If you are environmentally conscious and worried about the toxic effects of chemicals, organic gardening may be for you. Organic gardeners eschew the harsh chemicals and fertilizers used by large corporate farms. Also, organic gardening can save you a lot of money. Read on for some advice about how to work in your organic garden.
Plant annuals and biennials to make your flower beds brighter. Your flower beds will look different from one season to another. They are very helpful when trying to fill in gaps between shrubs and perennials in an area that is sunny. Some varieties are hollyhocks, petunias and sunflowers.
Coffee Grounds
If you discover that your soil is very alkaline, take used coffee grounds and mix them thoroughly with your soil. The coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to give some acid back to the dirt. The plants will be healthier, leading to more delicious home-grown veggies.
Use horticulture to relax. Many methods of relaxation can be employed to lead a peaceful life. Gardening is at the top of the list of ways to relax for many people. You will not need to spend a lot of money to grow your garden, and it provides many benefits. Your beautiful lush garden will allow you to reap a harvest of peaceful tranquility.
Make sure to water your garden properly. Use a hose with a soaker attachment to save you time, so the garden can get watered while you are doing other tasks. Lower your water pressure on the soaker hose to avoid harming tender plants. You can go about your business and leave your soaker hose at work for an hour or two.
Before planting your favorite perennials, you must first prepare the ground. With a garden spade, slice under the dirt then flip it over. Next, spread out wood chips several inches deep. Allow a few weeks to pass by before you dig down into the applied soil.
When you plant a seed, take your time. You need to start by adding moisture to the soil. Plant the seeds evenly to ensure that they have ample room to grow. Bury them 3 times as deep in relation to the seed’s size. Some seeds need some light to grow, and therefore shouldn’t be buried.
Organic material piled three inches deep is an effective mulch in your flower gardens. This is a good way to keep weed growth at bay and add nutrients that you need in your garden. What’s more, your garden will look professional all year.
Be efficient when working in your garden. Keep all of your tools together; do not waste time looking for them! Prepare all of your tools prior to working in the garden, and then put them away neatly when finished. You can use a tool belt for this purpose, or choose pants that contain several large pockets.
Use plastic bags to cover muddy horticulture shoes. This allows you to maintain your flow so you can rapidly get back to your gardening.
Get every last drop of value from your land. One of the best things you can do to increase property value is to have proper landscaping. Some plants can even raise your home value about 20%. The plants you buy should be able to withstand normal regional weather conditions.
Laundry Basket
An old laundry basket works great for gathering produce from your garden. This type of basket can double as a large colander for the fruits and vegetables you pick. When you put your produce in a basket, you can then rinse it off and let it strain any excess water through the laundry basket holes.
Within your composting heap, ensure that there is an equal split of dried and green plant materials. “Green” material refers to things like wilted flowers, weeds, leaves from your yard, and grass clippings. Dried plant matter, on the other hand, includes shredded paper, used wood chips and straw. Diseased plants, meat and fire-waste like charcoal or ashes should not be placed in your compost pile.
A useful technique for organic gardening, is to gently disturb your seedlings by using your fingers or a piece of cardboard one or two times daily. That may sound like a silly thing to do, but it’s been proven to help plants grow larger than they would otherwise.
Treated Wood
Brick, stone or untreated wood is great for building raised beds. If you choose to use wood, make sure it is naturally rot resistant and untreated. Excellent choices are cedar, locust and cypress. If you use treated wood in your vegetable garden, the chemicals in the wood can make their way into the soil, and in turn, to your crops. If you must use treated wood, create a barrier, such as with plastic sheet.
Over-watering your plants can be harmful, because roots that are drowning in water cannot effectively pull nutrients out of the soil. Check the weather for the next couple of days to see if you actually need to water your plants. If showers are headed your way, it’s probably in your best interest to leave the water hose turned off.
Start using these tips right away, and you will be able to enjoy all of the benefits of a healthy, pollutant free organic garden in no time. You will also see more animals in your garden, because organic gardens are more attuned to nature.