There are many different reasons why one would might prefer organic horticulture methods over more traditional approaches. Some of the most popular reasons include concerns about chemicals, health problems and the environment. Organic horticulture is also cheap and requires very little equipment. Here are some suggestions on helping you to become a organic horticulture professional.
So you don’t shock the plants, you should gradually get them use to a change in the temperature and conditions. On the first day, put them out in sunlight for about an hour or so. Over one week, gradually build up the amount of hours you leave the plants outside. After a week’s time, the plants should be fine staying outside.
Clay soil can be very hard to work with, and you will often find that it sticks to the shovel. Take the hard work out of using a shovel in clay soil by rubbing a light coat of car or floor wax over the surface with a clean cloth and buff the surface. The wax will enable the clay soil to simply slide off the shovel, and will also prevent the shovel from rusting.
A good way to ensure that your seeds sprout effectively is to start them in smaller pots and then transplant them once they reach the seedling stage. This can give your seedlings the advantage they need to survive and reach adulthood. In addition, it lets you tighten the time in between plantings. When you remove your mature plants, the next batch of seedlings should be ready.
You can use the wooden handles of your tools as measurement sticks. Tools with long handles such as hoes and rakes can double as measuring sticks. Just lay your tool down on the floor then lay a yardstick beside the handle. Have a marker handy, and mark the distance with it. Now you have easy access to a long ruler whenever you are horticulture.
Baking Soda
You don’t need a costly chemical solution to deal with powdery mildew in your garden. Mix a solution of baking soda, water, and a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid. Spray this on the plants once per week until that mildew goes away. Baking soda won’t harm your plants, and takes care of the mildew efficiently and gently.
Soak seeds overnight, preferably in a cool, dark place. Put some seeds (a small amount) in a container that isn’t too large for the plant you’ll be growing. Fill that container with water, almost to the top. This will keep seeds hydrated and help them to grow faster. This way, the seeds will have a much better shot at survival once they are planted.
Irises can benefit from being separated. Splitting up overgrown groups of irises will allow you to easily increase the number of irises in your garden. Once the foliage has died off, lift out your bulbous irises. As soon as you pick up the bulb, it’ll split into pieces. That’s okay – in fact, it’s desirable. You can replant the bulb pieces and next year you’ll have a healthy bed of new irises. Make use of a knife to split up rhizomes. Cut new pieces from the outside and discard the old center. Every piece needs to have a minimum of one good offshoot. Replant each one immediately.
Start your garden by planting seed in small pots. When starting a new garden, the most environmentally friendly way is to start from seed. The plastic used in nurseries often end up in landfills, that is why it is advised to use seeds or purchase from nurseries that make use of organic materials when packaging their plants.
Controlling pests in your vegetable garden can be extremely difficult to deal with. It’s wise to avoid harsh insecticides if you plan on consuming your fresh fruits and vegetables. Remain vigilant to control your garden pests. If you find any unwanted pests, try removing them by hand.
Beneficial Insects
Don’t use broad-spectrum pesticidal products anywhere in your horticulture area. These pesticides will also kill any beneficial insects that consume the pests you are trying to get rid of. Beneficial insects are more susceptible to strong pesticides than the insects you are actually trying to get rid of. This will lead you to end up killing off the good bugs in your garden, leaving the field wide open for the harmful ones. This can lead to needing even more pesticides to eliminate the problem insects.
If you want your garden to be off-limits to your dog, spray a scented perimeter around it using things like old perfumes or aftershave. Using this will cover up the odors that your dog likes and will cut down on the intrigue of your landscaping for your furry friend.
Make sure that you wear appropriate clothing when you garden so as to avoid any sun damage. Wear sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and sunblock. Utilizing the correct sun protection makes it less likely that sunburn will occur and decreases the chance that skin cancer will develop.
To draw good insects to your garden, plant heather. Bees like heather, and they get their nectar from it early in the spring. Because heather beds require very little maintenance, they often become the home of spiders, ground beetles, and other insects that can benefit your garden. For this reason, you should always remember to put on your horticulture gloves when tending to your heather.
If you use this advice concerning organic gardening, you will have a healthier yard in no time. Planting a natural garden also encourages wildlife to enjoy your garden, and this even benefits the plants growing within.