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TIP! Keeping your garden soil rich and healthy is the best way to discourage garden pests. If you create healthy plants, they are going to be stronger and therefore, less likely to succumb to diseases and insects.

Many people want an organic garden, but never try it. Often, people are put off by its perceived complexity, or are intimidated by all they’d need to know to get started. This article has some good ideas to help you reach your goal of creating a garden for your enjoyment, and without incurring too much difficulty.

TIP! When powdery mildew appears on your plants, you should not rush out to purchase a costly chemical treatment. Mix plain baking soda with a small bit of liquid soap and water.

Plant some perennials in your garden that repel slugs. Your plants can be destroyed by slugs and snails overnight. These pests normally go after plants with thin little leaves and plants that have yet to fully mature. There are some perennials that do not appeal to slugs, such as those with leaves that are hairy and tough with a bad taste. Selecting an unappetizing perennial, such as campanula or heuchera, will help stop them from being eaten.

TIP! If you’re planning on gardening, carefully watch for stink bugs! You should be particularly careful during Autumn. They like to feast on all kinds of fruits, as well as peppers, tomatoes, and beans.

Protect your tender deciduous shrubs. Shrubs in pots especially need special care in the colder weather. Tie together the tops, and then use a sheet or blanket to cover the wigwam loosely. This method is much better than wrapping the plant in plastic, as it allows air to circulate, which can prevent rotting.

Knee Pads

TIP! Balance your alkaline soil with the acid found in used coffee grounds. This is an easy and inexpensive method to increase the acidity of your soil.

A set of knee pads is a great investment if your garden has a lot of low-growing plants. Kneeling on the ground as you garden will eventually cause serious discomfort for your knees. You can be more comfortable in the garden with a good pair of horticulture knee pads.

TIP! Be vigilant about keeping moisture off your plants. Moisture can be a magnet for disease and parasites on your plants.

For an unusual, but effective, organic solution to weeding young plants, try “boiling” the weeds away. Considering that boiling water is rather safe, you don’t have to worry about toxins in your soil or at your dinner table. Carefully pour boiling water right on the weeds, but be careful not to pour it on the plants you want. The boiling water will damage the roots of the weeds and will usually prevent further growth.

TIP! Don’t forget to use a good fertilizer in your garden. Choose commercial compost instead of homegrown manure to keep toxins out of your plants.

Fertilizing is an important step in preparing your garden soil. Manure can be effective, though you should use products which minimize pathogens. Many types of fertilizers are available. The type you utilize is not critical; just be sure to use one.

TIP! You can help provide nutrients by watering your plants with room temperature water that is leftover after cooking vegetables. Add coffee grounds or tea leaves to the soil of acid-loving plants like rhododendron and gardenia.

Give them a nutritious drink by using the water that you boiled your veggies in. If you have rhododendrons or gardenias, use coffee and tea grounds to acidify the soil. If you find that you have a fungus problem, try sprinkling some chamomile tea on your plants.

TIP! If you have a problem with your dog disturbing your garden, you can repel him by spraying perfume or other scents on the grass near the edge. This can make scents that dogs are attracted to, and make your garden less interesting in general for pets.

Don’t use pesticides that aren’t meant to kill specific types of garden pests. It’s true these pesticides kill the pests you don’t want, but they also lay waste to the advantageous insects that make those same pests a regular meal. In fact, beneficial insects are more likely to die than pests if you spray these types of pesticides. As the population of “good” bugs dwindles, your garden may become overrun with pests. This can lead to needing even more pesticides to eliminate the problem insects.

Get your children interested in helping with your organic garden. A garden can teach your children about the joy of rewarding work and nutrition while bonding.

TIP! Mixing a variety of plants at different heights is how you can make a very interesting English garden. A uniform and flat bed is created by using plants that are the same height.

Always completely protect any cuts, or wait until they are healed before attempting any gardening, as this can introduce dirt or chemicals into the wound. The dirt and grime you come into contact with while horticulture can cause even a small cut to become seriously infected. Now, there are bandages available that will cover and seal the injured area completely, allowing you to continue your horticulture projects.

TIP! Organic gardening is a safe hobby to share with your children. Growing a garden offers a unique learning experience, and you and your child can grow closer while growing healthy food for your family.

Once you understand the advice contained in this article, you will no longer feel so hesitant to try organic horticulture. It is relatively easy to have an organic garden, that you can show off with pride. Soon you can have fresh, environmentally-friendly fruits and vegetables on your table.

Originally posted 2013-11-01 09:56:54.

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