If you dream of having green, beautiful, and healthy plants in your very own garden, there are lots of things you should probably think about in order to achieve that goal. Horticulture takes a lot of effort, planning, time and work, but it can be a great deal of fun. The following article will provide you with advice to make gardening entertaining.
To keep your plants from getting shocked, you need to gradually introduce them to changes in temperature and conditions. Leave them outside in sunlight for a couple of hours on the initial day. Throughout the week, gradually increase the time they are spent outside. At the end of a week, they should be accustomed to the outdoors and ready to transition to outside safely.
Starting seedlings in pots before planting in your garden is a smart idea. They are then more likely to survive and to become thriving, mature plants. This method also gives you the freedom of tightening time periods between each planting. The seedlings are ready to go, once you remove the mature plants.
The handles of your tools can double as clever rulers. Tools that have long handles such as rakes, hoes and shovels can be used in place of a measuring stick. Just run some measuring tape right on the floor next to the handles. Label the distances on the handle with a marker pen that will not smear or fade away. Next time you work in the garden, you can have a larger ruler with you!
Baking Soda
If you see mildew that is powdery, stay away from expensive chemicals to treat it. Mix a little liquid soap and baking soda in water. Once a week, spray this on plants to eliminate the mildew. Your plants will not be harmed by the baking soda, but the mildew will definitely not like it!
If you want to cover up your walls or fences, make sure that you specifically use climbing plants. Climbers have many different uses and spread quickly. They can grow through shrubs and trees, or even cover an arbor. Some of these plants must have support, and some can attach themselves to something using their stems and tendrils. Excellent varieties include honeysuckle, wisteria, jasmine, climbing roses and clematis.
When horticulture, beware of stink bugs and other insects, particularly in the autumn. Stink bugs like to reside in tomatoes, beans, and pepper plants, as well as many fruits. If you don’t take care of them, they can decimate your garden, so it’s best to do all you can to get rid of them.
Pull all the weeds in your garden. Weeds and gardens do not mix; they will destroy your garden. To help you do this, you may want to consider using white vinegar. The acid in white vinegar kills weeds. You may also be using plants that need that very same acid. By placing a white vinegar solution in a spray bottle, you can spray the weeds away instead of having to pull them out manually.
Soak the seeds and store in a dark area overnight. Simply place a handful of seeds in a container, cover the seeds up with water, and stash it away. That way, the seeds will have sufficient hydration and will have the best start possible. Seeds that are grown in this way have a higher survival and maturity rate.
If you have planted vegetables within your garden, make sure that they are getting at least six hours of sunlight each day. Many of the vegetables need a lot of sun, so they can grow right and at a faster pace. This is true for flowers as well.
Knee Pads
Get gardening knee pads if you have low-growing plants. Your knees will take a beating if you spend a great deal of time on the ground while tending your garden. Buy yourself a pair of knee pads to use in the garden to cushion and protect your knees.
Ensure that your plants are kept dry, and aerated daily. If your plants get too moist, they may get sick or infested with parasites. Fungi is very common. Sprays and liquids exist that are perfect for killing the fungi, but be sure you use it on the area before the fungi actually appear.
Having a good wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool makes garden chores a lot easier. It is important to protect your knees when you are kneeling in the garden, and a foam kneeling pad will help with that. As well, horticulture can involve some heavy lifting and moving, so a strong wheelbarrow can really make that aspect much more effortless.
When it comes to harvesting your vegetables, know when the optimal time is to do so. Most vegetables have a relatively small harvesting window when they will taste best. For example, zucchini and baby peas are best picked young. However, you get better taste out of tomatoes that have been allowed to ripen as much as practical while still on their vine. So, be aware of the best harvest time to pick your veggies.
Use care when you are watering the garden. Soaker hoses save time by watering all of your plants at once, rather than individually with a standard hose or watering can. To avoid damaging delicate plants, you should water them with low pressure. Letting the soaker hose do the work frees you up to turn your attention elsewhere.
If you have a cut on your hand, take the time to make sure it is either healed or completely covered before you put your hands in the soil. It is possible for a cut to become extremely infected if it comes into contact with dirt and grime while gardening. You can completely seal the area using some of the great bandages that are now available.
With these tips, you’re better equipped to grow the most beautiful garden you can imagine. In learning how to create your dream garden, you’ll also be growing as a person. That’s because learning how to nurture your plants will not only help you reach the goal of having a great garden, but it will help you learn to nurture yourself.