Organic gardening is wonderfully therapeutic and anyone can enjoy it. But, newcomers may find the process to be somewhat overwhelming at first. So, how does a novice learn more about horticulture? If so, keep reading. You are only minutes away from becoming a better gardener.
Consider starting your plants in pots and then planting the seedlings in your garden. Your plants will have a better chance of getting big and healthy! The period between plantings will also be shorter. Using this method, you can remove the mature plants, then put the seedlings in their places.
Starting off your garden with healthy soil can be the best defense against those pesky garden bugs. Healthy and well-nourished plants will be hardier and therefore better able to prevent pests from taking hold. So if you want your garden to provide plants that are as healthy as possible, you need a good quality soil that contains few chemicals and that can accumulate salts over time.
Plant annuals and biennials to make your flower beds brighter. By utilizing quick-growing biennials and annuals, not only will you be brightening up your flower bed, you can also alter its look each season and each year. If there are gaps between the perennials and shrubs you have planted in a sunlit area, try filling those gaps with annuals and biennials. You should get varieties such as cosmos, petunia, rudbeckia, hollyhock, sunflowers or marigold.
Use climbers for covering fences and walls. Many climbers are so robust that they can cover an unattractive wall or fence in a single growing season. They can cover an arbor, or grow through trees and shrubs. Some climbers will attach themselves to a support using twining stems or tendrils, while other varieties need to be held up by tying them in place. If you’re looking for the most reliable varieties available, choose from clematis, wisteria, and climbing roses.
Make sure air can circulate around your plants, and keep leaves moisture-free. If your plants are moist, this can attract disease and parasites. Fungi commonly afflict a number of plants. Although fungi can be treated with sprays, it is possible to preempt the problem and very important to plant health that you do so.
Always fertilize your garden. Manure helps your plants grow. Make sure you use a product that is commercially composted so you don’t risk adding pathogens to your garden. There are many fertilization methods out there; the type is not quite as important as actually using something.
Place organic mulch as close to your vegetables as you can. The soil will stay moist thanks to the mulch. It will also prevent weeds from sprouting. This could save you lots of weed-pulling time.
Purchase an inexpensive horticulture kneeling pad, as well as a wheelbarrow or wagon. Working on the ground for long periods of time can be painful on the knees, so a small garden stool can really allow you to work in comfort. Also having a garden usually requires moving heavy dirt and objects, so investing in a wheelbarrow is a very sound investment.
When you’re dealing with a veggie garden, pest control may be difficult. It is wise to limit the use of harsh chemicals, because the vegetables will be eaten. One way to keep pests at bay is to remain diligent about your garden. If you catch them when there are only a few around, you can actually pick them off the plants by hand.
Plant for fall color. Fall, though, can still be an interesting time for trees. The brightest season of the year when it comes to foliage is fall. 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.
Chill out by taking time to garden. Many methods of relaxation can be employed to lead a peaceful life. Many find that gardening is a great method for achieving this. Gardening only requires a small investment and you will get so much more out of it. One particularly enjoyable return is the pride you will feel when you grow your own food.
Irrigate your garden efficiently. A soaker hose will save you time because you won’t have to individually water each plant, like you do with a regular nozzle, or a can that you need to constantly refill. Keep water pressure on your hose low so you don’t harm fragile plants. Let your soaker hose run for a few hours while you do other things.
Plant ever-bearing strawberries for your children in the organic garden. Strawberries are a favorite of children due to their sweetness. And since they’re so easy and fun to pick, it’s also a healthy, productive, safe activity that children can assist adults with.
Add aspirin to your plants to help them fight sickness. Try dissolving around one and one half aspirins into around 2 gallons of water for your plants. All you need to do is spray the plants with the solution in order to battle common ailments. Give your plants a spray of the aspirin-water mixture about one time every three weeks.
Pine Needles
Pine is a surprisingly good source of mulch. Some plants are highly acidic, and like soil that is acidic too. If you have these plants in your garden, keep them healthy by using pine needles as mulch. Spread a few inches of pine needles on your organic beds so that it will put the acid into your soil.
This article should give you a good idea why organic horticulture is a great activity. The activity is fun, relaxing, rewarding and potentially challenging. These tips are your key to becoming a top-flight organic gardener.