This article contains tip to help you cultivate a healthy garden. Figure out what you need beforehand, so you don’t spend money on equipment that isn’t necessary, or impractical seeds for your climate.
Clay soil can be very hard to work with, and you will often find that it sticks to the shovel. Coat and buff the digging end of the shovel with automobile wax to make digging easier. The wax will help keep dirt from sticking to the shovel, and will also keep the metal from rusting.
Keeping your garden soil rich and healthy is the best way to discourage garden pests. If you create healthy plants, they are going to be stronger and therefore, less likely to succumb to diseases and insects. To give your garden the best chance of yielding the healthiest plants, start with a high-quality soil that has fewer chemicals which over time will accumulate salts.
Being a novice gardener, you should ensure that you follow the directions carefully for tool and chemical use. If you don’t pay good attention, you could wind up with skin irritations or other issues. So make sure you take precautions, follow the simple directions and be safe.
To create an attractive, quintessentially English garden, you need to use a mixture of different plants that all grow to varying heights in each bed. If plants have the same growth height, the bed will appear flat and not have much interest.
Just as when outside, plants kept inside need varying degrees of sunlight, which can be harder to obtain from indoors. If your house or apartment doesn’t get a lot of natural light, one option is to grow something that only requires medium or low light. You could also consider using grow-lights for this exact purpose.
Prepare the ground for a perennial garden quickly and easily. Turn over the soil in your garden so it will be soft and easy to plant before spreading wood chips around your garden. Let the area have about two weeks, then dig it and plan the new perennials.
To be as efficient as possible in the garden, always have your tools handy. Keep the tools in a big bucket, or store them in strong pockets in your pants. A gardener’s tool belt will allow you to keep your horticulture gloves and other tools close by while you are working in your garden.
You should add a two to three inch layer of organic mulch to your flower bed. This practice is an easy way to discourage weeds, retain moisture, and add valuable nutrients to your garden. A layer of mulch also creates a more attractive appearance.
Plastic bags can be kept on hand and reused to slip over your dirty gardening shoes. Having these available lets you keep your flow in movement, and helps you return to your gardening fast so you can finish up your day.
Spacing is one important factor in horticulture. Do not underestimate the space that plants need to develop their root systems. Space is vital for your plants not only due to their literal physical size requirements but also because of how much room your garden needs for air circulation. Think ahead and give each plant room for expansion, by properly spacing the seeds.
Old laundry baskets are handy tools at harvest time. An old basket will act like a strainer does. Rinse your produce while it lays in the basket; any excess water strains off through the laundry basket holes.
A little bit of research will go a long way, especially when you pair it with patience. When you see your garden flourish, you will feel a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
Originally posted 2013-06-17 12:49:50.