There is much more to gardening than just having something pretty to look at. It is not just an aimless pasttime for the hobbyist with a green thumb. It is a way to provide the person tending it with peace, tranquility, and an appreciation of life itself. If you become a avid gardener, it will have a great effect on your way of living.
Think about starting plants in pots, and then placing the seedlings in the garden later. Doing this betters your odds of your plants making it to adulthood. It also lets you have tighter control over the planting periods in your garden. As soon as the mature plants are removed, you can replace them with fresh seedlings.
Baking Soda
If you start to notice some powdery mildew growing on your plants, there is no need to waste money on expensive chemicals. The best solution is mixing baking soda, a drop of liquid dish detergent and water together in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture on your plants weekly until the mildew is gone. Baking soda will bring no damage to your plants, and will treat the mildew in a gentle and efficient manner.
Transplanting plants and bringing them indoors can protect them from harsh winters. It's a good idea to save any expensive plants or those that will thrive in indoor heat. Carefully dig near the roots and transfer those plants into a flower pot.
Choose the right soil for best results. Depending on the type of plants you desire in your garden, your natural soil may or may not be appropriate. You can also make an artificial plot with just one type of soil.
Protect your delicate shrubs from harsh, wintry elements. Delicate shrubs that are sitting in pots should be sheltered from the cold weather. Join them together at the top, and use a blanket or old sheet to cover them. This is more effective than putting plastic on the plant, it will let the air flow.
Knee Pads
If your plants do not grown very tall, try buying some knee pads used for horticulture. Horticulture is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable; you don't want to finish every horticulture session with aching, throbbing knees. Investing in a comfortable pair of knee pads made specifically for gardening can really reduce the pain you may feel from the pressure of being on your knees for extended periods.
For an unusual, but effective, organic solution to weeding young plants, try "boiling" the weeds away. The safest herbicide that you can probably find is a cup of boiling water. Pour boiling water over the weeds to kill them, but make sure not to pour the water over any plants you don't want to kill. Boiling water kills weeds by destroying their roots. Weeds won't be able to survive, never mind grow, with damaged weeds.
If you find yourself in love with mint leaves, but not with how they dominate a garden, read on. Rein their growth; you can do this simply by planting mint inside a larger garden container or pot. You can plant the container into the soil if you want to, but the container will restrict the roots, and make sure that the plant doesn't run rampant in your garden.
Keep your garden fertilized. Manure can be effective, though you should use products which minimize pathogens. Although there are plenty of fertilizer choices, don't be concerned with which one you use; just be sure to use one.
Invest in a kneeling stool, and a wheelbarrow to work in the garden. Using a large portion of your time near or on the ground working on your garden puts a huge strain on your knees; therefore, having a portable, lightweight garden stool will greatly assist you in making gardening easier on them. Gardening involves moving heavy objects and dirt, so a wheelbarrow makes for a wise investment.
Plant strawberries for your children. Children enjoy picking fresh fruit, especially if they can eat it right away.
It is important to allow cuts to completely heal before you do any gardening in order to protect the cut from exposure to dirt or chemicals. If you have an open cut while horticulture, contact with dirt or debris can infect the wound. Look for newer bandages which are able to completely seal your cut.
Organic material piled three inches deep is an effective mulch in your flower gardens. This will discourage weeds from growing, add nutrients, and retain the moisture in your garden. Mulch also completes your garden, giving it a finished appearance.
If slugs are an issue in your garden, a beer trap can make them go away. Get a clean, empty glass jar to use as a trap. Bury it with its mouth facing upwards. Keep putting dirt over the jar until the mouth is at the surface of your garden. Fill this jar up with beer almost entirely. The scent of the beer will bait the slugs into the jar and they will become trapped.
Gather the information that you have learned here and create a wonderful garden that springs back to life. Your plants and shrubs will thank you from the bottoms of their roots. Horticulture can literally change your life, but only if you put in the effort and do it!