Properly applying different techniques for organic gardening pays off in the long run. It demonstrates that you are concerned about the environment as well as the health of your plants. That is very admirable. However, there are always ways to learn new skills, and hone your existing ones. This article will provide you with some ways to accomplish this.
The kind of soil you use will influence the results. The soil that is already in your garden might need amending, depending on the particular plants that you want to grow. You can also make an artificial plot with just one type of soil.
Before you even start planting the garden, check the soil. Pay a small fee to have your soil analyzed, and you’ll be glad that you did when you understand what nutrients your soil is lacking. Many Cooperative Extension offices will provide this service, and it is well worth knowing exactly what the soil needs to avoid ruining a crop or two.
Tempt your cat away from the plants he has been bothering by planting catnip or wheat grass near them. 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.
Whenever you are planting a veggie garden, it is vital that you place them in a location where sun shines down on them for six or more hours per day. Pretty much any vegetable you plant in your garden requires sunshine for this duration. It allows them to grow in the proper manner and also much faster. Many flowers also require adequate sunlight to flourish.
One natural method of weed removal is called “boiling”. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find. Pour boiling water over the weeds to kill them, but make sure not to pour the water over any plants you don’t want to kill. Weed roots will suffer harm from boiling water, and this will probably stop them from growing more.
Natural materials or some other plants can be used in your garden for keeping away pests. A border of marigolds or onions around your veggies can prevent slugs. Wood ash used as mulch helps repel pests as well when around shrubs and trees. You will be able to stay away from harsh chemical based pesticides by incorporating these techniques into your gardening.
If you decide to grow peas, think about planting them indoors when you first start them off, as opposed to planting them outdoors. When the plants are started inside, the seeds will have an easier time germinating. Seedlings will grow stronger, and withstand attacks from pests and diseases a lot better. Once the seedlings have become hardy enough to survive, you can transplant them to your outdoor garden.
Mix various plant heights and plants in the exact same bed for a unique English garden. If you use plants that are all the same size your garden will look flat.
Involve the whole family in your gardening hobby; children find growing things to be very interesting. Gardens are terrific teaching tools for kids, and provide great opportunities for interaction, growth, and instruction on healthy living.
When horticulture, remember to take care of your knees! It’s not a good idea to spend much time standing while you are bent over at the waist. You can get to your plants without straining your back if you kneel in your working area. You can kneel on a knee pad so that your knees are more comfortable.
If you choose to use organic methods to care for your houseplants, you should bear in mind that certain plants require more sunlight than others. If your windows are small or receive little light due to their positioning, a plant that requires little sunlight will be more comfortable and healthy. If you want to grow plants that need a lot of light, consider using artificial lighting.
Perennial gardens should be prepared easily and quickly in the ground. Slice under the grass with a spade, flip the layer you have lifted over, and spread three inches of wood chips on top. Give the area a couple of weeks, then dig into it and plant your new perennials.
After your seeds sprout, the containers do not need to stay as warm as they once did. As your plants grow, you will want to put a little distance between them and heat. Uncover your containers; the plastic wrap traps humidity, so you need to remove it to stop your plants from overheating. Watching your plants as they grow will give you the insight on when to employ these tactics.
For the best results when growing an organic garden, you should shake your seeds up a little bit. After planted, make sure you agitate the seeds at least twice daily, using your fingers or even a Popsicle stick. While it might sound strange, research has shown that this method can increase the size of your plants.
Garlic Cloves
You may want to grow garlic organically. Plant single garlic cloves during the spring or fall seasons in soil that is moist and well-drained. Plant them approximately 4 inches apart at a depth of 1 or 2 inches beneath the surface of the soil with the pointed end facing upward. You can cut the shoots of green garlic as they are growing and use them as an alternative to scallions and chives. The bulbs are ripe for harvesting when the tops area turns brown. To harden the bulbs’ skin, dry them for several days in the sun. You should store your garlic cloves in a cooler area and tie them in some bunches.
Now you have the three items you need to make your organic garden a success– tools, products and skill. Awesome! Learning is a constant process, so use the insights gained here to enhance your skills in organic gardening. Hopefully you have found something you can use to help your gardening efforts.