Gardens are much more than simply a venue for decorating. It’s not even necessary that you have a green thumb. It is a great way to for one to relax, and to enjoy and appreciate nature. When you excel at horticulture, these effects can prove very positive within you life.
Slowly acclimatize your plants to the outside environment to keep from shocking them. Start by placing your plants outside for a few hours only. As the week progresses, gradually increase their exposure to the outdoors. By the weekend, the plants can make that big move without a problem!
Clay is naturally hard, and can can stick to a shovel making it frustrating to work with. Get better results in clay by rubbing car wax or floor wax onto the shovel, then buff off and dig. The shovel will glide through the clay and as a bonus, your shovel will be resistant to rust.
Learn about plant varieties so you can choose the ones with the best yields. Many times, hybrid plants tend to resist disease, and tolerate the cold weather better than their traditional counterparts, resulting in higher yields.
Baking Soda
There’s no need for chemical intervention if you discover powdery mildew on leaves. Mix plain baking soda with a small bit of liquid soap and water. Spray the mixture on the plants once every seven days or so until you no longer see the mildew. Baking soda will effectively remove the mildew without damaging your plants.
Mix the grounds of coffee in soil that has a lot of alkaline. Coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to increase the acid level in your soil. You will discover that your vegetables are more flavorful than ever before.
Deciduous shrubs need protection from the cold. Shrubs that are planted in containers are especially susceptible to frost and must be carefully protected. Fasten the tops of the canes together, and cover this wigwam loosely with a cloth. This method works better than covering your bushes in plastic, allowing air to circulate and preventing rotting.
Irises can be easily divided. You can increase the number of irises you have by splitting clumps that are overgrown. Uproot bulbous irises if the flowers have wilted. These bulbs will divide into several parts naturally when you pick them up. You can then replant them, and watch them flower the following year. Divide up the rhizomes with a knife. Throw out the center and cut pieces on the outside that are new. Don’t plant any pieces that don’t have any strong offshoots. You also need to make sure that you replant the new pieces as soon as possible.
Good tools for the gardener include a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool. In order to relieve stress on your knees when horticulture, always use a small garden stool to be more comfortable. As well, horticulture can involve some heavy lifting and moving, so a strong wheelbarrow can really make that aspect much more effortless.
During the day, when the weather is hot, vegetables tend to be softer, which causes them to be damaged even if you gently pick them. Twisting could cause plant damage, so ensure that produce is removed by cutting only.
Beautiful insects are attracted to heather when you plant it. Bees like it because it gives them nectar in the springtime. Beds of heather are largely undisturbed and make a perfect living space for spiders, beetles and a variety of other beneficial tenants. Keep this in mind and remember to always wear appropriate horticulture gloves.
To create an English garden, combine a lot of different plants in the same garden. If you want a more organized look, select plants that will grow to the same height and put them in the same bed.
Do you want to kill weeds in a natural way? Take layers of newspapers and use them for weed control. Like any other plant, weeds need to be exposed to the sun. They will suffocate and die if you cover them with newpapers. As an added benefit, the newspapers will decompose over time, becoming organic compost. Put mulch over top to increase the attractiveness of the pile.
Use the information from this article to bring your garden to life. When you look at your plants growing and producing beautiful flowers and fruit, you’ll be able to reap the rewards! Gardening is something that can change your life, if only you will let it, so get to it.
Originally posted 2013-11-19 13:46:25.
