The hobby of organic horticulture requires both a green thumb and a great deal of patience. It is a hobby with the goal of growing healthy, pesticide-free food to enjoy. You might think this sounds complicated or expensive. The advice in this article will give you all you need to start growing your own organic food.
Cover fences and walls with lots of climbers. Climbing foliage is a great way to disguise unsightly features on your property, sometimes in the span of just one season. They can also grow through existing shrubs or trees, or be trained to cover an arbor. Some types of climbers support themselves naturally through twining stems or tendrils, but others will have to be attached to something. If you’re looking for the most reliable varieties available, choose from clematis, wisteria, and climbing roses.
Plants require a good amount of CO2 in order to grow to their maximum height. If the level of CO2 is extremely high, your plants will grow much better. The best way to obtain a saturated level of carbon dioxide (CO2) is to use a greenhouse. To achieve optimal growing conditions, keep the levels of carbon dioxide high in your plants’ environment.
As you cut your grass, do not trim it too low to the ground. If you leave more height to your grass, the roots will grow deeper into the soil, making the lawn stronger and more resistant to drying out. Short grass means short roots and dead grass.
Get a wheelbarrow, and a stool so that you can kneel down while horticulture. 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. A wheelbarrow will help you move heavy items without hurting your back so ensure that you invest in one promptly.
Try pouring water leftover from steamed vegetables onto your potted plants. It contains rich nutrients that come from the vegetables. Tea and coffee grounds can also serve as acidifiers in the soil of your gardenias or rhododendrons. Herbal chamomile tea is an effective, affordable treatment for fighting fungi.
If you have problems keeping the dog out of the garden, spray things like aftershave, perfume or other scents on the grass surrounding the garden. This can make scents that dogs are attracted to, and make your garden less interesting in general for pets.
Make sure to wear sun protection gear if you’ll be working in the garden in the sun. Wear sunglasses and hats with wide brims, and apply sunscreen. Wearing sun protection will prevent your skin from burning and by extension will reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
Add some heather plants to your garden, to attract good insects. Heather is quite alluring to bees; when spring comes along, it provides the bees with a source of nectar early. Because it is usually left alone, heather beds can become a home for spiders, beetles and other insects. Keep this in mind and remember to always wear appropriate gardening gloves.
Water infused with aspirin is great for combating plant disease. An aspirin and a half, dissolved in about two gallons of fresh water, is great for your plants. The simple practice of spraying them with the mix will help them fight off diseases. Use this solution once in every three-week period.
For the best results, properly prepare your garden for planting. You need to start by adding moisture to the soil. You should then spread the seeds evenly, and make sure they have room to grow. The seeds should be planted at least 3 times deeper than the seed’s depth. Some seeds you won’t have to bury because they need light in order to grow.
Organic horticulture takes patience and hard work. A hobby that results in growing something delicious to eat. If you follow these tips and put in a great effort, there is nothing stopping you from becoming a good organic gardener.
Originally posted 2013-11-15 15:48:57.
