Gardening is a thing people have loved for hundreds of years. You can do this for enjoyment or to feed your family. Read on for ways to find your own joy in gardening adventures.
Consider planting slug-proof perennials. Snails and slugs can do irreparable damage to your garden in a single night. These pests are especially attracted to tender sprouts and to delicate, soft leaves. Others, though, are disliked by slugs and snails. Those with rough leaves or an unappetizing taste will be less desired by slugs and snails. Some of examples of these are achillea, heuchera, campanula, helleborus, and euphorbia.
Soil Analysis
Analyze the soil before you even get started with working in a garden. A soil analysis report can be acquired for a nominal fee. You can then use the results of that report to determine if the soil needs to be modified before you begin planting. Many offices of Cooperative Extension will do a soil analysis, and it is important to know how to improve soil so that all crops can grow in it.
Try to grow some wheat or cat grass around your cat’s favorite plants. Offensive smells also work to repel cats and other pesky animals from eating your plants. Try putting mothballs, citrus peels, garlic and other pungent items on the topsoil.
Don’t cut your grass down by the soil when you run the mower. Higher grass sends roots further down, increasing lawn strength and viability. Cutting your grass too short will cause it to dry out and turn brown in patches throughout your yard.
Are fresh mint leaves something you love but cannot stand how quickly they grow all over your garden? Instead of planting mint in the ground, confine it to a large pot. If you would like, go ahead and plant the container and the plant right in the ground to prevent root overtake.
Broad-spectrum pesticide is not a good garden choice. These types of pesticides also kill the beneficial insects that eat the pests. Since these pesticides often affect the good bugs more than the bad, using them can actually increase your pest problem. This can result in your using more pesticides to eradicate the problem.
To deter meddlesome dogs from destroying your garden, you should use heavily scented substances around the perimeter. You can even use perfume! This helps mask the attractive scents and can make your garden unappealing to them.
Any time that you are gardening in direct sunlight, dress appropriately to prevent skin damage. This includes wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Protecting yourself from the sun will lower your chances of getting skin cancer, as well as prevent premature aging from sun damage.
Before planting any perennials, you have to make the ground ready. Take your spade and work up a thin layer of soil. Turn that soil over, then spread a few inches of wood chips on the newly turned area. Wait for a few weeks and plant new perennials in this area.
Flower Beds
Cover your flower beds with two or three inches of compost or organic mulch. 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. Your flower beds should also look beautiful all year long.
Use plastic bags to cover muddy horticulture shoes. This keeps your flow going, so you can get back out to the garden quickly and finish your work.
Coffee Grounds
Add coffee grounds to your garden’s soil. Coffee grounds have nitrogen that plants will utilize. Plants need nitrogen in order to thrive, so give it a natural source with coffee grounds, then watch everything come to life much more quickly.
A good way to plant seeds is in containers. Plant them three times as deep as their overall size. It is important to note though, that not all seeds are covered to this depth, as some need direct sunlight to grow properly. Petunia and ageratum seeds need direct sunlight, for example. 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.
Slugs are a nuisance that can be easily remedied with the use of an organic beer tramp. Bury a single glass jar with the open mouth level with your soil in the garden. Now, fill the jar with beer to approximately an inch below the lip. Slugs are attracted to beer. They will crawl into the jar and be trapped.
To be able to say you have legitimate organic and credible crops, you will need to be certified as having an organic garden. This should improve sales and attract customers who are environmentally conscious. A certification will easily communicate to them that they are getting the best products possible.
As previously mentioned, horticulture is something that has been enjoyed by many throughout the centuries. Long ago, it was a way of life and a necessity. Today it could be used for profit, need or pleasure. The tips in this article will increase the satisfaction you get from gardening. Enjoy the rewards that gardening provides!