Organic gardens can be vital to your healthy diet, but knowing about them and purchasing the proper equipment can be difficult. There is a diversity of seeds that are suitable for organic horticulture as well. Here are a few tips and techniques you can use to get started in your own organic garden.
Create useful rulers from your tool handles. Tools with long handles, such as rakes, shovels or hoes can work as great measuring sticks. Lay the handles on the floor, then run the measuring tape down next to them. It’s a good idea to label distances with a permanent marker. Next time you are working in the garden, you will have a large ruler at your fingertips!
The first thing you can do to avoid pests is to start with healthy soil in your garden. Healthier plants are stronger, which in turn can help the plants you grow to become more resistant to disease and bugs that can harm them. To give your garden the best chance of yielding the healthiest plants, start with a high-quality soil that has fewer chemicals which over time will accumulate salts.
All plants need an adequate supply of carbon dioxide in order to thrive. Often, plants achieve better growth when they are surrounded by high levels of CO2. Greenhouses provide the best levels of CO2 for plants. Make sure to keep CO2 levels high to provide the best growing environment for your plants.
Kill Weeds
You must be sure to remove all of the weeds that grow in your garden. Weeds can take over a healthy garden faster than you think. White vinegar has been known to kill weeds quickly. White vinegar can kill weeds! If you are too busy to pull weeds by hand, make a white vinegar solution and keep it handy for a quick spray when needed.
One very good way to deal with weeds is to boil them away. Boiling water in a pot is a safe “herbicide.” Carefully pour boiling water right on the weeds, but be careful not to pour it on the plants you want. The boiling water will damage the roots of the weeds and will usually prevent further growth.
Are fresh mint leaves something you love but cannot stand how quickly they grow all over your garden? Stunt their growth a little by planting your mint into a garden container or large pot instead. If you would like, go ahead and plant the container and the plant right in the ground to prevent root overtake.
Use fertilizer for maximum planting success. Manure is a great garden additive, but it is important that you choose a manure that has been composted commercially so that there is less of a risk of pathogens. There are many fertilization methods out there; the type is not quite as important as actually using something.
In order to rid your garden of pests, take advantage of plant materials and other organic matter. Slugs can be kept at bay with a patch of marigolds or pungent vegetables. Using wood ash as mulch around the base of trees and shrub seedlings will also help keep away insect pests. You can avoid using pesticides that contain harsh chemicals if you employ these techniques.
Make sure to wear sun protection gear if you’ll be working in the garden in the sun. Clothing should keep your skin covered, and don’t forget to wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. When you keep your eyes and skin properly protected, you are less likely to get a sunburn. You also lower your risk in developing cancer of the skin.
Don’t let your organic gardening tasks stack up for very long. While you may not be able to spend time in the garden on a daily basis, there are still many things you can do to keep things from snowballing out of control. While you are with your pet outside, pull some weeds while the pet does its business.
Starting an organic garden helps make your diet better, and understanding the different options for your garden can help you be even more successful. Use the tips from above to take a step in the right direction when it comes to organic gardening, and start your family on a healthier path to better living.