One of the most sensible ways to improve your diet is through organic gardening. For best results, however, you need to put in the right amount of effort. You might be wondering where you need to start to have your very own organic garden.
Use biennials and annuals to add color to your flower beds. Fast growing biennials and annuals can enliven a flower bed while letting you change up the look each season and year. They are very helpful when trying to fill in gaps between shrubs and perennials in an area that is sunny. The most popular varieties to use include petunia, zinnia, cosmos, snapdragon, marigold, hollyhock, and sunflower.
When winter comes around, save some plants by putting them in the house. You may be able to save your most resistant or expensive plants. Carefully dig around the rootball and replant in an appropriate pot.
Check your soil before you begin planting your garden. You can obtain a soil analysis for a nominal fee. Using that report, you can amend your soil as needed for a thriving garden. It is worth having this information so that crops do not get ruined. Most Cooperative Extension offices provide this service.
Yes, you really have to weed. Weeds can turn a beautiful garden into an eyesore. Try using white vinegar to get rid of weeds. Yes, white vinegar actually kills weeds! Keep a solution of vinegar diluted with water on hand to spray on weeds.
Try growing wheat grass or cat grass in the area of the plants your cat wants to eat. You may also place something offensively smelly atop the soil, like citrus peel or mothballs.
If your soil has a problem with high alkaline levels, mixing in some coffee grounds that have been used is a great solution. This is an easy and inexpensive solution to increase the acid content back into the soil. When you use them, you will start to notice that your vegetables are tastier and more vibrant in color.
Protect your tender deciduous shrubs. Any potted shrubs should be sheltered in the winter from cold weather. Try to tie the tops all together and cover them with a sheet, large piece of cloth, or blanket. This method is much better than wrapping the plant in plastic, as it allows air to circulate, which can prevent rotting.
Buy a wheelbarrow and kneeling stool to work with in the garden. Spending a lot of time near the ground working is very hard on the knees, so a lightweight and portable garden stool will make horticulture more comfortable. As well, horticulture can involve some heavy lifting and moving, so a strong wheelbarrow can really make that aspect much more effortless.
Irrigate your garden efficiently. You can save time by using soaker hoses when watering plants. By doing this, you won’t need to water your plants individually. Turn the water on at low pressure so your delicate plants will not be damaged by the soaker hose. This allows you to leave the hose running as you go about your business.
It is simple to prepare your garden for perennial flowers. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips. You want to then give the area about a couple of weeks, then you want your new perennials planted by digging into it.
To be more efficient when working in your organic garden, have your tools close at hand. You can make use of a bucket, or wear pants that have plenty of pockets. Have gloves, shears, a trowel and anything else you need handy for quick use.
As you’ve just read, organic horticulture does require research, effort, and hard work in order to begin growing organic plants on your own. Furthermore, you will only see your garden blossom with consistent tending. If you apply the tips you have just read, you should be able to grow healthy plants.
Originally posted 2013-09-05 18:39:42.
