If you have been dreaming of beautiful, healthy, green plants in a garden that you have cultivated, there are many things to consider so you can achieve that goal. Gardening takes some effort, but it is also a pleasant and rewarding hobby. Some basic tips will help make your work more efficient, making both the process and result more fun.
Select plant varieties capable of producing large yields. Frequently, a hybrid plant will produce a higher yield because of its disease-resistant properties.
Start your plants in containers before transferring them to the garden. This can give your seedlings the advantage they need to survive and reach adulthood. This method also gives you the freedom of tightening time periods between each planting. After you remove the mature plants from your garden, you can immediately replace them with the seedlings and start the cycle over again.
You can use the wooden handles of your tools as measurement sticks. Handles of things such as rakes, hoes or shovels make excellent measuring instruments. Place the handles on the floor to measure the distance between them. You can label distances using a permanent marker. When you are at work in the garden, you will always have a handy measuring device on each and every tool.
Consider planting slug-proof perennials. Snails and slugs can do irreparable damage to your garden in a single night. These pests normally go after plants with thin little leaves and plants that have yet to fully mature. Some perennials aren't that tasty to snails and slugs since they have tough and hairy leaves, and an unappetizing flavor. These varieties include achillea, helleborus, heuchera, euphorbia, and campanula.
Prior to planting anything in your garden, check your soil. Pay a small fee to have your soil analyzed, and you'll be glad that you did when you understand what nutrients your soil is lacking. A lot of Cooperative Extension locations offer this service, and you can prevent ruining a few crops by identifying the specific steps to take.
Both cat grass and wheat grass are good for giving your errant feline pause. Another option is to protect your plants by lacing them with offensive entities, such as peels from citrus fruit or even moth balls from your closet.
Knee Pads
If you have a lot of low-growing plants to take care of in your garden, purchase gardening knee pads. You will end up spending a good deal of time on your knees and this can cause a lot of pain by the end of the day. With good knee pads, you can stay in the garden longer, and more comfortably.
To keep pests away, you can use plants in the garden or other natural materials. For example, planting a border consisting of marigolds or onions can repel slugs. Keep insects away from shrub and tree seedlings with mulch containing wood ash. These methods prevent use of harsh chemicals.
Protect yourself from sun overexposure while gardening by wearing the proper clothing. Make sure you wear a wide brimmed hat along with sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun will lower your chances of getting skin cancer, as well as prevent premature aging from sun damage.
During the hottest hours of each day, your vegetables become too soft, and even gentle harvesting will cause damage and bruising. Twisting could cause plant damage, so ensure that produce is removed by cutting only.
Bring your young ones into the garden with you so they will learn about organic methods. They will enjoy learning about nature and bonding with you.
Preparing a plot for planting a perennial garden can be done quickly and without difficulty. Slice under the grass with a spade, flip the layer you have lifted over, and spread three inches of wood chips on top. Wait two weeks, then dig in and plant the new perennials.
Add three inches of mulch to your flower beds. By doing this, you can lock in moisture, discourage weed growth, and nourish your plants. This will also make your flowers appear beautiful and finished all year long.
Coffee Grounds
Add coffee grounds to your garden's soil. Coffee beans are loaded with nitrogen, which offers nourishment for plants. The coffee grounds act as a powerful nitrogen source that will help your plants bloom much quicker.
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. People often underestimate how much space plants will need when once they're grown. Plants need room for physical growth and for the air to circulate within the soil. Make sure that you map out your garden layout beforehand and place your seeds with an adequate amount of space in between each.
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. However, some seeds do not need to be covered, they need the sunlight. Some examples are petunias and ageratum. If you don't know whether your seeds require sun exposure, check the seed package or search online for the information.
With these tips, you're better equipped to grow the most beautiful garden you can imagine. In learning how to create your dream garden, you'll also be growing as a person. That's because learning how to nurture your plants will not only help you reach the goal of having a great garden, but it will help you learn to nurture yourself.