Organic horticulture is a widely accessible, eminently satisfying pastime. If you are unfamiliar with gardening in general, or the specifics of organic horticulture, the process may be daunting. What is important to know about gardening for a beginner? Well, read the following tips.
Slug-proof your garden with smart perennial choices. A particularly vulnerable plant can be killed by snails and slugs overnight. These pests prefer plants with thin smooth leaves. Plant some helleborus or euphorbias along with your other perennials. Certain perennials are unappetizing to slugs and snails, especially those with tough, hairy leaves or an unappetizing taste. Some of these plants include achillea, campanula, euphorbia, helleborus, and heuchera.
It is a good idea to pre-soak your seeds in a dark environment overnight. Soak the seeds by placing them in a container where they are covered with water. The seeds will get the hydration they need to start growing. This way, the seeds you have planted will have some chance of growing.
Sometimes the soil you want to use for your garden has a high alkaline content. Combine coffee grounds with the soil to reduce this. This affordable trick will give back the acid that your dirt requires. The right soil will make your vegetables taste better and make your flowers more vibrant and aromatic.
Try to keep your plants aerated and dry, every day. Parasites and pests are attracted to excess moisture on the plants. Fungi commonly afflict a number of plants. Fungicide sprays can deal with fungal infestations, but they are most effective if you apply them before a fungus problem becomes noticeable.
To ensure a healthy garden, make sure you surround your plants with a few inches of good organic mulch. Mulch helps the soil surrounding the plants remain moister for a longer time. This also helps reduce the appearance of weeds. This will save you having to constantly pull weeds.
Try to avoid direct sun exposure when you are gardening during the day; wear protective clothing. This includes wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Utilizing the correct sun protection makes it less likely that sunburn will occur and decreases the chance that skin cancer will develop.
Protecting your knees while gardening is essential. Most people can’t bend for long periods while standing. Kneeling is a preferred way to get to your plants while minimizing back pain. A kneeling pad can be placed under your knees to help reduce the pain from compression.
Take your time when planting seeds. Begin by adding moisture to the dirt. Lay out your seeds, and make sure that they will have enough room to grow. You should bury your seeds deep enough, usually three times their size. There are some varieties of seed that are not planted underground since they require light to grow.
Pine Needles
Pine needles make a great organic mulch. Some plants do better in soil with high acidity as they are highly acidic themselves. There is no better, or easier, way to make your acid-loving plants happy then to use pine needles you already have on your beds. Go ahead and cover the beds you have with needles a couple of inches and while they decompose, they actually disperse some acid into the soil.
Now you have the groundwork of knowledge necessary to start enjoying organic gardening. It is very relaxing and fun to work in a beautiful garden. Using the advice you have read in this article, you can learn to garden organically like a pro.
Originally posted 2013-07-26 02:41:08.
