A lot of people think tending a garden is totally beyond them, but that’s true only for people who don’t do their research. With the right knowledge, anyone can be a great gardener. This article has some terrific information to help you learn how to tend your garden like a master gardener.
Check the nutrients in the soil before you plant your garden. Soil analysis costs a little money, but the report can inform you how to enrich your soil and open the door to a lush garden. Ask about this service at a local university or the county Cooperative Extension office to improve the soil and insure fruitful crops.
Plants need a sufficient amount of CO2 for proper maximum growth. In general, higher amounts of CO2 are related to better plant growth. A greenhouse will provide the best method of providing enough CO2 for your plants. To maximize your plants’ growth, make sure to monitor these levels to ensure they’re adequate.
Mix the grounds of coffee in soil that has a lot of alkaline. Basically, the grounds resupply the soil with acid. This is one of the most inexpensive ways to achieve this result. This simple act can lead to vegetables that taste better and look more appealing.
Irises can benefit from being separated. You can create additional irises by splitting up irises that are growing into each other’s space. Pick up bulbous irises after the foliage dies. The bulbs should automatically divide in your palm, and once you put them back into the earth, they will typically flower the following year. For plants with rhizomes, use a knife to divide them. Cut healthy pieces from the root stalk and throw out the dead center. Every piece needs to have a minimum of one good offshoot. For optimum viability, plant your new cuttings into the ground without delay.
A good fertilizer is important to add nutrients to your soil. Manure can help your plants grow quickly, but you must use only commercially created products to reduce the chance of contracting pathogens. There are numerous types of fertilizers available. What type you select is less of a concern; any kind of fertilizer is better than none.
If your horticulture plans include pea plantings, try starting them off indoors rather than planting the raw seeds in outdoor beds. The seeds will have a better germination rate if you start them indoors. The seedlings tend to be healthier, which would help them resist diseases and pests more easily. Once the seedlings are sturdy enough, they can be transplanted to their rightful place in the garden.
If you want the best tasting vegetables, learn about the optimum time to harvest them. Each variety needs a slightly different amount of growing time to produce the most flavorful vegetable. For instance, zucchini and baby peas have the best taste when you pick them early. At the opposite end of the spectrum, tomatoes are at their best when mature. You should know the proper time to pick vegetables.
Pest Control
Pest control can present a challenge for successful vegetable horticulture. You want to avoid spraying harsh chemicals since the vegetables are meant for consumption. You can prevent pests from appearing in the garden by adopting a vigilant attitude. Natural pest control depends on the type of soil in your garden and the variety of plants growing there.
Irrigate your garden efficiently. Put down the watering can or garden hose, and spread out a time-saving soaker hose instead. Turn down the water pressure to its lowest setting, as anything higher could harm the plants. Let your soaker hose run for a few hours while you do other things.
Heather can be planted to attract useful insects. Bees are naturally attracted to heather for its nectar. If your heather bed is undisturbed, as it would be in nature, many beneficial insects will make it their home. Bearing this in mind, it is always a good idea to wear horticulture gloves when pruning your heather!
Try to put an aspirin in the water to get rid of plant diseases. Try dissolving around one and one half aspirins into around 2 gallons of water for your plants. You can just spray this on them to fight disease. Be sure to repeat this process every two or three weeks.
For container planting, be sure to plant your seeds at a depth around three times the radius of the seed. There are exceptions, however. Some types of seeds require more direct sunlight than others, and as such they should not be fully covered. Two common examples of this type of seed are ageratum and petunias. If you are unsure as to whether or not your seeds should be covered or not, try to read the package or find the answer online.
Treated Wood
You should use wood that is untreated, brick or stone when building the raised bed. If you choose to use wood, make sure it is naturally rot resistant and untreated. Excellent choices are cedar, locust and cypress. In a veggie garden, don’t use treated wood since its chemicals can leech into the food crops and soil. If you must use treated wood, create a barrier, such as with plastic sheet.
As previously mentioned, becoming a skilled gardener is not difficult as long as you know what to do. If you apply the tips from this article you’ll be able to be confident in knowing that you’ve got all the information you need to guarantee your garden will grow!