Gardening is a surprisingly complicated subject at times. There are so many things to consider, such as proper pH balance, natural but effective pesticides, adequate sunlight and water supplies and so on. It can be hard for a rookie to grow organic. To succeed, you must learn as much as possible about organic horticulture principles. For valuable advice, keep reading.
Insects and various garden pests can be avoided by making your soil healthy. 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.
Soil needs to be rich in certain nutrients to grow healthy plants. Find out more about the plants you like and which type of soil is best. You may also be able to design an artificial area that contains one type of dirt.
When you are tending your garden in the fall, be on the alert for stink bugs. They thrive on fruits, citrus, peppers and various beans. If you don’t treat them, they can do a lot of damage in your garden.
For showy flowers throughout the spring and summer, plant plenty of bulbs. Bulbs are easy to grow and hearty, and they keep growing in years to come. Find out which flowers will bloom when and then plant a variety, so that you can have fresh blooms all the way through the spring and summer!
Try growing some cat grass or wheat grass in the vicinity of the plants that your cat likes to eat. Another option is to place offensively smelling objects on the topsoil near and around the plants you want to protect. Citrus peels or mothballs are a couple of examples.
Protect your deciduous shrubs which are tender. Any potted shrubs should be sheltered in the winter from cold weather. Pull the canes together at the top and securely tie them. Next, using a sheet or perhaps even a blanket, cover the structure. This method is much better than wrapping the plant in plastic, as it allows air to circulate, which can prevent rotting.
If your landscape includes low-growing plants, you should invest in a set of knee pads specifically designed for gardening. The amount of time that you spend gardening on your knees can make your knees hurt by the time you are done. Purchase a great pair of knee pads; they will provide a cushion for your knees while making gardening more comfortable.
If you are looking for an all-natural, organic way to weed your garden, consider “boiling off” the weeds. Boiling water in a pot is a safe “herbicide.” One simple layer across the weeds with a pot of boiling water will take care of the problem, but you have to remember the same applies to your plants, as well. What this does it essentially kill the weeds by damaging their roots. The result is that those weeds are unlikely to regrow.
Allow enough room between plants for air to circulate, so that plants do not stay too wet. Moisture not only attracts parasites, but also makes it easier for your plants to contract diseases. A fungus is one of the most important and debilitating parasites for plants. It is possible to get rid of fungi after it appears with anti-fungal sprays, but it’s better to spray at-risk areas before fungi appear.
Fertilizer is important when you garden. Manure can be effective, though you should use products which minimize pathogens. You can choose from many different fertilizers. Do not worry about the kind of fertilizer you end up using but definitely put down something.
Now, you shouldn’t get your hopes up and believe that a few tips are going to turn you into an instant professional gardener. However, these tips are a great starting point if you do plan to grow organically. As you implement these tips and hone your skills, you’ll be a professional green-thumb-holder in no time.
Originally posted 2014-07-08 04:39:55.