Organic horticulture requires a green thumb and a lot of patience. The aim is to grow food for the family that is both healthy and free of chemicals and pesticides. Easier than it sounds though, correct? The advice in this article will give you all you need to start growing your own organic food.
The quick and drastic change in the weather conditions can shock your plants and cause them to die. It’s important that you gradually change temperate conditions over time, so that your plants can adjust. Try placing them outside in sunlight for about an hour or maybe two the first day. Slowly, day after day, you can leave your plants outside for a little longer. Once the transition is complete, your plants will probably be able to tolerate the outdoor conditions.
Yes, you really have to weed. Weeds can turn a beautiful garden into an eyesore. To do this, think about using white vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar is harmful to most plants. Use a spray bottle full of white vinegar and you won’t have to use your hands.
Let your new seeds soak in a dark spot overnight. Soak the seeds by placing them in a container where they are covered with water. This will allow seeds to be watered and they will get a kick start when growing. This gives the seeds a better chance of flourishing.
When mowing the lawn, don’t mow the grass all the way down to the root. If you let your grass grow, the roots will go deeper and make your lawn more resistant to dryness. Short grass leads to more shallow roots and will result in more brown, dried-out patches.
Knee Pads
A set of knee pads are a life saver if you’re an avid gardener and a lot of your plants sit close to the ground. If you spend a large portion of your horticulture session on your knees, it could create pain over time. Your knees can get supported with a decent pair of gardening knee pads.
Use natural pest control when possible. A good way to keep slugs away is to create a border with onions around a garden with vegetables. Marigolds would do this trick as well. You can also mulch around trees and shrubs with wood ash, which drives away insects. These are methods you can use to get rid of the need to use pesticides.
Consider planting evergreens that produce berries in your yard. They will provide a splash of color in the drab and dreary winter months when a lot of other plants have lost their colors. Some examples of evergreens that produce berries and color in the wintertime are the American Holly, Cranberrybush, the Winterberry and the Common Snowberry.
Pest Control
If you have a vegetable garden, it can be quite difficult to decide what to do about pest control. You want to avoid spraying harsh chemicals since the vegetables are meant for consumption. If you remain vigilant, you can control your garden pest population. Natural pest control depends on the type of soil in your garden and the variety of plants growing there.
Organic gardening is a hobby incorporating nature, hard work and patience. It’s an activity that lets you get in touch with nature while growing something very tasty. But, if you are ready to dedicate yourself and stick to the advice in this piece, you are sure to be a successful organic gardener.