If you are environmentally conscious and worried about the toxic effects of chemicals, organic horticulture may be for you. Organic gardeners eschew the harsh chemicals and fertilizers used by large corporate farms. Organic horticulture is also cheap and requires very little equipment. Here are some strategies to aid you in becoming a good organic gardener.
A garden with a foundation of healthy soil is the best defense against pests. Healthy plants are naturally more resilient against pests and disease. To give your garden the best chance of yielding the healthiest plants, start with a high-quality soil that has fewer chemicals which over time will accumulate salts.
Make sure you remove the weeds from your garden! If you’re not careful, weeds can take over your beautiful garden, ruining it. You might want to think about using white vinegar to do this. Weeds can be killed by white vinegar! Use a spray bottle full of white vinegar and you won’t have to use your hands.
If you would like to have flowers in your garden that last through the spring and summer seasons, plant bulbs. Bulbs are usually very hearty and very easy to grow, and bulbs will grow year after year. You can select bulbs that bloom at many different times, so with a little work, you could have flowers popping up all the way from the start of spring to the end of summer.
In a dark area, pre-soak your seeds overnight. Put some seeds (a small amount) in a container that isn’t too large for the plant you’ll be growing. Fill that container with water, almost to the top. This will keep your seeds hydrated and give you a little head start with your growing. The seeds will have a better chance of surviving and maturing.
A set of comfortable knee pads makes a great investment if your garden is full of plant material that stays low to the ground. Long hours tending your garden can leave your knees sore and achy. Investing in good knee pads will help cushion your knees so you are more comfortable.
Start your garden off right with seeds, not plants. Once the plant is healthy enough, replant it in your garden with the appropriate type of soil. The planters used to hold nursery plants are generally not made from eco-friendly materials, and thus get thrown into landfills. Starting from seeds, or buying from one of the few nurseries that use biodegradable planters, prevents this.
Learn the best harvest time for each vegetable. Every type of vegetable has a different moment of ripeness. For instance, peas and zucchinis are tastiest when picked young. By contrast, it’s best to wait until tomatoes are fully ripe before picking them. So, it is good to learn about the best time to harvest your vegetables.
When planting anything, think about planting for color so that you have something to enjoy in the fall. That doesn’t have to be way it is though! If you plan properly, you can make your fall garden the most colorful time of the year. There are many variations in leaf color with different varieties of Maple, Beech and Dogwood trees that can give you lively yellows and deep crimsons. When selecting shrubs that will be colorful during the fall, consider hydrangea, barberry, or cotoneaster.
Utilizing the advice provided in this article in your organic horticulture efforts will produce great results. You will quickly see your garden becoming more productive and healthy, while being free of toxins. Organic gardens are also more attractive to a variety of wildlife, who appreciate the chemical free environment.
