In the world of organic horticulture, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced organic gardeners alike. There are many e-guides, books, videos, and other resources available. This set of tips contains some of the best advice for helping a good organic gardener become a great organic gardener.
Create useful rulers from your tool handles. You can convert any large handle tool, such as a hoe, shovel, or rake into a measuring tool. Simply lay the handles out on the floor and run a measuring tape next to them. Use a permanent marker to label distances. When you are gardening next, you’ll have a ruler beside you at all times.
Always take the time to get the weeds out of your garden. Unwanted weeds fight for the same nutrients that more desirable plants do, and they also are unsightly. To help with weed destruction, use white vinegar. White vinegar can kill weeds! By placing a white vinegar solution in a spray bottle, you can spray the weeds away instead of having to pull them out manually.
Protect your delicate shrubs from harsh, wintry elements. Shrubs in pots especially need special care in the colder weather. With a sheet or blanket, you want to loosely cover the wigwam after you tie the tops of the canes together. This method is much better than wrapping the plant in plastic, as it allows air to circulate, which can prevent rotting.
Split up your irises. If you divide the overgrown clumps of flowers, you’ll find that your stock grows proportionally. When the foliage dies, take the bulbous irises and lift them. As soon as you pick up the bulb, it’ll split into pieces. That’s okay – in fact, it’s desirable. You can replant the bulb pieces and next year you’ll have a healthy bed of new irises. Use a knife to carefully divide rhizomes. New pieces should be cut from the outside, then the old center you want to discard. Each piece should retain a minimum of one sturdy offshoot capable of spurting new growth. Replant your cuttings immediately for the best results.
Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. Seeds that are planted indoors will enjoy superior germination. Your seedlings will be stronger, and this will mean they can withstand diseases and bug attacks. You can transplant the seedlings outside after they are sturdy enough.
Two items you need to invest in when working in a garden are a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool. Using a large portion of your time near or on the ground working on your garden puts a huge strain on your knees; therefore, having a portable, lightweight garden stool will greatly assist you in making gardening easier on them. A wheelbarrow will help you move heavy items without hurting your back so ensure that you invest in one promptly.
Learn the ideal times for harvesting your vegetables. Different vegetables have different, ideal times that they should be picked for best flavor. Zucchini and baby peas, for example, have the best flavor when harvested early. At the opposite end of the spectrum, tomatoes are at their best when mature. Find out what the best harvest time is for your vegetables.
Pick your vegetables when the temperature is moderate to avoid bruising them. Use garden shears to remove your vegetables from the vine to avoid damaging the plant.
Using aspirin water will help your plants fight diseases. Dissolve aspirin (1.5 pills per 2 gallons of water) in a bucket and administer to your plants. Simply spray your plants with the mixture, and this will help them fend off various diseases. Plants should be sprayed once every two to three weeks.
Preparing a plot for planting a perennial garden can be done quickly and without difficulty. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips. After a few weeks, you can then dig into the turf and plant the perennials of your choosing.
After your seeds sprout, the containers do not need to stay as warm as they once did. Remove plants from the heated environment once they begin growing. Make sure you remember to remove any plastic films that were on the plant containers to repel humidity and warmth. Watch your seeds closely to know how to go about this.
If you have problem slugs in your organic garden, get rid of them naturally with a beer trap. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden so that the top of it is level with the soil. Pour beer into the container to within an inch of the jar lip. The slugs will be attracted to the beer and will end up being trapped within the confines of the jar.
Build raised beds with untreated stone, brick or wood. If you choose wood, it needs to be naturally rot resistant and untreated. Cypress, locust and cedar are all great examples of what woods to use when building a raised bed. Consider the chemicals that will leach out of the wood before choosing anything that has been treated. Remember the affect that such chemicals will have on your plants and soil. If you have placed treated wood in your garden, line it with a coat of plastic.
You now know what organic horticulture is about, and exactly how to achieve excellent results. There is much to do and only a few particular ways to do it best, at the right time and under the most suitable conditions. Grow an aesthetically pleasing organic garden that will feed you well by applying the simple tips you got in this article.