You have the desire to set up an organic garden that is nutritious and fresh. Congratulations on making the right decision. This article is packed with tips and inspiration that will allow you to better understand the basics of organic horticulture. Read on!
Bulbs planted in the spring can flower all the way into summer. Bulbs are usually very hearty and very easy to grow, and bulbs will grow year after year. Remember that different bulbs will bloom at all different times of the year, so if you are careful to choose the right bulbs, you will see blooms in the early spring, and have flowers all the way to late summer.
When mowing your lawn, avoid mowing the grass too short. If you allow your grass to grow a little longer, the roots will go down deeper into the dirt, helping the grass grow better and remain hydrated. Leaving the grass short makes it more prone to drying out, which leaves your lawn look really brown and yucky.
If you want a strange, yet successful, green answer to getting rid of weeds, boil them to death. Boiling water can be considered as an herbicide, and it is a safe one. Literally pour the water on the weeds, avoiding any wanted plants near them, and watch the weeds die over time. Weeds will usually stop growing if boiling water damages their roots.
You should get a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool for garden work. Get a portable stool if you want to garden comfortably without damaging your knees. Gardening 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.
Plan your garden to provide some fall color. That doesn’t have to be the case. The foliage of autumn makes for perhaps the most colorful season of the year. Maple, beech trees or dogwood take on some amazing colors. Barberry, conaneaster and hydrangea are all wonderful choices in shrubs.
Dress to protect your skin from sun damage when you garden. Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. When you keep your eyes and skin properly protected, you are less likely to get a sunburn. You also lower your risk in developing cancer of the skin.
If you want to draw advantageous insects to your garden, plant some heather. Bees love heather, and it’s one of the earliest sources of nectar for the bees when they emerge during springtime. If your heather bed is undisturbed, as it would be in nature, many beneficial insects will make it their home. Being mindful of this, wearing gloves appropriate to horticulture is sound strategy when pruning any heather in or around the bed.
If you’re working to build a sustainable organic garden, try leaving a portion of your garden untouched so that the wildlife will be able to thrive. The presence of native flowers, trees and grasses will attract birds and insects. You will be rewarded by an appealing and flourishing landscape.
Coat your flower beds with a few inches of an organic mulch. Mulch discourages weeds and helps retain moisture while adding nutrients to your flower bed. It also adds a uniform and cohesive look to the garden.
When working in the garden, try to work as efficiently as possible. Don’t waste your time looking for missing tools. Before you start work in the garden, make sure you have the necessary tools, and always remember to put them away when you are finished. A good way to keep your tools at hand is to buy a tool belt or utility pants with many large pockets.
Pine Needles
For some plants, pine needles makes an ideal mulch. Some plants do better in soil with high acidity as they are highly acidic themselves. If you are growing these types of plants, simply gather up fallen pine needles for use in your garden. Cover the surface of the ground with a two-inch layer of the pine needles; as the needles break down, they will release acid into the soil and nourish your plants.
Within your composting heap, ensure that there is an equal split of dried and green plant materials. You can use all types of green material in your compost pile, including cut grass, dead flowers, fruit peels and cores, and much more. For the dry end of the spectrum, think of things like paper and cardboard, sawdust, hay, etc. Avoid ashes, meat, charcoal and diseased plants in your compost.
It is possible to control weeds with natural methods. Use several layers of newspapers for weed control. The main thing that a weed needs to thrive is sunlight. The newspaper will block sunlight and weeds won’t be able to grow. You can use newspapers because of how nicely they break down, they can be added into compost. Put mulch over top to increase the attractiveness of the pile.
Direct Sunlight
If you are planting seeds in containers, a good rule of thumb is that the seed’s depth should be around three times its overall size. Some seeds need to be in direct sunlight, though, so you need to know information about each type of seed. Petunia and ageratum seeds need direct sunlight, for example. If you are unsure about the specific needs of your seeds, you should consult your local garden center or conduct further research online. Important things to look for include water requirements, ideal soil type, and recommended sunlight exposure.
Hopefully these tips have helped to prepare you for having an organic garden. You may have thought you were all set to start digging prior to reading this article, so now you should be able to call yourself an expert! The above tips should help you begin growing an organic garden that is beautiful and healthy.