If you are environmentally conscious and worried about the toxic effects of chemicals, organic gardening may be for you. Organic gardeners eschew the harsh chemicals and fertilizers used by large corporate farms. Another benefit of organic horticulture is that it is relatively inexpensive. Keep reading for some useful tips on organic horticulture.
You need to consider beginning the plants into pots. Then, you can plant the seedlings into your garden. This insures that the plants will grow and thrive into adulthood. Seeds can’t always thrive in gardens, and are often eaten by birds. Once the fully matured plants are removed, the seedlings can be planted.
Use slug-proof varieties of perennials wherever possible. A particularly vulnerable plant can be killed by snails and slugs overnight. These garden pests prefer perennials with thin, flat, delicate leaves, particularly if the plant is not yet mature. Perennials that have thick, furry leaves and unpleasant tastes are less likely to attract slugs and snails. Excellent varieties include heuchera, achillea, euphorbia, campanula, and helleborus.
Use climbers if you want to cover any fences or walls. These types of plants can climb anything, which makes them perfect for covering up a wall or fence that needs to be hidden. They also have been known to grow through existing trees or shrubs, or can be easily taught to cover any size arbor. Some varieties of these plants will have to be tethered to some sort of support, but other varieties will be able to attach to the medium they are climbing. There are many varieties you can choose from. Honeysuckle, climbing roses and jasmine are among the best.
When fall is here, you need to plant autumn edibles. Try something different by planing kale or lettuce inside a pumpkin, instead of using the planter pots you traditionally use. Scoop the insides out of the pumpkin, and don’t forget to spray the inside with Wilt-Pruf. This will prevent your pumpkin from rotting. You can start planting now.
Prepare your seeds by soaking them in a dark environment. Soak the seeds by placing them in a container where they are covered with water. When you do this, you hydrate your seeds and they can start growing. The seeds will most likely have a greater chance of maturing and surviving.
Don’t plant a garden without planning it. This is a good way to remember which plants have been planted in each area before they grow. This can also help prevent you from losing smaller plants or smaller groups of plants within a larger garden area.
Tender deciduous shrubs are very fragile, so protect them. Cold weather significantly affects these plants, especially if they are in pots. Tie together the tops, and then use a sheet or blanket to cover the wigwam loosely. This is a much better method, instead of putting the plastic wrap around the plant. It allows proper air circulation that can prevent rotting.
Put a couple of inches of organic mulch around each of your vegetable plants. 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 will be able to save the time you would spend watering your plants and pulling out weeds.
Invest in a quality wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool if horticulture work is going to happen often. Get a portable stool if you want to garden comfortably without damaging your knees. Horticulture also typically involves transporting bags of topsoil, fertilizer and other heavy items, so using a wheelbarrow to make these tasks easier is a sound investment for your garden, and your back.
If you have a vegetable garden, it can be quite difficult to decide what to do about pest control. It is wise to limit the use of harsh chemicals, because the vegetables will be eaten. Research the methods available for eliminating garden pests organically. Taking the pests off of the plants by hand is one of the best fixes if you are able to catch the infestation in its early stages.
Plant Makes
An eye-catching plant makes an attractive focal point for your garden or flowerbed. A focal point can help direct a viewers gaze. In most cases, an original plant makes a good focal point.
Include your kids in growing an organic garden. Gardens are terrific teaching tools for kids, and provide great opportunities for interaction, growth, and instruction on healthy living.
It can be extremely fast and easy to plant perennials into your garden. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips. Give this area at least a few weeks, then you can dig into the area and plant the new perennials.
When your seeds sprout, they will not be in need of the warmth they needed to germinate. Locate your plants further from your heat source as they mature. Take off any plastic that is on the containers to keep away from warmth and moisture. Check on your seeds often so you catch them when they are ready.
Space is very important when you plant an organic garden. Many people underestimate the space needed for plants to grow to their full size. Space is necessary not only for physical growth but also to help keep air circulation flowing within your garden. If you put enough thought into your garden, you will enjoy more impressive results.
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 rise in the number of wild visitors you receive in your garden.
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