Horticulture Is As Simple As It Is Fun

TIP! Starting seedlings in pots before planting in your garden is a smart idea. This insures that the plants will grow and thrive into adulthood.

Many people think of horticulture as a hobby that is soothing and therapeutic. When it comes to horticulture there are some basic “need to know” things such as: knowing your soils, which equipment to use and the time frame for planting your seeds. The tips you will find below will guide you through those questions and more.

TIP! It’s sometimes possible to save certain plants from winter cold by bringing them inside. Perhaps you can save your most expensive or resistant plants.

Properly lay your sod. Your soil should be prepared before you lay the sod. Take out any weeds, then mix up the soil into a tilth that is fine. When the soil is clean, pack it tightly and create a flat surface. Make sure the soil is moist all the way through. Sod should be staggered in rows, the joints offsetting from each other. Pat your sod to form an even and flat surface, fill any gaps with some soil. Water the sod each day for two weeks so it will become well-rooted and ready for foot traffic.

TIP! Plant bulbs in your garden if you want flowers through spring and summer. A hardy perennial addition to your garden, bulbs will continue to delight every year.

The handles on your gardening tools can be used as a convenient measuring instrument. Larger handled tools like rakes, hoes, and shovels make great measuring sticks. Put the handles down and measure them with a measuring tape. Label the distances onto them using a permanent marker pen. When you decide to work in the garden again, you will now have a ruler at your disposal.

TIP! When mowing your lawn, avoid mowing the grass too short. Higher grass has deeper roots, meaning a healthier lawn that will be less likely to dry out.

Use proper soil for the best results. The type of plants you’re planning to grow will determine the type of soil you need, and whether the soil will or will not be adapted. You can also make an artificial plot with just one type of soil.

Stink Bugs

TIP! A great garden starts from the seeds and not from the plants. When you grow a new garden, start the environmental way, from seeds.

When gardening, beware of stink bugs and other insects, particularly in the autumn. Stink bugs like to eat beans, peppers, tomatoes, and all sorts of fruit. If you do not keep them under control, the damage can be excessive, so keep an eye out for them.

TIP! Broad-spectrum pesticides are really not the optimal choice for pest control in your garden. It’s true these pesticides kill the pests you don’t want, but they also lay waste to the advantageous insects that make those same pests a regular meal.

Plant bulbs in your garden if you want flowers through spring and summer. Bulbs are easy to grow and hearty, and they keep growing in years to come. If you choose your plants carefully, you could have flowers in blossom from the first weeks of spring to the end of the summer.

TIP! Avoid sun damage by dressing appropriately whenever you will be gardening in the sun. Try wearing a large sunhat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes, and use sunscreen on any exposed skin.

When fall arrives, it’s time to plant your autumn vegetables. Rather than using clay pots or planters for your lettuce and kale, plant them in a pumpkin! Use some Wilt-Pruf to prevent your pumpkin from decomposing and then you can put your plants right inside. You are prepared to plant after this is done.

TIP! To create a beautiful English garden, use the same bed to mix various kinds of plants, as well as different heights. If you only use uniform plants, your bed will look boring and flat.

Soak the seeds and store in a dark area overnight. Place some seeds in your smaller pots and add water almost to the brim. This hydrates your seeds and jump-starts their growth. The seeds will have a better chance of surviving and maturing.

TIP! If you can’t wait for a cut to heal before digging in the dirt, then at least protect your cuts from exposure. A cut will likely become infected if it is exposed to dirt when gardening.

Vegetables should be placed in a spot in your garden that will get about six hours of sun every day. Pretty much any vegetable you plant in your garden requires sunshine for this duration. It allows them to grow in the proper manner and also much faster. This holds true for some types of flowers.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Planted flowers will benefit from organic materials that are built up to as much as three inches. This will help to inhibit weed growth, helps to lock in moisture, and adds needed nutrients to your organic garden.

If you find that you have soil that has high amounts of alkaline, mix used coffee grounds throughout the soil. Coffee grounds are an affordable means of adding acid to the soil so that it is pH-balanced. This will allow your vegetables and greenery to really thrive.

TIP! Do not overlook the benefits of pine mulch for your garden. There are some plants that thrive in acidic soil.

There are natural steps you can take to keep garden pests at bay. Slugs are repelled by bordering your vegetable garden with either onions or marigolds. You can also prevent insect pests by using wood ash like mulch around your trees and shrubs. Using these methods eliminates your need of chemical pesticides.

TIP! Old laundry baskets are handy tools at harvest time. An old basket will act like a strainer does.

Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. When the plants are started inside, the seeds will have an easier time germinating. Your seedlings will be stronger, and this will mean they can withstand diseases and bug attacks. Once the seedlings are sturdy enough, they can be transplanted to their rightful place in the garden.

TIP! Calibrate how much you water based upon the time of the year and the weather conditions. The amount of water you will need will vary according to your climate and even such factors as the part of day and soil type.

Apply organic mulch generously around your vegetable plants. The soil around plants can stay damper through the use of mulch. This method will also prevent weeds. Time and effort will be saved pulling out all the weeds.

TIP! Excessive amounts of water makes it harder for plants to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Always check to see if rain is in the forecast before watering your plants.

As you now have discovered, gardening can be a fun, productive and rewarding activity if you invest a little time into gaining a bit of knowledge before you begin. With the right advice and proper planning, you’ll soon have a thriving garden. Simply use the advice presented here and wonderful garden will be growing from your land.