Horticulture is a surprisingly complicated subject at times. Once you have decided to garden organically, you need to learn about your soil’s pH balance, as well as things like natural pesticides. It can sometimes seem a bit difficult to grow organically for a novice. The article can assist you in growing organic produce like a pro.
Pay attention to how you lay sod. Before laying the sod, have your soil prepared. Remove weeds and break your soil until all the clumps are gone. Lightly, but firmly compress the soil, making certain it is flat. Now make sure the soil is thoroughly dampened. Sod should be placed in rows that are staggered, where the joints connect to offset each other. Compact the sod down so you form a flat and even surface, then fill in any crevices within the sod by using some soil. Water the sod for two weeks and then you can safely walk on it as it will have had time to properly root.
Cover fences and walls with lots of climbers. Plants that grow as climbers are quite versatile, helping you hide ugly walls or fences, many times within only one season of growth. No need to worry if a bush or tree is in the way, as climbers can grow through them. Also, they can match the shape of an arbor. Some types of climbers support themselves naturally through twining stems or tendrils, but others will have to be attached to something. Climbing roses, honeysuckle, wisteria, clematis, and jasmine are some great plants to try out.
Pre-soak your seeds to keep them healthy. Place your seeds in a container filled with water. This way, your seeds are well-hydrated and can start growing with a head start. This increases the chances of survival for the seeds.
Make a landscaping plan before you dig your first hole. Use your seed packages to make fun markers that will remind you where each type of plant is growing. You might end up losing small plants in a large area, because you did not water them.
Keep your fragile shrubs protected from the winter weather. Any potted shrubs should be sheltered in the winter from cold weather. Connect the tops, and then place a sheet over the top of the wigwam. Covering your foliage in plastic will let the air in – and may lead to decay.
Your garden can really benefit from evergreens featuring berries. These will help give your garden a burst of color, even in the winter months when most other vegetation has lost their colors. Other plants that boast of winter berries include: Holly, Snowberry and Winterberry.
Pest control can become a major issue. Avoid spraying harsh chemicals on fruits and vegetables destined for your table. You can prevent pests from appearing in the garden by adopting a vigilant attitude. If you discover the pests when they first infest your plants, the best way to remove them is to pick them off manually.
Avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides in your garden. These types of pesticides also kill the beneficial insects that eat the pests. These helpful bugs are usually more sensitive to the chemicals than the pests, so if you find yourself in a situation where the good bugs are dying out, you can expect the pest problem to grow. In the end, you may resort to using even more pesticides in order to erase the problem.
While you garden, it’s important that you wear the right clothing to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Wear sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and sunblock. When using the right protection in the sun, you will lower your chance of getting a sunburn and decrease your risk of getting skin cancer.
You can help to prevent your plants from developing diseases with aspirin water. Crush and dissolve one and one-half 325mg tablets in two full gallons of plain water. Simply spray your plants with the mixture, and this will help them fend off various diseases. Use this method to spray your plants every three weeks.
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.