Organic gardening requires a lot of patience and talent. The goal of this hobby is to grow pesticide-free and healthy food that you can enjoy. It might sound easy, but is it? Review the tips in this article and you’ll be on your way to creating a wonderful organic garden.
Clay soil makes working with a shovel difficult. The clay is hard and sticks to the shovel. Coat the shovel with floor or car wax, and buff it with a clean rag to make the job a lot easier. The clay will no longer stick to the shovel, and this also helps to prevent other problems like rusting.
There are home solutions available to combat the powdery mildew you may find on your plants. Mix plain baking soda with a small bit of liquid soap and water. Spray this mixture on your plants weekly until the mildew is gone. This mixture will not hurt your plants and it will eliminate the mildew slowly but efficiently.
Transfer your favorite plants inside so they survive the winter. You may be able to save your most resistant or expensive plants. Always be careful when digging around the roots, and put the plant in a suitable pot.
Divide irises. The more you divide clusters of irises, the more your irises will multiply. If you find any dead irises in your garden, immediately pull up the bulbs. If you split the bulbs that you pull up, and replant them, they will bloom the following year. If you have a rhizome you will need to split it with a knife. From the outside cut the new pieces and then get rid of the old center. At the least, each piece will need to have one strong offshoot. Replant them immediately.
Start your garden off right with seeds, not plants. When you begin a garden, it’s most eco friendly to do so with seed. The planters used to hold nursery plants are generally not made from eco-friendly materials, and thus get thrown into landfills. Starting from seeds, or buying from one of the few nurseries that use biodegradable planters, prevents this.
Place organic mulch as close to your vegetables as you can. Mulch has a nice moisturizing effect on the soil it’s spread over. It will also prevent the growth of weeds. This can save you a lot of time and effort in pulling out the weeds.
When horticulture, protecting your knees is important. Bending over for extended periods can be harmful to your joints and muscles. Kneeling can relieve pain in your back, but can instead be painful to your knees. You can use knee pads to kneel without the pain.
To garden properly in an organic fashion, requires a lot of patience, a lot of elbow grease and even more know-how. The rewards are healthy, delicious foods without the harsh chemicals of today’s corporate farming practices. If you are willing to put in the effort and if you follow the tips, you can become a great organic gardener.
Originally posted 2013-06-01 14:30:54.
