Horticulture is a relaxing hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Regardless of what you grow, cultivating and caring for plants brings a special kind of satisfaction. Think of this article as a helpful guide to making the most out of your garden.
Use slug-proof varieties of perennials wherever possible. Snails and slugs are garden nightmares, and only need a single evening to obliterate a plant. Certain perennials that don’t have tough leaves are especially tasty to snails and slugs. You can discourage snails and slugs from eating your perennials by choosing plants with tougher or distasteful foliage. Examples of these include euphorbia, helleborus and achillea. Others you may want to consider are campanula and heuchera.
If you have any mildew on the plants, do not go out and buy anything. Mix a solution of baking soda, water, and a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid. Use a spray bottle to apply to your plants weekly until the issue clears up. This method is not going to cause any damages to your plants and the mildew will go away slowly.
Climbing Plants
Cover fences and walls with climbing plants. Climbing plants are known to be very versatile, and can help hide any ugly wall or fence, and this often only takes one growing season. They can grow through shrubs and trees, or even cover an arbor. Some must be tied onto a support, but a number of climbers attach to surfaces with twining stems or tendrils. Some dependable types include honeysuckle, clematis, jasmine, climbing roses, and wisteria.
Plant bulbs in your garden if you want flowers through spring and summer. A hardy perennial addition to your garden, bulbs will continue to delight every year. 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!
There are grass varieties, such as wheat grass or catnip, that will give your feline something to nibble on besides your garden. Another option is to place something smelly, like citrus peels or mothballs, on the soil surrounding the plants that have previously been eaten.
If you’re growing veggies in the garden, they need to be in a spot that lets them get about six hours of sun daily. Most vegetables need at least that much sun for optimal growth speed. Some flowers also require direct sunlight for a portion of each day.
Know when to harvest your vegetables at precisely the right time. Every type of vegetable has a different moment of ripeness. For instance, zucchini and baby peas have the best taste when you pick them early. Let your tomatoes, however, linger on the vine until they are fully ripe. Educate yourself about the best time to harvest your veggies.
Horticulture is a very interesting and rewarding activity. The benefits of a garden are obvious and many, whether it be because of the fresh vegetables or the beautiful flowers grown. Incorporate some of the tips you find here and you can greatly enhance the joy you have already found in gardening.
Originally posted 2013-07-29 20:49:28.
