Gardening not only benefits you physically and emotionally, it can also feed your family and drive a business. You can determine what you need, so that you don’t waste time and money on equipment you don’t need, or the wrong kinds of seeds.
Try using climber plants to cover up your fences and walls. Many climbers can cover the wall or fence in as little as one growing season. It is possible to get them to grow in conjunction with trees and bushes already on the premises, or train them to drape over arbors. Some of these plants must have support, and some can attach themselves to something using their stems and tendrils. You can be sure that varieties such as climbing roses, wisteria, jasmine, clematis and honeysuckle will grow very well.
Pre-soak your seeds through the night in a dark area. Put a few seeds in a small container and fill it near to the top with water. This will allow seeds to be watered and they will get a kick start when growing. The seeds will be better able to survive and grow up.
Coffee Grounds
A simple way to lower the alkaline content of your soil is to dilute it with coffee grounds. Used coffee grounds will add acidity, helping to optimize the soil’s pH. The greens and vegetables need the proper balance and will grow bigger and stronger with the right mix.
Try “boiling” weeds to get rid of them. One of the safest “herbicides” you can find is a pot of boiling water. Although this method is organic, it does pose a danger to your plants. Boiling water damages the weed roots and will inhibit future growth.
Split up your irises. You can create additional irises by splitting up irises that are growing into each other’s space. Once the foliage has died off, lift out your bulbous irises. The bulbs split in your hand, then you replant them, and they will most likely flower next year. Make use of a knife to split up rhizomes. Discard the center and cut pieces from the exterior. If done properly, each piece that remains for planting should have a minimum of one viable offshoot. For optimum viability, plant your new cuttings into the ground without delay.
If you are just starting out, follow all the guidelines and rules on your chemicals and tools. Some of the chemicals in these products can cause skin irritation, or worse, if you fail to take this simple precaution. Keep yourself safe and always follow instructions.
Do some research to find out the best time for harvesting your vegetables. Every type of vegetable has a different moment of ripeness. Baby peas, for example have much better flavor if they are harvested early in the ripening process, as does zucchini. In contrast, tomatoes are best when left on the vine as long as possible. Find out what the best harvest time is for your vegetables.
Don’t use pesticides that aren’t meant to kill specific types of garden pests. This particular type of pesticide will also kill the useful insects that consume the pests. Beneficial bugs are more sensitive to these pesticides than the bugs that are detrimental to plants, so if the good bugs are eliminated, the bad pest population may grow. In the end, you may resort to using even more pesticides in order to erase the problem.
Plant things that will give you color for the fall. That doesn’t have to be, however. Fall is the most colorful time of year for foliage. There are many variations in leaf color with different varieties of Maple, Beech and Dogwood trees that can give you lively yellows and deep crimsons. When you choose shrubbery, try hydrangea, barberry, or cotoneaster.
All that is required is a little research, patience, and putting in some work time out in the garden itself. Your efforts will pay off when you experience the joy of watching something that you created grow.
Originally posted 2013-07-18 17:08:56.
