pine needles

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.

Expert Advice About Organic Horticulture And You

~ craigb

TIP! You will need to properly lay sod. You want to prepare the soil before you lay down the sod.

Gardening is a good way to make your yard a source of fresh fruits and vegetables. There is nothing that tastes better than fresh tomatoes on salad or an entire salad grown from your own garden. This article will provide great tips for horticulture that will help you enjoy it.

TIP! Clay soil can be very hard to work with, and you will often find that it sticks to the shovel. To make your digging project easier, apply a coat of automobile wax to your shovel first and then buff it lightly.

You must gradually introduce your plants to changing conditions and temperatures, so you do not shock them. At first, only leave them outside for a brief period of time. After a week, leave your plants outside for twice as long. Once the transition is complete, your plants will probably be able to tolerate the outdoor conditions.

TIP! When winter arrives, transfer some plants into the house to save them. Think about saving your resistant plants or the expensive ones.

Use your tool handles as rulers in the garden. You can convert any large handle tool, such as a hoe, shovel, or rake into a measuring tool. Place the handles on the ground and measure them. Label the distances with a permanent marker. This will allow you to have a ruler at your fingertips when you are working out in the garden.

TIP! Fill your garden with bulbs if you want to enjoy beautiful flowers through the spring and into summer. A hardy perennial addition to your garden, bulbs will continue to delight every year.

Use climbers for covering fences and walls. These types of plants can climb anything, which makes them perfect for covering up a wall or fence that needs to be hidden. Climbers can also be trained to grow and cover an arbor, and they will grow through or around existing trees and shrubs. Some need to be tied to a support, whereas certain climbers attach themselves to a surface with tendrils or twining stems. There are many varieties you can choose from. Honeysuckle, climbing roses and jasmine are among the best.

Co2 Levels

TIP! Ensuring your plants are both dry and aerated is a great way to keep them healthy. Excess moisture creates an appealing environment for disease and parasites.

In order for plants to grow, they must have enough CO2. The majority of plants grow much better when CO2 levels are at their highest. A great way to reach these CO2 levels is through a greenhouse. Plants grown in a greenhouse tend to be more lush and healthier due to the improved growing environment.

TIP! Be sure to split the irises. You can increase the number of irises you have by splitting clumps that are overgrown.

Fall edibles are a wonderful addition to your garden. Try using a pumpkin as a natural plant pot. You can plant fall vegetables such as lettuce in an empty pumpkin shell. Use some Wilt-Pruf to prevent your pumpkin from decomposing and then you can put your plants right inside. Finished? Now you’re all set for planting!

TIP! Using natural materials in the garden will keep pests away. A good way to keep slugs away is to create a border with onions around a garden with vegetables.

Grow wheat or cat grass around the plants your cat likes nibbling. Another option is to place offensively smelling objects on the topsoil near and around the plants you want to protect. Citrus peels or mothballs are a couple of examples.

TIP! If you are planning on growing peas, start them indoors before putting them outdoors in your garden. Pea seeds tend to germinate much better when planted indoors, before being moved to an outside garden.

Split up your irises. Take clumps that have become overgrown and divvy them up into separate plants. Once the foliage has died off, lift out your bulbous irises. The bulbs will naturally split in your hands, and after you replant them, will flower about a year later. Rhizomes, however, need to be divided by using a gardening knife. Throw away the center after carefully cutting new sprouts from the exterior. Each piece should have at least one strong offshoot. For optimum viability, plant your new cuttings into the ground without delay.

TIP! Every good gardener knows when the best time is to begin harvesting one vegetable or the other. Each veggie has its own prime time for harvesting.

You can spray scents such as after-shave and cologne around your garden to deter your dog. This will mask the garden smell that is attracting your dog, and it will make it a less appealing place for your dog to visit.

TIP! Another way to help them grow is by watering them with the liquid that is left from cooking vegetables. Some plants, such as gardenias, azaleas and rhododendrons need acidic soil for proper growth.

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. When you remove the produce from the plant, use shears or a knife to cut them from the vine without twisting, as this can damage the plant.

TIP! Gardening is an incredible method of relaxing. You can relax and be at peace in many different ways.

Take care of your knees while working in the garden. Most people can’t bend for long periods while standing. You can kneel instead to help keep your back relaxed while tending to your plants. You can get a knee pad to place on the ground to kneel on so that you do not feel pain in your knees.

Pine Needles

TIP! When you are growing organic plants within the home or an enclosed area, considering how much light the plants will receive must be emphasized. If you are living in a place that does not have a lot of natural sunlight, think about cultivating plants that do well in lower lighting situations.

Pine is a surprisingly good source of mulch. Some plants have a naturally high acidic level, and therefore like acidic soil. Plants like these thrive when you use pine needles as mulch. Covering your plant beds with a layer of pine needles will allow the pine needles to disperse their acidic nutrients into the soil for your plants.

TIP! Preparing the soil for your perennial garden is easy. Simply use a spade or small shovel to get under the grass or turf and flip it over.

Add used coffee grounds to your garden soil. Coffee beans are loaded with nitrogen, which offers nourishment for plants. It is best for your plants to use coffee grounds that are part of a blend of ingredients in the compost or soil you are using for your plants, rather than directly adding coffee grounds to your garden plants.

Laundry Basket

TIP! 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. While it seems a little odd, it has been reported that this can encourage plant growth.

When the time has come to gather up the produce, you need to use an old laundry basket. This laundry basket can be used as a type of strainer for all your produce. When you put your produce in a basket, you can then rinse it off and let it strain any excess water through the laundry basket holes.

TIP! Garlic can be simple to grow organically. Cloves of garlic should be planted in well-drained soil with frequent watering in either the fall or spring.

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. Even though it sounds strange, it will help plants get bigger.

TIP! If you’d like to create an organic garden of your own, it’s important you learn how to build beds. A spade can be used to slice under your turf.

An organic garden is a benefit to you and everyone else who consumes the food that grows there. Growing your crops organically will offer the best reward for those who eat the foods.

TIP! Go ahead and dig a hole so that you can plant a shrub or tree for your organic garden. If there are any glazed sides in the hole, it restricts the growth of the roots.

As was mentioned earlier, horticulture is a wonderful opportunity. You can grow fresh vegetables or delicious fruits on your own property! You’ll feel great using ingredients from your own garden to cook delicious food. Use the advice in this article to optimize your efforts in the garden and yield amazing results.

Fall Gardens — Best Plants To Grow In Cool Weather

~ craigb

TIP! Learn the proper way to lay sod. Be sure to get your soil prepared before you start laying the new sod.

Horticulture is something people have loved doing for centuries. Some people do it as a hobby, while others do it to feed their family. The following article will give advice for making horticulture more fun.

TIP! Select plant types that will bring a higher profits and yield. A lot of times a hybrid that will tolerate cold weather or disease will give you a higher output than heirlooms.

Clay soil can be very hard to work with, and you will often find that it sticks to the shovel. Make your shoveling job easier by lightly coating a shovel with a layer of wax, then buffing the surface. Either car wax or floor wax will work just fine. This will keep the soil from sticking, and prevent rusting of the tool.

TIP! Make sure your soil is healthy enough before you start planting anything. You can get a soil analysis, and if you find your soil needs a supplement, do it! Many Cooperative Extension offices will provide this service, and it is well worth knowing exactly what the soil needs to avoid ruining a crop or two.

Use slug-proof varieties of perennials wherever possible. A plant can be completely demolished overnight by slugs and snails. Young plants with susceptible leaves are favorite meals for slugs, including those with smoother or thinner leaves. There are some perennials that do not appeal to slugs, such as those with leaves that are hairy and tough with a bad taste. Some of examples of these are achillea, heuchera, campanula, helleborus, and euphorbia.

Climbing Plants

TIP! Get your kids to help you grow your organic garden. A garden can provide a wonderful learning experience for children, and will give you an opportunity to bond with them while you produce healthy food.

Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. Plants that climb are extraordinarily versatile, and can help hide an unsightly wall or fence, usually within one season. You don’t have to worry about removing trees between the climbing plants and the fence, because the trees don’t present obstacles to the climbers’ growth. Some people use climbers as a natural “ceiling” to arbors. 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. Some of these plants include, wisteria, jasmine, climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle!

TIP! Strawberries are a good organic garden choice for families with strawberries, particularly everbearing strawberries. A lot of children not only love to pick out their own fruit but they also love to learn about it as well.

During winter, you should take your favorite plants inside. This is especially useful if you have a particular plant that you love or was expensive. Be careful not to damage the root system as you dig up the plant, and place it in a pot.

TIP! Aspirin water will strengthen your plants against diseases. Dissolve one and one-half aspirins into two gallons of cold water, and use it to fortify your plants.

Plants need ample amounts of CO2 to reach their maximum growth. A higher level of CO2 will help plants grow better. A greenhouse is the best way to create an environment rich in CO2. Make sure to keep CO2 levels high to provide the best growing environment for your plants.

TIP! When gardening, remember to take care of your knees! Many people can not bend over for long periods of time while they are standing up. Kneeling is much easier on your body, and helps you tend to your plants without hurting your back.

If you learn that your soil has a high amount of alkaline, mix some used coffee grounds into it. This is a simple way to replenish your soil with acid. This can help your veggies and greens look more vibrant and taste better!

TIP! When helping organic plants flourish inside, it is vital to keep in mind how much light is reaching them. If your windows are small or receive little light due to their positioning, a plant that requires little sunlight will be more comfortable and healthy.

Remember to place a layer of mulch over the soil around your vegetables, approximately 2 inches deep. The soil will stay moist thanks to the mulch. It will also prevent weeds from growing. You will be able to save the time you would spend watering your plants and pulling out weeds.

TIP! Your seeds, once they begin sprouting, don’t need the same amount of warmth as they did before. As your plants grow, you will want to put a little distance between them and heat.

You can spray scents such as after-shave and cologne around your garden to deter your dog. Your dog will find more interesting scents to explore elsewhere and leave your garden alone.

TIP! Use approximately two or three inches of natural, organic material as some mulch in every single flower bed. This fights weeds, retains moisture, and gives your garden valuable nutrients.

Take care of your knees when you’re horticulture. Many people experience back pain and stiffness from bending over and working in the garden for extended amounts of time. You can get to your plants without straining your back if you kneel in your working area. Get knee pads or a small mat you can use to kneel on if the ground is too hard.

TIP! Put used coffee grounds on the soil. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth.

If you have a high priority for sustainability in your organic gardening, try leaving a corner of the property undeveloped as a mini wildlife refuge. You will then find that the wildlife that can help you create a garden that can flourish become present; from birds to insects, they’ll be around your garden and help your produce grow better.

TIP! Use a laundry basket to help you collect produce from your garden. This will be like a strainer for all your produce.

It is important to allow cuts to completely heal before you do any gardening in order to protect the cut from exposure to dirt or chemicals. If you have an open cut while gardening, contact with dirt or debris can infect the wound. The key is to use bandages capable of covering cuts in their entirety.

TIP! Organic gardening is a high-risk, high-reward activity compared to normal gardening, but the rewards certainly are sweet. While chemical claims are wondrous, growing organically is a great reward to whomever eats your produce.

When your plants begin to sprout, they can survive in somewhat cooler temperatures. Locate your plants further from your heat source as they mature. Also, remove plastic coverings from the tops of your growing containers to keep them from becoming too warm or humid. Unless you closely monitor your seedlings, you may not move them in time.

Pine Needles

TIP! Have biodiversity in your organic garden. The different types of plants will draw a variety of wildlife to your garden.

Pine can make surprisingly great mulch. Many types of plants thrive in soil that has high acid levels. If you have acid loving plants, use pine needles as a mulch. If you spread a few inches of pine needles around your garden beds, when they break down, the acid they contain will leach into the soil.

TIP! Compost is extremely helpful in a garden, but what is in it? Almost any organic item can be used to make compost. It may include leaves and grass, food scraps and wood chips.

Be cautious of what you are using on your garden. Instead of chemical fertilizers, use natural alternatives. One good example is compost. Inorganic fertilizers can cause toxic chemicals to buildup. That’s why it’s best to use an organic method.

TIP! Know what to look for when you purchase the plants that you will use in your garden. That is definitely the case in terms of perennial and annual plants.

Want to make organic horticulture less complicated? Plan your landscaping based primarily on native bushes, flowers and grasses. Choose plants that are suitable for your climate conditions, soil type and surrounding plants in order to reduce your need for fertilizers or pesticides. Plants that are native will work with a compost that is made of native ingredients.

TIP! Making your own compost is a great way of obtaining fertilizer. Starting a worm composting bin is a nice and fun way to take care of this.

When choosing plants for your organic garden, make sure you have a plan about what you want to grow. There are certain types of vegetables and flowers that may not do well in a particular environment, whereas others will flourish. For example, of the numerous varieties of roses, there are those that will thrive in your garden and those that will not. So make certain that you are picking the distinct varieties of plants that are able to call your garden home.

TIP! Use a mix of ammonia with water to keep the snails away. Ammonia can contribute nitrogen to your garden soil and is beneficial rather than harmful to your plants.

As discussed earlier, horticulture has been a popular activity for thousands of years. Years ago, it was simply what people did to put food on their tables. Today it could be used for profit, need or pleasure. The advice provided to you can assist you in gardening, no matter what your reason for doing so. Enjoy the pluses that go with a garden!

Gardening Tips For The Most Bountiful Harvest

~ craigb

TIP! Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. These climbing plants will help beautify an old fence, and they are fast workers too.

Horticulture is a great hobby that can be very rewarding in many ways. Whether you choose to grow flowers, vegetables or ornamental plants, many find that nurturing and tending to a garden brings such a rewarding feeling and sense of accomplishment. This article can help you along in providing important advice on how to grow a beautiful garden.

TIP! Yes, you really have to weed. Weeds can kill a precious garden.

If mildew is forming on your plants, you should not purchase an expensive chemical. A great home remedy is to mix baking soda with water and a little bit of liquid soap. Spray this on your plants once a week until the mildew disappears. No damage will occur to your plants, and the baking soda is mild and efficient.

TIP! A great garden starts from the seeds and not from the plants. Your can contribute to environmental soundness by beginning your garden with fresh seeds.

Long plants that run up or around a fence or wall are often useful for masking ugliness. They can be used to cover up unsightly fences or walls. Often, they can grow enough to cover up an eyesore in one season. It is possible to get them to grow in conjunction with trees and bushes already on the premises, or train them to drape over arbors. Some require a support, while other climbers attach to surfaces using twining stems or tendrils. Reliable varieties include clematis, honeysuckle, wisteria, jasmine and climbing roses.

TIP! Keep your garden free from broad-spectrum pesticides. If your pesticide has too wide a range of targets, it can kill off useful insects that fight off other pests.

Let your new seeds soak in a dark spot overnight. Place some seeds into a small container, then fill it with water until it is almost to the top. This lets water soak into the seeds, giving them an extra boost of hydration when they start growing. Your seeds will then have the best chance possible to survive to maturity.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Your children will enjoy being involved with your organic gardening endeavors. You can provide a good learning experience that your children can appreciate the more they learn on how to grow healthy produce.

One way to correct your soil’s alkalinity is by amending your soil with used coffee grounds. Used coffee grounds will add acidity, helping to optimize the soil’s pH. The right soil will make your vegetables taste better and make your flowers more vibrant and aromatic.

TIP! If you want a sustainable garden, leave a part of it undisturbed for wildlife to enjoy. You will then find that the wildlife that can help you create a garden that can flourish become present; from birds to insects, they’ll be around your garden and help your produce grow better.

Consider planting evergreens in your garden that produce berries. These year-round berries will give the rest of your yard a much-needed pop of color, especially in the winter. Some examples include Holly, Snowberry trees, Winterberry and similar plants.

TIP! Coffee grounds are good for your soil. Coffee grounds add many nitrogenous nutrients to the soil that will benefit your plants.

If you have a vegetable garden, one of your main enemies is garden pests. It’s likely you don’t want to spray pesticides around the vegetables you intend to eat. Staying on top of the problem will ensure that pests don’t take over your garden. If you discover the pests when they first infest your plants, the best way to remove them is to pick them off manually.

TIP! Your compost pile should contain green plant materials and dry plant materials. Green plant material consists of spent flowers, veggie and fruit waste, leaves, weeds, and grass clippings.

Broad-spectrum pesticides are really not the optimal choice for pest control in your garden. These kinds of pesticides kill the helpful insects that destroy the pests. Useful insects are more sensitive to these pesticides than the pests, so by killing them, you could be growing your pest population. This may then lead to using even more pesticides to eliminate this new problem.

TIP! A beer trap can help to eradicate slugs. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden, making sure that the lip of the jar is even with the soil.

When you water your garden, do it with care. 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. Use low water pressure for your hose so that you do not cause harm to the tender members of your garden. Letting the soaker hose do the work frees you up to turn your attention elsewhere.

TIP! Get your organic garden certified so you can credibly claim that your crops are organic. This will increase sales and shows your customers they’ve been buying from the best.

If you’re really serious about environmentally-friendly gardening practices, refrain from developing some of your land and use it as an animal habitat. One side effect of this is that where animals thrive, so do birds and insects that help nurture and pollinate plants, which will increase the quality of your garden.

Use plastic bags to cover muddy horticulture shoes. This way, you can get in and out quickly, and get back to work in the garden.

Pine Needles

TIP! Annually rotate your garden layout or plan. When you continuously plant some plants from the same family in the same area every year, disease and fungus is encouraged in these areas.

Pine can make surprisingly great mulch. Some garden plants are high in acidity, and do better with acidic soil. If that’s the case, the easiest thing to do is use pine needles for beds. Simply add a layer of pine needles a couple of inches deep to the plant beds. The needles will decompose over time and provide the soil with acidity.

TIP! Try raising organic garlic. You can place garlic cloves directly into the moist, fertile soil during spring or autumn months.

Excessive amounts of water makes it harder for plants to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Before watering your plants outdoors, check to see if there is rain in the forecast. You may be able to skip watering because of the pending weather.

TIP! After you plant tomatoes in your garden for the first time, wait three weeks and then plant a second round. Doing this will keep your whole harvest from popping up at the same time.

The ideal way to water your organic garden is with a soaker hose. The water oozes out of the hoses, and it goes directly to the roots of the plants without watering everything around them, including the leaves. This type of hose uses less water in comparison to a sprinkler and takes the time and work out of watering your plants by hand.

TIP! When gardening, you should know all the different things that you can utilize. Always look into natural solutions before turning to chemicals.

When you plant your garden, do so by creating biodiversity. When you have a bigger variety of plants, you also attract different wildlife as well. Plant all different types of plants in your garden to try to recreate a natural environment. Different varieties can give you a pleasant garden to relax in, while doing good things for the environment.

TIP! When you have soil that is healthy, the plants will remain healthy, that way they can stand up to more diseases and damage that is caused by insects. Insect will still likely inflict some damage, but your healthier plants will be more resistant to it.

Horticulture is a rewarding and pleasurable hobby. Whether it is the beauty of flowers or the fresh vegetables, the benefits are evident and never ending. Utilizing the suggestions in this article can increase the joy you find in gardening.

Organic Gardening Tips That Are Fun And Easy

~ craigb

TIP! You can make your flower beds brighter with biennials and annuals. Your flower beds will look different from one season to another.

There are many people who’d like to have their own organic garden, but not many take the time to actually create one. This is because people often feel too discouraged or incompetent to try something that sounds as complicated and unusual as organic gardening. Read through this article and you can gain better insight on what it takes to start and grow your own organic garden; it’s not as hard as it may seem.

TIP! It is very important to keep the weeds from taking over in your garden. Those nasty weeds can turn your beautiful garden into a scruffy version of its former self.

Think about starting plants in pots, and then placing the seedlings in the garden later. Once the plant is hardy enough, plant it in your garden. In addition, you can shorten the intervals between your plantings. The seedlings are ready to go, once you remove the mature plants.

TIP! Before planting seeds, soak them overnight. Place them in a cupboard or other place where they won’t be exposed to light.

An excellent garden shouldn’t begin from plants. They should begin from seeds. When you grow a new garden, start the environmental way, from seeds. Since plastics that are in nurseries aren’t recycled very often and therefore usually wind up in landfills, you should begin with seeds or purchase from the nurseries that use natural materials in their plants’ packaging.

TIP! Using boiling water to kill weeds is both efficient and organic. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find.

Using natural materials in the garden will keep pests away. Onions and marigolds can help to deter slugs. Insects also avoid shrubs and trees that are mulched with wood ash. Doing these things can ensure that you do not need potentially harmful chemicals.

Organic Mulch

TIP! Do you enjoy fresh mint, but don’t like how they engulf your garden in their growth? Try to keep your mint in a container in your garden to stop their rampage. If you would like the mint leaves to still be in the ground, simply plant the container, and the leaves will stay within the boundaries of the pot.

Take the time to place organic mulch in the area around your vegetable plants. The organic mulch will keep moisture in the soil for a little longer. It also keeps weeds from growing. This can save you a lot of time and effort in pulling out the weeds.

TIP! If you decide to grow peas, think about planting them indoors when you first start them off, as opposed to planting them outdoors. The seeds will grow better in your home if planted there first.

Get a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool to work in your garden. In order to relieve stress on your knees when horticulture, always use a small garden stool to be more comfortable. There is also a lot of heavy lifting involved with gardening, so a good wheelbarrow is a great tool to have around.

TIP! Do not use broad-spectrum pesticides within your garden. If your pesticide has too wide a range of targets, it can kill off useful insects that fight off other pests.

Controlling pests in your vegetable garden can be extremely difficult to deal with. Since your vegetables are meant to be eaten, refrain from spraying them with harsh chemicals. The key to keeping garden pests at bay is to be relentless. In many cases, you can simply remove the pests from your plants by picking them off.

TIP! Choose a specific plant to become your garden’s focal point. There should be a solid focal point for every good garden design.

Pick a plant that will be a focal point. In any great garden design, a good focal point captures the eye. Mostly it is a distinctive plant that sets it apart from the neighboring plants and flowers.

Planting organic strawberries is a great way to encourage your children to get involved. Children enjoy picking fresh fruit, especially if they can eat it right away.

TIP! If you have plants inside, make sure the thermostat stays between 65 and 75 degrees. The temperature needs to remain steady and warm so the plants can grow.

Add aspirin to your plants to help them fight sickness. One and half tablets of aspirin in a couple gallons of water will be a wonderful help to the plants you have. The solution can then be used to spray the entire plant, and will offer protection naturally. Spraying should be one time every three weeks.

TIP! Try to work in your garden at least a short time each day. No matter what your schedule is like, you should be able to fit in small things that will help you avoid having an overwhelming amount of work all at once.

In order to maximize the efficiency of your horticulture, ensure your gardening tools are kept close by you. You can keep them in a good sized bucket, or wear utility pants that have plenty of large pockets. Have shears, a trowel, gloves and other commonly used garden tools portable and easy to access.

Pine Needles

TIP! If organic gardening is something you desire to do, it’s critical that you are aware of the proper method to make beds. To start this, slice underneath your turf with a spade.

Pine can make a great mulch. Some plants need acidic soil to grow properly, because of their own acid content. If your garden contains plants like this, there are few things simpler than spreading some pine needles across your beds. If you spread a few inches of pine needles around your garden beds, when they break down, the acid they contain will leach into the soil.

TIP! When getting ready to plant a tree or a shrub in your organic garden, try digging an ugly hole to plant them in. If you place a plant in a hole with glazed sides, the roots will not be able to penetrate the soil properly.

As a good general practice, you should make sure to plant your seeds three seed-widths deep into their containers. Be aware that some seeds shouldn’t be covered, as they need sunlight. Some of these seeds are petunias and ageratum. When in doubt about whether a seed requires direct sun exposure, you can find lots of information online or on the seed packaging itself.

TIP! There are a variety of plants that are possible to be grown in organic gardens. Many acid-loving plants love mulch.

When you run your personal organic garden, try ruffling seedlings using your hands or cardboard one or two times daily. This will make your plants grow faster and they will get bigger than they would have without this practice.

TIP! While you may have heard a few things here and there about composting, how much do you really know about it? Good compost is a combination of grass clippings, produce scraps, leaves, straw and wood chips or small twigs that has broken down into “pseudo-soil.” Compost adds nutrients to your soil without the dangers of commercial fertilizers.

If you want to sell your crops, you should become a certified organic gardener. This attracts customers who are willing to drive a little farther and pay a little more for products that are safe and healthy.

TIP! Garlic strategically located throughout your garden is a great way to keep the insect pests away without using chemicals. Garlic functions as a repellent for many insects.

Check the roots of your plants. Evaluate each tomato and check for green starts, as they generally have bad root systems that impede growth. These starts will stick to the seedlings for quite some time, which prevents the seedlings from growing until the starts are gone.

TIP! Don’t waste or discard that precious rainwater. Use barrels or buckets to catch water for your garden.

If you keep these various tips in mind, horticulture should not be so daunting. Start applying some of the tips presented above, and in the near future, you could have your very own productive organic garden.

Looking To Improve Your Garden? Read On For Helpful Tips!

~ craigb

Successful organic gardening requires the use of some particular methods and techniques. You can build your garden as soon as you do some basic fundamental research.

TIP! When gardening in the fall, you need to be watching for stink bugs. This insect will gladly devour your tomatoes, beans, and peppers, as well as a variety of other fruits.

Use both annuals and biennials to add a splash of color to your flower beds. Your flower beds will look different from one season to another. In addition, they work well as gap fillers between other areas, as long as those areas receive plenty of sunlight. There are plenty of varieties including petunia, marigold, cosmos, sunflower, hollyhock, and rudbeckia.

TIP! Be diligent in your efforts to banishing weeds! If you’re not careful, weeds can take over your beautiful garden, ruining it. To do this, think about using white vinegar.

Use climbers for covering fences and walls. These versatile plants can grow over fences to enhance the fence’s appearance. Often, climbers grow quickly, so you’ll get the effect you want by the time the season changes. You can also use them in your landscape to cover an existing arbor, or allow them to climb up trees, or through shrubs. Some may need to be attached to a support, and others will attach themselves to any surface using their twining stems or tendrils. There are many varieties you can choose from. Honeysuckle, climbing roses and jasmine are among the best.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Do you like mint, but not how they ruin your garden? Try to keep your mint in a container in your garden to stop their rampage. You can even plant the container in the ground.

One way to correct your soil’s alkalinity is by amending your soil with used coffee grounds. The coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to give some acid back to the dirt. The right soil will make your vegetables taste better and make your flowers more vibrant and aromatic.

TIP! Place a few inches of organically based mulch around your vegetable plants. The mulch will help keep the soil moist for longer periods of time.

Always have a plan for the garden prior to the start of planting it. This way, you will remember the places you planted your seeds when they start sprouting. With a plan, you will also be less likely to lose track of small groups or individual plants within a large and ambitious garden.

TIP! Give them a boost by watering them with the cooled water that is left after steaming vegetables. In order to help acidify the soil for plants like gardenias and rhododendrons, you can use coffee and tea grounds.

Mint is a very tasty herb that has a tendency to run wild in the garden if not kept in check. Rein in their growth by planting the mint in a large pot or garden container instead. You can simply put the container below the soil level. Once you do, the container will constrain the roots, preventing them from overshadowing all of your other plants.

TIP! Plant items with fall color. That doesn’t have to be way it is though! The brightest season of the year when it comes to foliage is fall.

Make sure you read instructions on products and tools before using them. If you do not do this very simple step, you can end up causing skin irritation problems that are very painful. Keep yourself safe and always follow instructions.

TIP! Efficiently water your garden. You can save time by using soaker hoses to water more than one plant.

When gardening, try not to use broad-spectrum pesticides. These pesticides will also kill any beneficial insects that consume the pests you are trying to get rid of. These helpful bugs are usually more sensitive to the chemicals than the pests, so if you find yourself in a situation where the good bugs are dying out, you can expect the pest problem to grow. As a result, gardeners often have to resort to using more toxic pesticides to get rid of garden pests.

TIP! Add used coffee grounds to your soil. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth.

Pick a plant that will be a focal point. There should be a solid focal point for every good garden design. Focal points in gardens are normally a plant specimen that no one else in the neighborhood has in their landscape.

TIP! When composting lawn clippings, leaves, and other materials, it is best to add the same amount of green, freshly-cut material as you do dried material. Add grass clippings, waste from fruits and vegetables, leaves, and weeds for the green materials in your compost pile.

Be smart when you water your garden. 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. Make sure that your water pressure is set to low, so that no harm will come to any tender plants. Keep the water turned on for about two hours; while your plants are being watered, you will have time for other activities.

Pine Needles

TIP! Try to use untreated wood, brick or stone and make a raised bed. Any wood you use needs to be untreated and resistant to rot.

Pine can be a wonderful mulch. Many types of plants thrive in soil that has high acid levels. If you are growing these types of plants, simply gather up fallen pine needles for use in your garden. Cover soil beds with a few inches of pine needles, and they will disperse acidity to the soil below as they decompose.

TIP! You must be sure to mulch your garden or flowerbed with about three inches of materials that are organic. Doing this will nourish the soil in your garden and improve its ability to retain moisture.

Be aware of spacing considerations when you are first planting your organic garden. It is easy to underestimate the amount of space that the plants will take up once they start to grow. Plants don’t just need enough space for their physical size; they also need enough space for the air in your garden to circulate properly. Make sure that you map out your garden layout beforehand and place your seeds with an adequate amount of space in between each.

TIP! Think about what types of products you can use on your garden. Instead of using chemical fertilizers, try organic and natural fertilizers.

A rule of thumb for when you are planting seeds in containers is to make the hole depth around three times larger than the seed itself. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Some seeds should remain uncovered because they thrive in direct sunlight. This is true of popular flowers like petunias and zinnias. If you don’t know whether your seeds require sun exposure, check the seed package or search online for the information.

TIP! Want to make organic gardening less complicated? Use native grass, plants and bushes. If you choose groups of plants that all mesh with each other in terms of optimal soil conditions, weather requirements and plant interaction, you won’t need to do as much work to get the plants to coexist peacefully.

Think about using all-natural botanical insecticides in your organic garden; they are very handy when it comes to getting rid of harmful pests. In many cases, organic insecticides work even better than commercial products that are full of chemicals. The distinguishing factor of botanical varieties is that they will decay much more quickly and will be eliminated from your environment faster.

Many people try to garden, but if you do not know what you are doing, you will not see the best results. Put this advice to work for you.

Get Growing! Organic Horticulture Tips And Tricks

~ craigb

TIP! If you have a wall or fence that you do not like, plant climbers to mask its appearance. Climbing plants are known to be very versatile, and can help hide any ugly wall or fence, and this often only takes one growing season.

Organic fruits and vegetables are both delicious and healthy, far surpassing normal supermarket produce. So save yourself some money and grow produce from your own garden! Read on so you know what it takes to create a thriving organic garden.

TIP! Transfer your favorite plants indoors to rescue them from the winter frosts. You may want to save the most beautiful or expensive ones.

To prevent your plants’ systems from becoming shocked, you need to gradually transition them from higher to lower temperatures. The first day you transfer your plants, you should only allow them to sit in direct sunlight for a few hours. Over one week, gradually build up the amount of hours you leave the plants outside. By weeks end, you should have plants that are ready for a permanent home outside with no problem!

TIP! In order for plants to grow, they must have enough CO2. Plants are more likely to thrive in environments where high levels of CO2 are present.

It can be very hard to shovel clay soil, especially when it sticks to your shovel as you are working. Rubbing wax on the shovel prior to digging can kick this challenge to the curb. This will keep the soil from sticking, and prevent rusting of the tool.

TIP! If your garden includes vegetables, make sure you plant them in a location whether they are exposed to sunlight for a minimum of six hours each day. This allows the vegetables to grow quickly and healthily.

The first thing you can do to ward off garden pests is to ensure you are using healthy soil in your garden. If your plants are healthy, they can more easily resist insects and disease. 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.

TIP! Good green gardens begin from seeds, not plants. When opening a garden, the most green method of beginning is from seed.

Be sure to weed your garden. A vibrant garden will be overrun with weeds if they are left alone. To aid in this venture, you might want to use white vinegar. Use it instead of chemical solutions to kill weeds. Spray white vinegar onto those troubling weeds.

TIP! It can be tough to keep insects and other plant-ruining crawlies from infesting your garden. The vegetables are intended to be eaten, thus you should refrain from using harsh pesticides and chemicals.

Soak your seeds in a dark spot during the overnight hours. Take 3-4 seeds, put them in a small jar or container, and cover them with water. This hydrates your seeds and jump-starts their growth. The seeds will then have a greater chance at lasting and blossoming.

TIP! Make sure to water your garden properly. You can water efficiently by using a soaker hose which will eliminate the necessity of watering each plant one by one with a nozzle, or having to use a water can that you have to refill over and over.

Do you enjoy fresh mint, but don’t like how they engulf your garden in their growth? You can control the growth of the mint leaves by growing them in a large container rather than in your garden. Plant the container in the ground, but its walls will hold those roots captive, and will prevent the plant from engulfing your garden!

TIP! Your children will enjoy the experience of working with you in the organic garden. You can provide a good learning experience that your children can appreciate the more they learn on how to grow healthy produce.

Always fertilize your garden. One type of fertilizer that really helps plants grow is manure, but be sure to utilize a type that is commercially composted to reduce the chances of pathogens. You have many different choices for fertilizer; choose whichever is best-suited to your plants but definitely use one.

TIP! Asprin will actually help your plants out by killing diseases. Dissolve 1 aspirin per gallon of water for a plant disease fighting solution.

When it comes to harvesting your vegetables, know when the optimal time is to do so. Each type of vegetables has its own ideal time for picking for the best flavor. Zucchini and baby peas, for example, have the best flavor when harvested early. Tomatoes, however, should be plucked from the vine the moment they appear ripe. Thus, you ought to familiarize yourself with the best times to pick the produce from your garden.

TIP! Preparing a plot for planting a perennial garden can be done quickly and without difficulty. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips.

When your seeds sprout, they will not be in need of the warmth they needed to germinate. Move your plants further away from your heat source as they grow. If you used plastic wrap to insulate your seedlings, you should now remove it. You should know when the right time is if you are keeping an eye on the seeds.

Pine Needles

TIP! If you need to prove to customers that your produce is legitimately organic, you can become certified as an organic grower. This should boost your sales while proving to your customers that they are getting healthy products.

For some plants, pine needles makes an ideal mulch. Many types of plants thrive in soil that has high acid levels. Pine needles to line the bed of your garden are easy to find for these kinds of plants. Cover your beds with the needles, as they will decompose and disperse their acid throughout the soil.

TIP! One way to help maintain healthy soil is to incorporate mulch into your landscape. The mulch acts as a protection for the soil under it.

Try not to let the chores associated to your organic garden build up. Not everyone has time to tend their gardens every day, but by doing little things whenever you have a chance, you can avoid having things pile up. For example, snatch out a weed or two whenever you pass by the garden, such as when you take your dog out for a potty break.

TIP! Excessive amounts of water makes it harder for plants to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Always check the weather forecast for chances of rain before going outside to water your plants.

If you sell or use organically grown produce in a commercial setting, you should communicate your commitment to natural growing by becoming certified. This will up your sales and prove to your loyal customers that what they have been getting is only the best that you possibly could get.

TIP! Grow organic garlic. Cloves of garlic should be planted in well-drained soil with frequent watering in either the fall or spring.

Try to avoid over-watering your plants. Too much water will make it more difficult for the plants to absorb the nutrients they need from the soil. Check the weather forecast before watering plants to see if there is rain in the near future. If showers are headed your way, it’s probably in your best interest to leave the water hose turned off.

Botanical Insecticides

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.

You may be able to find botanical insecticides locally, which are often very helpful for preventing pest infestations. Sometimes the natural insecticides can be even more powerful than the engineered synthetic pesticides on the market. Keep in mind, however, that the biological composition of botanical insecticides can cause them to quickly decay and disappear.

TIP! You can grow a variety of different plants in your home organic garden. Mulch is a must-have for plants that require acidic conditions.

At least 3″ of organic mulch should be added to the flower beds and garden. Mulch adds nutrients to the soil, keeps the soil moist, reduces weed growth, and makes beds look tidier.

Healthier soil grows healthier plants that can withstand insect damage and disease. Pests may still be present, but they will not inflict damage on your plants.

Do not keep on buying low quality produce. If you follow the advice that you have just read, you will be on your way to an even greener thumb!

A Little Guide To A Lovely Garden

~ craigb

TIP! Trying to shovel through clay soil can be extremely difficult and tiresome. To make your digging project easier, apply a coat of automobile wax to your shovel first and then buff it lightly.

As the desire to make gardens organic becomes more popular, it is found that the overall holistic lifestyle is starting to be the way to go. Many people who appreciate the benefits of this lifestyle enjoy growing their own foods using safe, organic gardening methods. Read on to glean some new organic ideas in the following article.

TIP! Transfer your favorite plants indoors to rescue them from the winter frosts. Choose the plants that are most likely to survive.

It may be helpful to let your plants begin their life in a pot and to transfer them to your garden when they’re seedlings. Doing this will increase the survival rate of all your outdoor plants. In addition, it offers you a smaller time frame between plantings. When you take out the prior set of adult plants, your seedlings will then be prepared to go in.

TIP! As you cut your grass, do not trim it too low to the ground. If you let your grass keep some height after mowing, it will be able to absorb more sun and moisture resulting in a lusher, greener lawn.

Use proper soil for the best results. You should choose your soil depending on the plants that you are going to plant. You can simply use one type of soil to make an artificial area.

TIP! Vegetable plants should be planted where they can benefit from a minimum of six hours of sunlight every day. Most vegetables need at least that much sun exposure to grow properly.

When gardening, beware of stink bugs and other insects, particularly in the autumn. Stinkbugs are most prevalent on tomatoes, beans and peppers. They can do serious damage in your garden, so look for an effective method of reducing their population.

TIP! Give peas a head start by sprouting them indoors. Seeds are more likely to sprout when started indoors.

Prepare your seeds by soaking them in a dark environment. Use a small container filled with water to nearly the top and place several seeds in it. This will give your seeds a good start by making sure they have plenty of water, which they need to sprout. This will also give your seeds a much better chance to survive and mature.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! To attract the right kind of insects, plant heather. Bees love heather, and when the heather blooms in early spring, it provides a good nectar source for them.

If you learn that your soil has a high amount of alkaline, mix some used coffee grounds into it. Using coffee grounds is a low-cost way to increase the acidity of the soil. The plants will be healthier, leading to more delicious home-grown veggies.

TIP! When growing indoor plants, the thermostat should be set between 65-75 degrees throughout the day. This level of heat is required in order for plants to grow.

Get a wheelbarrow, and a stool so that you can kneel down while gardening. Get a portable stool if you want to garden comfortably without damaging your knees. Because gardening means transporting a lot of heavy things, a wheelbarrow will also come in handy.

TIP! It is simple to prepare your garden for perennial flowers. Simply use a spade or small shovel to get under the grass or turf and flip it over.

Plant ever-bearing strawberries for your children in the organic 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! When creating a compost pile, use dried plant materials and green plants in equal parts. Garden wastes, such as grass clippings, are classified as green materials.

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. This will also benefit your cultivated gardens as it will attract more bugs and birds to pollinate your other plants.

TIP! A raised bed can be built with untreated wood, brick or stone. Choose wood that is naturally resistant to rot and is untreated.

For in-home organic gardeners, you are looking for an ideal temperature of around 60-75 degrees for your plants. The temperature needs to be this warm so they are able to grow. If you wish to keep your house cooler than that, you may want to use a heat lamp just for the plants.

TIP! If you’d like to improve the health of your soil, try adding some mulch. The mulch will protect the soil underneath it.

Perennial gardens should be prepared easily and quickly in the ground. It isn’t as hard as it may seem; you basically just slice down under the turf, flip it over, and spread wood chips four to three inches. Allow a few weeks to pass by before you dig down into the applied soil.

Pine Needles

TIP! With just a small amount of steps, you can add a new garden just for any of your perennials. Flip up the turf using a spade or shovel, then cover the exposed area with a thin layer of wood chips, about three or four inches.

Pine is a mulch that is great. There are some plants that thrive in acidic soil. If you have these plants in your garden, keep them healthy by using pine needles as mulch. If you spread a few inches of pine needles around your garden beds, when they break down, the acid they contain will leach into the soil.

TIP! Carefully decide which plants you want to grow before you plant your garden. Different varieties of a particular flower or vegetable require different types of environments.

When developing your compost pile, use equal measures of dried and green material. Your green material can be made up of produce waste, used floral arrangements, lawn cuttings, leaves, and other yard waste. Dried plant material consists of sawdust, shredded paper, cardboard, straw, and cut-up and dried wood material. Avoid meat, ashes, charcoal, plants with diseases and manure from carnivores.

TIP! A good gardening tip is to be sure to grow high-value crops. Buy what crops you personally like in large quantity.

A rule of thumb for when you are planting seeds in containers is to make the hole depth around three times larger than the seed itself. However, you should always know that some seeds cannot be covered, even the slightest bit, because they need to be in direct sunlight. Some typical examples are petunias and ageratum. If you’re not sure if your seeds need sunlight, you can find out online or through the seeds’ package.

TIP! For an all-natural insect deterrent, try planting garlic. Most insects are repelled by its odor.

Add mulch to your garden to improve the vitality of the soil. 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. It greatly reduces water loss, keeping the soil moist with fewer waterings. It also keeps the weeds under control.

TIP! Don’t waste your rainwater! You can use rain barrels or buckets to collect rainwater for use in your garden during the summer months. This saves on watering bills.

Try using botanical pesticide products that can keep your insect problem under control. These natural insecticides are just as effective as chemicals, sometimes even more so. Natural products will not damage your plants and will disappear quickly. This means you might have to apply your insecticides more often.

TIP! One way to save on watering costs in your garden is to use a large amount of mulch. Using mulch will allow the soil to retain humidity more efficiently, and your garden will not have to be watered as frequently.

What plants are native to your area? You want to plan your landscaping around native flowers, bushes and grasses. Plants that are already pre-programmed to exist peacefully with one another in similar climates and conditions, will prevent the need for a lot of “special measures” that eat up time and money. This way, your plants will thrive using compost created from other regional ingredients.

TIP! Watering your garden is essential. Plants, just as people, need water to survive.

Your organic gardening efforts will get easier as you pick up more and more tips and techniques about this activity. Keep in mind that this advice is the beginning of your organic horticulture knowledge.

Want To Know About Gardening? Read On

~ craigb

TIP! Turn the handles of your garden tools into measuring rulers. Larger handled tools like rakes, hoes, and shovels make great measuring sticks.

If you want to embrace a healthier lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, organic gardening is the way to go. It does require some effort, in order to grow, though. Are you wondering where to start?

TIP! 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. For the most vigorous and healthy plants, start with high-quality soil, and stay away from chemicals.

Use the handles of your tools as a handy ruler when doing your outdoor chores. You can use shovels or rakes as measuring sticks. Simply lay the handles out on the floor and run a measuring tape next to them. Mark your distances with a permanent marker. You will never find yourself looking for a ruler thanks to this simple tip.

TIP! You don’t need expensive chemicals to treat powdery mildew on plants. Combine baking soda with a small dollop of liquid soap and add it to water.

Use annuals and biennials to brighten your flower garden. These usually grow quickly, and provide an easy-to-change solution to making your flower beds bright and beautiful. They allow you to select different flowers from one year or season to the next. They are useful for filling gaps in between shrubs and perennials in sunny areas. Attention-getting options exist such as sunflowers and petunias.

TIP! Cover fences and walls with lots of climbers. Climbing plants are extremely versatile, helping to hide an ugly fence or wall, often within one growing season.

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. The water will hydrate the sends, giving them a head start once you plant them. The seeds will be better able to survive and grow up.

TIP! If you are going to be doing some gardening, watch out for stink bugs, especially in the fall! These destructive pests enjoy many kinds of fruit, as well as beans, peppers and tomatoes. If left unattended, your garden could be ravaged by these bugs, so you need to proactively keep their population under control.

As you cut your grass, do not trim it too low to the ground. If you leave a bit more height, the grass roots will get deeper, making your lawn stronger. Short grass is more prone to getting dried out and turning brown.

TIP! Make a plan for your garden. It will be easy to remember where each plant is when sprouts start to shoot up the following spring.

Garden vegetables should be planted in areas of the ground that receive a minimum of six hours of daily sunlight. Most vegetables that can be grown need that much sun to grow well and quickly. This is true for flowers as well.

TIP! Try planting berry-bearing evergreens in your yard. The evergreens will add some color to your garden or yard, especially during the winter, when other plants have died or lost color.

Aerate and dry your plants each day. Parasites and pests are attracted to excess moisture on the plants. In fact, fungi love a wet plant and can cause a great deal of damage. You can control fungi with the application of fungicide sprays. However, the area should be treated before you see the onset of any problems.

TIP! Make a plant you love the focal point of your garden. There should be a solid focal point for every good garden design.

Do you ever wish that your fresh mint leaves would not grow as quickly and overcome your garden? Contain their growth with a garden container or large pot instead. This container can be placed in the soil if you prefer the look of mint in your garden, and it will continue to contain the roots of your mint and prevent it from taking over.

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. Be certain that you cut picked vegetables straight off from the vine itself and not by twisting them off, because you don’t want to harm the plant.

Place at least an inch of mulch that is organic in with your veggies! The mulch help keeps the soil that is around the plants much more moist for much longer. It can also prevent weeds from growing. You’ll save a ton of time if you don’t have to constantly pull out weeds.

TIP! Mix various plant heights and plants in the exact same bed for a unique English garden. You should avoid using plants of the same height so that your flower bed doesn’t look flat and uniform.

If you are just getting into horticulture, make sure you heed all of the directions on fertilizer and chemical labels. Failure to follow instructions can be dangerous or painful. For example, some chemicals will irritate your skin if you don’t follow safety rules. Stick to the rules and safeguard your health.

TIP! Protecting your knees while you are gardening is very important. Bending from a standing position for excessive amounts of time can be difficult for many people.

There is always a best time to pick your garden’s vegetables, and you should know them. There is a specific time to pick every sort of vegetable in order to maximize its taste and cooking utility. For example, zucchini and baby peas are best picked young. Contrarily, tomatoes should be left on the vine until maximum ripeness has occurred. To get the most out of your horticulture efforts, find out when to harvest your crops.

TIP! Prepare the ground for a perennial garden quickly and easily. Use a spade to dig up some soil, flip the soil over, and finally, sprinkle around 3-4 inches of wood chips on the soil.

If you cut your hand, you can use a glove to protect it from germs and chemicals until it heals. Cuts that are infiltrated by soil or other substances have the potential to breed serious infections. It is possible now to get bandages that will completely seal the cut.

TIP! Use plastic bags to cover muddy gardening shoes. This helps the flow keep going so that you can get into the garden quickly to finish what you’re doing.

Perennial gardens should be prepared easily and quickly in the ground. Using a garden spade, dig underneath the turf and flip it. Then, create a layer of wood chips at least three inches deep over the area you just flipped. Wait two weeks, then dig in and plant the new perennials.

Pine Needles

TIP! The simple beer trap is still one of the best methods of ridding your organic garden of slugs. 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.

Believe it or not, pine makes great mulch. A number of plants commonly grown in garden settings do best in an acidic soil. Pine needles are an excellent form of mulch for these types of plants. Spread a few inches of pine needles on your organic beds so that it will put the acid into your soil.

TIP! Keep the soil healthy by adding mulch. Mulch can give your soil some additional protection and nourishment.

Coffee grounds are a good addition to your soil. Coffee grounds contain many of the essential nitrogenous nutrients that plants are able to use. Usually, nitrogen is limited with a plant, but using coffee grounds, diluted urea, or compost can make your plants grow faster and taller.

TIP! To become a great organic gardener, you need to look under the surface! When buying tomato seedlings for the garden, keep an eye on lush green starts with root systems that are bad. The first start remains attached to the developing seedlings for many weeks.

A successful organic garden is the result of hard work and a good understanding of the principles involved. It is also important to understand that positive results require continued work; your efforts will not be a one time only thing. Incorporate the insights you’ve learned here to get your organic garden growing this year.

Check Out These Tips For A More Abundant Garden!

~ craigb

TIP! Check the soil before you plant anything in your garden. For a small fee, a soil analysis can be obtained – based on that report – the soil can be properly enriched to support a vibrant garden.

Many individuals prefer organic horticulture, as they fear the possible long-term effects on their health as well as the environment from the many commercial pesticides and fertilizers that are used. Also, the majority of organic gardening strategies require very little money. Below are some great tips to assist you grow to be the organic gardener that you hope to be.

TIP! Remember to remove weeds from the garden. Weeds can turn a thriving garden into a total wasteland.

Use annuals and biennials to brighten your flower garden. These types of flowers grow at high speed, which gives you more flexibility in changing the look of your flower beds as the seasons change. You can use them between the gaps in shrubs and perennials where there is plenty of sun. The most popular varieties to use include petunia, zinnia, cosmos, snapdragon, marigold, hollyhock, and sunflower.

Climbing Plants

TIP! You can alleviate this problem by planting grasses that your cat will naturally gravitate towards. It may also work to add citrus peelings or mothballs to the soil of the plants, because the odor is unpleasant to cats.

Cover fences and walls with climbing plants. Climbing plants are known to be very versatile, and can help hide any ugly wall or fence, and this often only takes one growing season. You can direct them over certain branches or boards, or you can send them through plants you already have. Some need to be tied to a support, whereas certain climbers attach themselves to a surface with tendrils or twining stems. A few good choices are climbing roses, wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle and clematis.

TIP! Vegetables in a garden need to have at least six hours of sun every day in order to thrive. Most vegetables that can be grown need that much sun to grow well and quickly.

If you want to grow peas, consider starting them indoors instead of planting them outside. When you plant them indoors first, the seeds will germinate better. This method also results in hardier seedlings that can better resist insects and disease. Once your seedlings are sturdy, you can then move them outside.

TIP! Knee pads are a gardener’s friend when caring for plants low to the ground. If you spend a large portion of your gardening session on your knees, it could create pain over time.

Do some research to find out the best time for harvesting your vegetables. Each kind of vegetable should be picked at a specific point for maximum flavor. Many vegetables are best when picked young; baby peas are a prime example. However, tomatoes should be as ripe as they can be when pulled from the vine to ensure the best taste. So, make sure you do some research, and find out when the best time to harvest your vegetables is.

TIP! Keep your garden fertilized. 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.

If you know that you’ll be in the garden for an extended period of time, protect yourself from the sun with proper attire. Wear hats and sunglasses, and make use of sunscreen. Using the right protection from the harmful rays of the sun means less of a chance of you getting sunburn and skin cancer.

TIP! Give peas a head start by sprouting them indoors. The seeds will have a better germination rate if you start them indoors.

You don’t want to pick vegetables during the day when it is hot, as that is when they are prone to damage due to them being softer. Twisting off vegetables causes damage to the plant; always snip them at the base of the vine.

TIP! Pest control is one of the hardest things about growing a vegetable garden. Since your vegetables are meant to be eaten, refrain from spraying them with harsh chemicals.

Add some heather plants to your garden, to attract good insects. Bees like heather, and they get their nectar from it early in the spring. Because heather beds require very little maintenance, they often become the home of spiders, ground beetles, and other insects that can benefit your garden. For this reason, you should always remember to put on your horticulture gloves when tending to your heather.

TIP! Plant with fall season color in mind. It’s not necessary to think this way, however.

Water infused with aspirin is great for combating plant disease. One and one half aspirin crushed and added to a two gallon container of water will be a great help for your plants. Next, coat the plant with the aspirin mixture by spraying it on the leaves. Try spraying your plants with this around every three weeks.

TIP! To create a beautiful English garden, use the same bed to mix various kinds of plants, as well as different heights. A uniform and flat bed is created by using plants that are the same height.

If you’re working to build a sustainable organic garden, try leaving a portion of your garden untouched so that the wildlife will be able to thrive. This will also benefit your cultivated gardens as it will attract more bugs and birds to pollinate your other plants.

TIP! A good tip to help your plants stay healthy and fight diseases is to use aspirin water. Dissolve one and one-half aspirins into two gallons of cold water, and use it to fortify your plants.

Preparing a plot for planting a perennial garden can be done quickly and without difficulty. Slice under the grass with a spade, flip the layer you have lifted over, and spread three inches of wood chips on top. Let the area sit for a fortnight, then turn the earth and set up your new perennial bed.

TIP! It is simple to prepare your garden for perennial flowers. Simply use a spade or small shovel to get under the grass or turf and flip it over.

Go slowly as you plant the seeds. Begin by adding moisture to the dirt. Then you want to spread your seeds evenly while making sure that they have enough room to grow. The seeds should be planted at least 3 times deeper than the seed’s depth. There are some seeds that require light to grow, so they must not be buried.

TIP! In your flower beds and garden, utilize a few inches of organic mulch. Mulch will minimize weed growth and maximize nutrients and moisture.

Keep your horticulture tools close by to maximize horticulture efficiency. You could do this by using a big bucket, or just wear old pants that have some deep pockets. You will be much more productive if you can quickly get to your spade, pruning shears, trowel and watering can.

Pine Needles

TIP! Use a beer trap to get rid of unwanted pests, like slugs. Get a clean, empty glass jar to use as a trap.

Pine can make for a great type of mulch. There are many types of plants with a high acidity, which means they thrive in acidic soil. For such plants, pine needles function both as a handy mulch and as a soil amendment to lower the pH. Simply add a layer of pine needles a couple of inches deep to the plant beds. The needles will decompose over time and provide the soil with acidity.

TIP! Add mulch into your garden, you want to use at the very least organic material of three inches. The mulch retains moisture, enriches the soil, and prevents weeds from growing.

Regular maintenance prevents your gardening tasks from becoming overwhelming and unappealing. You may not have a lot of time to exclusively devote to your gardening hobby, but you can make the most of the time you do have. For example, snatch out a weed or two whenever you pass by the garden, such as when you take your dog out for a potty break.

TIP! Try planting your organic garden in the shade. These gardens are low maintenance, which will make many happy.

By following some of the tips we include in this article, you’ll be up and running in no time and will soon have a good supply of produce grown in your own garden. You can also look forward to a boost in the volume of wildlife inhabiting your nature-loving garden.