Author: craigb

Advice For Making Horticulture More Enjoyable And Fruitful

~ craigb

TIP! Using a shovel in clay soil is a lot of work, not only is the clay hard, but it will stick to the shovel and make it twice as hard to handle. One way to get around this problem is to coat the shovel with wax.

Many people are under the impression that horticulture is difficult, but it’s actually quite simple if you know exactly what to do. With the correct knowledge, anyone can be an expert gardener. You can greatly increase your horticulture skills by applying the suggestions you will read in this article.

TIP! For the best results, select the right kind of soil. Depending on the type of plants you desire in your garden, your natural soil may or may not be appropriate.

If you have a wall or fence that you do not like, plant climbers to mask its appearance. Many climbers can cover the wall or fence in as little as one growing season. You can also train climbers to cover arbors and other things that you want covered, and they will even grow right through trees and shrubs. Some may need to be attached to a support, and others will attach themselves to any surface using their twining stems or tendrils. Climbing roses, honeysuckle, wisteria, clematis, and jasmine are some great plants to try out.

TIP! Plants will respond with maximum growth if they have the amount of CO2 they require. When exposed to high levels of CO2, most types of plants will grow better.

Before you plant anything in your garden, have the soil checked. Consider getting a soil analysis and working on enrichment techniques for giving your garden a vibrant and healthy environment. A lot of Cooperative Extension locations offer this service, and you can prevent ruining a few crops by identifying the specific steps to take.

TIP! Be diligent in your efforts to banishing weeds! Weeds can turn a thriving garden into a total wasteland. White vinegar can be a good solution.

For an unusual, but effective, organic solution to weeding young plants, try “boiling” the weeds away. Any vessel of boiling water that you can carry safely can be used as an organic herbicide. Just pour boiling water directly on top of the weeds cautiously to avoid damaging your plants. The roots of the weeds are damaged by the boiling water which, in turn, inhibits further growth.

TIP! Both cat grass and wheat grass are good for giving your errant feline pause. Offensive smells also work to repel cats and other pesky animals from eating your plants.

You can use natural materials or other plants in your garden to keep away pests. 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. Using methods like these eliminates the need for chemical pesticides, which can be harsh or even harmful.

TIP! When mowing your lawn, be careful not to cut the grass too far down. If you leave a bit more height, the grass roots will get deeper, making your lawn stronger.

If you are growing a vegetable garden, you may find that pests can be difficult to control. It’s likely you don’t want to spray pesticides around the vegetables you intend to eat. One way that you can help control garden pests is to remain vigilant. When you catch a potential infestation early, the solution may be as simple as picking the pests off of your plants with your fingers.

TIP! Try dousing weeds in your garden with boiling water to get rid of them. A pot of very hot water is one of the most effective ways you can get rid of the weeds in your garden.

Working in your garden is an excellent way to relax yourself. There are numerous avenues to pursue when attempting to find your personal peace and relaxation. Gardening is a great way to achieve this satisfaction. While you do have to invest a little bit of money, the returns on that are huge. The biggest dividend is the emotional satisfaction of planting and growing greens on your own.

TIP! Irises should be divided. Take clumps that have become overgrown and divvy them up into separate plants.

While you garden, it’s important that you wear the right clothing to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. This includes wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses. When you protect yourself against the sun’s rays, you are more likely to avoid both skin cancer and sunburn.

TIP! One particular plant should be the focal point of your garden. A focal point in the garden will capture your attention.

Heather can bring helpful critters into your garden. Heather is very attractive to bees, and when bees first emerge in the spring, it is an early source of nectar. Spiders, ground beetles, and other useful insects spend time in undisturbed heather beds. Keeping this is mind, you need to wear gloves when you prune your heather!

TIP! Always protect yourself from the sun when you are outdoors working in the garden; you can do this by wearing clothes that will shield you from the sun. Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

Asprin will actually help your plants out by killing diseases. To add the aspirin to the plant, dissolve about one tablet and a half into approximately two gallons of fresh water. Simply spray your plants with the mixture, and this will help them fend off various diseases. Apply this solution to your plants every few weeks.

TIP! If you have a cut, be careful about exposing it to soil or gardening chemicals. A cut can become infected if dirt is allowed to enter the cut while gardening.

While gardening you must make sure your knees are protected. Bending for extended time periods causes pain for many people. To get down to plant level without pain, try kneeling instead. Many types of horticulture pads and cushions are available so that avid gardeners can kneel for longer periods of time without experiencing knee pain.

TIP! Go slowly as you plant the seeds. The first step is to moisturize the soil.

If you are interested in sustainable organic gardening, consider keeping part of your property undeveloped so that wildlife can flourish there. Wildlife can help the plants in your garden to thrive, as insects support plant reproduction, while the excrement of many species contains nutrients which can help to fertilize your soil.

TIP! Pine can make surprisingly great mulch. Acidic soil is a favorite of garden plants that are high in acidity.

To be as efficient as possible in the garden, always have your tools handy. You can keep them in a good sized bucket, or wear utility pants that have plenty of large pockets. Have gloves, small shears, a trowel and any other tools you may need on hand to make it simpler to maintain your garden.

TIP! Coffee grounds work great mixed in with your soil. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth.

Use approximately two or three inches of natural, organic material as some mulch in every single flower bed. A thick layer of mulch will prevent weeds, reduce watering needs and fertilize your garden. It will also make your flower beds look more finished.

TIP! Get more value out of your property. One of the best things you can do to increase property value is to have proper landscaping.

Space is important to remember when planting an organic garden. Many people don’t realize exactly how much space a plant needs when it grows. You need to take into account the plant’s size when it is fully grown, as well as allowing space for air circulation between each plant. Plan accordingly and put an appropriate amount of distance between seeds.

Plant Material

TIP! Do some research on botanical insecticides, as they can be effective in controlling pests. Sometimes natural insecticides are more efficient than the synthetic pesticides you can buy.

Your compost pile should contain green plants and dried ones in equal amounts. Green plant material can include old flowers, fruit waste, grass clippings, vegetable waste, and leaves. Dried plant material includes straw, sawdust, shredded paper, cardboard, and dried and cut-up woody material. Avoid using animal manure, charcoal or diseased plants in your compost.

TIP! Use a soaker hose to water your organic garden. This special type of hose allows water to slowly ooze out; the water then directly targets the roots and spares the leaves.

Horticulture isn’t hard to do if you understand what to do and how to use the tools you have. By following our tips, you will have all the information you need to create a beautiful showplace of a garden.

Stuck With Your Organic Garden? Use These Tips To Find Your Way!

~ craigb

TIP! You need to consider beginning the plants into pots. Then, you can plant the seedlings into your garden.

Horticulture is a great pastime and could bring many benefits. Whether veggies or flowers are your passion, the very act of creating a garden is immensely rewarding. Read this article to learn some important tips about horticulture, and taking care of your growing plants.

TIP! Plant slug-proof perennials. Slugs and snails are voracious eaters that can destroy a plant literally overnight.

Fight pests before you even plant, by getting your soil in shape. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases. To give your garden the best chance of yielding the healthiest plants, start with a high-quality soil that has fewer chemicals which over time will accumulate salts.

TIP! Make sure air can circulate around your plants, and keep leaves moisture-free. Many diseases, as well as most parasites, prefer moisture.

Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. Climbing plants are great for hiding hideous fences and walls, and they usually grow within a season. You may also be interested in training them over an arbor or trellis. You can also grow them among existing landscape trees and plants. Some climbers you plant will have to be tied off and supported, but others have no problem attaching themselves to any surface using their tendrils or twining stems There are many varieties you can choose from. Honeysuckle, climbing roses and jasmine are among the best.

TIP! Good green gardens begin from seeds, not plants. This is a more sustainable way to start a garden.

When it’s autumn, you know what that means. It’s time to plant fall vegetables! Try planting your fall veggies, especially leafy greens, inside of a pumpkin! Simply carve open the top of a pumpkin so you can remove the innards, and then spray inside and out with something like Wilt-Pruf to prevent pumpkin rotting. You are prepared to plant after this is done.

TIP! Your vegetable plants need about two or three inches of mulch placed around them. Mulch has a nice moisturizing effect on the soil it’s spread over.

If your plants do not grown very tall, try buying some knee pads used for horticulture. Your knees will take a beating if you spend a great deal of time on the ground while tending your garden. You can be more comfortable in the garden with a good pair of gardening knee pads.

TIP! When deciding on which plants to include in your landscaping projects, consider evergreens which produce colorful berries. These help to give your garden nice looking color, even during winter when most vegetation is colorless.

Irises can benefit from being separated. Try increasing your stock by dividing your overgrown clumps of plants. If you find any dead irises in your garden, immediately pull up the bulbs. The bulbs will automatically split in you hand, and will likely flower the year after being replanted. Rhizomes should be divided using a knife. Cut the center out of each rhizome but save the pieces. Each piece needs one strong offshoot. Replant them immediately.

TIP! When you’re dealing with a veggie garden, pest control may be difficult. Avoid spraying harsh chemicals on fruits and vegetables destined for your table.

You can keep pests away from your garden by using other plants or natural materials. For example, if you plant onions or marigolds along the edges of your vegetable garden, you can ward off slugs. If you place wood ash around the base portion of a shrub seedling or tree, you will ward off insect pests. These methods are environmentally-friendly and mean you do not have to resort to harsh chemicals.

TIP! When you are gardening out in the sun, wear the proper clothing so that you do not get any type of sun damage. Wear sunglasses and hats with wide brims, and apply sunscreen.

If you are planning on growing peas, start them indoors before putting them outdoors in your garden. Install your plants inside and wait for the seeds to germinate. Seedlings will grow stronger, and withstand attacks from pests and diseases a lot better. You can transplant the seedlings outside after they are sturdy enough.

TIP! I

Create a focal point in your garden with a unique plant. In any good garden design, a focal point will grab the eye and hold it there. Many times, it’s just a plant that differs from the surrounding plants.

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. They need this type of warm temperature in order to grow.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. A uniform and flat bed is created by using plants that are the same height.

TIP! The lack of pesticides in organic gardens is a major benefit. Of course, organic produce is much healthier, but you should still thoroughly rinse it before consumption.

Indoor plants need an environment that is between 65 and 75 degrees. The plants need this temperature in order to effectively 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! Rotate the plants that you grow each year by switching up where you plant them. Planting the same plants in the same place each year can promote the growth of disease and fungus.

Do not be in a rush when you plant your seeds. Water the soil first. Lay out your seeds, and make sure that they will have enough room to grow. Seeds should be buried about three times deeper than their own size. There are some varieties of seed that are not planted underground since they require light to grow.

TIP! When you mulch your garden beds with organic material, make sure it’s about three inches deep. Mulch adds nutrients to your soil, prohibits water evaporation, inhibits weeds and creates a finished look to your flower or gardening beds.

In your flower beds and garden, utilize a few inches of organic mulch. This will help to inhibit weed growth, helps to lock in moisture, and adds needed nutrients to your organic garden. Mulch will also improve the general appearance of your flower beds.

TIP! What plants are native to your area? Plan your landscaping based primarily on native bushes, flowers and grasses. If you chose plants that will thrive well in your environment, the need for having to purchase fertilizers and pesticides could be eliminated.

Do you prefer to eliminate weeds without the use of harmful chemicals? A layer of newspaper, several pages thick, placed over the ground will do the trick. Weeds need sunlight to grow. Newspapers placed atop weeds will starve them from light and they will eventually die. Newspapers easily break down over a period of time, and eventually become a portion of the compost. It can look more attractive by adding a mulch layer.

TIP! If you’ve spent even a little time gardening, you’re probably well aware of how beneficial compost can be, but how much do you know about what it contains? Compost is comprised of a mixture of grass clippings, leaves, wood-chips, straw, twigs and produce scraps that have broken down into a kind of soil. Making your own compost is much safer than using commercial fertilizer.

In order to construct your raised beds, make use of untreated brick, stone, wood and other materials. Any wood you use needs to be untreated and resistant to rot. Good choices are cedar, locust and cypress. Never use compost from treated woods in a veggie garden; the chemicals can contaminate your food. If you must use treated wood, create a barrier, such as with plastic sheet.

TIP! Look for high-value crops. Of course, what you value the most might not be worth much to someone else.

As was mentioned earlier in the article, horticulture can be a truly rewarding hobby. The fruits of your time and labors fail to stop yielding, regardless of the dividends are vibrant color outside your windows or fresh foods on your kitchen table. By assimilating what you learned about horticulture into your routine, you can enjoy gardening and all it has to offer.

Finding Time To Garden In Your Busy LIfe

~ craigb

TIP! Choose perennials that are not vulnerable to attack by slugs. Snails and slugs can destroy plants in just one night.

Gardening is a relaxing hobby, and it does not cost a lot of money. A backyard garden can mean hours of quality time together for families, or a peaceful and productive outing for friends. It can be a fun way to teach children how things grow from a seed to something they can eat. Gardening also teaches life lessons and can make you truly appreciate the wonders of nature. The advice in this article will help you to view horticulture as a relaxing hobby rather than a chore, and when you enjoy it yourself, it will be easy to encourage others to join in.

TIP! If you want to cover up your walls or fences, make sure that you specifically use climbing plants. Climbing foliage is a great way to disguise unsightly features on your property, sometimes in the span of just one season.

You will need to properly lay sod. Start by preparing your soil with care. Pull all the weeds and loosen the soil so the new roots can take easily. The next step is compacting your soil and carefully leveling it. The soil should always receive adequate moisture. You should lay your sod staggered, and have the joints offset. Firm the sod down to form a flat, even surface, and fill in any gaps between the sod with a little soil. After two weeks of daily watering, the sod should be rooted; at this time, it is now safe to walk on it.

TIP! Your vegetable plants need about two or three inches of mulch placed around them. When you place mulch around your plants, it keeps the ground more moist.

Having healthy soil in your garden is your number one defense against pests! Healthy plants are naturally more resilient against pests and disease. To give your garden the best chance of yielding the healthiest plants, start with a high-quality soil that has fewer chemicals which over time will accumulate salts.

Baking Soda

TIP! When it comes to harvesting your vegetables, know when the optimal time is to do so. Different veggies have different windows of time in which they should be picked; it is during this period that the vegetable is most flavorful.

Don’t bother with expensive chemicals if your plants start to sport powdery mildew. Combine a bit of liquid soap and some baking soda with water. Once every week, you should spray the mixture on your plants; the mildew will disappear shortly thereafter. Your plants will not be harmed by the baking soda, but the mildew will definitely not like it!

TIP! The nutrients from vegetables can help. If you steam your vegetables, you can pour the remaining water around them.

It is important to choose the right type of soil if you want to achieve the best results. Different types of plants require different soils, so check soil requirements for the ones you choose. It can happen where one artificial area is designated to have just one type of soil.

TIP! Heather can be planted to attract useful insects. Heather is quite alluring to bees; when spring comes along, it provides the bees with a source of nectar early.

Don’t mow your grass too short. If you leave some of the grass when you mow, the roots grow further into the ground, which makes the grass less prone to drying and other hazards. The shorter the grass is, the shorter the roots are, which leads to a dry lawn.

TIP! Let your children be involved in your organic gardening efforts. A garden can teach your children about the joy of rewarding work and nutrition while bonding.

A green garden needs to begin with seeds, not plants. When you grow a new garden, start the environmental way, from seeds. Most nurseries use a lot of plastic that is not recycled. If you want to buy plants, find a nurseries that uses organic methods or grow your plants from seeds.

TIP! To be as efficient as possible in the garden, always have your tools handy. Use a bucket large enough to hold all your equipment or wear pants with multiple pockets.

Interested in using Mother Nature to keep pests at bay the natural way? Plant marigolds or onions around other vegetables to keep slugs away from them. Wood ash used as mulch helps repel pests as well when around shrubs and trees. Natural materials and plants can be just as effective as chemical pesticides at keeping unwanted visitors out of your garden!

TIP! Make gardening efficient. Do not spend half an hour looking everywhere for a tool.

When gardening, avoid the use of strong broad-spectrum pesticides. These kinds of pesticides kill the helpful insects that destroy the pests. Since these pesticides often affect the good bugs more than the bad, using them can actually increase your pest problem. This will leave you using even more pesticides to fix the problem.

TIP! Get the most out of what you have, and your property. Landscaping has a powerful home improvement return.

Keep your pet out of the garden with old perfume or aftershave in the grass. This kind of scent is going to mask the scents your dog is attracted to. If your dog has no interesting smell to follow, the garden will not be a tempting place.

TIP! While organic gardening takes a little extra work, it is healthier and more gratifying than regular gardening. Although the chemicals may claim greater results, using organic methods to tame your garden will do less harm to your body, and the environment.

In the hottest time of the day, most vegetables are less firm; even the act of harvesting the veggies may cause bruising. For vegetables growing on vines, cut them carefully rather than twisting them off to avoid damage to the plant.

TIP! Keep the soil healthy by adding mulch. The mulch will protect the soil underneath it.

Water containing some aspirin helps your plants fight illness. Dissolve one and one-half aspirins into two gallons of cold water, and use it to fortify your plants. You can just spray this on them to fight disease. Use this solution once in every three-week period.

TIP! Any type of gardening can be a fun hobby because it brings you closer to the earth, but creating an organic garden is really good at this. Approaching gardening in this way will enlighten you in the entire process from beginning to end.

Having a garden of perennials can be an easy and quick process. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips. Allow for at least 10 days to pass, then plant the perennials that you just purchased.

TIP! Make sure you look at what lies beneath in order to start off on the right foot. Even if the plant looks lush on the upper leaves, the root system can have problems.

Top all your garden beds with several inches of organic mulch. Mulch discourages weeds and helps retain moisture while adding nutrients to your flower bed. It also adds a uniform and cohesive look to the garden.

Pine Needles

TIP! Understand the variety of natural gardening solutions that can be used to tend an organic garden. For example, purchase organic fertilizer rather than chemical fertilizer.

Believe it or not, pine makes great mulch. Many types of plants thrive in soil that has high acid levels. Pine needles are an excellent form of mulch for these types of plants. Sprinkle the pine needles over your beds. As the needles decompose, they add to the acid level in the soil.

TIP! This is a very easy organic gardening tip! Plan your landscaping based primarily on native bushes, flowers and grasses. If you select plants able to thrive in your climate, soil variety and indigenous neighbors, you can cut the amount of fertilizer and pesticide you might need.

Get added value from your property. You can get a very high return from improving your home through landscaping. Some great plants can increase your home value tremendously. Different plants thrive in different environments, so be sure to invest in plants that are low in moisture, and will flourish in your garden.

TIP! If you are going to plant a shrub or a tree in your garden, dig an ugly hole for it to go in. If you place a plant in a hole with glazed sides, the roots will not be able to penetrate the soil properly.

It can be hard at times to grow your own organic garden, yet it is so much more rewarding in the end. Growing organic is healthier and just overall better for you. Make sure you try your best to grow organic as opposed to adding chemicals to your garden.

TIP! Keep the soil healthy for optimum plant health so they can combat disease, and even destruction caused by insects. Pests may still be present, but they will not inflict damage on your plants.

Regardless of whether you plan to garden on your own or in a group, these tips will still be beneficial to you. You’ll find ways here to bring the joy of gardening to friends and family or to learn more in-depth understanding of your garden for yourself.

Easy Ways To Improve Your Garden At Home

~ craigb

TIP! Deciduous shrubs should be protected from the elements. Delicate shrubs that are sitting in pots should be sheltered from the cold weather.

Every gardener dreams of having a thriving garden. For some, this is a reality, for some it isn’t. If you want to achieve your dream of a beautiful garden, there are a few things to learn. There is much fun and much work involved in gardening. Following are a few tips that can make your horticulture time more fun and less work.

TIP! If you would love to have access to fresh and healthy mint leaves from your own back yard, but dread the way the plant spreads so quickly, worry not. You can control their growth by placing them into a pot or container.

If you want to keep your garden free of pests, start with healthy soil! If you are producing healthy plants, they will be stronger and better able to resist bugs and diseases. Start your garden off with a high-quality soil that you can enrich over time.

TIP! An excellent garden shouldn’t begin from plants. They should begin from seeds.

Transfer your favorite plants indoors to rescue them from the winter frosts. You can save the ones you spent the most money on or the ones that are resistant. Dig the plant up without damaging the roots and place it a big enough pot.

TIP! There are natural steps you can take to keep garden pests at bay. Plant marigolds or onions around other vegetables to keep slugs away from them.

Irises should be divided. You can divide those overgrown clumps and increase the amount of irises you have. When the foliage has died off, it is time to harvest the iris bulbs. The bulbs will split up naturally in your hand, and when replanted, will often flower the next year. You can divide rhizomes with a 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. You also need to make sure that you replant the new pieces as soon as possible.

TIP! Two items you need to invest in when working in a garden are a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool. It can be very uncomfortable on the knees when working so close to the ground, so a light, portable stool makes gardening easier.

A great garden starts from the seeds and not from the plants. It’s better for the environment to begin from seed. The problem is those plastic trays which end up in landfills and are not generally recycled. Plants in organic packagingn or seeds sown in your garden, are fine .

TIP! Know the ideal times to harvest each of the vegetables you plant. There is a specific time to pick every sort of vegetable in order to maximize its taste and cooking utility.

An easy, inexpensive way to give them nutrients is to pour the leftover water from your steamed vegetables into the soil. For gardenias and rhododendrons, try putting your used coffee grounds or tea bags in the soil so they may acquire the acid they need for proper growth. Spray your plants with a 9:1 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide to eliminate fungus without harming your plants.

TIP! Water your garden regularly and smartly. Use a type of soaker hose so that you don’t need to do individual waterings with the hose nozzle, or be refilling a watering can constantly.

Look for targeted pesticides instead of using popular but damaging broad-spectrum products. It’s true these pesticides kill the pests you don’t want, but they also lay waste to the advantageous insects that make those same pests a regular meal. Bugs that are good for your garden tend to be more susceptible to these types of pesticides, and using them could mean an increase in the pests you are actually trying to get rid of. As a result, gardeners often have to resort to using more toxic pesticides to get rid of garden pests.

TIP! To make a creative English garden, include many different kinds of plants and vary their height in the same garden bed. If you use plants of similar heights, the result will be pretty boring and uniform.

Gardening helps with relaxation. Many hobbies can help you to relax and attain inner peace. One of the best ways to do this is gardening. There are numerous returns based on a very small monetary investment. The best thing you will get out of it is peace and happiness knowing that you can grow your own garden.

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

Choose one stand-out plant to be a focal point. The best garden designers always use a focal point that draws the eye. A perfect example of a focal point is using a plant that doesn’t bear any resemblance to those that surround it.

TIP! For the best results, properly prepare your garden for planting. First, you should loosen the soil, and ensure that it is sufficiently moist.

Your children will enjoy being involved with your organic horticulture endeavors. Horticulture helps your children learn about biological processes and serves as a social activity that helps the family grow closer while eating healthier.

TIP! When planting seeds in containers, remember that the depth should be at least three times bigger than the seed. Some seeds need to be in direct sunlight, though, so you need to know information about each type of seed.

Consider planting strawberries, especially ones that are everbearing, for your garden if you have small children. A lot of children not only love to pick out their own fruit but they also love to learn about it as well.

TIP! Every year, you should plant different things and in different places. Planting your garden in the same area every year will allow fungus to grow there as well.

If you are growing plants organically indoors, you have to consider the light that they are getting. If you want indoor plants, choose specimens that can grow in relatively dark places. If your plants still need more light, there are always artificial light sources that you can use.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Do some research on the botanical insecticides that are available in your area, many of which are extremely helpful in preventing pests from invading your garden. Oftentimes, natural insecticides work better than synthetically produced pesticides.

Coffee grounds are good for your soil. Coffee grounds have a lot of nutrients that plants can use. Many times, nitrogen is a limiting nutrient in soils. Adding coffee grounds or compost can add nitrogen to your soils will help your plants grow tall and healthy.

TIP! You need to make a bed that is efficient for your plants. You do this by slicing underneath the turf using an appropriate tool.

If you’d like to create a raised bed, use materials like brick, stone, or untreated wood. If you choose to use wood, make sure it is naturally rot resistant and untreated. Optimal wood choices that fit these criteria are locust, cypress, and cedar. Never use compost from treated woods in a veggie garden; the chemicals can contaminate your food. If you have built a bed with treated lumber already, use a barrier such as plastic to line the bed.

TIP! Organic gardening has been made much easier! Try planning your landscape with native flowers, bushes, and grasses. By choosing plants that coexist easily with your soil types, climate and neighboring plants, you will reduce the need for additional fertilizers and natural pesticides.

Though organic farming can present challenges that traditional farming with the use of chemicals does not, harvesting the crops is reward itself for the hard work. Chemical giants claim miracles, but those miracle crops come at a price to whoever eats the produce.

TIP! Plants growing in healthy soil will be healthier than plants growing in soil that is insect ridden and diseased. Pests may still be present, but they will not inflict damage on your plants.

With these tips, you’re better equipped to grow the most beautiful garden you can imagine. In learning how to create your dream garden, you’ll also be growing as a person. That’s because learning how to nurture your plants will not only help you reach the goal of having a great garden, but it will help you learn to nurture yourself.

Tips And Techniques You Should Learn For Organic Gardening

~ craigb

TIP! Think about planting your seeds in indoor pots and then transplanting them to your garden once they become seedlings. Doing this will increase the survival rate of all your outdoor plants.

Horticulture is an activity that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. Some people do it as a hobby, while others do it to feed their family. This article provides horticulture tips which can help you improve your own garden.

TIP! Turn the handles of tools you have on hand into rulers to make measurements in your garden. Tools with long handles, such as rakes, hoes, and shovels can be converted into handy measuring sticks.

You will need to properly lay sod. The soil requires preparation before sod can be laid. Take out any weeds, then mix up the soil into a tilth that is fine. The next step is compacting your soil and carefully leveling it. Make sure the soil is moist all the way through. Lay the sod down in alternated rows, keeping the joints set off from one another. Make sure the sod is firmly placed to ensure a surface that is sufficiently flat and even. Also, make sure to use soil to fill the areas where there are gaps in the sod. Keep the sod moist and avoid walking on it until it is well-rooted, usually two to three weeks.

TIP! Plant perennials that are slug-proof. Snails and slugs can do irreparable damage to your garden in a single night.

Choose plants that will give you the most yield at harvest time. A plant that is resistant to disease, or one that is tolerant of extreme weather, will deliver a higher yield.

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

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. Then, spray this mixture onto all of your infected plants once each week till the mildew is gone. This solution is perfectly safe for your plants and gently treats mildew in a short amount of time.

TIP! If your soil has a problem with high alkaline levels, mixing in some coffee grounds that have been used is a great solution. Using coffee grounds is a less expensive way to make your soil more acidic than trying to replace your topsoil.

When gardening, be watchful of stink bugs, particularly in the fall. They enjoy tomatoes, peppers, beans, and many different varieties of fruits. If you do not keep them under control, the damage can be excessive, so keep an eye out for them.

TIP! You should divide irises. Try increasing your stock by dividing your overgrown clumps of plants.

When it’s autumn, you know what that means. It’s time to plant fall vegetables! A pumpkin makes a great container, and costs less than a clay pot. To use the pumpkin as a planter, it is important to prevent it from rotting. To do this, you simply spray the entire inside and any edges with a gardening spray called Wilt-Pruf. This is done after you’ve opened the pumpkin at the top and removed the insides. Once this is done, you are ready to plant!

Knee Pads

TIP! If you’re a new gardener, it is vital that you follow the instructions when it comes to your chemicals and tools. If you miss this easy step, you run the risk of harming yourself due to the chemicals that can irritate your skin.

If you have a lot of low-growing plants to take care of in your garden, purchase gardening knee pads. Spending lots of time on your knees while gardening can injure them and create lasting pain. Using a pair of quality knee pads designed for gardening can provide your knees with cushioning and support, preventing any discomfort.

TIP! Consider planting evergreens that produce berries in your yard. This will aid in giving your garden great color, even during the winter when other plants have lost their colors.

The best gardens will evolve from original seeds rather than transplanted items. As a green-friendly gardener, you always want to use seeds to start your new plot. Seeds eliminate the waste of plastic containers from nurseries which rarely get recycled. There are some nurseries, however, that send their plants out in organic potting materials.

TIP! Before you start working in your garden, purchase a wheelbarrow and a good kneeling stool. Working in the garden means you’ll be down on the ground a lot.

See to it that you fertilize your garden. Manure is very effective in helping plants grow, although it is important to use a commercially composted product to minimize the risk of pathogens. There are many fertilization methods out there; the type is not quite as important as actually using something.

TIP! Water your garden carefully. To save time, use a soaker type hose so each plant doesn’t need individual watering from the nozzle of a hose or a little watering can.

Pest control is very difficult if you are dealing with your veggie garden. Avoid spraying harsh chemicals on fruits and vegetables destined for your table. The key to keeping garden pests at bay is to be relentless. When you catch a potential infestation early, the solution may be as simple as picking the pests off of your plants with your fingers.

TIP! Heat softens vegetables, so you can damage them immensely by pulling them out of the ground or cutting them off vines when it is too hot outside. Twisting could cause plant damage, so ensure that produce is removed by cutting only.

Are you a parent? If you are, try planting some strawberries like everbearing strawberries in your garden. Kids delight in the idea of growing things and seeing how things change over time. Explain every step to your child and he or she will hang on to your every word.

TIP! If you want a sustainable garden, leave a part of it undisturbed for wildlife to enjoy. This will also benefit your cultivated gardens as it will attract more bugs and birds to pollinate your other plants.

A mixture of aspirin and water can help your ailing plants. Dissolve 1 aspirin per gallon of water for a plant disease fighting solution. The solution can then be used to spray the entire plant, and will offer protection naturally. Apply at three week intervals.

TIP! Make sure any open cuts are completely protected from dirt and chemicals before you go to work in your garden. If dirt and grime get into a cut while gardening, it may become infected.

Take the time needed to plant your seeds. Begin by adding moisture to the soil. Next, you should spread the seeds evenly so they can grow with room. Seeds need to be buried as deep as three times the seed size. There are some varieties of seed that are not planted underground since they require light to grow.

TIP! Create a space perfect for any perennial garden with this easy method. Simply slice into the ground with a spade, flip the top layer of soil, and then cover it with several inches of wood chips.

Once your seeds have germinated they will not need to be kept as warm as before. As your plants grow, move them away from the source of heat. Also, remove plastic coverings from the tops of your growing containers to keep them from becoming too warm or humid. Check on your seeds often so you catch them when they are ready.

TIP! Plastic bags can be kept on hand and reused to slip over your dirty gardening shoes. This allows you to keep going, getting back to your garden quickly.

As previously discussed, gardening has been enjoyed by civilizations for centuries. Many years ago, it was actually a way of sustaining the family. Today, it can be done for fun or to save money on fresh groceries. The ideas, wisdom and knowledge shared with you in this article are sure to enhance your appreciation for horticulture, regardless of your personal motivations for gardening in the first place. Enjoy your garden!

Great Tips And Advice For Giving Your Garden A Much Needed Lift.

~ craigb

TIP! Start your plants in some pots and plant its seedlings in the garden. This can give your seedlings the advantage they need to survive and reach adulthood.

Meticulous attention to your garden is one of the primary tenets of the green gardening movement. In order to get good results in an organic garden, you need to use smart gardening techniques. Nurturing your organic garden ensures that your veggies are bigger and your flowers are more beautiful. Use this information to make the best organic garden that you can.

TIP! Beginning your garden with healthy soil is your first defense against pests! Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases. 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.

Using a shovel in clay soil is a lot of work, not only is the clay hard, but it will stick to the shovel and make it twice as hard to handle. To make the clay soft so you aren’t working as hard, take floor or car wax and rub a light coat on the surface of the shovel using a clean cloth, then buff the surface. The shovel will glide through the clay and as a bonus, your shovel will be resistant to rust.

TIP! Transplanting plants and bringing them indoors can protect them from harsh winters. You should probably save the most resistant or expensive plants.

Starting seedlings in pots before planting in your garden is a smart idea. This boosts the chance that the plants can survive to adulthood. This also enables you to close gaps between planting cycles. Once you remove the most recent mature plants from your garden, the seedlings are immediately ready to be planted.

TIP! Pull all the weeds in your garden. Weeds steal nutrients from plants, robbing a garden of its potential harvest.

Utilize your garden tool handles as convenient makeshift rulers. You can use larger tools, like rakes, as measuring sticks. Lay the tools down on the floor, then place a measuring tape along the handle. With a permanent marker, note pertinent measurements on the tool handle. You will never find yourself looking for a ruler thanks to this simple tip.

TIP! For showy flowers throughout the spring and summer, plant plenty of bulbs. Most bulbs are hardy and require little to no care in order to develop into beautiful perennials that will reappear each and every year.

Cover the fences and walls with climbers. Climbing foliage is a great way to disguise unsightly features on your property, sometimes in the span of just one season. You can also train climbers to cover arbors and other things that you want covered, and they will even grow right through trees and shrubs. There are natural climbers, which use tendrils or stems to wrap around any given surface, while others must be tied with a string or rope. Wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle, clematis and some rose varieties are good choices for climbers.

TIP! When you go to mow your lawn, make sure you don’t mow it too closely to the ground. If you let your grass grow, the roots will go deeper and make your lawn more resistant to dryness.

When winter comes around, save some plants by putting them in the house. Your best bet would be try to save the best or most hearty plants. Dig carefully around the roots, then transfer the plant into a pot.

TIP! Before you start planting your garden, plan it! This way, you will remember the places you planted your seeds when they start sprouting. You are also less likely to lose smaller members of the larger garden in the overall mix.

Make sure to be weary of stink bugs whenever you garden, particularly during the fall months. They like fruits, as well as peppers, beans and tomatoes. Proper measures should be taken in order to ensure minimal damage to your crops.

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

If you want your garden to sport flowers in the spring as well as summer, plant bulbs. Typically, bulbs are simple to grow, and they’ll grow every single year. You can select bulbs that bloom at many different times, so with a little work, you could have flowers popping up all the way from the start of spring to the end of summer.

TIP! Learn the ideal times for harvesting your vegetables. Each type of vegetables has its own ideal time for picking for the best flavor.

A good but unusual organic solution for weeding your plants is try “boiling” your weeds way. This is a safe way to eliminate weeds, as this will not damage the soil. Literally pour the water on the weeds, avoiding any wanted plants near them, and watch the weeds die over time. This can cause enough damage to the roots of any plant to kill it.

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. Using this will cover up the odors that your dog likes and will cut down on the intrigue of your landscaping for your furry friend.

Spread a little bit of organic mulch, around two inches worth, in and about each vegetable plant. Mulch is used to keep extra moisture and provide nutrients for your plants. This is also efficient in preventing weeds from growing. This will save you tons of time from pulling out tons of weeds.

TIP! During the day, when the weather is hot, vegetables tend to be softer, which causes them to be damaged even if you gently pick them. Cut them with a tool rather than pulling or twisting, otherwise you could damage the plant itself.

You should be cognizant of the peak time for harvesting your vegetables. Individual vegetables have distinct windows of time to pick for getting the greatest flavors. For instance, zucchini and baby peas will taste a lot better if you pick them when they are young. In contrast, tomatoes are best when left on the vine as long as possible. It’s best to learn when the harvest time is for your vegetables.

TIP! Organic gardening is a safe hobby to share with your children. Gardening helps your children learn about biological processes and serves as a social activity that helps the family grow closer while eating healthier.

If you want your garden to be off-limits to your dog, spray a scented perimeter around it using things like old perfumes or aftershave. Doing so shields the scents that your dog might pick up on and be drawn to, causing their potential interest in your garden to drop dramatically.

TIP! Pine can make surprisingly great mulch. Some plants do better in soil with high acidity as they are highly acidic themselves.

Ward off certain diseases that plague plants with the use of aspirin. Three aspirins per four gallons of water will help keep your plants healthy. The solution can then be used to spray the entire plant, and will offer protection naturally. Plants should be sprayed once every two to three weeks.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! When you’re making a compost pile, you should use fresh and dried plants to get it started. Your green material can be made up of produce waste, used floral arrangements, lawn cuttings, leaves, and other yard waste.

Coffee grounds are a great addition to soil. Coffee has a lot of essential nutrients that plants need. Nitrogen is often the most important nutrient when it comes to plants thriving, and a solid source of nitrogen, like coffee grounds, urea, or compost, can boost growth speed and increase height.

TIP! Add mulch to keep your soil healthy. Mulch acts as a protective covering for the soil.

Consider the climate and season when watering your plants. The amount of water you need depends on when you are doing the watering, whether your water is high-quality and the grade of the soil in your garden. Overzealous watering in an already humid climate can lead to leaf fungus. The important thing is to make sure the plant’s roots receive sufficient water.

TIP! There are all kinds of plants that can grow in your organic garden. Treat plants that thrive in acid to some mulch.

Since you’ve reached the end of this article, you can see now that organic gardening makes a huge difference in the taste and healthiness of the product. It takes a lot of work and tons of patience, but it is all worth it in the end to have a successful organic garden.

Compost Your Own Fertilizer For A Better Garden

~ craigb

TIP! Turn the handles of your garden tools into measuring rulers. Tools with substantial handles, like rakes, hoes and large shovels are great for taking measurements.

Organic horticulture has gained popularity from people who no longer wish to consume produce that has been treated with chemicals and pesticides, which can damage the environment and a person’s health. Additionally, most organic gardening techniques cost very little money. Here are some essential tips to help you become an expert organic gardener.

TIP! Having healthy soil in your garden is your number one defense against pests! If you are producing healthy plants, they will be stronger and better able to resist bugs and diseases. For the most vigorous and healthy plants, start with high-quality soil, and stay away from chemicals.

Plant perennials that are slug-proof. If slugs or snails find their favorite perennials in your garden, they’ll snack all night. When you wake up in the morning, there will be very little left of your plants. They often enjoy feeding on perennials with very smooth and tender leaves. Young plants are a special favorite of theirs. Perennials that have thick, furry leaves and unpleasant tastes are less likely to attract slugs and snails. Some varieties of these plants are campanula, helleborus, heuchera, or euphorbia.

TIP! Transfer your favorite plants inside so they survive the winter. You can save the ones you spent the most money on or the ones that are resistant.

You may be able to re-pot some plants to bring indoors for the winter. Choose the plants that are most likely to survive. Dig around roots carefully before transferring to a pot.

TIP! Make sure you protect any tender deciduous shrubs. Cold weather significantly affects these plants, especially if they are in pots.

Pick the correct soil to get the best results. Depending on the type of plants you desire in your garden, your natural soil may or may not be appropriate. You can also create an artificial area with only one kind of soil.

TIP! Always fertilize your garden. Manure is probably the best fertilizer.

If you want your garden to sport flowers in the spring as well as summer, plant bulbs. Bulbs are one of the easiest plants to grow and are hardy perennials that return each year. If you choose your plants carefully, you could have flowers in blossom from the first weeks of spring to the end of the summer.

TIP! Carefully read and follow the instructions that come with your chemicals and tools, especially when you’re just starting to garden. It may seem simple enough, but not following it could lead to chemical burns and skin irritations.

When mowing the lawn, don’t mow the grass all the way down to the root. Cutting your grass at a taller height allows grass roots to grow deeper and stronger, which helps lessen the chance of your lawn drying out easily. Cutting your grass too short will cause it to dry out and turn brown in patches throughout your yard.

TIP! Be smart when you water your garden. A soaker hose can save valuable time by watering all of your plants simultaneously, removing the need for hauling a watering can or hose around to each plant.

Protect your tender deciduous shrubs. Tender, potted shrubs must be protected when the weather is cold. Tie the tops tightly together, and cover the wigwam with a sheet or blanket draped loosely over it. Doing this is a lot more effective than wrapping up the plant with plastic because it lets air circulate, which could avoid any rotting.

TIP! One way to encourage an organic garden to be sustainable and healthy is to put aside a section to stay undeveloped, thus encouraging wildlife to approach it. Your cultivated garden spaces will benefit from the various insects and wildlife that will inhabit and pollinate the undeveloped space.

Always fertilize your garden. Manure is a great garden additive, but it is important that you choose a manure that has been composted commercially so that there is less of a risk of pathogens. There are a wide variety of fertilizing options available, although which type you use is not that important; just make sure to use something.

TIP! If you cut your hand, you can use a glove to protect it from germs and chemicals until it heals. A cut can become infected if dirt is allowed to enter the cut while gardening.

Gardening is an incredible method of relaxing. Countless methods of unwinding from the stresses of life exist. Of these, horticulture is by far one of the most enjoyable and easiest to start. Horticulture does not require a lot of dollars to start, and yields tremendous benefits. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect is the sense of peace and calm that comes from nurturing your plants.

TIP! Do not rush planting seeds in your garden. Start by getting the soil good and moist.

Pick one plant to serve as your garden’s focal point. A focal point can help direct a viewers gaze. Frequently, it will be a plant that’s very different from others in the neighborhood.

TIP! Add three inches of mulch to your flower beds. Using this much mulch retards weed growth, locks in moisture, and ensures that your plants are well-nourished.

Keep your garden tools close at hand to make the most of your gardening time. For example, you could use an over-sized tote bag or an apron with multiple pockets. Keep your trowel, pruning shears and gloves handy so you can do your garden work quickly and easily.

TIP! Use coffee grounds on your soil. Plants can use the nitrogenous nutrients found in coffee grounds.

Learn to work efficiently. Don’t waste your time by searching high and low for that packet of seeds or spade. Get all of your tools together before you go into your garden, then place them in a safe spot when you are finished with them. A good way to keep your tools at hand is to buy a tool belt or utility pants with many large pockets.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! It is a good idea to get organic garden certification so as to reaffirm your claims that your products really are organic. This attracts customers who are willing to drive a little farther and pay a little more for products that are safe and healthy.

Using coffee grounds as part of your soil mixture in your garden is often advised for healthy plants. Coffee beans are loaded with nitrogen, which offers nourishment for plants. Nitrogen is a nutrient that will help your plants grow taller and bloom faster, so use those coffee grounds, extra compost, or diluted urea to make this happen.

TIP! Always give your garden the benefit of looking beneath the upper portions of a plant. Evaluate each tomato and check for green starts, as they generally have bad root systems that impede growth.

Gardening can actually increase the value of your property! Landscaping your property provides one of the best returns on home improvement. A few select plants can raise your property value dramatically. Different plants thrive in different environments, so be sure to invest in plants that are low in moisture, and will flourish in your garden.

TIP! You need to be very specific about what organic plants you plan to grow in the garden. There are a variety of environments that certain vegetables and flowers thrive in to grow.

It is a good idea to get organic garden certification so as to reaffirm your claims that your products really are organic. That way, you will realize greater sales volume and demonstrate the value of your produce to potential and returning customers.

TIP! Weeds are a problem in any garden, even organic ones. This organic weed killer is safer for the environment and you and your family.

Add mulch to keep your soil healthy. A thick layer of mulch offers protection to the soil underneath it. This protective effect is especially important during the summer, as it protects the roots from the effects of the heat. The soil will also stay moist longer because it reduces evaporation. Mulch is also great for controlling weed growth.

TIP! Remember to buy plants for your organic garden in an intelligent manner. You should definitely keep this in mind when you buy perennials and annuals.

Organic foods do not possess any pesticides on them. This is great for the health of your family, but you will still have to regularly check your plants for bugs and pests.

TIP! Among the most effective of all gardening techniques is mulching. Mulching also works to slow water evaporation and limit weed growth.

By taking advantage of the advice you’ve read in this article, you’ll be able to have a garden free of pesticides and full of healthy produce. When you are organic gardening and working with nature, you will also see a lot of wildlife coming to visit!

Everything You May Have Wondered About Horticulture

~ craigb

TIP! Digging in hard clay soil is made even more difficult because it sticks to the shovel. To make digging clay soil easier, try applying a light coating of wax, either car wax or floor wax, and then buff off and commence digging.

Organic gardening is very relaxing and will help you connect with nature. It is a good way to grow healthy fresh foods in an environmentally friendly, chemical-free way. Are you intimidated? Throughout the article below, you will read some expert advice on organic gardening that can assist you in becoming a skilled gardener.

TIP! Consider starting your plants in pots and then planting the seedlings in your garden. This can give your seedlings the advantage they need to survive and reach adulthood.

Choose perennials that slugs are not attracted to. It is alarming to see how quickly slugs, and their cousin snails, can annihilate a plant. They’re particularly fond of perennials with smooth and thin leaves, especially if the plants are young. Perennials that have thick, furry leaves and unpleasant tastes are less likely to attract slugs and snails. Excellent varieties include heuchera, achillea, euphorbia, campanula, and helleborus.

TIP! A garden with a foundation of healthy soil is the best defense against pests. If your plants are healthy, they can more easily resist insects and disease.

If you notice powdery mildew on your plants, do not buy an expensive chemical. All you need to do is mix baking soda with a tiny bit of liquid soap in with some water. Use a spray bottle to apply to your plants weekly until the issue clears up. Baking soda treats the mildew effectively and gently and it won’t damage your plants.

TIP! Use both biennials and annuals to add color to your flower bed. Using a variety of flowers allows your flower garden to have a different look each season.

You could try to boil weeds if you are trying to remain organic. Considering that boiling water is rather safe, you don’t have to worry about toxins in your soil or at your dinner table. Just pour boiling water directly on top of the weeds cautiously to avoid damaging your plants. The extreme heat of the water will cause damage to the weeds’ roots, which will stop them from growing any more.

TIP! During winter, you should take your favorite plants inside. You may be able to save your most resistant or expensive plants.

Split up the irises. Increase your iris stocks by dividing your overgrown clumps. Try to life the bulbous irises when foliage begins to die. If you split the bulbs that you pull up, and replant them, they will bloom the following year. Use a knife to divide the rhizomes. Cut the new pieces from its outside and dispose of the older center. Be sure to retain a sturdy offshoot on every piece that you intend to plant. Replant them immediately.

TIP! The first thing you should do when planning a garden is test the soil. You can obtain a soil analysis for a nominal fee.

Purchase an inexpensive horticulture kneeling pad, as well as a wheelbarrow or wagon. Spending lots of time close to the ground while working tends to be hard on your knees, that is why it is important to have a portable and lightweight garden stool that you can use for comfort. A wheelbarrow will help you move heavy items without hurting your back so ensure that you invest in one promptly.

TIP! All plants need an adequate supply of carbon dioxide in order to thrive. Often, plants achieve better growth when they are surrounded by high levels of CO2.

Pest control is tough when you have a veggie garden. The vegetables are intended to be eaten, thus you should refrain from using harsh pesticides and chemicals. Frequently check your garden for pests. When you are vigilant, you can simply remove the pests from your plants manually as soon as you notice them. Early detection is the best solution to ridding your garden of pests.

Grass Clippings

TIP! One way to correct your soil’s alkalinity is by amending your soil with used coffee grounds. Coffee grounds add acidity to the soil and are very cheap.

Your compost pile should contain green plant materials and dry plant materials. Grass clippings, vegetable and fruit leftovers, and grass clippings are all examples of green plant material. Paper and straw are dry plant materials. Never use ashes, meat, charcoal, diseased plants or carnivorous animal manure in your compost pile.

TIP! Try to have a plan with your garden. This way, you will remember the places you planted your seeds when they start sprouting.

Do you want to kill weeds without using commercial chemicals? Put down old newspapers in several layers for controlling weeds. Weeds cannot grow without light. When you put newspaper on top of weeds they will suffocate because they are not getting enough light. Old newspapers are a valuable addition to your compost heap. Add a layer of mulch on top to make it look more attractive!

TIP! Protect your deciduous shrubs which are tender. When these tender shrubs are kept in pots, cold weather can be very damaging.

If you’re planning on selling crops to people and labeling them as organic, you will need to receive an organic horticulture certification. This will increase sales and shows your customers they’ve been buying from the best.

TIP! Buy a wheelbarrow and kneeling stool to work with in the garden. Spending time on the ground is rough on the knees, a portable and light stool can help make gardening easier.

Over-watering plants is counterproductive, as too much water reduces plants’ ability to absorb nutrients from the surrounding soil. Check the weather forecast before watering plants to see if there is rain in the near future. Depending on the weather, you might want to skip watering for the day.

TIP! 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.

Annually rotate your garden. Planting the same family of plants in the same area over and over can cause disease and fungus to start growing. These kind of enemies to plants can stay underground ready for the next year to cause harm to your plants. Rotating the types of plants that you grow will help to keep the fungi and diseases from gaining a foothold.

TIP! If you want to spend more quality time outdoors with your children, why not allowing them to help you with your gardening? Small kids enjoy picking fruit themselves out of a garden. Because of this, they’ll be more likely to provide you with some assistance in your garden if they feel like they’re receiving something out of this.

Look closely at the seedlings you purchase. For instance, if you buy tomato seedlings for an organic plot, be cautious if you find green, lush-looking starts that have underdeveloped root systems. The reason that these starts will still look green with bad roots is because the seedlings will not grow until the starts are gone.

TIP! To avoid tracking the mud and dirt that will get on your gardening shoes, use plastic bags. This allows you to work steadily and without distractions, making you a happier and more productive gardener.

It’s best to plant tomatoes in an organic garden on a three-week cycle. Staggering the planting times ensures that you are able to consistently enjoy ripe tomatoes. Additionally, should something happen to during one of your harvests, your tomatoes will not all be ruined.

TIP! Add used coffee grounds to your soil. Coffee grounds are filled with nitrogen, that is a nutrient required by plants.

Pay attention to which products you can use in your garden. Experiment with organic and natural fertilizers instead of the usual chemical, commercial ones. One way to naturally feed your plants is through the use of compost. Organic materials hold many advantages over chemical methods. Chemicals tend to build up in the soil, which can leach into the drinking water.

TIP! Be aware of the location you are in, and the seasonal and climate changes that occur. Make sure that you adjust your watering cycles to match these changes.

You need to be very specific about what organic plants you plan to grow in the garden. Some flowers and vegetables require specific types of soil, a certain moisture level, and direct or indirect sun exposure. For instance, there are many different varieties of roses. However, only some will grow properly in you garden. Make sure you select the varieties that will adapt well to your garden.

TIP! An excellent feature of organic vegetables is that they contain no pesticides. This will improve your family’s overall health, but it does mean you have to be extra vigilant about checking for pest infestations.

Organic horticulture is a hobby incorporating nature, hard work and patience. It makes use of empty land to produce something tasty and healthy. But, if you are ready to dedicate yourself and stick to the advice in this piece, you are sure to be a successful organic gardener.

Anyone Can Garden With The Following Advice

~ craigb

TIP! When laying sod, it is important that you do it correctly. You will need to prepare your lawn soil before laying the sod.

When you have the option, organically grown produce is almost always far superior to the other choices in the grocery store. You can grow your own produce instead of heading to the supermarket. Read the following article to find out more about organic horticulture.

TIP! A great gardening tip to use is to always select types of plants that are more likely to produce a high yield. It is quite common to find that hybrids, which are often able to resist disease and withstand cold climates, produce yields much larger than their conventional counterparts.

When winter comes around, save some plants by putting them in the house. You can save the ones you spent the most money on or the ones that are resistant. Be careful not to damage the root system as you dig up the plant, and place it in a pot.

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.

Remove your garden’s weeds! Weeds and gardens do not mix; they will destroy your garden. Try using white vinegar to get rid of weeds. The acid in white vinegar kills weeds. You may also be using plants that need that very same acid. Use a spray bottle full of white vinegar and you won’t have to use your hands.

TIP! Transfer your favorite plants indoors to rescue them from the winter frosts. This is especially useful if you have a particular plant that you love or was expensive.

For showy flowers throughout the spring and summer, plant plenty of bulbs. Most bulbs are extremely hearty and grow easily. They also come back year after year. Include a variety of plantings to get a full season of flowers, from early bloomers to late-season varieties.

TIP! If you want your garden full of flowers spring through summer, plant bulbs. Bulbs are generally very simple to grow and hearty, as well; they will continue to grow for years.

Pre-soak seeds overnight in a dark place. Place a small amount of seeds in a little container, while filling it to the brim with water. This will allow your seeds to be hydrated and get a head start when growing. This will also give your seeds a much better chance to survive and mature.

TIP! When the fall season arrives, it is time to plant your fall edibles. If you’d like to change things up a bit this season, put away your standard clay pots and plant your lettuce and kale inside of a pumpkin instead! Scoop the insides out of the pumpkin, and don’t forget to spray the inside with Wilt-Pruf.

When you are mowing your lawn do not cut it too closely to the dirt. Higher grass has deeper roots, meaning a healthier lawn that will be less likely to dry out. The shorter the grass, the shallower the roots, which makes the lawn more likely to develop brown patches.

TIP! One natural method of weed removal is called “boiling”. Boiling water is a safe herbicide which won’t damage your garden or your body.

Divide irises. You can increase your stock of irises by dividing up overgrown clumps. When the foliage has died off, it is time to harvest the iris bulbs. 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. Make use of a knife to split up rhizomes. Throw out the center and cut pieces on the outside that are new. Each new piece you cut should possess at least one healthy offshoot. The quicker you can replant your cuttings, the better chances they will reappear next season.

TIP! Be vigilant about keeping moisture off your plants. If your plants get too moist, they may get sick or infested with parasites.

Fertilizing your garden is essential. Use commercially composted products in your garden to help your plants grow. This will reduce the chance of pathogens. There are a lot of different ways to fertilize plants; make sure you actually take the time to do it.

TIP! Invest in a quality wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool if gardening work is going to happen often. Get a portable stool if you want to garden comfortably without damaging your knees.

Pest control can be very difficult when dealing with a vegetable garden. You want to avoid spraying harsh chemicals since the vegetables are meant for consumption. One way that you can help control garden pests is to remain vigilant. If you catch the pests early, the best removal technique is just to take them off your plants by hand.

TIP! Be sure to plant using the colors of Fall. That doesn’t have to be way it is though! When it comes to vibrant color, the bright foliage of fall beats all the other seasons.

If you have an organic garden and children, plant some everbearing strawberries for them. 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.

TIP! If you like the concept of organic gardening, then why not take it one step further by leaving some of your land undeveloped for the area’s wildlife? Certain wildlife can be good for an organic garden; birds and insects can help your plants reproduce and be as healthy as they can be!

Make sure you protect your knees well while you are gardening. It’s difficult for most people to bend while standing, especially at the waist. Kneeling can relieve pain in your back, but can instead be painful to your knees. Place a cushioning kneeling pad on the ground or wear knee pads to make kneeling more comfortable.

Cover your muddy shoes with plastic bags. You will be able to go in and out without having to keep taking your shoes on and off.

Green Plant

TIP! If you’d like to create a raised bed, use materials like brick, stone, or untreated wood. If you choose wood, ensure that it has not been treated with a sealant or other chemicals.

Within your composting heap, ensure that there is an equal split of dried and green plant materials. Green plant material includes grass clippings, spent flowers, vegetable and fruit waste, weeds and leaves. Dried plant material, however, can include items such as cardboard, sawdust and shredded paper. Avoid using ashes, charcoal, diseased plants and meat-eating animal manure.

TIP! Grow your plants in different areas of the garden every 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.

A useful technique for organic horticulture, is to gently disturb your seedlings by using your fingers or a piece of cardboard one or two times daily. 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! Water your organic garden using a soaker hose. These hoses let water out slowly at a regular rate.

While organic horticulture takes a little extra work, it is healthier and more gratifying than regular horticulture. Growing organic is healthier and just overall better for you. Make sure you try your best to grow organic as opposed to adding chemicals to your garden.

TIP! Try planting your organic garden in the shade. Shade gardens do not require a lot of maintenance, which is very appealing to most people.

You will need to know the correct way to create planting beds if you want to make an organic garden. Start off by getting under the grass using a spade. Once you do this, flip it upside down and cover this area with around three or four inches of wood chips. You can cut and plant after a couple weeks.

TIP! Leaves make for a good organic compost pile which you can mix in with soil. As the leaves rot, they create a nutrient dense compost that will keep your garden healthy.

When preparing to plant a shrub or tree in your garden, consider digging a hole that looks ugly for planting them. If you create holes that have “glazed” sides created by shovels, it’s possible that one of those holes will restrict any root from getting into the soil nearby.

TIP! Rainwater should be saved. You can trap the water in barrels to use in your garden.

Keep the soil healthy for optimum plant health so they can combat disease, and even destruction caused by insects. You won’t be killing off large amounts of insects, but good practices can help avoid the damage they can cause.

Do not keep on buying low quality produce. Use the tips you just read to start growing your own organic fruits and vegetables.

Try These Great Gardening Ideas Even If You Don’t Have A Green Thumb

~ craigb

TIP! To keep your plants from getting shocked, you need to gradually introduce them to changes in temperature and conditions. Put them outdoors in the sun for no more than two hours the first day.

Vegan, vegetarian and other holistic practices have become increasingly popular as millions turn to organic foods for nourishment. When you choose this form of lifestyle, then you opt for growing herbs and other things solely for beneficial reasons and you always aim for organic growing techniques. Read through this article to learn what you need to do when it comes to organic gardening.

TIP! Trying to shovel through clay soil can be extremely difficult and tiresome. To make working in clay easier, rub the shovel with floor or car wax and then buff it with a cloth.

Pay attention to how you lay sod. The soil requires preparation before sod can be laid. Pull any weeds and break up any clods of soil. Lightly, but firmly pack the soil down, and make sure that it is flat. The soil should be adequately moistened. Lay the sod in rows, and make sure the joints do not overlap. Cut away extra sod and save it to fill in gaps you may create later. The sod needs to be watered daily for two weeks, by which time it will be rooted and ready to walk on.

TIP! Get a slug-proof variety of perennials. These mollusks are capable of consuming an entire garden full of flowers in a single night.

Be vigilant about keeping moisture off your plants. If you have excess moisture, this can attract bugs or diseases. One common organism that thrives on moisture is the fungi family. Fungi can be controlled with fungicide sprays, but it is important to treat your area with the spray, before you see any problems.

TIP! When the fall season approaches, you must prepare to plant your favorite fall veggies and other edibles. Instead of using regular clay pots this year for planting lettuce and kale, try a pumpkin container instead! To use the pumpkin as a planter, it is important to prevent it from rotting.

If you find yourself in love with mint leaves, but not with how they dominate a garden, read on. Stunt their growth a little by planting your mint into a garden container or large pot instead. Plant the container in the ground, but its walls will hold those roots captive, and will prevent the plant from engulfing your garden!

TIP! If you are considering planting a garden take the time to plan it out. This will assist you in recognizing your tiny plants when they start to pop up.

Split up irises. You can get more irises by dividing the overgrown clumps. When the foliage has died off, it is time to harvest the iris bulbs. They will literally split in your hand, flowering the next year after replanting. Divide up the rhizomes with a knife. Cut rhizomes from around the outside then throw away the remaining center. Make sure that every cutting contains a viable offshoot. Replant your pieces right away.

TIP! Place at least an inch of mulch that is organic in with your veggies! Mulch has a nice moisturizing effect on the soil it’s spread over. It will also prevent weeds from growing.

Be aware of the optimum time frame for harvesting vegetables. Different vegetables have different, ideal times that they should be picked for best flavor. For example, zucchini and baby peas are best picked young. At the opposite end of the spectrum, tomatoes are at their best when mature. So, find out the best time to harvest your vegetables.

TIP! When you boil vegetables, use the leftover water on your potted plants. You may fertilize the soil with tea or coffee for plants that favor acidic environments, like rhododendrons and gardenias.

Keeping pests out of a vegetable garden can be difficult. The vegetables are intended to be eaten, thus you should refrain from using harsh pesticides and chemicals. You can prevent pests from appearing in the garden by adopting a vigilant attitude. When you see bugs, remove them by hand before they have a chance of spreading.

TIP! A typical English garden combines various plants of differing heights in a single bed. Using plants of all the same kind or size, can result in a boring, and unoriginal garden.

Plant things that will give you color for the fall. That idea is actually far from the truth. The brightest season of the year when it comes to foliage is fall. Maple trees, Dogwood, and Beech trees exist in lots of Fall colors that range from deep crimson to yellow. Barberry, conaneaster and hydrangea are all wonderful choices in shrubs.

TIP! You never want to do any gardening with open wounds, so make sure everything is completely healed up before you begin; otherwise, you run the risk of your cut being exposed to dangerous chemicals and dirt. Open wounds can easily get infected while gardening because you’re exposing yourself to dirt, bacteria and germs.

Planting organic strawberries is a great way to encourage your children to get involved. Children find it fun to pick strawberries and love to assist with the harvest if they get some yummy treats as they work.

TIP! Keep your tools handy to work more efficiently. You can keep them in a good sized bucket, or wear utility pants that have plenty of large pockets.

Aspirin water has disease-prevention properties that can protect plants. Dissolve one aspirin and a half for 2 gallons of water. Spray your plants with the water if they have a disease. Spraying should be one time every three weeks.

TIP! Want to kill weeds naturally? Pile newspapers on top of each other to kill weeds. In order to grow, weeds need sunlight.

You can cover your muddied gardening footware easily by keeping plastic bags around. This way, you won’t break momentum by fussing with your shoes, and you’ll be quickly back in the garden to finish your work.

Laundry Basket

TIP! Creating a trap with beer can help reduce the number of slugs in your garden. Dig a hole just deep enough for a glass jar to be placed in it while the jar still has its rim in line with the surface of the ground.

You can use something like a laundry basket to gather all of your produce together when the time comes. An old laundry basket makes an excellent strainer for cleaning your produce. You can clean and rinse the harvest when it is the laundry basket and the water will go out of the holes.

TIP! Gardening is a good way to connect with nature, but organic gardening remains the best way to observe natural cycles. This kind of gardening shows you the entire progression of planting from beginning to end.

Keep your compost pile balanced with a combination of dried and green plant mulch. Green plant material includes grass clippings, spent flowers, vegetable and fruit waste, weeds and leaves. For the dry end of the spectrum, think of things like paper and cardboard, sawdust, hay, etc. Avoid using animal manure, charcoal or diseased plants in your compost.

TIP! Plant your own garlic with organic methods. The best time to plant garlic is either early spring or in the fall.

Lightly ruffle your seeds by hand or with cardboard, twice daily in your organic garden. However odd this may sound, research shows that this touching encourages seedlings to grow better than they would without touching.

TIP! It’s not what’s on the surface that counts. Even if the plant looks lush on the upper leaves, the root system can have problems.

Mulch your garden to keep the soil nourished. Mulch can give your soil some additional protection and nourishment. It protects roots because it helps the soil stay cooler when it’s hot outside. The layer of mulch will also minimize evaporation, reducing your need to water as frequently as you would a garden without mulch. As an added bonus, weed growth will be stunted.

TIP! Use a soaker hose to water your organic garden. The water slowly seeps from these hoses and is positioned so the roots get the water, and the leaves remain dry.

Get to the root of the matter! After planting tomatoes, for example, you must closely monitor the soil for the first signs of green shoots. Don’t get attached–these hints of green are hiding an underdeveloped root system below the surface of the soil. These starts will stick around on the main plant for several weeks, hindering the growth of the seedling as long as they are present.

TIP! Here is a great way to make organic gardening fun and easy. Bushes, native grasses, and flowers should be the essentials of your landscaping needs.

The more organic gardening tips you are able to pick up, the easier horticulture will eventually become for you. Keep in mind that the tips in this article are only intended as a starting point.