The trend toward organic foods has gradually escalated to become more of a movement; a permanent shift in the way we think about the foods that we put into our bodies. People who are part of this lifestyle will often need to grow their own herbs for the best health benefits, and these plants should be grown organically. If you’d like to grow your own organic plants, read on for some useful tips.
The quick and drastic change in the weather conditions can shock your plants and cause them to die. It’s important that you gradually change temperate conditions over time, so that your plants can adjust. Place them outside in the sunlight for an hour or two on the first day. Throughout the week, gradually increase the time they are spent outside. Once the transition is complete, your plants will probably be able to tolerate the outdoor conditions.
Turn your tool handles into convenient rulers. Large handled tools like rakes, hoes or shovels may be used like measuring sticks. Lay the tools down on the floor, then place a measuring tape along the handle. Use a permanent marker to label distances. Now when you go garden the next time, you’ll have a giant ruler at your command.
Annuals and biennials are an excellent way to add a splash of bright color to your flower gardens. These biennials and annuals are fast-growing, and they allow you to brighten up your flower bed with a change for each season. In an area that is sunny, they make good plants to place in the gaps found between shrubs and perennials. You should get varieties such as cosmos, petunia, rudbeckia, hollyhock, sunflowers or marigold.
Baking Soda
If you see mildew that is powdery, stay away from expensive chemicals to treat it. Put a little baking soda and some dish soap in water. Then, spray this mixture onto all of your infected plants once each week till the mildew is gone. Baking soda treats the mildew effectively and gently and it won’t damage your plants.
Don’t mow your grass too short. Keeping grass with a little more height makes it healthier. This allows the roots to grow more deeply and makes the blades of grass more resistant to becoming dry and discolored. Leaving the grass short makes it more prone to drying out, which leaves your lawn look really brown and yucky.
Knee Pads
It is a good idea to invest in a good pair of knee pads, made specifically for horticulture. They can be very helpful when working close to the ground on low-growth plants. Long hours spent in the garden will wreak havoc on your knees. Buy yourself a pair of knee pads to use in the garden to cushion and protect your knees.
If you decide to grow peas, think about planting them indoors when you first start them off, as opposed to planting them outdoors. Install your plants inside and wait for the seeds to germinate. The baby plants will also be stronger and will resist pests and disease better. When your plants are sturdy, move them outdoors.
Take the time needed to plant your seeds. A key first step is to add moisture to your soil. Take the seeds and place them evenly across the horticulture area, giving them plenty of space to grow. Bury your seeds about three times deeper than the size that they are. It isn`t necessary to bury all seeds; some of them need light for growth to occur.
Once your seeds start sprouting, they do not need as much warmth as they needed before. Locate your plants further from your heat source as they mature. Take off any plastic that is on the containers to keep away from warmth and moisture. You should know when the right time is if you are keeping an eye on the seeds.
Flower Beds
Use several inches of organic materials for mulch in your flower beds. Covering the beds with mulch serves multiple purposes; it helps the flowers by retaining moisture and adding nutrients, and it discourages the growth of unwanted plants. By adding mulch, you can give your flower beds a finished appearance.
Working in the garden doesn’t have to be grueling; learn to work more efficiently. Keep all of your tools together; do not waste time looking for them! In addition to keeping your horticulture tools in one location, you should also clean your tools after each use. If you need to use a tool belt, try using some pants with pockets in them.
Use plastic bags to cover muddy gardening shoes. This helps you stay in the zone so that you can continue gardening when you have completed your tasks in the house.
Laundry Basket
You may find an old plastic laundry basket ideal for gathering vegetables from your garden. An old laundry basket makes an excellent strainer for cleaning your produce. The produce can be rinsed off as it sits in the laundry basket, and extra water will drain out through the sides.
When developing your compost pile, use equal measures of dried and green material. When you pull weeds from your garden, throw them in the compost. The same goes for vegetable trimmings and grass clippings. These are considered green materials. Dried plant material comprises shredded paper, cardboard, sawdust, and straw. Do not include charcoal, ashes, meat, carnivorous animal manure or diseased plants.
Any gardening can connect you with Mother Nature, but particularly if you employ organic horticulture techniques. This method of gardening will give you a deep understanding of the way plants grow, from beginning to end.
You can find a lot of information on how to keep any unwanted pests away by researching local botanical insecticides. These are frequently more effective than their chemically engineered counterparts. Due to the way they are made, you may have to use more of a botanical insecticide.
The more organic horticulture tips you are able to pick up, the easier horticulture will eventually become for you. The tips here can help.