When you first start reading about gardening, the whirlwind of information can make you just want to stop and do something else, but if you stick with it, you’ll find that it’s not a difficult skill to learn. With this list of ideas in hand, you will be armed with a great deal of knowledge and will have the ability to become a terrific gardener in short order.
Try using climber plants to cover up your fences and walls. Many climbers are so robust that they can cover an unattractive wall or fence in a single growing season. You can also train climbers to cover arbors and other things that you want covered, and they will even grow right through trees and shrubs. There are natural climbers, which use tendrils or stems to wrap around any given surface, while others must be tied with a string or rope. Reliable varieties include wisteria, honeysuckle, climbing roses, clematis, and jasmine.
Before you even place the first plant in your garden, you need to check the composition of your soil. For a tiny fee, a soil analysis may be done, and based on the results, the soil can support a growing garden by you enriching it as necessary. A Cooperative Extension office can provide you with this service, saving you learning on your own by trial and error.
Take the time to remove weeds. Weeds and gardens do not mix; they will destroy your garden. Try using white vinegar to get rid of weeds. You can use white vinegar to eliminate weeds! Use a spray bottle full of white vinegar and you won’t have to use your hands.
A simple way to lower the alkaline content of your soil is to dilute it with coffee grounds. This is an easy and inexpensive solution to increase the acid content back into the soil. You will notice that your vegetables and greens will have a stronger taste.
Try “boiling” weeds to get rid of them. Any vessel of boiling water that you can carry safely can be used as an organic herbicide. Carefully pour boiling water right on the weeds, but be careful not to pour it on the plants you want. The roots of the weeds are damaged by the boiling water which, in turn, inhibits further growth.
Don’t forget to use a good fertilizer in your garden. Manure is probably the best fertilizer. Choose a commercial product to reduce the risks of pathogen exposure. You can choose from many different fertilizers. Do not worry about the kind of fertilizer you end up using but definitely put down something.
Start your peas in a protected indoors environment rather than outside. The seeds will have a better germination rate if you start them indoors. Seedlings will grow stronger, and withstand attacks from pests and diseases a lot better. After the seedlings have grown strong indoors, it will be time for you to transplant them to outdoor beds.
Do some research to find out the best time for harvesting your vegetables. Different vegetables have different, ideal times that they should be picked for best flavor. For instance, zucchini and baby peas will taste a lot better if you pick them when they are young. At the opposite end of the spectrum, tomatoes are at their best when mature. Educate yourself about the best time to harvest your veggies.
Easier than you expected, right? As with any topic, the body of knowledge surrounding horticulture is vast. Often, you only need a little mental nudge or insight that will empower you to get moving. Hopefully, the tips above have provided you with all the information that you need.
Originally posted 2014-10-15 02:15:21.
