One of the tenets of organic horticulture is to focus on the garden and to tend it well. Organic gardening is possible with some great tips. Following organic gardening practices will result in tastier fruits and vegetables, as well as happier plants. Use this advice to have your organic garden become the best around.
Select plant varieties capable of producing large yields. In many cases, a disease-resistant or cold-tolerant hybrid will produce a higher yield than a traditional variety.
Transform your gardening tool handles into clever measurement rulers. Tools with long handles, such as a shovel or rake, are absolutely perfect for this job, and make your workload a little bit smaller. Measure the handles with a tape measure laid out in the floor. Label the distances using a permanent marker. This will allow you to have a ruler at your fingertips when you are working out in the garden.
If you want the best results, you need to choose the right soil. Depending on what kind of plants you want in your garden, the soil might or might not be adapted. You can make an artificial area that uses a single kind of soil.
When you are mowing your lawn do not cut it too closely to the dirt. Higher grass sends roots further down, increasing lawn strength and viability. The shorter the grass is, the shorter the roots are, which leads to a dry lawn.
Coffee Grounds
If you discover that your soil is very alkaline, take used coffee grounds and mix them thoroughly with your soil. The coffee grounds are a very inexpensive way to add acid back into the dirt. When you use them, you will start to notice that your vegetables are tastier and more vibrant in color.
If you are looking for an all-natural, organic way to weed your garden, consider “boiling off” the weeds. Boiling water is a very safe alternative to other potent herbicides. Just pour out the water on the weeds being careful to avoid any nearby plants. This can cause enough damage to the roots of any plant to kill it.
Do you enjoy your mint leaves, but can’t stand how they dominate your garden? You can stunt the growth of mint by planting it inside a container or super-sized bowl. This container can be placed in the soil if you prefer the look of mint in your garden, and it will continue to contain the roots of your mint and prevent it from taking over.
A great garden starts from the seeds and not from the plants. The environmentally conscious way to start a new garden is to start with seeds. Packaging materials for many plants utilize plastics that are not recyclable, so avoid these containers and choose instead to sow your garden with seeds or utilize organic pots.
Spray fragrances such as old perfume or aftershave on grass around your garden to help keep your dog away from the plants. This helps mask the attractive scents and can make your garden unappealing to them.
Mix various plant heights and plants in the exact same bed for a unique English garden. Having plants that grow to the same height will result in a common and flat looking bed.
You can help your plants resist disease by spraying them with aspirin water. Try dissolving around one and one half aspirins into around 2 gallons of water for your plants. You can just spray this on them to fight disease. Be sure to repeat this process every two or three weeks.
If you are a fan of organic, sustainable gardening methods, consider leaving part of your backyard untouched so that natural plants and wildlife can flourish in the area. Certain wildlife can be good for an organic garden; birds and insects can help your plants reproduce and be as healthy as they can be!
Protect cuts from dirt and chemicals, and think about staying away from gardening until they heal. If dirt and grime get into a cut while gardening, it may become infected. Instead, opt for a bandage that entirely covers your wound.
If you choose to use organic methods to care for your houseplants, you should bear in mind that certain plants require more sunlight than others. If you’re living in a home that doesn’t receive much sunlight, you should consider growing plants that thrive in environments with low to medium amounts of light. If you still are unable to get enough light to your plants, consider purchasing grow-lights.
After your seeds have sprouted, heat lamps are not needed. Locate your plants further from your heat source as they mature. You should also remove plastic films that you had on your containers to keep the humidity and warmth out. To know when it is time for this, keep a careful eye on your seeds.
Working in the garden doesn’t have to be grueling; learn to work more efficiently. Have your tools laid out in an orderly way so you do not have to search for them. Organize the tools you will need before you head to the garden, and put every item away when you finish your work. Get a tool belt if you need to, or a pair of pants with a lot of pockets.
Construct raised flower beds of brick, stone, or wood. Any wood you use needs to be untreated and resistant to rot. Examples of good woods include cedar, cypress, and locust. Consider the chemicals that will leach out of the wood before choosing anything that has been treated. Remember the affect that such chemicals will have on your plants and soil. If you have built a bed with treated lumber already, use a barrier such as plastic to line the bed.
By having an organic garden, you will be providing yourself with much fresher and more nutritious produce. Although organic gardening isn’t easy since you have to put in time and effort and wait for results, the health benefits make it worth it.