Horticulture is a fun and interesting hobby that has the potential to improve the life of you, your family, or your business. These tips will help you save money on equipment, and select the best methods to use in your garden.
Bulbs planted in the spring can flower all the way into summer. Most people have no trouble successfully growing bulbs, and their flowers will return each and every year. Keep in mind that different bulb types bloom differently and at different time periods, so when you choose a bulb plan accordingly, you can have your plant blooms lasting spring into summer.
Try growing wheat grass or cat grass in the area of the plants your cat wants to eat. Try putting mothballs or citrus on your soil to wards pets away.
Are fresh mint leaves something you love but cannot stand how quickly they grow all over your garden? That’s why it’s better to place mint in containers rather than letting it have free rein in your garden. You have the option of planting the container with the plant to keep the roots from taking the garden over.
You should start pea seedlings indoors instead of planting them outside right at the start. Seeds will always germinate much better when you first plant them indoors initially. The seedling may also be hardier, which means that they can better resist disease and attacks from pests. Once they are suitably strong, transplant them outside.
If you are just getting into gardening, make sure you heed all of the directions on fertilizer and chemical labels. Otherwise, you are likely to have skin irritations flare up, which can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. Keep your health intact and follow the directions to the letter.
You should think about planting evergreens that yield berries in your garden. They offer terrific color during the dreariest times of the year when nothing else you have planted has any hue remaining. These plants come in several different varieties, including the Winterberry, American Holly, Cranberrybush, and Common Snowberry.
Get a wheelbarrow, and a stool so that you can kneel down while gardening. You can make horticulture much more comfortable on your knees by using a portable garden stool. Gardeners usually need a wheelbarrow to move the heavy dirt and other objects so they are a good item to buy.
Familiarize yourself with the optimum harvesting time of your vegetables. Every vegetable has a proper time to be picked in order to capture the perfect flavor. Some vegetables are best when fully ripe and others taste better when harvested early in their development. At the opposite end of the spectrum, tomatoes are at their best when mature. Research the best time to pick your produce.
Choose a plant as a focal point. Any great garden design involves using a focal point to grab someone’s attention and keep it there. Mostly it is a distinctive plant that sets it apart from the neighboring plants and flowers.
When you water your garden, do it with care. Consider a soaker hose as a way to water multiple plants while saving time. Keep the water running slowly so it doesn’t spray up onto the plants’ leaves. Watering your garden for a couple hours while you are working on other tasks is an efficient use of your time.
Preparing a plot for planting a perennial garden can be done quickly and without difficulty. All you need to do is use a garden spade to slice under the turf, flip it over, then spread wood chips over the area about three to four inches deep. Allow for at least 10 days to pass, then plant the perennials that you just purchased.
Use approximately two or three inches of natural, organic material as some mulch in every single flower bed. This is a simple method of discouraging weeds, retaining moisture, and adding excellent nutrients into the garden. This also gives your flower beds a more aesthetic aspect.
Organize your horticulture so that you can work efficiently. Do not spend half an hour looking everywhere for a tool. You can prepare what you need beforehand, keep it all handy in a toolbox or a shed, and you will be ready to work in your garden at a moment’s notice. You can use a tool belt for this purpose, or choose pants that contain several large pockets.
A good way to plant seeds is in containers. Plant them three times as deep as their overall size. You should know that certain seeds need not be covered, because they need the sunlight. Some examples are petunias and ageratum. If you are unsure as to whether or not your seeds should be covered or not, try to read the package or find the answer online.
One odd but apparently useful tip for growing organic plants, is to lightly brush your plants with your fingers or a piece of cardboard 1-2 times a day. While it seems a little odd, it has been reported that this can encourage plant growth.
Raised Bed
Use untreated wood, stone, or brick to build a raised bed. Be sure to use wood that is naturally resistant to rotting and that has not been treated. Cypress, locust and cedar are all great examples of what woods to use when building a raised bed. It is particular important that you don’t use treated wood for vegetable beds, as the chemicals and toxins on the wood could leach into the soil and be absorbed by food plants. If you have some space treated wood, you can still use it, however, be sure to line it with some type of barrier like plastic sheeting.
It only requires some research, lots of outside work, and a large amount of patience. Once you see the literal fruits of your labors, the time and effort you’ve invested will seem worthwhile.