Organic gardening requires a green thumb and a lot of patience. When you enjoy this hobby, you often have a goal of growing healthier foods for your family to enjoy. Easier than it sounds though, correct? Read the tips below to see what you need to begin growing like a pro.
A handy trick is to turn the handle on a tool that you use often into a makeshift ruler. You can convert any large handle tool, such as a hoe, shovel, or rake into a measuring tool. Place the handles on the ground and measure them. Use a permanent marker to label distances. When you are at work in the garden, you will always have a handy measuring device on each and every tool.
Transfer your favorite plants inside so they survive the winter. Find out which plants will be able to thrive despite the transplanting and different indoor conditions. Carefully dig up the plants, using caution not to disturb the roots, then transfer into a pot.
When partaking in gardening activities, particularly in the autumn months, keep an eye on those stink bugs. Fruits, peppers and tomatoes are among the foods they love to eat. If kept unchecked they can certainly do a ton of a damage to your garden so you should do what you need to to reduce their population.
Plant cool-weather edibles in the fall. Try something different by planing kale or lettuce inside a pumpkin, instead of using the planter pots you traditionally use. When you have finished cutting and cleaning the pumpkin, spray it with some liquid that will stave off wilting to keep it from rotting. Once you have finished, you can begin planting.
When mowing your lawn, avoid mowing the grass too short. If you allow your grass to grow a little longer, the roots will go down deeper into the dirt, helping the grass grow better and remain hydrated. Short grass means short roots and dead grass.
Coffee Grounds
If your soil is highly alkaline, try mixing used coffee grounds into the soil. The coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to give some acid back to the dirt. Improving the pH of your soil will make your vegetables and greens taste even better!
If many of the plants in your garden grow close to the ground, some gardening knee pads will prevent pain and knee injuries. When you spend a lot of time kneeling while horticulture, your knees can be very achy by the end of the day Cushion your knees with a pair of horticulture knee pads.
Start a new garden from seeds. The environmentally conscious way to start a new garden is to start with seeds. It is common for commercial plants to be packaged in plastic that is not commonly recycled, and therefore, it is better to use seeds or purchase plantings only from merchants who make use of organic packaging.
Be consistent with garden fertilization. Manure is very effective in helping plants grow, although it is important to use a commercially composted product to minimize the risk of pathogens. You have the ability to choose from quite a large array of fertilizer, however there is not a great difference between them. It is just crucial that you use something.
Protect the soil around your vegetable plants with an inch or two of organic mulch. The soil around plants can stay damper through the use of mulch. This is also efficient in preventing weeds from growing. You'll find this is a time saver since you won't have to pull them later.
Organic horticulture takes patience and hard work. This hobby enables you to grow delicious food in your own backyard. If you are willing to put in the effort and if you follow the tips, you can become a great organic gardener.