegetables need the proper balance and will grow bigger and stronger with the right mix.

TIP! You should start pea seedlings indoors instead of planting them outside right at the start. Pea seeds tend to germinate much better when planted indoors, before being moved to an outside garden.

Draw up a garden plan before you plant the first seed. A thoughtful plan can remind you of previous plantings and what you will see appearing from the soil in the months of spring and summer. You are also less likely to lose smaller members of the larger garden in the overall mix.

TIP! Pouring the excess water from your dinner of steamed veggies on them can help. Used teabags or grounds from coffee are a great way to add acid to the soil.

Protect your deciduous shrubs which are tender. If you have a few potted shrubs, they should be shielded from the wintry weather. Tie the tops together, and loosely cover the wigwam with a blanket or sheet. This method works better than covering your bushes in plastic, allowing air to circulate and preventing rotting.

TIP! Be sure to plant using the colors of Fall. It’s not necessary to think this way, however.

To save your knees from the wear and tear of gardening, invest in some knee pads if your garden includes a lot of low-growth plants. If you spend a large portion of your gardening session on your knees, it could create pain over time. Wear knee pads meant for gardeners so that you’ll be more comfortable when kneeling in your garden.

TIP! To keep dogs from disturbing your garden, spray some old aftershave, cologne, perfume or other strongly-scented products in the dirt or grass surrounding it. This covers up the smells that bring dogs to gardens in the first place, which means dogs are less likely to enter the garden.

Keep your plants dry and aerated daily. If your plants are moist, this can attract disease and parasites. Fungus infections are common in overly moist plants. Be sure to prevent the growth of fungus with a spray that will inhibit their growth.

TIP! Include your children in your efforts to organic gardening. Gardening helps your children learn about biological processes and serves as a social activity that helps the family grow closer while eating healthier.

Separate irises. Divide any overgrown clumps to increase your stock. Pick up bulbous irises after the foliage dies. The bulbs will then split naturally in the palm of your hand and if they’re re-planted, they can flower next year. Divide rhizomes with a knife. Cut the new pieces from its outside and dispose of the older center. Don’t plant any pieces that don’t have any strong offshoots. Plant immediately.

TIP! You can help to prevent your plants from developing diseases with aspirin water. One and a half aspirin, dissolved in two gallons of water, can be a great addition to your plants.

Start a new garden from seeds. When you begin a garden, it’s most eco friendly to do so with seed. It is common for commercial plants to be packaged in plastic that is not commonly recycled, and therefore, it is better to use seeds or purchase plantings only from merchants who make use of organic packaging.

TIP! Keep your gardening tools close by to maximize gardening efficiency. Carry your tools in a bucket, or keep them in the pockets of a pair of rugged pants.

Think about berry-producing trees that are green year round for your garden. This gives your garden a bit of a “splash” of color, even in winter when everything is nearly colorless. A few examples that you could go with include the American Holly, the Winterberry, the American Cranberrybush, and the Common Snowberry.

TIP! Coffee grounds are a great addition to soil. Coffee grounds have nitrogen that plants will utilize.

Invest in a kneeling stool, and a wheelbarrow to work in the garden. It’s rough on your knees to spend lots of time on the ground kneeling or squatting. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a portable, lightweight garden stool on hand. As well, gardening can involve some heavy lifting and moving, so a strong wheelbarrow can really make that aspect much more effortless.

TIP! Looking for a natural way to kill weeds in your garden? To control the growth of weeds, all you need is last week’s Sunday paper. Weeds can’t grow without sunlight.

Cooled water left over from steaming vegetables can be fed to them as a little snack. Add coffee grounds or tea leaves to the soil of acid-loving plants like rhododendron and gardenia. If you find that you have a fungus problem, try sprinkling some chamomile tea on your plants.

TIP! It is a great idea to help your garden by ruffling seedlings, either with cardboard or with your own hands, a couple of times each day. While this appears strange, research shows it can help plants grow larger, versus not petting them at all.

Choose plants that will provide color in autumn. That idea is actually far from the truth. When it comes to vivid foliage, autumn offers the best opportunity to view it. Maple trees can range from beautiful reds and yellows in addition to Beech or Dogwood trees. When selecting shrubs that will be colorful during the fall, consider hydrangea, barberry, or cotoneaster.

TIP! Create raised beds with stone, brick or untreated wood. If you choose to use wood, see to it that it’s untreated and that it can resist rotting.

So, as you have seen, it is true that organic horticulture requires research, work, and effort to start growing your own organic plants. Furthermore, you will only see your garden blossom with consistent tending. The next time you are in your garden, think of the tips from this article. If you can use that knowledge, you will be more capable of using organic gardening techniques to your advantage.