Organic gardening has become more popular with increased concern about the effects of fertilizers and chemicals on the environment, as well as overall health. Another benefit is that organic gardening techniques are often cost little-to-nothing. Below are some great tips to assist you grow to be the organic gardener that you hope to be.
Turn the handles of tools you have on hand into rulers to make measurements in your garden. It is possible to utilize tools with long handles, such as rakes, hoes and shovels, as measuring sticks. Place the handles on the ground and measure them. You can label distances using a permanent marker. Now you will always possess a large ruler ready for your use in the garden.
Plant perennials that are slug-proof. If slugs or snails find their favorite perennials in your garden, they’ll snack all night. When you wake up in the morning, there will be very little left of your plants. These garden pests prefer perennials with thin, flat, delicate leaves, particularly if the plant is not yet mature. Others, though, are disliked by slugs and snails. Those with rough leaves or an unappetizing taste will be less desired by slugs and snails. These varieties include achillea, helleborus, heuchera, euphorbia, and campanula.
Save some plants in the winter by bringing them indoors. Perhaps save the most resistant or expensive plants. Use caution when digging around the roots of your plant. You need to keep the root structure intact for it to thrive after being potted.
For the best results, select the right kind of soil. The soil that is already in your garden might need amending, depending on the particular plants that you want to grow. You may also be able to design an artificial area that contains one type of dirt.
Fertilizing your garden is essential. While a lot of people use manure, it is better to choose fertilizer from a reputable company, as this will reduce the risk of any pathogens getting into your soil. The options for fertilizing are vast and include environmentally sound choices, so no matter which you choose, just be sure to use one.
You can keep pests away from your garden by using other plants or natural materials. For example, if you plant onions or marigolds along the edges of your vegetable garden, you can ward off slugs. Insects can be deterred if you use wood ash instead of mulch around trees and shrub seedlings. These methods prevent use of harsh chemicals.
Place a few inches of organically based mulch around your vegetable plants. Mulch is used to keep extra moisture and provide nutrients for your plants. It will also prevent weeds from growing. You will be able to save the time you would spend watering your plants and pulling out weeds.
Take a look at planting berry-producing evergreens in your yard. They add color to your yard, throughout the year. There is quite a variety of plants that will give your garden a splash of color during winter, including the American Cranberrybush, American Holly, Common Snowberry or Winterberry.
To keep your houseplants happy during the day, your thermostat should be set anywhere between 65 and 75 degrees. Warm temperatures encourage plant growth. If there are times during the year when you would prefer not to have the temperature that high, another solution you can utilize is to purchase heat lamps for your organic plants.
Get the most value from your property. You can get a very high return from improving your home through landscaping. In fact, you can boost your home’s value by a fifth with the right landscaping, and in the right market. The plants you buy should be able to withstand normal regional weather conditions.
Start using these tips to grow your own organic food and help preserve the environment. You should expect to see more wildlife inhabiting your garden as your garden works more with nature.
Originally posted 2013-09-07 13:21:58.
