Horticulture means more than decorating a space outdoors. Gardening can be an activity for a lot people. It is not limited to simply green-thumbed enthusiasts. Gardening can be a meditative activity, one that cements your appreciation of life, and one that even instills the gardener with a sense of peace and tranquility. If you become a avid gardener, it will have a great effect on your way of living.
When partaking in gardening activities, particularly in the autumn months, keep an eye on those stink bugs. They like beans, peppers, tomatoes and many fruits. If you don’t take care of them, they can decimate your garden, so it’s best to do all you can to get rid of them.
Do not mow your lawn close to the bottom. Higher grass sends roots further down, increasing lawn strength and viability. When grass is cut too low the roots will not grow as deep, and your lawn may suffer from brown patches.
Coffee Grounds
If you find that you have soil that has high amounts of alkaline, mix used coffee grounds throughout the soil. Coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to increase the acid level in your soil. This simple act can lead to vegetables that taste better and look more appealing.
Protect your deciduous shrubs which are tender. If you have some tender shrubs that are in planters, you need to protect them from cold weather. Try to tie the tops all together and cover them with a sheet, large piece of cloth, or blanket. Doing this is a lot more effective than wrapping up the plant with plastic because it lets air circulate, which could avoid any rotting.
Knee pads are absolute miracle accessories if you work in a garden with plenty of low-growing plants. Kneeling on the ground as you garden will eventually cause serious discomfort for your knees. Cushion your knees with a pair of horticulture knee pads.
Mint leaves are wonderful, but don’t you despise how quickly they can take over a garden due to rapid growth? Rein in their growth by planting the mint in a large pot or garden container instead. You can then plant the container down in the ground if you like, but the walls of the container will hold the roots captive, and keep the plant from taking over your garden!
Learn the proper way to handle chemicals, and the right way to use garden tools. Garden chemicals can cause skin irritation and eye injury. Keep yourself safe by carefully following all instructions.
Familiarize yourself with the optimum harvesting time of your vegetables. Every vegetable has a proper time to be picked in order to capture the perfect flavor. Some vegetables are best when fully ripe and others taste better when harvested early in their development. However, tomatoes should be as ripe as they can be when pulled from the vine to ensure the best taste. You should know the proper time to pick vegetables.
Protect Yourself
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. Make sure you wear a wide brimmed hat along with sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen. When you protect yourself against the sun’s rays, you are more likely to avoid both skin cancer and sunburn.
Consider planting strawberries, especially ones that are everbearing, for your garden if you have small children. 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.
If you have a cut on your hand, take the time to make sure it is either healed or completely covered before you put your hands in the soil. Cuts that are infiltrated by soil or other substances have the potential to breed serious infections. You can get bandages that can completely seal your cut.
Plant your seeds carefully, taking your time. First, you should loosen the soil, and ensure that it is sufficiently moist. Then distribute the seeds so that they are evenly spaced and have sufficient room to grow. Plant them depending on how big the seeds are. Some seeds need some light to grow, and therefore shouldn’t be buried.
Every year, rotate your organic garden. When the same plants occupy a spot in your garden for many years in a row, it can lead to the development of fungi and disease. Harmful things may take root in the soil, preparing to take over your garden. Rotating the types of plants that you grow will help to keep the fungi and diseases from gaining a foothold.
Apply the tips from above to bring new life to your garden. You will be overjoyed to know that your plants are healthy! Horticulture is a way of relieving stress and making the world a prettier place so go out and start growing things and bringing life back to the world.