Helpful Organic Horticulture Tips You Can Use

TIP! Shoveling soil that is mostly clay can be difficult because of the hardness of the soil, and because it sticks to the shovel. Make your shoveling job easier by lightly coating a shovel with a layer of wax, then buffing the surface.

Learn some tips that can help you grow a much better garden for you, your family, or your business. With a little research, you can learn exactly what you need, which will keep you from spending money on seeds you can’t use, or unnecessary equipment.

TIP! Transform the handles of your tools into convenient measuring devices. Tools with long handles, such as a shovel or rake, are absolutely perfect for this job, and make your workload a little bit smaller.

Try planting your plants in flower pots first, then transferring them to your garden once they have had a bit of time to grow. This insures that the plants will grow and thrive into adulthood. Seeds can’t always thrive in gardens, and are often eaten by birds. Once the fully matured plants are removed, the seedlings can be planted.

Healthy Soil

TIP! To keep pests away, you can use plants in the garden or other natural materials. For example, planting a border consisting of marigolds or onions can repel slugs.

Having healthy soil in your garden will help your plants avoid insect pests. Healthy soil encourages vigorous plant growth and makes your garden more resistant to common diseases and insects. For healthy plants, start with healthy soil that is properly amended and free of chemicals in order to avoid salt accumulation.

TIP! A touch of organic mulch will boost the potential of the vegetable plants in your garden. The soil will stay moist thanks to the mulch.

Cover any wall or fence with climbers. These types of plants can climb anything, which makes them perfect for covering up a wall or fence that needs to be hidden. They can also grow through existing shrubs or trees, or be trained to cover an arbor. Some require ties attaching them to supports, but others will attach themselves to any surface nearby. There are many varieties you can choose from. Honeysuckle, climbing roses and jasmine are among the best.

TIP! It is important to follow the instructions on your chemicals and tools closely, especially if you are new to gardening. If you miss this easy step, you run the risk of harming yourself due to the chemicals that can irritate your skin.

Use proper soil for the best results. You may need to alter the kind of soil you use based on the types of plants you intend to grow. You could also isolate a certain area, and fill it with just one kind of soil.

TIP! You should teach your children how to garden alongside you. A garden can provide a wonderful learning experience for children, and will give you an opportunity to bond with them while you produce healthy food.

Analyze the soil before you even get started with working in a garden. You can actually get an analysis of soil for a little fee, and with the report you get back you can figure out how to create a vibrant garden by enriching it properly. The cost of the analysis will be easily offset by the benefits of a healthy and vibrant crop.

Stink Bugs

TIP! Prepare the ground for a perennial garden quickly and easily. It isn’t as hard as it may seem; you basically just slice down under the turf, flip it over, and spread wood chips four to three inches.

Keep an eye open for stink bugs in your garden, especially during the fall months. Stink bugs like to eat beans, peppers, tomatoes, and all sorts of fruit. If you do not keep them under control, the damage can be excessive, so keep an eye out for them.

TIP! Do not be in a rush when you plant your seeds. The first thing you should do before planting is moisturize the soil.

If your garden contains lots of short plants, purchase some gardening knee pads. The amount of time that you spend horticulture on your knees can make your knees hurt by the time you are done. Investing in a comfortable pair of knee pads made specifically for horticulture can really reduce the pain you may feel from the pressure of being on your knees for extended periods.

TIP! In order to maximize the efficiency of your gardening, ensure your gardening tools are kept close by you. Put them into a basket you carry with you, or use an apron with many pockets and hanging loops.

Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. You should use a large pail and wear sturdy pants that have several pockets. Keep your gloves, pruning shears, a hand spade and your other tools handy to quickly and easily do your garden maintenance.

TIP! After your seeds begin to sprout, it is not as important to keep them warm. Locate your plants further from your heat source as they mature.

Organic material piled three inches deep is an effective mulch in your flower gardens. Covering the beds with mulch serves multiple purposes; it helps the flowers by retaining moisture and adding nutrients, and it discourages the growth of unwanted plants. It also adds a uniform and cohesive look to the garden.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! If you over-water your plants, they can’t get all the nutrients they need from the dirt. Before watering your organic garden, check weather forecasts to determine if it is likely to rain later that day.

Add coffee grounds to your garden’s soil. Coffee grounds add many nitrogenous nutrients to the soil that will benefit your plants. Nitrogen, along with phosphorous and potassium, is an important nutrient in the garden. It contributes to healthy and strong growth of the plant, but don’t overuse it.

TIP! To become a great organic gardener, you need to look under the surface! Make sure that the root system is healthy when you buy tomato seedlings and that the starts are healthy looking as well. The reason is because these particular starts will stay on the seedlings for weeks, which will not allow the seedlings to grow until these starts are gone.

Paying attention to spacing is important. You can easily underestimate how much space the plants need until they begin to grow. The plants will inevitably need to unfurl and spread, but they also need the circulation of air from open spaces. Try to plan your garden and place sufficient distance in between your seedlings.

TIP! Use a few inches of organic materials to mulch your flowerbed or garden. Mulch adds nutrients to the soil, keeps the soil moist, reduces weed growth, and makes beds look tidier.

Include both green and dry plant refuse in your compost. When you pull weeds from your garden, throw them in the compost. The same goes for vegetable trimmings and grass clippings. These are considered green materials. Dried plant matter, on the other hand, includes shredded paper, used wood chips and straw. Materials to avoid during composting include diseased plants, meat, ashes and charcoal.

TIP! When you garden, be aware of what you can use. Rather than dousing your garden with chemical fertilizers, use an organic alternative.

You should use wood that is untreated, brick or stone when building the raised bed. If you choose wood, ensure that it has not been treated with a sealant or other chemicals. Good choices are cedar, locust and cypress. It is particular important that you don’t use treated wood for vegetable beds, as the chemicals and toxins on the wood could leach into the soil and be absorbed by food plants. If you are already using treated lumber, you can use plastic liners, or a different barrier, in order to protect your garden.

TIP! If you’re preparing to add a new shrub or tree to your organic garden, it’s best that the hole you plant them in looks a bit off-balance. If your hole has several “glazed” sides created by the shovel, it could keep roots from penetrating the soil nearby.

Change your garden beds every year. If the types of plants that you grow are consistent from one year to the next, they may be more prone to diseases and plant fungus. The problems leech into the soil, staying there for the next year’s crop. Moving the plants to different areas will prevent these invaders from growing on your plants.

TIP! Make sure you try to incorporate about 3 inches of organic material when you mulch your trees and flowers. This is an earth-friendly mulching method that will conserve water and make your water bill much lower.

You simply need to do your homework, spend some time working outdoors, and cultivate your patience. Once you see the garden you’ve created, you’ll know all your efforts were worthwhile.