Anyone can learn how to maintain an organic garden and enjoy it. Newcomers to organic gardening, however, can easily find themselves overwhelmed. The question is, what can a beginner do to become knowledgeable on organic horticulture? All you have to do is read the following suggestions.
Gradually acclimate plants to temperature changes and conditions, if you want to avoid shocking them. Try placing them outside in sunlight for about an hour or maybe two the first day. Then over a weeks time, slightly increase their time outside. After a week’s time, the plants should be fine staying outside.
Digging in clay soil with a shovel can be very difficult. The clay isn’t easy to work with and will adhere to the shovel, which only makes the problem worse. To ease the digging, apply some car wax or floor wax to the head of the shovel and buff. The clay easily slides off the surface while keeping the end from getting rusty.
Your first and best line of defense against pests is having healthy soil. Healthy and well-nourished plants will be hardier and therefore better able to prevent pests from taking hold. If you want to get the best plants, begin with a soil that has hardly any chemicals, and that will bring salts.
The kind of soil you use will influence the results. Your soil may not be correct, but it depends on what sorts of plants you want to grow. You can also create an artificial area with only one kind of soil.
If you are a first time gardener, it is important that you follow all of the instructions on all of your tools and chemicals. If you don’t pay good attention, you could wind up with skin irritations or other issues. So make sure you take precautions, follow the simple directions and be safe.
The nutrients from vegetables can help. If you steam your vegetables, you can pour the remaining water around them. It is also possible to utilize coffee ground or tea to make the soil more acidic for gardenias, rhododendrons and other plants that prefer acidic soil. If fungus is ravaging your potted plants, sprinkle a bit of Chamomile tea on them, and see if it helps.
Don’t count the fall season out. That doesn’t have to be, however. The brightest season of the year when it comes to foliage is fall. For example, maple, beech, and dogwood trees all change from their usual green to a vibrant spectrum of yellow, orange, and red. Consider hydrangea, barberry and cotoneaster when considering purchasing a shrub.
One way to encourage an organic garden to be sustainable and healthy is to put aside a section to stay undeveloped, thus encouraging wildlife to approach it. Your cultivated garden spaces will benefit from the various insects and wildlife that will inhabit and pollinate the undeveloped space.
Take the time needed to plant your seeds. The first step is to moisturize the soil. Lay out your seeds, and make sure that they will have enough room to grow. Place them at a soil depth that is triple the length of the seeds themselves. Some seeds need some light to grow, and therefore shouldn’t be buried.
Keep your tools handy to work more efficiently. Large pockets or a sturdy bucket can be used to store tools. You will be much more productive if you can quickly get to your spade, pruning shears, trowel and watering can.
Working in the garden doesn’t have to be grueling; learn to work more efficiently. Don’t waste your time by searching high and low for that packet of seeds or spade. Prepare your equipment before you go into the garden and put everything away afterwards. It may be necessary to don a tool belt or cargo pants with extra pockets.
When it is time to gather your produce, you should use an older laundry basket. Laundry baskets which have holes in them act as giant strainers for your home grown produce. You can rinse your produce off while it is in the basket, and the excess water will strain through the holes of your laundry basket.
It is possible to control weeds with natural methods. You should layer some newspaper to get weeds under control. Weeds need sun for growth, just like any other plant. The layers of newspaper over the weeds will block out the light and kill them. Newspapers break down nicely over time to become part of the compost. Of course, you may wish to cover the paper with mulch to make it appear more attractive.
For container planting, be sure to plant your seeds at a depth around three times the radius of the seed. Certain seeds are an exception to that rule, since they require sunlight to germinate, so they should be barely covered or not at all. Among the seeds meeting this definition are ageratum and petunias. If you are unsure if your seeds should be covered, refer to the seed packet, or if that is not available, look for information online.
Treated Wood
You should use wood that is untreated, brick or stone when building the raised bed. For best results, you should only use wood that has not been treated with chemicals or protective coating. Several species of trees yield suitable wood. Locust, cypress, and cedar are among the more commonly used rot resitent woods. Avoid using treated wood in an organic vegetable garden. The chemicals in the wood can leak into the soil, and eventually into the plants. If you must use treated wood, consider using a liner to keep chemicals out of the soil.
Your watering schedule should flow perfectly with the seasons, yet be adjustable according to climate. The level of necessary watering turns on the type of water you use, the kind of soil in your garden and the amount of direct sunlight you have. For instance, if you are in a warm and humid climate, avoid getting any water on the leaves because this will cause leaf fungus. Make sure you give the roots plenty of water.
By now you probably are beginning to understand why so many people enjoy working in their gardens. Working in your organic garden is a hobby that’s both relaxing and fun. With the tips presented above at the forefront of your mind, you can begin to grow delicious organic produce like a professional.