Organic gardening will require some extra research and active avoidance of chemicals. Choosing to garden organically means learning about many details, such as your soil’s acidity or what sort of insects live in your garden. An organic garden can be more than a little challenging for the novice. Be successful by using the following tips.
Lay sod properly. The soil requires preparation before sod can be laid. Thoroughly weed the soil, and work it into a fine, smooth tilth. Compact the soil gently but firmly to be certain that it is indeed flat. Thoroughly moisten the soil. The sod should be laid in staggered rows, with the joints offset from one another. Sod should be firm and have an even, flat surface without gaps. Water the sod everyday for the first two weeks until the roots grow enough.
Choose plants that will give you the most yield at harvest time. A hybrid designed for your weather, and resistant to local diseases, will give a better yield than non-hybrids.
Flower Beds
Plant a variety of annuals, biennials and perennials to keep your flower beds bright. Your flower beds will look different from one season to another. Use them to fill gaps between shrubs and perennials in the sun. Some flowers you can use are rudbekia, petunias, cosmos, marigolds, or sunflowers.
The first thing you should do when planning a garden is test the soil. You can do a soil sample analysis for an affordable fee and then know what you need to properly treat your soil with so you can grow the best plants. There are numerous places to find this service, such as your local Cooperative Extension office. The cost is well worth it to avoid a potentially ruined crop.
When partaking in horticulture activities, particularly in the autumn months, keep an eye on those stink bugs. They enjoy tomatoes, peppers, beans, and many different varieties of fruits. If not taken care of, these pests can damage the garden, so take steps to cut down their population.
The approach of fall means you need to start planting autumn goodies. This time, use a pumpkin for the container for your lettuce and kale, instead of plain clay pots. Once you cut an opening at the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the insides, spray the inside and edges with Wilt-Pruf to keep the pumpkin from rotting. After that, your pumpkin planter is ready to use!
Knee Pads
It is a good idea to invest in a good pair of knee pads, made specifically for gardening. They can be very helpful when working close to the ground on low-growth plants. Without pads, you may have pain in your knees from spending too much time kneeling on the hard ground. Using a pair of quality knee pads designed for gardening can provide your knees with cushioning and support, preventing any discomfort.
Consider planting evergreens that produce berries in your yard. They add color to your yard, throughout the year. The American Holly, American Cranberrybush, the Winterberry, and the Common Snowberry help provide color during the winter.
Pest control can become a major issue. Since you are growing the vegetables for your own consumption, you want to stay away from pesticides. One way to keep pests at bay is to remain diligent about your garden. If you catch them when there are only a few around, you can actually pick them off the plants by hand.
Vegetables are softer in the heat of the hottest part of the day; even gently picking them at that time can damage them. See to it that you cut their connection to the vine as opposed to twisting them, because twisting could hurt the plant.
When you are organic gardening, ask your children to lend a hand. Gardening is a great way for children to learn, and it gives you two a chance to spend some quality time together and produce healthy food.
Before planting any perennials, you have to make the ground ready. Using a garden spade, dig underneath the turf and flip it. Then, create a layer of wood chips at least three inches deep over the area you just flipped. Allow a few weeks to pass by before you dig down into the applied soil.
When planting seeds, make sure to take your time. Start by getting the soil good and moist. Then you want to spread your seeds evenly while making sure that they have enough room to grow. Seeds should be buried about three times deeper than their own size. However, there are some seeds that need light to germinate, so be sure to check your seeds planting instructions.
In order to maximize the efficiency of your horticulture, ensure your horticulture tools are kept close by you. Carry a large bucket with you or wear pants with a lot of pockets. You should be able to do your garden work quickly if you keep a trowel, gloves, small pruning shears, and other handy devices close to you.
Now, you shouldn’t get your hopes up and believe that a few tips are going to turn you into an instant professional gardener. However, these tips are a great starting point if you do plan to grow organically. As you implement these tips and hone your skills, you’ll be a professional green-thumb-holder in no time.