Organic gardening is very relaxing and will help you connect with nature. It is an enjoyable way to grow your own nutritious foods that are free of pesticides and other harsh chemicals. It’s easier than you may think. Read the following tips to discover how to begin horticulture like a pro.
Before you even start planting the garden, check the soil. You can obtain a soil analysis for a nominal fee. Using that report, you can amend your soil as needed for a thriving garden. A Cooperative Extension office can provide you with this service, saving you learning on your own by trial and error.
Before you plant seeds, pre-soak them for a night somewhere dark. 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. The water will hydrate the sends, giving them a head start once you plant them. The seeds will be better able to survive and grow up.
Try growing some cat grass or wheat grass in the vicinity of the plants that your cat likes to eat. Another option is to place offensively smelling objects on the topsoil near and around the plants you want to protect. Citrus peels or mothballs are a couple of examples.
Don’t over-water your plants, and keep the soil around them aerated. Many diseases, as well as most parasites, prefer moisture. Fungus infections are common in overly moist plants. Although fungi can be treated with sprays, it is possible to preempt the problem and very important to plant health that you do so.
Mint is a very tasty herb that has a tendency to run wild in the garden if not kept in check. Control their expansion by confining them to a large pot. You can plant the container into the soil if you want to, but the container will restrict the roots, and make sure that the plant doesn’t run rampant in your garden.
Split up irises. You can increase your stock of irises by dividing up overgrown clumps. Uproot bulbous irises if the flowers have wilted. The bulbs, when harvested, should easily split by hand – allowing you to replant them for even more blooms next spring. You should divide rhizomes using a knife. Get rid of the center and keep the new pieces you cut from the outside. At the least, each piece will need to have one strong offshoot. Immediately replant all your selected cuttings.
The best way to start a garden is from first principles: seeds. This is a more sustainable way to start a garden. Very few nurseries recycle the plastics that they use as containers for their plants, so the majority of these containers are thrown away and dumped in landfills. Therefore, it is better for the environment to plant a garden with seeds or to find a nursery that packages its plants using organic materials.
If you are going for a British feel with your garden, then vary the heights of your plants. If you use plants of similar heights, the result will be pretty boring and uniform.
If you want to spend more quality time outdoors with your children, why not allowing them to help you with your horticulture? Kids are quite eager to pick fruit from a garden, and will help with the planting if they get a nice snack out of it at the end.
There should be no rush when you are planting a seed. First, add moisture to the soil where you will be planting. Then you want to spread your seeds evenly while making sure that they have enough room to grow. You should bury your seeds deep enough, usually three times their size. Some seeds need some light to grow, and therefore shouldn’t be buried.
In your flower beds and garden, utilize a few inches of organic mulch. This is a simple method of discouraging weeds, retaining moisture, and adding excellent nutrients into the garden. You will also have a gorgeous and finished organic flower bed.
Spacing is an important factor to consider when planting your garden. It is easy to underestimate the amount of space that the plants will take up once they start to grow. Failure to provide adequate room will restrict growth because it forces plants to compete for valuable nutrients and oxygen. If you put enough thought into your garden, you will enjoy more impressive results.
Organic gardening takes patience and hard work. This hobby enables you to grow delicious food in your own backyard. If you want to make the most of your clean, green, organic garden, you should put your new skills to the test.