Organic gardening is something you may want to do but never go through with. This is because people often feel too discouraged or incompetent to try something that sounds as complicated and unusual as organic horticulture. You can prevent that from holding you back, and find renewed passion for your gardening activities, by reading the easy tricks and simple tips in the article below.
Bulbs are a great option for people who want to enjoy spring and summer flowers. Bulbs will grow every year and are easier to take care of than seeds. Different types of bulbs bloom at different times, so if you choose appropriately, you can have blooms from early spring to late summer.
Shelter your deciduous shrubs. Shrubs that are planted in containers are especially susceptible to frost and must be carefully protected. Tie the canes together, and drape a sheet or blanket over the top of the wigwam. When you do this you allow air to flow and circulate which can actually prevent rotting, this method is great and better than just wrapping your plant in some plastic.
Learn the appropriate time to pick different vegetables. Different vegetables and fruits have their ideal seasons and months where they flourish, survive, and are harvested at the highest quality. For example, baby peas and zucchini taste best when they are picked young. Tomatoes, in contrast, taste better the longer they are allowed to ripen on the vine. So, it is good to learn about the best time to harvest your vegetables.
Any time that you are gardening in direct sunlight, dress appropriately to prevent skin damage. Wear hats and sunglasses, and make use of sunscreen. When using the right protection in the sun, you will lower your chance of getting a sunburn and decrease your risk of getting skin cancer.
Let your children be involved in your organic gardening efforts. Helping a garden grow is an excellent learning experience for kids, and it allows your family to spend time together while creating healthy, nutritious foods.
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.
If you are growing your organic plants inside of your home or office, it is vital to make sure that the right amount of light reaches them. If your residential space has limited sunlight, it will be best that you grow plants that are ideal for this type of environment. Otherwise, you could simply use your own lights.
Once your seeds have germinated they will not need to be kept as warm as before. Remove plants from the heated environment once they begin growing. If you used plastic wrap to insulate your seedlings, you should now remove it. Keep an eye on your seeds so you will know when this should be done.
Flower Beds
Cover your flower beds with two or three inches of compost or organic mulch. Covering the beds with mulch serves multiple purposes; it helps the flowers by retaining moisture and adding nutrients, and it discourages the growth of unwanted plants. This also gives your flower beds a more aesthetic aspect.
Is there a natural way to kill weeds? You can place newspaper in several layers, and it will help control your weeds. Weeds can’t grow without sunlight. Newspapers placed atop weeds will starve them from light and they will eventually die. As an added benefit, the newspapers will decompose over time, becoming organic compost. Covering the newspaper with mulch will help your garden to be more pleasing to the eye.
When you plant the seeds in containers, be sure the planting’s depth is three times bigger than the seed. However, it is important to understand that some seeds require sunlight and should never be covered. Some common examples include ageratum and petunias. If you are unsure as to whether or not your seeds should be covered or not, try to read the package or find the answer online.
When you are growing seedlings in your organic garden, lightly brush over them using your hand up to twice a day. While it seems a little odd, it has been reported that this can encourage plant growth.
Plant your own garlic with organic methods. Garlic cloves may be planted in soil with good drainage in either the spring or fall. Lay each bulb into the ground ends up at a distance of about 4 inches away from the next bulb and 1-2 inches down into the soil. As your garlic shoots grow, you can cut them and use them instead of scallions or chives. The bulbs are ripe for harvesting when the tops area turns brown. Allow the skin to harden by letting your bulbs sit out in the sun. Store them somewhere cool, in tied bunches or loose.
When you remember these suggestions from this article, you will not be as afraid to go about organic horticulture. By using the information you have learned from the tips above, you can start to grow the organic garden that you’ve always wanted.