A lot of people are finding out the benefits of growing an organic garden. Read this article to find out what you need to do to get started. Coming up are a collection of organic gardening oriented tips, tricks and ideas to grow and harvest nontoxic, free, healthy, fresh, produce for your whole family.
For the right results, get the right type of soil. Find out more about the plants you like and which type of soil is best. You may also be able to design an artificial area that contains one type of dirt.
If a test indicates that your soil is very alkaline, you can mix the dirt with used coffee grounds. This is an easy and inexpensive solution to increase the acid content back into the soil. You will discover that your vegetables are more flavorful than ever before.
Keep your fragile shrubs protected from the winter weather. When these tender shrubs are kept in pots, cold weather can be very damaging. First tie together the tops; then take a sheet or blanket and loosely shroud the wigwam. This method is preferred to wrapping a plant in plastic, since it promotes circulation and prevents rotting.
Knee Pads
Knee pads are a gardener’s friend when caring for plants low to the ground. If you spend a large portion of your gardening session on your knees, it could create pain over time. Knee pads offer your knees the extra cushioning they need to stay comfortable during extended periods in the garden.
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. The container can be planted in the ground, and it will still prevent the plant from dominating the garden.
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. Seedlings will grow stronger, and withstand attacks from pests and diseases a lot better. You could transplant the seedlings outdoors once they are able to survive and thrive.
There is always a best time to pick your garden’s vegetables, and you should know them. Different vegetables and fruits have their ideal seasons and months where they flourish, survive, and are harvested at the highest quality. Veggies such as zucchini or baby peas, for instance, taste their best if they get picked young. The opposite is true of tomatoes. They taste their best if you allow them to ripen on the vine as long as possible. Thus, you ought to familiarize yourself with the best times to pick the produce from your garden.
An easy, inexpensive way to give them nutrients is to pour the leftover water from your steamed vegetables into the soil. You can also acidify soil for rhododendrons, gardenias and more by using coffee or tea grounds. If fungus is ravaging your potted plants, sprinkle a bit of Chamomile tea on them, and see if it helps.
The sun can cause irreparable skin damage; therefore, it is essential to dress accordingly when gardening. Choose hats with overlapping brims, don those sunglasses and smear on the sunscreen. If you cover up from the sun, you are less likely to become burned or get skin cancer.
Take care of your knees when you’re horticulture. Many people experience back pain and stiffness from bending over and working in the garden for extended amounts of time. You can get to your plants without straining your back if you kneel in your working area. Place a cushioning kneeling pad on the ground or wear knee pads to make kneeling more comfortable.
Protect cuts from dirt and chemicals, and think about staying away from horticulture until they heal. If dirt and grime get into a cut while horticulture, it may become infected. Bandages are available that will completely cover the cut so that this cannot happen.
Organic horticulture is a high-risk, high-reward activity compared to normal gardening, but the rewards certainly are sweet. While the chemical companies claim great benefits, organic gardening will always provide the most rewarding and healthy crops.
As mentioned earlier, it will take time and effort to achieve the goals you have for your organic garden. Patience will be required. Put the tips you have learned above to use today, and see firsthand just how wonderful your new garden can be. You will find that organic gardening is an ideal approach for growing vegetables, flowers and grasses.