Horticulture is a good way to make your yard a source of fresh fruits and vegetables. There’s nothing better than eating fresh veggies in your salad. Learn how to garden well, and grow those salad vegetables, by reading this article.
Your plants will respond better to gradual changes of environment. Put them out in the sun for approximately one to two hours on the very first day. Then over the next week, gradually increase the time they are in their new habitat. By the week’s end, your plants should then be ready for the big move!
Baking Soda
You don’t need expensive chemicals to treat powdery mildew on plants. The best solution is mixing baking soda, a drop of liquid dish detergent and water together in a spray bottle. Spray this onto your plants about once per week or until it subsides. Baking soda is not harmful to your plants and will take care of the issue as well as any other treatment.
Pre-soak seeds overnight in a dark place. Place a couple seeds in each container, then fill it close to full with water. The idea here is for your seeds to become fully hydrated by the time they hit the dirt. Your seeds will then have the best chance possible to survive to maturity.
Try to have a plan with your garden. This helps you remember where each plant was planted before they begin to sprout. Another benefit is that you won’t lose the little plants in a big garden patch.
It is best to aerate and dry your plants daily. Excess moisture creates an appealing environment for disease and parasites. Fungi commonly afflict a number of plants. It is possible to control fungi by using fungicide sprays. However, these sprays should be used before issues become apparent.
If you are a first time gardener, it is important that you follow all of the instructions on all of your tools and chemicals. If you miss this easy step, you run the risk of harming yourself due to the chemicals that can irritate your skin. Following instructions for the use of harsh chemicals can keep you safe from serious injury.
Another way to help them grow is by watering them with the liquid that is left from cooking vegetables. Tea and coffee grounds can be used to add acidity to your soil for plants like gardenias and rhododendrons. If your garden has a fungus problem, a highly effective treatment method is to sprinkle it with chamomile tea.
Gardening helps with relaxation. Everyone wants to find a way to relax and enjoy themselves. One of the best ways to do this is gardening. Gardening only requires a small investment and you will get so much more out of it. The biggest dividend is the emotional satisfaction of planting and growing greens on your own.
Use a plant for a focal point. Any great garden design involves using a focal point to grab someone’s attention and keep it there. Quite often a distinctive plant works well as a point of interest.
To defend your garden from errant dogs, spray something with a strong scent, including aftershave or old perfume around the perimeter of the garden. This covers up the smells that bring dogs to gardens in the first place, which means dogs are less likely to enter the garden.
Pick your vegetables when the temperature is moderate to avoid bruising them. Also ensure that you use a tool to cut the vegetables off at the vine. If you just yank or twist the whole plant, it may become damaged.
Laundry Basket
Old laundry baskets are handy tools at harvest time. An old laundry basket makes an excellent strainer for cleaning your produce. Rinse your crops while in the laundry basket to strain the excess water.
If you are starting your seedlings out in small containers, you should use a layer of potting soil that is three times as deep as the size of a single seed. Some seeds need to be in direct sunlight, though, so you need to know information about each type of seed. Two common examples of this type of seed are ageratum and petunias. If you are unsure about your seed’s requirements for sunlight, the resources are often provided along with the seeds, or you can find out online.
You can make a raised bed with untreated wood, brick, or stone. Choose wood that is naturally resistant to rot and is untreated. Some great choices to choose from are cedar, locust and cypress. Never use compost from treated woods in a veggie garden; the chemicals can contaminate your food. If you’re using treated lumber, line it with a barrier, or some plastic.
As was mentioned at the start of this article the beginning, a garden is a wonderful way to have your own fresh fruit, veggies and herbs at home. When you can include the fruits of your labor in your meals, you’ll be proud and satisfied. Put the points in the preceding paragraphs into play if you want to maximize your horticulture efforts.