Use this article to find some ideas on how to grow a better garden this year. Here you will find out the basic equipment and general techniques that are used in horticulture so that your efforts are effective and efficient.
So that you don’t shock your plants, try gradually accustoming them to conditions and temperature. Start by placing your plants outside for a few hours only. As the week progresses, gradually increase their exposure to the outdoors. By weeks end, you should have plants that are ready for a permanent home outside with no problem!
Shoveling clay is very difficult and lots of work because the clay is hard and sticks to the shovel, making it tough to handle. Use a thin coat of floor or car wax on your shovel, then buff it with a nice clean cloth to make dealing with clay soil easier. Not only will the clay slide off the surface, but it will keep the end from rusting.
Your tool handles can easily be used as handy rulers. Tools that have long handles such as rakes, hoes and shovels can be used in place of a measuring stick. Just lay your tool down on the floor then lay a yardstick beside the handle. A permanent marker can be used to label distances. When you are at work in the garden, you will always have a handy measuring device on each and every tool.
Plant perennials that slugs and snails won’t be interested in eating. Slugs and snails are voracious eaters that can destroy a plant literally overnight. Young plants with susceptible leaves are favorite meals for slugs, including those with smoother or thinner leaves. Perennials that have tough or hairy leaves are often times unappetizing to snails and slugs. Excellent varieties include heuchera, achillea, euphorbia, campanula, and helleborus.
Climbing Plants
Cover fences and walls with lots of climbers. Climbing plants are great for hiding hideous fences and walls, and they usually grow within a season. You don’t have to worry about removing trees between the climbing plants and the fence, because the trees don’t present obstacles to the climbers’ growth. Some people use climbers as a natural “ceiling” to arbors. There are those that have to be fixed to a support, but others will find a surface to cling to all on their own through twining stems or tendrils. Some dependable types include honeysuckle, clematis, jasmine, climbing roses, and wisteria.
Prior to planting anything in your garden, check your 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. The cost of the analysis will be easily offset by the benefits of a healthy and vibrant crop.
It is a good idea to pre-soak your seeds in a dark environment overnight. Soak the seeds by placing them in a container where they are covered with water. The idea here is for your seeds to become fully hydrated by the time they hit the dirt. This increases the chances of survival for the seeds.
Take the time to place organic mulch in the area around your vegetable plants. Mulching helps keep moisture in the soil. It will also prevent weeds from sprouting. You will be able to save the time you would spend watering your plants and pulling out weeds.
In the hottest time of the day, most vegetables are less firm; even the act of harvesting the veggies may cause bruising. Do not twist the vegetable to remove it from the vine; instead, cut the stem to avoid damaging the plant.
Your children can help you with your garden. You can provide a good learning experience that your children can appreciate the more they learn on how to grow healthy produce.
Working in the garden doesn’t have to be grueling; learn to work more efficiently. Have your tools laid out in an orderly way so you do not have to search for them. Have all of tools you will need for the day before you head out your garden. When you are finished, put them away neatly for the next time. You can keep your garden tools in a tool belt, or in your pockets. Another good idea is to keep them all in a bucket that you carry around with you.
Kill Weeds
Do you want to kill weeds in a natural way? Pile newspapers on top of each other to kill weeds. Weeds require sunlight to grow. With layers of newspaper on them, the weeds are not going to have light, and therefore will not grow. Because newspapers decompose well with the passage of time, they make great additions to compost. Add a layer of mulch on top to make it look more attractive!
It only requires some research, lots of outside work, and a large amount of patience. Once you see the literal fruits of your labors, the time and effort you’ve invested will seem worthwhile.