There’s a lot more to gardening than most people realize. If you chose to garden naturally, you need to acquire some knowledge of the implications of the acidity of your soil, and you need to know how to utilize the correct bugs and insects instead of pesticides. Growing an organic garden can be a bit difficult for a newbie. Read on to find some tips to make gardening in a clean, organic fashion a little easier and more fun to do!
Clay soil makes working with a shovel difficult. The clay is hard and sticks to the shovel. To make your digging project easier, apply a coat of automobile wax to your shovel first and then buff it lightly. The wax will help keep dirt from sticking to the shovel, and will also keep the metal from rusting.
Choose plant strains that will give you the best harvest with the biggest yield. If yield is important, choose hybrids designed to resist cold and diseases rather than traditional varieties.
If you want to cover up your walls or fences, make sure that you specifically use climbing plants. Many climbers can cover the wall or fence in as little as one growing season. They may grow up through some existing shrubs and trees, and can even be worked to grow around an arbor. There are those that have to be fixed to a support, but others will find a surface to cling to all on their own through twining stems or tendrils. Some of these plants include, wisteria, jasmine, climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle!
Before you plant anything in your garden, have the soil checked. A soil analysis is inexpensive and can be used to figure out which nutrients should be added to provide a healthy garden environment. A Cooperative Extension office can provide you with this service, saving you learning on your own by trial and error.
If you want your garden to blossom with flowers throughout the spring and summer, plant some bulbs in it. Bulbs are easy to grow and hearty, and they keep growing in years to come. Different bulbs bloom at various times, so choosing appropriately, you may have blooms early spring to later summer.
Vegetables in a garden need to have at least six hours of sun every day in order to thrive. Most vegetables need this amount of sunlight to grow the right way at a faster pace. This also rings true for some of the flowers.
Knee Pads
A set of comfortable knee pads makes a great investment if your garden is full of plant material that stays low to the ground. Excessive time spent kneeling often results in significant stiffness and pain. You can be more comfortable in the garden with a good pair of horticulture knee pads.
To help young plants, try pouring boiling water on top of nearby weeds. Any vessel of boiling water that you can carry safely can be used as an organic herbicide. Douse boiling water on the weeds and avoid nearby plants carefully. The water will kill the weeds by destroying the roots and if poured directly on the weeds, will prevent them from growing back.
Use natural pest control when possible. Planting marigolds or onions around the border of your garden will repel slugs. Using wood ash as mulch around the base of trees and shrub seedlings will also help keep away insect pests. You will be able to stay away from harsh chemical based pesticides by incorporating these techniques into your horticulture.
Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. Seeds will always germinate much better when you first plant them indoors initially. The baby plants will also be stronger and will resist pests and disease better. When your plants are sturdy, move them outdoors.
Now, you shouldn’t get your hopes up and believe that a few tips are going to turn you into an instant professional gardener. However, these tips are a great starting point if you do plan to grow organically. As you implement these tips and hone your skills, you’ll be a professional green-thumb-holder in no time.
