A large amount of people think that gardening would be difficult to accomplish, but it is not true when you know what to do. All it takes is a little knowledge for you to have a green thumb of your own. These tips will enable you to be more proficient at horticulture.
Do a soil analysis prior to planting. For a small fee, a soil analysis can be obtained – based on that report – the soil can be properly enriched to support a vibrant garden. Several Cooperative Extension locations offer this service, and it’s advantageous for you to know what type of soil you have, in order to avoid growing faulty crops.
Always make sure to mow your lawn to the appropriate length, always making sure that the cut is not too close. If your grass has more height, roots be able to grow more deeply in the soil, which will make for a stronger lawn and will have a higher resistance to drying out. If you have short grass, you will have short roots and you will dry out your grass.
Start your garden off right with seeds, not plants. Once the plant is healthy enough, replant it in your garden with the appropriate type of soil. 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.
Be careful how you water your garden. Consider a soaker hose as a way to water multiple plants while saving time. Turn the water pressure on low so the soaker hose will not harm tender plants. Allow the soaker to stay on for a few hours, so your plants can receive water while you tend to other tasks.
If you’re planning on gardening inside, the first thing you should consider is an adequate light source. If your dwelling does not enjoy a great deal of natural sunlight, it makes sense to grow only those varieties meant to thrive in such environments. If you want to grow a plant which requires more light, you can invest in grow-lights.
It is simple to prepare your garden for perennial flowers. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips. Give this area at least a few weeks, then you can dig into the area and plant the new perennials.
Pine Needles
Pine needles should not be overlooked as a great source for mulch. Some plants have a naturally high acidic level, and therefore like acidic soil. When you have any plants like this, it’s very simple to just collect pine needles to use in your bed. Using several inches of needles to cover your beds provides acid for the soil as they begin to decompose.
Garlic can be simple to grow organically. Plant some individual garlic cloves into well-drained soil in early spring. Plant them approximately 4 inches apart at a depth of 1 or 2 inches beneath the surface of the soil with the pointed end facing upward. Green garlic shoots can be cut as they grow, and used in place of chives or scallions. You know your bulbs are ready when they turn brown on their tops. Leave the bulbs out to dry and exposed to the sun for a few days so that the skin hardens a bit. You should store your garlic cloves in a cooler area and tie them in some bunches.
When choosing plants, dig a little deeper. When buying tomato seedlings, avoid the ones with a bad root system or green starts. The lush starts remain on the baby plants for several weeks, crippling their growth until the starts are gone.
For the best results when mulching, you should aim to create a bed of mulch two to three inches thick. This will add nutrients to your soil, keep it moist, stop the growth of weeds and keep the garden looking beautiful.
Know what you can and cannot use in your organic garden. Make use of organic compounds or natural solutions instead of commercial fertilizers. One good example is compost. Compared with chemical-based approaches, organic methods are safer for both the people and the planet.
As aforementioned, becoming an expert gardener is not actually that difficult once you know how to get started. When you have the correct information, horticulture can be both easy and fun. The tips we have provided are a great place to start on your path to becoming an expert gardener.