In order to be a good organic gardener, you need to have a lot of patience and a knack for how to take care of plants. This is a hobby where the goal is to grow food that is healthy and pesticide free. However, organic gardening can seem quite daunting, especially if you do not possess the proverbial green thumb. Read the following article and you will gain great knowledge you can use while you garden organically.
Stink bugs can damage your garden, especially if you garden in the fall. They love to inhabit peppers, beans, tomatoes and all kinds of fruit varieties. They can do a lot of damage if they are not controlled.
Soak your seeds in a dark spot during the overnight hours. You then want to place a small amount of seeds in a container that’s smaller and then fill it up with water to the top. This way, your seeds are well-hydrated and can start growing with a head start. The seeds will have a better chance of surviving and maturing.
Protect your tender deciduous shrubs. If the temperature drops below 50 degrees, you should consider protecting them, especially if they do best in warm environments. Tie the tops tightly together, and cover the wigwam with a sheet or blanket draped loosely over it. This method works better than covering your bushes in plastic, allowing air to circulate and preventing rotting.
If you want to effectively weed out young plants, you can try “boiling” away the weeds. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find. Just pour out the water on the weeds being careful to avoid any nearby plants. The weeds’ roots will be damaged by the boiling water; normally, this prevents them from continuing to grow.
Be consistent with garden fertilization. While a lot of people use manure, it is better to choose fertilizer from a reputable company, as this will reduce the risk of any pathogens getting into your soil. It is important that you use some sort of fertilizer, although it doesn’t really matter which variety you choose.
Natural Materials
Using pest-resistant plants or natural materials in your garden is a good way to keep pests away. Slugs can be kept at bay with a patch of marigolds or pungent vegetables. If you place wood ash around the base portion of a shrub seedling or tree, you will ward off insect pests. Natural materials and plants can be just as effective as chemical pesticides at keeping unwanted visitors out of your garden!
There is always a best time to pick your garden’s vegetables, and you should know them. Each type of produce has unique time frames for harvesting at the peak of flavor. Veggies such as zucchini or baby peas, for instance, taste their best if they get picked young. Tomatoes, in contrast, taste better the longer they are allowed to ripen on the vine. So, make sure you do some research, and find out when the best time to harvest your vegetables is.
Pest control is very difficult if you are dealing with your veggie garden. You can’t use chemicals as they’re the last thing you want to be eating when you enjoy the fruits of your labor. Remain vigilant to control your garden pests. Taking the pests off of the plants by hand is one of the best fixes if you are able to catch the infestation in its early stages.
Avoid sun damage by dressing appropriately whenever you will be horticulture in the sun. Wear sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Wearing sun protection will prevent your skin from burning and by extension will reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
Consider planting strawberries, especially ones that are everbearing, for your garden if you have small children. Children enjoy picking fresh fruit, especially if they can eat it right away.
Having a garden of perennials can be an easy and quick process. All you need to do is use a garden spade to slice under the turf, flip it over, then spread wood chips over the area about three to four inches deep. After a few weeks, you can then dig into the turf and plant the perennials of your choosing.
There should be no rush when you are planting a seed. To begin with, you need to dampen the soil sufficiently. Then you want to spread your seeds evenly while making sure that they have enough room to grow. The seeds should be buried to a depth that is equal to three times the diameter of the seeds. Also keep in mind that there are some seeds you should not bury, as light is essential for their growth.
Spend your time working efficiently in your organic garden. You do not have the time to spend an hour looking for each tool you need. Prepare them all ahead of time and have them handy before you need to garden, and then put them back in their place when done. If you need, use a tool belt or even pants that have quite a few pockets.
Horticulture organically is a rewarding hobby that incorporates nature, effort and patience. This hobby makes good use of your land to produce tasty vegetables and fruits. If you put in the work, learn through trial and error, and most importantly, keep this tips in mind, your organic horticulture skill will increase greatly.