Horticulture is generally a relaxing and therapeutic hobby. Just a few of the common questions gardeners have are what type of soil to use, what kind of equipment is needed, and when is the best time for planting seeds. The following article provides answers to many of the questions that are asked by gardeners of all skill levels.
Create useful rulers from your tool handles. Larger handled tools like rakes, hoes, and shovels make great measuring sticks. Just lay your tool down on the floor then lay a yardstick beside the handle. Next, use a Sharpie to accurately label the distance between each one. Now, the next time you do work in the garden, you’ll actually have a ruler at your fingertips.
Use climbers if you want to cover any fences or walls. You can hide an unsightly wall or fence, in as little as one growing season, with the right selection of climbing plant. You can also train climbers to cover arbors and other things that you want covered, and they will even grow right through trees and shrubs. Sometimes the plants will require being tied to supports, but some climbers will attach themselves naturally. Some of these plants include, wisteria, jasmine, climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle!
Before you begin to plant your garden you will need to check the soil. You can obtain a soil analysis for a nominal fee. Using that report, you can amend your soil as needed for a thriving garden. The cost of the analysis will be easily offset by the benefits of a healthy and vibrant crop.
When you go to mow your lawn, make sure you don’t mow it too closely to the ground. If you leave your grass kind of high, your roots will be deeper and your lawn will be stronger and not dry out. If the grass is too short, it produces shallow roots and that leads to a lawn with brown spots and dried-out patches.
As the weather turns colder, it is important to prepare your sensitive shrubs for the change. Fragile shrubs, that are planted in pots, should be covered to protect them during the cold season. Tie the canes together, and drape a sheet or blanket over the top of the wigwam. This tactic is better than utilizing plastic, because it will allow air to circulate.
Start your peas in a protected indoors environment rather than outside. Seeds will always germinate much better when you first plant them indoors initially. Seeds grown indoors are much more resistant to diseases and damage done by pests. The seedlings can then be transplanted outside after becoming strong enough to withstand the elements.
Get a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool to work in your garden. Working on the ground for long periods of time can be painful on the knees, so a small garden stool can really allow you to work in comfort. As well, horticulture can involve some heavy lifting and moving, so a strong wheelbarrow can really make that aspect much more effortless.
Pectrum Pesticides
Keep your garden free from broad-spectrum pesticides. Broad-spectrum pesticides not only kill pests, but also “good” bugs like ground beetles that eat pests. The helpful insects in your garden can be highly sensitive to pesticides and if their population goes down, the harmful insect population will grow. As a result, gardeners often have to resort to using more toxic pesticides to get rid of garden pests.
Be sure to plant using the colors of Fall. Fall, though, can still be an interesting time for trees. the most colorful foliage appears in the fall. Maple trees can range from beautiful reds and yellows in addition to Beech or Dogwood trees. Add even more color to your garden by planting shrubs such as hydrangea, barberry or cotoneaster.
Be smart when you water your garden. A soaker hose is a great way to water all of the plants at once, and will save you a lot of time. Be sure to keep the pressure of the water on low so that the hose does not damage the tender plants. This allows you to leave the hose running as you go about your business.
Plant strawberries for your children. Kids delight in the idea of growing things and seeing how things change over time. Explain every step to your child and he or she will hang on to your every word.
As mentioned earlier, gardening is a great hobby that benefits highly from increased knowledge about it. A knowledgeable gardener is most often a successful gardener. By following these simple tips, you will be prepared and able to enjoy the pleasure of creating a beautiful garden that will suit your needs and desires.