Whether they've read about them in articles or seen them on grocery store shelves, most people are somewhat familiar with organic products. Organically produced foods typically stand out from the rest. They come is special packaging and they are usually a lot more expensive than their non-organic counterparts. Keep reading this article to find some great tips on how to grow an organic garden and stop paying too much at the store.
A garden with a foundation of healthy soil is the best defense against pests. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants with more strength to deflect those insects and various diseases. Use a high-quality organic soil and as few chemicals as possible.
The first thing you should do when planning a garden is test the soil. For a tiny fee, a soil analysis may be done, and based on the results, the soil can support a growing garden by you enriching it as necessary. Ask about this service at a local university or the county Cooperative Extension office to improve the soil and insure fruitful crops.
If you want your garden to blossom with flowers throughout the spring and summer, plant some bulbs in it. Not only are bulbs hearty and easy to grow, but they'll continue to grow as time goes on. Different types of bulbs bloom at different times, so if you choose appropriately, you can have blooms from early spring to late summer.
To help young plants, try pouring boiling water on top of nearby weeds. Considering that boiling water is rather safe, you don't have to worry about toxins in your soil or at your dinner table. Just pour out the water on the weeds being careful to avoid any nearby plants. This can cause enough damage to the roots of any plant to kill it.
Place a two inch layer of organic mulch at the base of your tall vegetable plants. The mulch will help keep the dirt around the plants more moist. It will also prevent the growth of weeds. You will benefit by not having to spend so much time fighting weed growth.
If you are just getting into horticulture, make sure you heed all of the directions on fertilizer and chemical labels. If you miss this easy step, you run the risk of harming yourself due to the chemicals that can irritate your skin. So make sure you take precautions, follow the simple directions and be safe.
Broad-spectrum pesticides should be avoided in your garden. These pesticides can kill the useful insects that work as predators to pests. Beneficial insects are more susceptible to toxic pesticides than their annoying counterparts, so a broad-spectrum pesticide could kill all of the good bugs first, allowing the population of bad pests to multiply. This may then lead to using even more pesticides to eliminate this new problem.
If you're growing plants indoors, keep your thermostat around 65 or 75 degrees daily. Plants need to be in an environment that is neither too warm nor too cool for them to grow. If there are times during the year when you would prefer not to have the temperature that high, another solution you can utilize is to purchase heat lamps for your organic plants.
Use several inches of organic materials for mulch in your flower beds. This will prevent weeds from growing, retain humidity, and feed your plants with the nutrients they need. What's more, your garden will look professional all year.
Coffee Grounds
Using coffee grounds as part of your soil mixture in your garden is often advised for healthy plants. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Nitrogen, along with phosphorous and potassium, is an important nutrient in the garden. It contributes to healthy and strong growth of the plant, but don't overuse it.
When you are planning on growing a garden, you should think about the space you will need to provide a healthy growing area for your plants. It's common to not think about how much space a plant will need once it's full grown, and you don't want to crowd your garden. Air circulation and room to grow is important for any plant. Keep this in mind when appropriating spots to plant your seeds.
Property Value
Increase your property value with landscaping. One of the best things you can do to increase property value is to have proper landscaping. A few select plants can raise your property value dramatically. It is a good idea to aim for plants that require low moisture to survive and are adapted to thrive within your environment.
Do not let your gardening chores add up. While you may not be able to spend a lot of time every day in your garden, even little items done daily will stop the mountain of work from growing. You can pull a few weeds when you take your dog outside.
It can be hard to grow an organic garden without chemicals, but the end result is worth the effort. Chemical giants claim miracles, but those miracle crops come at a price to whoever eats the produce.
Grow garlic in your organic garden. It's best to plant garlic cloves in either spring or fall. Make sure the soil is drained well. Plant individual cloves pointed end up approximately two inches deep and four inches apart. Garlic stalks can be used as they grow for chives or scallions in any recipe. You can harvest the bulbs as the tops begin to turn brown. Dry the bulbs well in the sun for several days to harden the skin. Store them in a cool place, tied in bunches or loose.
Growing your garden at home might not be the most convenient thing for you, but you will save a lot of money and always have the confidence that what you're eating and feeding your family is as fresh and as healthy as possible. Use the tips you've learned here and get started on your garden today.