There is a lot of information you need to learn if you want to achieve your goal of having a thriving garden full of beautiful, colorful, blossoming plants. Although horticulture can be difficult, you can also find pleasure from it. Some basic tips will help make your work more efficient, making both the process and result more fun.
Digging in clay soil with a shovel can be very difficult. The clay isn’t easy to work with and will adhere to the shovel, which only makes the problem worse. Coat and buff the digging end of the shovel with automobile wax to make digging easier. The wax will help keep dirt from sticking to the shovel, and will also keep the metal from rusting.
Use pots to start your plants, then transfer them to a garden when they become seedlings. This boosts the chance that the plants can survive to adulthood. It also permits you to tighten the time between plantings. Your seedlings will be ready to go in as soon as you remove the previous set of mature plants.
Let your new seeds soak in a dark spot overnight. Place a small amount of seeds in a little container, while filling it to the brim with water. This way, your seeds are well-hydrated and can start growing with a head start. Your seeds will then have the best chance possible to survive to maturity.
Your vegetable garden should get at least six hours of sun daily. Many vegetables need about this much sun to grow quickly. This is true for flowers as well.
Knee Pads
It is a good idea to invest in a good pair of knee pads, made specifically for horticulture. They can be very helpful when working close to the ground on low-growth plants. Spending lots of time on your knees while gardening can injure them and create lasting pain. You can be more comfortable in the garden with a good pair of horticulture knee pads.
A good but unusual organic solution for weeding your plants is try “boiling” your weeds way. A pot of very hot water is one of the most effective ways you can get rid of the weeds in your garden. Pour hot water right on the weeds, but do not get any on your plants. Boiling water is not good for the weed roots and will stunt further growth.
You should be cognizant of the peak time for harvesting your vegetables. Each kind of vegetable should be picked at a specific point for maximum flavor. For example, zucchini and baby peas are best picked young. Plant winter vegetables at the right time for a sweeter flavor. It’s best to learn when the harvest time is for your vegetables.
Plant with the colors of autumn in mind. This might not be the reason why. If you plan properly, you can make your fall garden the most colorful time of the year. Fall hues of orange, yellow and red can be seen falling from maple trees, and dogwoods and beech trees offer comparable spectacles. Some vibrant shrubs include hydrangea, barberry, and cotoneaster.
Choose one plant and make it the focal point of your garden. When you design your garden, think of a great focal point that will grab attention and add interest. Usually this is a big plant that is somewhat different from the other plants in the garden.
To keep dogs from disturbing your garden, spray some old aftershave, cologne, perfume or other strongly-scented products in the dirt or grass surrounding it. This will work to mask any scent that is attracting dogs, and will make the garden a much less interesting place to for dogs to be.
With these tips, you’re better equipped to grow the most beautiful garden you can imagine. In learning how to create your dream garden, you’ll also be growing as a person. That’s because learning how to nurture your plants will not only help you reach the goal of having a great garden, but it will help you learn to nurture yourself.