People have many different reasons for considering an organic horticulture approach. For example, some people appreciate the health benefits but are unsure about what equipment and tools are needed to get started. Organic gardening also involves choosing from a large variety of different seeds as well. This article contains tips that will ensure you have everything you need to start an organic garden.
Plants that climb can hide fences and walls. Plants that climb are extraordinarily versatile, and can help hide an unsightly wall or fence, usually within one season. They may grow up through some existing shrubs and trees, and can even be worked to grow around an arbor. Some require ties attaching them to supports, but others will attach themselves to any surface nearby. Wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle, clematis and some rose varieties are good choices for climbers.
Transplanting plants and bringing them indoors can protect them from harsh winters. You may want to save the most beautiful or expensive ones. Carefully dig up the plants, using caution not to disturb the roots, then transfer into a pot.
When horticulture, beware of stink bugs and other insects, particularly in the autumn. They love to inhabit peppers, beans, tomatoes and all kinds of fruit varieties. If you do not keep them under control, the damage can be excessive, so keep an eye out for them.
Pre-soak seeds overnight in a dark place. Put a few seeds in a small container and fill it near to the top with water. This hydrates your seeds and jump-starts their growth. Seeds that are cultivated this way are more likely to survive and mature properly.
Don’t cut your grass too short! If you leave a bit more height, the grass roots will get deeper, making your lawn stronger. Short grass means short roots and dead grass.
If growing vegetables, make sure they are in a location in your garden where they will be exposed daily to at least six hours of the sun. Proper sunlight is a prerequisite for proper growth. This holds true for some types of flowers.
Look for evergreen variants that produce berries. Your yard will then have bright spots of color all year round, which is especially cheerful in the winter when all of your other flora is bare or colorless. The American Holly, American Cranberrybush, the Winterberry, and the Common Snowberry help provide color during the winter.
Keep your garden free from broad-spectrum pesticides. Besides killing the insects you don’t want, this type of pesticide will also kill beneficial insects. Useful insects are more sensitive to these pesticides than the pests, so by killing them, you could be growing your pest population. This will leave you using even more pesticides to fix the problem.
Plant with fall season color in mind. It’s not necessary to think this way, however. The brightest season of the year when it comes to foliage is fall. For example, maple, beech, and dogwood trees all change from their usual green to a vibrant spectrum of yellow, orange, and red. There are practically as many types of shrubs chosen for their fall colors are there are gardeners! Barberry, hydrangea and cotoneaster are particularly popular choices.
If you pick vegetables around high noon when it is very hot, you are likely to damage them. Twisting could cause plant damage, so ensure that produce is removed by cutting only.
Allow your children to assist with the work to be done in your organic garden. The benefits for your children will be a closer bond with nature and an understanding of where food comes from.
One way to encourage an organic garden to be sustainable and healthy is to put aside a section to stay undeveloped, thus encouraging wildlife to approach it. Doing this will allow creatures that help plants to produce and pollinate to continue their actions, which will have a positive effect on the garden you develop.
Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. You can make use of a bucket, or wear pants that have plenty of pockets. Keep your gloves, pruning shears, a hand spade and your other tools handy to quickly and easily do your garden maintenance.
An old laundry basket works great for gathering produce from your garden. Most laundry baskets are designed with a multitude of holes. This makes them a perfect strainer for washing your vegetables. Doing this allows you to both rinse and drain your fresh produce.
A rule of thumb followed by many planters is to bury the seeds in soil to a depth of around three times the diameter of the actual seed. It is important to note though, that not all seeds are covered to this depth, as some need direct sunlight to grow properly. Ageratum and petunias fall into this category. With so many different types of seeds, it is important that you check seed packaging or utilize other resources, such as the Internet, to discover which seeds require exposure to direct sunlight.
A well-cared for organic garden can enhance the beauty of your property and be a source of dietary nutrition. Knowing what and when to plant is also something to keep in mind. Apply the tips you just read to start your garden to save money and eat healthier foods.