Though lots of people assume horticulture is akin to rocket science, the truth is that knowledge is the key to success. Having the right information could help anyone and everyone become the master of gardening. These tips will enable you to be more proficient at horticulture.
Prior to planting anything in your garden, check your soil. You can obtain a soil analysis for a nominal fee. Using that report, you can amend your soil as needed for a thriving garden. Several Cooperative Extension locations offer this service, and it’s advantageous for you to know what type of soil you have, in order to avoid growing faulty crops.
Starting off your garden with healthy soil can be the best defense against those pesky garden bugs. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases. Start your garden off with a high-quality soil that you can enrich over time.
Bring some plants into your home to protect them against winter weather. You might want to transplant your most valuable varieties. Cautiously avoid the roots while digging, and put your plant into a perfectly sized pot.
Make sure that your deciduous shrubs are protected. Tender, potted shrubs must be protected when the weather is cold. First tie together the tops; then take a sheet or blanket and loosely shroud the wigwam. This method is much better than wrapping the plant in plastic, as it allows air to circulate, which can prevent rotting.
The best way to start a garden is from first principles: seeds. This is a more sustainable way to start a garden. Since plastics that are in nurseries aren’t recycled very often and therefore usually wind up in landfills, you should begin with seeds or purchase from the nurseries that use natural materials in their plants’ packaging.
Place a two inch layer of organic mulch at the base of your tall vegetable plants. The mulch will keep the soil around the plants moist a little longer. In addition, it will keep the weeds from growing. This can prevent you from having to constantly pull weeds.
Use a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool when you’re working in your garden. Working on the ground for long periods of time can be painful on the knees, so a small garden stool can really allow you to work in comfort. Because gardening means transporting a lot of heavy things, a wheelbarrow will also come in handy.
Know when to harvest your vegetables at precisely the right time. Most vegetables have a relatively small harvesting window when they will taste best. Many vegetables are best when picked young; baby peas are a prime example. Tomatoes, however, are best picked from the vine later when they are very ripe. Take the time to learn when your produce will be at its best for harvesting.
Water is your garden’s best friend. Just like people, plants require water for their survival. When the sun is especially hot, is is important to make sure the soil around your plants does not dry up. Proper watering will help ensure that the garden is going to thrive.
Water plants with rainwater to be more eco-friendly. Use barrels or containers for collecting rainwater can save you lots on your monthly water bill, as well as using it as a natural resource. Think of this alternative choice; stay natural and save money.
Chicken Tractor
Chicken tractors are a great, natural way to fertilize your garden area without having to use harmful chemicals. A chicken tractor is basically a movable chicken coop with an open floor and a sheltered area. A chicken tractor allows hens to eat insects, vegetables and other food, all the while depositing waste that becomes fertilizer for the soil. When the area has been fertilized, the tractor can be moved to another area.
Horticulture isn’t hard to do if you understand what to do and how to use the tools you have. With the right gardening advice, like the advice featured in the tips above, you can start creating landscape masterpieces in your own back yard.
Originally posted 2013-04-16 20:58:57.
