The main reason people decide to go organic when gardening is that they think commercial chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers, may degrade soil quality, harm the environment and cause long-term damage to their personal health. Another benefit of organic gardening is that it is relatively inexpensive. The following tips will help turn you into a successful organic gardener in no time at all.
Baking Soda
There’s no need for chemical intervention if you discover powdery mildew on leaves. All it takes is a liquid soap, water, and baking soda mixture. Once a week, spray this on plants to eliminate the mildew. Baking soda is not harmful to your plants and will take care of the issue as well as any other treatment.
Plant bulbs if you want spring and summer flowers. Typically, bulbs are simple to grow, and they’ll grow every single year. Specific types of bulbs usually bloom at specific times of the season, so if you make appropriate selections, you can be rewarded with blooms from the early part of spring to the later part of summer.
Soak seeds overnight, preferably in a cool, dark place. Place some seeds in your smaller pots and add water almost to the brim. The idea here is for your seeds to become fully hydrated by the time they hit the dirt. The seeds will now have a greater chance of maturing and surviving.
Try growing wheat grass or cat grass in the area of the plants your cat wants to eat. Another option is to place offensively smelling objects on the topsoil near and around the plants you want to protect. Citrus peels or mothballs are a couple of examples.
Set your mower blades higher, so you don’t cut the grass too short. By leaving your grass a little higher off the ground, it give the roots a chance to grow deep into the soil which makes the lawn stronger, and that helps keep it from drying out. Short grass on the other hand is more susceptible to drying out.
Divide irises. The more you divide clusters of irises, the more your irises will multiply. If you notice a dead foliage, lift the bulb. The bulbs, when harvested, should easily split by hand – allowing you to replant them for even more blooms next spring. Divide rhizomes with a knife. Throw out the center and cut pieces on the outside that are new. A strong offshoot is needed on every piece that you decide to plant. The quicker you can replant your cuttings, the better chances they will reappear next season.
Fertilize your garden regularly. Manure can help your plants grow quickly, but you must use only commercially created products to reduce the chance of contracting pathogens. There are numerous types of fertilizers available. What type you select is less of a concern; any kind of fertilizer is better than none.
If you want to grow peas, consider starting them indoors instead of planting them outside. Install your plants inside and wait for the seeds to germinate. The seedlings will also be heartier, which means they can resist pests and diseases better. Once the seedlings are sturdy enough, they can be transplanted to their rightful place in the garden.
Select a specific type of plant to be the focal point of your garden. A focal point in the garden will capture your attention. Usually this is a big plant that is somewhat different from the other plants in the garden.
Make the most of the time spent in your garden. One of the biggest time wasters is not keeping track of your tools and having to look for them every time you need them. Set up the tools you will need for your day prior to hitting the garden, then put them away neatly at the end of your gardening session. One way to keep your tools handy is to use a belt especially designed to hold them. An alternative is to wear a garment with multiple pockets that are big enough to hold your more commonly used tools.
Keep plastic bags handy to cover your muddy horticulture shoes. This allows you to keep going, getting back to your garden quickly.
Spacing is essential when planting an organic garden. Many people underestimate the space needed for plants to grow to their full size. Air circulation and room to grow is important for any plant. If necessary, use a ruler to measure the distance between each plant.
Get every last drop of value from your land. Landscaping can make the value of your property go up. You can raise your home value up to 20 percent! The plants you buy should be able to withstand normal regional weather conditions.
Gardening can not only be an excellent hobby for consuming time, but is great for saving money and aiding a healthy diet. You will learn how to care for you plants from planting the seeds to harvesting your delicious vegetables.
When you are horticulture, you should know what you can and cannot use in an organic garden. Instead of chemical fertilizers, use natural alternatives. Compost is one thing you can use. Inorganic materials, such as those found in commercial fertilizers, are responsible for toxic chemical buildup in both soil and drinking water. This can be avoided by using eco-friendly organic methods.
Putting the advice you just learned to use in your organic garden will help you realize several benefits, including having healthy plants and a reduction in toxins. As your garden starts to become more attuned with nature, you will also see it attracting more wildlife.