If you want to improve your diet, you should think about organic gardening. It does require some effort, in order to grow, though. You probably have many questions about how to accomplish your horticulture goals.
Do not improperly lay your new sod. Be sure to get your soil prepared before you start laying the new sod. Pull any weeds and break up any clods of soil. Flatten the soil back into place, gently but firmly. Be sure the soil is thoroughly moist. Then lay the sod in staggered rows so the joints are offset. Cut away extra sod and save it to fill in gaps you may create later. Water the sod for two weeks and then you can safely walk on it as it will have had time to properly root.
The kind of soil you use will influence the results. Depending on what type of plants you have, your soil may or may not be adapted. It is also possible to make an artificial area using only one type of soil.
Begin Planting
Check your soil before you begin planting your garden. A soil analysis report can be acquired for a nominal fee. You can then use the results of that report to determine if the soil needs to be modified before you begin planting. Ask about this service at a local university or the county Cooperative Extension office to improve the soil and insure fruitful crops.
Your plants should always be kept in an aerated, dry area. Parasites and pests are attracted to excess moisture on the plants. Fungi are a very common and irritating pest in the world of gardening. You can control fungi with fungicides, but you must remember to use it before you notice any problems in order for it to work.
Give them a boost by watering them with the cooled water that is left after steaming vegetables. You may fertilize the soil with tea or coffee for plants that favor acidic environments, like rhododendrons and gardenias. Herbal chamomile tea is an effective, affordable treatment for fighting fungi.
Be smart about how you water your garden. To save time, use a soaker type hose so each plant doesn’t need individual watering from the nozzle of a hose or a little watering can. Use a low water pressure to avoid damaging tender plants. This allows you to leave the hose running as you go about your business.
When planting seeds, make sure to take your time. First, add moisture to the soil where you will be planting. Space the seeds at regular intervals to ensure that they won’t be overcrowded as they grow. Seeds need to be buried as deep as three times the seed size. Make sure you are not burying the seeds that need light to grow.
Keep your gardening tools close by to maximize gardening efficiency. You can wear an apron or pants that have a lot of pockets, or use a big bucket or can. Have gloves, shears, a trowel and anything else you need handy for quick use.
As the seeds sprout, they’ll need less warmth. Locate your plants further from your heat source as they mature. If you have plastic films on your containers, remove them. Watch your seeds closely to know how to go about this.
Work efficiently in your garden. Don’t waste time searching for lost tools. Prepare your equipment before you go into the garden and put everything away afterwards. You can use a tool belt for this purpose, or choose pants that contain several large pockets.
Remember to plan for adequate spacing when you first lay out an organic garden. Plants take up quite a bit of space as they grow, and it’s easy to underestimate just how much. You need to take into account the plant’s size when it is fully grown, as well as allowing space for air circulation between each plant. Plan your garden accordingly, and make sure the right distance is between the seeds.
Laundry Basket
Use an old laundry basket to collect your produce. The basket will make a great strainer when you wash your vegetables. Rinse off your produce while it’s in the laundry basket, and any excess water will be strained out through the basket’s holes.
You can kill weeds naturally. To control the growth of weeds, all you need is last week’s Sunday paper. Weeds can’t grow without sunlight. By placing newspaper over them, they will not get light and suffocate. Newspapers easily break down over a period of time, and eventually become a portion of the compost. You can then add a mulch layer right on top so that it looks more attractive.
As you are aware now, there is homework to be done and energy to be expended in setting up a real organic garden. In addition, it’s true that you must be consistent if you want to see results. Now, after reading the tips from this article, you have the knowledge necessary in order to be a successful organic gardener.