There is much more to horticulture than just having something pretty to look at. It is more than just an activity for the green-thumbed hobbyist. It is something someone can do to add tranquility and peace to his or her house, as well as a way to appreciate life itself. Especially if you are good at it, its effects are profound.
Start your plants in containers, and then transplant the seedlings into the garden later on. This can give your seedlings the advantage they need to survive and reach adulthood. This is also a good way to tighten up your planting schedule. You will have healthy seedlings that are ready to be planted when you get rid of old plants.
Plant some wheat grass or cat grass near where you car tends to nibble in your garden. You may also place something offensively smelly atop the soil, like citrus peel or mothballs.
Split up the irises. Splitting up overgrown groups of irises will allow you to easily increase the number of irises in your garden. Pick up bulbous irises after the foliage dies. The bulbs, when harvested, should easily split by hand – allowing you to replant them for even more blooms next spring. You can divide rhizomes with a knife. Throw out the center and cut pieces on the outside that are new. A strong offshoot is needed on every piece that you decide to plant. Immediately replant all your selected cuttings.
Create your own garden from scratch with seeds, rather than plants. When you grow a new garden, start the environmental way, from seeds. The problem is those plastic trays which end up in landfills and are not generally recycled. Plants in organic packagingn or seeds sown in your garden, are fine .
Natural Materials
To keep pests away, you can use plants in the garden or other natural materials. For example, planting a border consisting of marigolds or onions can repel slugs. Mulch around the bottom of trees and shrub seedlings with wood ash to reduce unwanted infestation of pests. Natural materials and plants can be just as effective as chemical pesticides at keeping unwanted visitors out of your garden!
One particular plant should be the focal point of your garden. The best garden designers always use a focal point that draws the eye. More often than not, it is a plant that is distinctively different from its neighbors.
You don’t want to pick vegetables during the day when it is hot, as that is when they are prone to damage due to them being softer. When you remove the produce from the plant, use shears or a knife to cut them from the vine without twisting, as this can damage the plant.
Using aspirin water will help your plants fight diseases. Three aspirins per four gallons of water will help keep your plants healthy. Next, coat the plant with the aspirin mixture by spraying it on the leaves. Apply this solution to your plants every few weeks.
It is easy to quickly prepare your perennial garden ground. You just need to use your garden spade for slicing underneath the turf, then flip it, and finally spread about three or four inch deep piles of wood chips. Give this area at least a few weeks, then you can dig into the area and plant the new perennials.
Use these tips to bring life back to your garden. You will be overjoyed to know that your plants are healthy! Gardening can help change your way of life, only if you will allow it.
Originally posted 2013-07-08 14:49:58.
