You are committed to the idea of planting a garden that works well with the environment. Well your timing could not be more perfect! Keep reading for tips any beginner will find useful.
Consider planting slug-proof perennials. It is alarming to see how quickly slugs, and their cousin snails, can annihilate a plant. These pests are especially attracted to tender sprouts and to delicate, soft leaves. Perennials with hairy leaves or bitter taste are unattractive to snails and slugs, keeping them safe from harm. Excellent varieties include heuchera, achillea, euphorbia, campanula, and helleborus.
Healthy Plants
Starting a garden with the best soil is a great defense mechanism against pests. Healthy soil equals healthy plants and healthy plants can fight off diseases with ease. So if you want your garden to provide plants that are as healthy as possible, you need a good quality soil that contains few chemicals and that can accumulate salts over time.
You may be able to re-pot some plants to bring indoors for the winter. Try to save plants that are expensive or that are resistant enough to handle the transition. Always be careful when digging around the roots, and put the plant in a suitable pot.
Before you even start planting the garden, check the soil. An inexpensive soil report can be used to adjust soil nutrients to optimum levels, which will ensure your garden thrives. Several Cooperative Extension locations offer this service, and it’s advantageous for you to know what type of soil you have, in order to avoid growing faulty crops.
When mowing your lawn, be careful not to cut the grass too far down. By leaving your grass a little higher off the ground, it give the roots a chance to grow deep into the soil which makes the lawn stronger, and that helps keep it from drying out. Grass that is shorter has a root system that is easier to dry out.
Irises can benefit from being separated. If you split up clumps of them, you will eventually have more of this flower. After the foliage dies, pick up bulbous irises. The bulbs will automatically split in you hand, and will likely flower the year after being replanted. Utilize a knife if you are trying to divide rhizomes. Throw away the center after carefully cutting new sprouts from the exterior. Make sure that every cutting contains a viable offshoot. For optimum viability, plant your new cuttings into the ground without delay.
Be sure your garden is fertilized. If you decide to use manure, which is great for your plants, choose a pathogen free commercial product. There are many fertilization methods out there; the type is not quite as important as actually using something.
You can prevent pests using other plants or natural materials. Planting marigolds or onions around the border of your vegetable garden will help repel slugs. Wood ash can be used as mulch, and if put on the base of shrub and tree seedlings, will keep insects away. These methods are environmentally-friendly and mean you do not have to resort to harsh chemicals.
Try to pour a bit of leftover water from your steamed veggies on them. If you have rhododendrons or gardenias, use coffee and tea grounds to acidify the soil. If you find that you have a fungus problem, try sprinkling some chamomile tea on your plants.
Protect yourself from sun overexposure while horticulture by wearing the proper clothing. Clothing should keep your skin covered, and don’t forget to wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Proper protection from the sun means a lower chance of sunburn, as well as a decreased risk of skin cancer.
After reading these tips, you shouldn’t have many questions about organic horticulture. You are now the expert, even if you didn’t think so before. These tips should have helped you get started growing a lovely organic garden.