No doubt you are familiar with organic foods, or at least know what they are. Organic items are easy to spot on the shelves. You’ll find that they’re usually packaged differently than their counterparts and the price is much higher. Keep reading for information to help you start producing organic produce right in your own yard.
Clay soil is hard and will also stick to a shovel, making it difficult to work with. One way to get around this problem is to coat the shovel with wax. Use a clean cloth to spread the wax evenly. By waxing the shovel head, the clay will not be able to adhere to the surface.
Plant slug-proof perennials. Snails and slugs can do irreparable damage to your garden in a single night. These pests prefer plants with thin smooth leaves. Plant some helleborus or euphorbias along with your other perennials. Certain perennials are unappetizing to slugs and snails, especially those with tough, hairy leaves or an unappetizing taste. Some of the best varieties of these include achillea, campanula, euphorbia, and heuchera.
Coffee Grounds
If you learn that your soil has a high amount of alkaline, mix some used coffee grounds into it. Coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to increase the acid level in your soil. You will notice that your vegetables and greens will have a stronger taste.
Are you one of the millions who loves some fresh mint leaves, yet you absolutely hate the way they tend to take over any garden they are planted within? Control their expansion by confining them to a large pot. You can even plant the container in the ground. That way, the roots won’t be able to escape the container, and the plant won’t overrun your garden.
Create your own garden from scratch with seeds, rather than plants. Your can contribute to environmental soundness by beginning your garden with fresh seeds. The problem is those plastic trays which end up in landfills and are not generally recycled. Plants in organic packagingn or seeds sown in your garden, are fine .
If you are just getting into horticulture, make sure you heed all of the directions on fertilizer and chemical labels. Some of the chemicals in these products can cause skin irritation, or worse, if you fail to take this simple precaution. Keep your body safe and follow directions.
Buy a wheelbarrow and kneeling stool to work with in the garden. Horticulture can be very tough on the knees as you spend much time leaning near the ground, so a portable stool can make all the difference to your comfort. Horticulture also usually requires that you transport heavy loads, such as dirt or mulch, and a wheelbarrow will make this much easier to do.
Learn the best harvest time for each vegetable. Each variety needs a slightly different amount of growing time to produce the most flavorful vegetable. Baby peas, for example have much better flavor if they are harvested early in the ripening process, as does zucchini. On the contrary, tomatoes shouldn’t be picked from the vine until they are ripe as can be. Find out what the best harvest time is for your vegetables.
Efficiently water your garden. Soaker hoses save time by watering all of your plants at once, rather than individually with a standard hose or watering can. Turn the water on at low pressure so your delicate plants will not be damaged by the soaker hose. Keep the water turned on for about two hours; while your plants are being watered, you will have time for other activities.
Beautiful insects are attracted to heather when you plant it. Bees love heather, and it’s one of the earliest sources of nectar for the bees when they emerge during springtime. It is common to find all types of insects inside of an undisturbed heather bed. Because of this, you might want to invest in a good pair of gardening gloves for the times when you need to prune it.
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.
Working in the garden doesn’t have to be grueling; learn to work more efficiently. If it takes you thirty minutes to find a needed tool, then you are doing something wrong. Set up the tools you will need for your day prior to hitting the garden, then put them away neatly at the end of your horticulture session. You can use a tool belt, or you may want to wear pants with extra pockets.
Growing your garden at home might not be the most convenient thing for you, but you will save a lot of money and always have the confidence that what you’re eating and feeding your family is as fresh and as healthy as possible. Use the tips you’ve learned here and get started on your garden today.