Advice For Getting The Most Out Of Your Garden

TIP! Turn the handles of tools you have on hand into rulers to make measurements in your garden. Tools with long handles, such as shovels, hoes and rakes can be made into measuring sticks.

Chances are you have probably heard about or seen organic foods in your local grocery store. You may already be aware of which foods come organically. They are usually packaged differently and often are marked up considerably. Read the helpful tips in the article below to learn more about having your own fresh organic garden.

TIP! There is no need to purchase a costly chemical if your plants develop powdery mildew. Mix plain baking soda with a small bit of liquid soap and water.

To prevent shocking your plants, you must gradually introduce new temperatures and other conditions to them. On the first day, place them in the sun outside for only an hour or so. As the week progresses, gradually increase their exposure to the outdoors. After a few more days, your plants will be more resistant and ready to stay outside all the time.

TIP! Grow wheat or cat grass around the plants your cat likes nibbling. You could also place mothballs and citrus peels around your plants to keep your cat away.

If beautiful flowers throughout the warmer months are important to you, make sure you put bulbs into the ground. Typically, bulbs are simple to grow, and they’ll grow every single year. Different bulbs will bloom during different time periods. Therefore, if you select your bulbs correctly, you could have blooms in your garden for all of spring and summer.

TIP! If your soil has a problem with high alkaline levels, mixing in some coffee grounds that have been used is a great solution. The coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to give some acid back to the dirt.

In a place that’s dark, pre-soak the seeds. Put a few seeds in a small container and fill it near to the top with water. This will allow seeds to be watered and they will get a kick start when growing. The seeds will now have a greater chance of maturing and surviving.

Knee Pads

TIP! Consider planting evergreens that produce berries in your yard. These evergreens will color your lawn, even when other flowers are not blooming.

To save your knees from the wear and tear of gardening, invest in some knee pads if your garden includes a lot of low-growth plants. Gardening can really put a lot of pressure on your knees that will leave you cramped and uncomfortable. You can be more comfortable in the garden with a good pair of gardening knee pads.

TIP! When it comes to harvesting your vegetables, know when the optimal time is to do so. Every vegetable has a proper time to be picked in order to capture the perfect flavor.

Split up the irises. To increase the number that you have, you need to take all your overgrown clumps and split them up. Once the foliage has died off, lift out your bulbous irises. You will be able to split the bulb easily and replant it to get more flowers next year. If you have a rhizome you will need to split it with a knife. Cut the new pieces from its outside and dispose of the older center. If done properly, each piece that remains for planting should have a minimum of one viable offshoot. The quicker you can replant your cuttings, the better chances they will reappear next season.

TIP! Keeping pests out of a vegetable garden can be difficult. Don’t spray any harsh chemicals on your vegetables because you will be eating them later on.

To keep your dog out of your garden, spray old perfume, aftershave, or other scented items in the grass around it. This can help mask any scents which attract animals so pets will now avoid the garden.

TIP! To help them out, try poring leftover water from steamed vegetables on them. Try adding used coffee grounds to the soil around plants that grow in acidic soil.

Make sure that you wear appropriate clothing when you garden so as to avoid any sun damage. Choose hats with overlapping brims, don those sunglasses and smear on the sunscreen. By protecting yourself from the sun’s rays, you lower your risk of getting sunburns or skin cancer.

TIP! Create a focal point in your garden with a unique plant. Your focal point will be the main center of attention for anyone who sees your garden.

Vegetables tend to soften during the hottest part of the day, which means they are easily damaged, even when handled with care. 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.

TIP! When you are organic gardening, ask your children to lend a hand. Children will benefit from the fresh air while bonding with you in your efforts to provide healthier food alternatives for them.

To make an interesting English garden, mix various plants and plant heights in the same bed. If you use plants that grow vertically at the same rate, you will end up with some flat, boring, uniform looking beds.

TIP! Use several inches of organic materials for mulch in your flower beds. This will help to inhibit weed growth, helps to lock in moisture, and adds needed nutrients to your organic garden.

Be sure you plant strawberries in your garden for your children, you want to make sure you especially plant everbearing strawberries as well. Children will be more willing to help you if they can pluck their own fruit from the garden.

TIP! Try to work in your garden at least a short time each day. Even if you end up being too busy to do garden chores every day, do small tasks that will help you avoid having to do large tasks when you finally do have time.

Growing your garden at home might not be the most convenient thing for you, but you will save a lot of money and always have the confidence that what you’re eating and feeding your family is as fresh and as healthy as possible. Use the tips you’ve learned here and get started on your garden today.