When it comes to horticulture the green way, every organic garden needs extra TLC. In order to get good results in an organic garden, you need to use smart gardening techniques. You have the ability to produce healthy, delicious produce on your own property. Read on to learn the basics of managing your organic garden.
Your plants need to adapt and must be gradually introduced to changes in temperature or condition. Try placing them outside in sunlight for about an hour or maybe two the first day. As the week progresses, gradually increase their exposure to the outdoors. By the time the week ends, your plants will be ready for their big move and should have no problems!
It is very important to keep the weeds from taking over in your garden. Weeds can truly ruin a good garden. You might want to think about using white vinegar to do this. White vinegar can kill weeds! Use a spray bottle full of white vinegar and you won’t have to use your hands.
It is a good idea to pre-soak your seeds in a dark environment overnight. Put some seeds in a container and fill the container to the brim with water. This will keep your seeds hydrated and give you a little head start with your growing. The seeds will most likely survive and mature this way.
Tender deciduous shrubs are very fragile, so protect them. If the temperature drops below 50 degrees, you should consider protecting them, especially if they do best in warm environments. Fasten the tops of the canes together, and cover this wigwam loosely with a cloth. This will work better than wrapping your plant with plastic, because air can still circulate, which will help to prevent rotting.
If your garden contains lots of short plants, purchase some horticulture knee pads. You will spend a lot of time on your knees while gardening, which can result in knee pain. Your knees can get supported with a decent pair of gardening knee pads.
Be vigilant about keeping moisture off your plants. If you have excess moisture, this can attract bugs or diseases. Fungi is the most common parasite for plants. To control fungi, use a fungicide spray on the area before you notice any problems.
Interested in using Mother Nature to keep pests at bay the natural way? Planting marigolds or onions around the border of your garden will repel slugs. Mulch around the bottom of trees and shrub seedlings with wood ash to reduce unwanted infestation of pests. These methods are environmentally-friendly and mean you do not have to resort to harsh chemicals.
Use a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool when you’re working in your garden. You can make horticulture much more comfortable on your knees by using a portable garden stool. Using a wheelbarrow or wagon to transport heavy loads of dirt will help protect you from back injuries so make sure that you have one.
You should be cognizant of the peak time for harvesting your vegetables. For the optimum flavor, be sure to follow the guidelines for planting and picking. For instance, for the best flavor, zucchini and baby peas should be picked when they are young. However, tomatoes should be as ripe as they can be when pulled from the vine to ensure the best taste. Take some time to learn about the best harvest time for the vegetables that you have growing.
Protect Yourself
Always dress appropriately when horticulture in order to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun. Wear sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. When you protect yourself against the sun’s rays, you are more likely to avoid both skin cancer and sunburn.
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 could cause plant damage, so ensure that produce is removed by cutting only.
To draw good insects to your garden, plant heather. Bees are naturally attracted to heather for its nectar. Undisturbed shrubs, such as beds of heather, are probably home to a number of beneficial insects like spiders and ground beetles. If you do have to tend to your heather, wear gloves in case you accidentally annoy one of the residents!
Allow your children to assist with the work to be done in your organic garden. Growing a garden is a great way to teach your children about nature while allowing you to have time to bond with them.
You never want to do any horticulture with open wounds, so make sure everything is completely healed up before you begin; otherwise, you run the risk of your cut being exposed to dangerous chemicals and dirt. A cut can become infected if dirt is allowed to enter the cut while gardening. There are bandages out there now that can seal cuts completely.
If you are growing your organic plants inside of your home or office, it is vital to make sure that the right amount of light reaches them. If you want indoor plants, choose specimens that can grow in relatively dark places. If you want to grow a plant which requires more light, you can invest in grow-lights.
Have your horticulture tools near you to minimize the time spent searching for them. Use a large bucket, or wear rugged pants with several pockets. Keep your gloves, a trowel, small pruning shears and other tools handy and make quick work of your garden maintenance.
Organic material piled three inches deep is an effective mulch in your flower gardens. Mulching helps to hold moisture in the soil, enhance the soil quality, and slow down the growth of weeds. This will also give a nice, professional appearance to your garden all year.
Organic Garden
By having an organic garden, you will be providing yourself with much fresher and more nutritious produce. It requires a good work ethic, but an organic garden is indeed worth the effort.