Most likely, you have seen organic foods in your local grocery store or read about them in a newspaper. It’s easy to tell which items are certified organic by the USDA. These items are packaged in a different manner, and they typically cost much more. In this article, we will offer your some essential gardening tips that can help you to save more by growing organic products at home.
It may be helpful to let your plants begin their life in a pot and to transfer them to your garden when they’re seedlings. Once the plant is hardy enough, plant it in your garden. This method also gives you the freedom of tightening time periods between each planting. You will have healthy seedlings that are ready to be planted when you get rid of old plants.
Pick the proper soil in order to get the best outcome. Find out more about the plants you like and which type of soil is best. For special requirements, you can build separate areas with soil that is right for certain plants.
The best gardens start with seeds, as opposed to plants. The most “green” way to create a new garden is starting from seeds. Seeds eliminate the waste of plastic containers from nurseries which rarely get recycled. There are some nurseries, however, that send their plants out in organic potting materials.
Think about starting your peas indoors rather than planting them directly in the garden. The seeds will grow better in your home if planted there first. This method also results in hardier seedlings that can better resist insects and disease. After the seedlings get mature enough, transplant them to your outdoor garden.
A touch of organic mulch will boost the potential of the vegetable plants in your garden. The mulch will keep the soil around the plants moist a little longer. An added benefit is that it also inhibits weed growth. This will save you tons of time from pulling out tons of weeds.
To draw good insects to your garden, plant heather. Bees are attracted to heather, and they can bring a source of nectar early in the spring. Heather beds are also attractive to bugs such as spiders and ground beetles that will kill pests. Keep this in mind and remember to always wear appropriate horticulture gloves.
A good tip to help your plants stay healthy and fight diseases is to use aspirin water. Dissolve 1 aspirin per gallon of water for a plant disease fighting solution. Spray the plants with the aspirin solution to help your plants fight disease. Plants should be sprayed once every two to three weeks.
Store a few plastic bags near your garden to slip on over your dirty gardening shoes. You’ll be able to keep your momentum going without needing to take off your shoes, and stay on track with your gardening project.
When planting seeds in containers, remember that the planting depth should be around three times bigger than the seed size. Some seeds need sunlight and should not be buried. Petunia and ageratum seeds need direct sunlight, for example. If you’re not sure, a guide either comes with seeds, or you can find this information online.
A good thing to know when it comes to your organic garden, and running it, is to, a couple times a day, lightly ruffle the seedlings with cardboard or your hand. You may think it odd, but studies show that this action results in plant growth that is more substantial than would otherwise be achieved.
The watering needs of your garden will vary considerably, depending on your climate zone and the time of year. Other factors that influence how much you need to water include time of day, soil factors and how hard your water is. In warm climates with high humidity, for instance, plants often develop fungal infections when water is applied to the leaves. Instead, focus water on the plant’s root system.
Take care not to overwater your plants, as this can prevent the roots from drawing the proper amount of nutrients out of the soil. Before watering your organic garden, check weather forecasts to determine if it is likely to rain later that day. If rain is predicted, you shouldn’t bother to water any outdoor plants for that day..
Plant some organic garlic. Cloves should be planted whole during the fall or early spring months. Garlic grows best in soil that retains moisture but drains well. Place them about one or two inches deep into the soil pointed upwards and four inches apart. Cut the green garlic sprouts as they grow, you can use them like you would use scallions or chives. When the tops of the bulbs become brown, it is time to harvest them. The bulbs should be allowed to dry in the sunshine for a few days; the heat will harden the skin. Store the cloves in a cool area. They can be tied or left loose.
Native Plants
This will be organic horticulture made easy. Stick to native plants, grasses, flowers and bushes when you plan out your landscape. If you choose groups of plants that all mesh with each other in terms of optimal soil conditions, weather requirements and plant interaction, you won’t need to do as much work to get the plants to coexist peacefully. Compost your yard trimmings and kitchen waste, then use it to fertilize native plants and to help them conserve moisture.
For an easy, organic garden option, try a shade garden. Shade gardens don’t require much work at all, which may surprise you. You will also eliminate time and effort by a reduced need for watering your garden. While growth is a bit slower, there are also fewer weeds to remove.
Growing your garden at home might not be the most convenient thing for you, but you will save a lot of money and always have the confidence that what you’re eating and feeding your family is as fresh and as healthy as possible. Use the tips you’ve learned here and get started on your garden today.