If you want to embrace a healthier lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, organic gardening is the way to go. However, effort is required in order to effectively grow. Oftentimes, new gardeners can be intimidated because they’re not quite sure where to start.
Choose plants that will give you the most yield at harvest time. In most circumstances, a cold-tolerant or disease-resistant hybrid will have a higher yield when compared to a more traditional variety.
You can make your flower beds brighter with biennials and annuals. Your flower beds will look different from one season to another. They are very useful for filling in the gaps between perennials and shrubs in a sunny area. Some plants to get you started include petunia, marigold, sunflower, rudbeckia, and cosmos.
When you mow your lawn, do not mow it close to the ground. If you leave some of the grass when you mow, the roots grow further into the ground, which makes the grass less prone to drying and other hazards. If the grass is too short that will lead to shallow roots, which will cause a brown and dried-out lawn.
Deciduous shrubs should be protected from the elements. If you have a few potted shrubs, they should be shielded from the wintry weather. Tie the tops tightly together, and cover the wigwam with a sheet or blanket draped loosely over it. This is more effective than putting plastic on the plant, it will let the air flow.
Mint Leaves
Don’t you hate it how fresh mint leaves take over all of your garden, even though you love them? You can control their growth by placing them into a pot or container. If you would like the mint leaves to still be in the ground, simply plant the container, and the leaves will stay within the boundaries of the pot.
Take the time to place organic mulch in the area around your vegetable plants. The organic mulch will keep moisture in the soil for a little longer. In addition, it will keep the weeds from growing. That helps you save a great deal of effort and time in weed eradication.
Read instructions on new horticulture chemicals and tools before you use them. Irritation of the skin or even more serious injuries are possible if you ignore manufacturer’s directions. Keep your health intact and follow the directions to the letter.
Don’t use pesticides that aren’t meant to kill specific types of garden pests. These pesticides can also kill useful insects that eat your pests. 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. Your problem will only get worse and you will find yourself using more pesticides.
When you are organic gardening, ask your children to lend a hand. A garden can provide a wonderful learning experience for children, and will give you an opportunity to bond with them while you produce healthy food.
Plant Material
Keep your compost pile balanced with a combination of dried and green plant mulch. Green plant material can include items such as leftover produce waste, grass clippings and leaves. Dried plant material includes straw, sawdust, shredded paper, cardboard, and dried and cut-up woody material. However, stay away from meats, manure from carnivores, charcoal and other potentially harmful substances.
When you are growing seedlings in your organic garden, lightly brush over them using your hand up to twice a day. While this appears strange, research shows it can help plants grow larger, versus not petting them at all.
As you’ve read, organic horticulture requires work, effort, and research so that you can grow organic plants. For the best results, you need to be dedicated to the work. If you keep the tips provided here in mind, you can find your way to organic horticulture success. Enjoy your harvest!
Originally posted 2014-10-03 18:19:31.
