You need to know some basics related to improving your garden for your family, your business, or simply yourself. Here you will find out the basic equipment and general techniques that are used in horticulture so that your efforts are effective and efficient.
You will need to properly lay sod. Before you use sod, you need to prepare the soil. Weeds should be removed, and you should break up the soil into a tilth. Compact the soil lightly and firmly, and be sure to create a flat surface. Thoroughly moisten the soil. Sod should be placed in rows that are staggered, where the joints connect to offset each other. You want the sod to end up as a flat and even surface. If there are any gaps in between the sod pieces, then you can fill these in with some soil. After two weeks of daily watering, the sod should be rooted; at this time, it is now safe to walk on it.
Use slug-proof varieties of perennials wherever possible. Snails and slugs are garden nightmares, and only need a single evening to obliterate a plant. These pests normally go after plants with thin little leaves and plants that have yet to fully mature. You can discourage snails and slugs from eating your perennials by choosing plants with tougher or distasteful foliage. Consider planting these varieties of perennials to discourage slugs and snails from eating your flowers. Euphorbia and achillea are examples of slug-proof perennials.
If you see mildew that is powdery, stay away from expensive chemicals to treat it. Mix a solution of baking soda, water, and a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid. Spray this mixture on your plants weekly until the mildew is gone. This mixture will not hurt your plants and it will eliminate the mildew slowly but efficiently.
Knee Pads
Knee pads are a gardener’s friend when caring for plants low to the ground. The time that you will have to spend on your knees in your garden can cause you unnecessary knee pain. A pair of good horticulture knee pads can cushion your knees for more comfort.
Separate irises. Take clumps that have become overgrown and divvy them up into separate plants. When the foliage has died off, it is time to harvest the iris bulbs. They will literally split in your hand, flowering the next year after replanting. Divide rhizomes with a knife. Cut out new pieces from outside the bulb and throw away the old center. There needs to be a minimum of one healthy offshoot on each of the new sprout sections. You also need to make sure that you replant the new pieces as soon as possible.
The best way to start a garden is from first principles: seeds. The environmentally conscious way to start a new garden is to start with seeds. Many of the plastics used for horticulture simply end up going in the trash and clogging land fills. An environmentally-friendly garden is started with seeds or plants grown in organic pots.
Don’t use broad-spectrum pesticides in the garden. These pesticides can kill the useful insects that work as predators to pests. In fact, beneficial insects are more likely to die than pests if you spray these types of pesticides. As the population of “good” bugs dwindles, your garden may become overrun with pests. This will cause a cycle to start where you will need to keep increasing the amount of pesticide you are using.
You can create the look and feel of an English garden by mixing different plants of varying heights throughout your flower bed. If you use plants of similar heights, the result will be pretty boring and uniform.
If you’re growing indoor organic plants, you should ensure that you think about how much light is available for them. 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 want to grow plants that need a lot of light, consider using artificial lighting.
Space is important to remember when planting an organic garden. People often underestimate how much space plants will need when once they’re grown. Space is vital for your plants not only due to their literal physical size requirements but also because of how much room your garden needs for air circulation. Plan your garden accordingly, and make sure the right distance is between the seeds.
Do not let your gardening chores add up. Even if you are too busy to tend to your gardens needs every day, you can try little things that will prevent you from having a lot of work when you return to your garden. While you are with your pet outside, pull some weeds while the pet does its business.
It is a great idea to help your garden by ruffling seedlings, either with cardboard or with your own hands, a couple of times each day. While it seems a little odd, it has been reported that this can encourage plant growth.
If you have problem slugs in your organic garden, get rid of them naturally with a beer trap. Get a clean, empty glass jar to use as a trap. Bury it with its mouth facing upwards. Keep putting dirt over the jar until the mouth is at the surface of your garden. Fill the jar with beer about an inch lower than the top. Slugs will be attracted to the beer and fall into the jar.
Horticulture is a fun hobby that allows you be more earth friendly. This kind of horticulture shows you the entire progression of planting from beginning to end.
You must do a bit of research, enjoy working outside a good deal of the time, and have lots of patience. Your efforts will pay off when you experience the joy of watching something that you created grow.