Organic horticulture can be a very enjoyable and relaxing activity in which anyone can participate. The gardening experience can sometimes be rather intimidating and overwhelming to a beginner. So, how should a beginning organic gardener learn the basics? All you have to do is read the following suggestions.
The quick and drastic change in the weather conditions can shock your plants and cause them to die. It’s important that you gradually change temperate conditions over time, so that your plants can adjust. On the first day, place them in the sun outside for only an hour or so. Throughout the week, gradually increase the time they are spent outside. At week’s end, the plants should be welcoming of their new home.
Clay soil is hard and will also stick to a shovel, making it difficult to work with. To make your digging project easier, apply a coat of automobile wax to your shovel first and then buff it lightly. The shovel will glide through the clay and as a bonus, your shovel will be resistant to rust.
Choose perennials that slugs are not attracted to. Your plants can be destroyed by slugs and snails overnight. Young plants with smooth and tender leaves are their favorite. Others, though, are disliked by slugs and snails. Those with rough leaves or an unappetizing taste will be less desired by slugs and snails. Some of examples of these are achillea, heuchera, campanula, helleborus, and euphorbia.
Starting a garden with the best soil is a great defense mechanism against pests. Healthy and well-nourished plants will be hardier and therefore better able to prevent pests from taking hold. High-quality soil that is low on chemicals is key. It’s the first thing you should think about when planning on growing your garden.
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 you cut the grass too short, the roots are often not deep enough, which causes your lawn to have dry patches of brown, discolored grass.
Try and maintain daily aerated and dried plants. Parasites are attracted to the moisture on plants. A common parasite found in the plant kingdom is fungi. Be sure to prevent the growth of fungus with a spray that will inhibit their growth.
Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. If you were to plant them inside first, the seeds should germinate better. The seedling may also be hardier, which means that they can better resist disease and attacks from pests. After the seedlings have grown strong indoors, it will be time for you to transplant them to outdoor beds.
Think about berry-producing trees that are green year round for your garden. These types of trees can offer your garden a splash of color, especially during the winter when all other plants and trees have lost their hues. Some examples include Holly, Snowberry trees, Winterberry and similar plants.
To deter meddlesome dogs from destroying your garden, you should use heavily scented substances around the perimeter. You can even use perfume! This will help mask the scents that attract your dog, and will make your garden a less interesting place for your pet to be.
Ward off certain diseases that plague plants with the use of aspirin. You will need 2 gallons of water and one and one half aspirin mixed together for a wonderful add-on to your plants. The simple practice of spraying them with the mix will help them fight off diseases. Be sure to repeat this process every two or three weeks.
Do not be in a rush when you plant your seeds. The first thing you should do before planting is moisturize the soil. Spread the seeds, and leave them enough room to grow. Seeds need to be buried as deep as three times the seed size. Not all seeds are meant to be buried in soil, there are certain types of seeds that only grow in the light.
Get the most out of what you have, and your property. You can get a very high return from improving your home through landscaping. Some investments on plants can increase the value of your property when you resell by twenty percent or more. For landscaping your yard, pick out plant species that fit your climate and require little watering.
A good thing to know when it comes to your organic garden, and running it, is to, a couple times a day, lightly ruffle the seedlings with cardboard or your hand. However odd this may sound, research shows that this touching encourages seedlings to grow better than they would without touching.
If you’d like to create a raised bed, use materials like brick, stone, or untreated wood. If using wood, make sure it’s naturally rot resistant and untreated. Good choices are cypress, cedar and locust. 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.
Adjust your watering to the season and climate. How much you water depends on the time of day, the quality of your water and the type of soil you have. Avoid watering leaves in a warm and humid climate to prevent leaf fungus from appearing. You have to make sure to water the root system.
With what you learned you should now feel a bit more confident when it comes to gardening, and you should think of it as an easy task to tackle now. Having a properly grown garden can be fun and relaxing. Follow the advice in this article to avoid the common pitfalls associated with organic horticulture.