Organic horticulture is very relaxing and will help you connect with nature. You want to grow healthy and non-contaminated food that can be enjoyed by you and your loved ones. It actually isn’t as hard as it sounds. See these tips to learn how to get started with this healthy, rewarding hobby.
Select plant types that will bring a higher profits and yield. In many cases, a disease-resistant or cold-tolerant hybrid will produce a higher yield than a traditional variety.
Plant perennials that are slug-proof. Slugs and snails are voracious eaters that can destroy a plant literally overnight. These garden vermin prefer plants with tender, herbaceous stems and leaves, particularly seedlings and young plants. Perennials with hairy, tough leaves as well as those with unpleasant taste are not appetizing to snails and slugs. A few great choices are achillea, campanula, and heuchera. Other options from which you can choose are hellebourus and euphorbia.
Soil Needs
Before you even start planting the garden, check the soil. A soil analysis report can be acquired for a nominal fee. You can then use the results of that report to determine if the soil needs to be modified before you begin planting. A lot of extension offices will offer this service and it is worth it so you know what your soil needs.
Grow some wheat grass or catnip for your cat to eat instead. You could also place something that will cause your cat to go away from your plants, such as citrus peels or mothballs.
Novice gardeners should read the manuals on all gardening tools and chemicals prior to using them. If you fail to do this, you could cause yourself all sorts of injuries, the most common of which is irritated skin. Ensure that your body is protected by always following instructions.
When landscaping and gardening in autumn, choose plants and trees with vibrant colors. That need not be the case though! The fall season is probably the most colorful of the year in terms of foliage. Maple trees, Dogwood, and Beech trees exist in lots of Fall colors that range from deep crimson to yellow. Cotoneaster, barberry and hydrangea can provide vibrant color if you are considering shrubs for your garden.
Be careful how you water your garden. Take advantage of a soaker hose so that you don’t need to water every single plant individually, or have to keep filling up your watering can. Keep the water running slowly so it doesn’t spray up onto the plants’ leaves. Let the soaker hose do its thing for a couple hours, and your plants are watered.
Get your children interested in helping with your organic garden. A garden can be a great learning experience for your children, and it gives you a chance to bond while producing healthy food.
You must always take care of your knees when working in the garden. Bending over from a standing position is something many people cannot do. To get down to plant level without pain, try kneeling instead. You can use knee pads to kneel without the pain.
Make sure you don’t let your chores pile up when it comes to your garden Even if you’re to busy to focus on your garden’s needs each day, you could do small things that could prevent you from piling up work when you wish to work on your garden. For example, if you have a dog, pull a few weeds while you are outdoors with the dog. Over time, you keep your garden weed free without adding any additional time on to your day.
Over-watering plants is counterproductive, as too much water reduces plants’ ability to absorb nutrients from the surrounding soil. If you are going to water your plants outdoors, you should first check the weather for you area to see if any rain is coming that day. You may want to skip the watering during a day that will receive significant rainfall.
Organic horticulture allows you to work hard and enjoy the fruits of your labor. When you enjoy this hobby, you can find new opportunities to grow healthy and nutritious foods. Being a competent organic gardener can be achieved by simply putting in some effort, and learning a few helpful tips.
Originally posted 2013-05-04 14:47:23.
