Just about anyone can become an organic gardener. It’s a fun, relaxing hobby that has a lot of benefits. But, newcomers may find the process to be somewhat overwhelming at first. So, how can you best prepare yourself as a novice organic gardener? Well, read the following tips.
Think about starting plants in pots, and then placing the seedlings in the garden later. Your plants will be more likely to mature this way. This is also a good way to tighten up your planting schedule. You can plant the seedlings once you have removed the old plants.
Utilize your garden tool handles as convenient makeshift rulers. Large handled tools like rakes, hoes or shovels may be used like measuring sticks. Lay the handles on the floor, then run the measuring tape down next to them. Label the distances on the handle with a marker pen that will not smear or fade away. Next time you are working in the garden, you will have a large ruler at your fingertips!
Baking Soda
There are home solutions available to combat the powdery mildew you may find on your plants. Mix a solution of baking soda, water, and a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid. Spray this onto your plants about once per week or until it subsides. Baking soda is safe for use on your plants and is a gentle, but effective way to care for your plants.
To achieve the best growing results, plants need sufficient carbon dioxide. Plants will not thrive if they don’t have an adequate amount of CO2. The best way to get higher CO2 for your plants is to grow them in a greenhouse. In this environment, the CO2 levels are kept high so the plants can experience optimal growing conditions.
Make sure that you divide your irises! Overgrown clumps of irises can be divided up to increase your numbers of this lovely flower. Once the foliage has died off, lift out your bulbous irises. The bulbs often divide in your hand with no intervention on your part, and when you replant them, they will usually flower the following year. Make use of a knife to split up rhizomes. Throw away the center after carefully cutting new sprouts from the exterior. Divide your pieces carefully; they should each have one good quality offshoot apiece. Plant immediately.
A green garden needs to begin with seeds, not plants. Not only is this more of an effective method for horticulture, but it’s also more environmentally-friendly. Plastic used in nurseries normally end up in landfills. For an garden that helps the environment, plant seeds directly in the garden’s soil or purchase plants grown in organic packaging.
Place a two inch layer of organic mulch at the base of your tall vegetable plants. Mulching helps keep moisture in the soil. This method will also prevent weeds. This will save you having to constantly pull weeds.
Pest control is very difficult if you are dealing with your veggie garden. One major benefit of growing your own produce is knowing that they haven’t been treated with pesticides and other harsh chemicals. Staying on top of the problem will ensure that pests don’t take over your garden. If you catch pests early, you can remove them by hand effectively.
Plant for fall color. Fall, though, can still be an interesting time for trees. When it comes to vibrant color, the bright foliage of fall beats all the other seasons. Maple trees produce yellow and red leaves, just like Beech and Dogwood trees. When thinking about shrubs, consider barberry, hydrangea and cotoneaster.
If you have recently sustained a cut, you should allow it to heal entirely before toiling in your garden. If you simply cannot wait to get back to gardening, you should at least cover the cut to protect it. If grime gets into the cut, it could become infected. Look for newer bandages which are able to completely seal your cut.
Create a space perfect for any perennial garden with this easy method. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips. After a few weeks, dig, then plant your perennials.
After sprouting occurs, you will not need to keep seeds as warm. You should move your sprouted plants farther from the heat when they are past the sprouting stage. If you have plastic films on your containers, remove them. You should know when the right time is if you are keeping an eye on the seeds.
Coffee Grounds
Add used coffee grounds to your soil. Coffee grounds contain many of the essential nitrogenous nutrients that plants are able to use. It is best for your plants to use coffee grounds that are part of a blend of ingredients in the compost or soil you are using for your plants, rather than directly adding coffee grounds to your garden plants.
Tend your organic garden on a regular schedule. You may not have a lot of time to exclusively devote to your gardening hobby, but you can make the most of the time you do have. You can pull a few weeds when you take your dog outside.
If you’re planning on selling crops to people and labeling them as organic, you will need to receive an organic gardening certification. Having this certification will create a lot of trust with customers. People who want to eat organically will purchase from you with full confidence.
It is by now obvious how beneficial and enjoyable organic horticulture can truly be when you know how to approach it. Growing a garden the right way is a rewarding and relaxing experience. Using these tips, you can become an excellent organic gardener.