There are so many natural alternatives available to you if you want to turn your garden organic. In order to use these methods, all you have to do is learn a little bit about them.
Gradually acclimate plants to temperature changes and conditions, if you want to avoid shocking them. Put the plants outside in the sun for one to two hours in the beginning. Then over a weeks time, slightly increase their time outside. At week's end, the plants should be welcoming of their new home.
Slug-proof your garden with smart perennial choices. If slugs or snails find their favorite perennials in your garden, they'll snack all night. When you wake up in the morning, there will be very little left of your plants. They often enjoy feeding on perennials with very smooth and tender leaves. Young plants are a special favorite of theirs. Some perennials are not preferred meals for snails and slugs, especially if their foliage is hairy and tough, or tastes bad. Some of the best varieties of these include achillea, campanula, euphorbia, and heuchera.
Coffee Grounds
If you discover that your soil is very alkaline, take used coffee grounds and mix them thoroughly with your soil. Coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to increase the acid level in your soil. The right soil will make your vegetables taste better and make your flowers more vibrant and aromatic.
Don't plant a garden without planning it. Doing this makes it easier to keep track of where you planted what when you first start to see sprouts. It can also aid in identifying the less prominent fledgling plants that lie withing a larger landscaped garden.
Using boiling water to kill weeds is both efficient and organic. Boiling water is a very safe alternative to other potent herbicides. All you need to do is apply boiling water right to the weeds you want to get rid of. Be careful not to get any on the plants you want to keep. Boiling water damages weed and plant roots, so be sure to avoid the plants you don't want to eliminate.
Use common sense when watering your garden. Soaker hoses save time by watering all of your plants at once, rather than individually with a standard hose or watering can. Turn down the water pressure to its lowest setting, as anything higher could harm the plants. This allows you to leave the hose running as you go about your business.
Avoid damage from the sun by dressing correctly when you garden. Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Using the right protection from the harmful rays of the sun means less of a chance of you getting sunburn and skin cancer.
Vegetables are softer in the heat of the hottest part of the day; even gently picking them at that time can damage them. For vegetables growing on vines, cut them carefully rather than twisting them off to avoid damage to the plant.
If you can't wait for a cut to heal before digging in the dirt, then at least protect your cuts from exposure. It is possible for a cut to become extremely infected if it comes into contact with dirt and grime while gardening. Look for newer bandages which are able to completely seal your cut.
Plant your seeds carefully, taking your time. Water the soil first. Plant the seeds evenly to ensure that they have ample room to grow. The seeds should be planted at least 3 times deeper than the seed's depth. Some seeds require light for growing and must not be buried.
You should utilize around three inches of mulch that is organic in your flower beds. This is a good way to keep weed growth at bay and add nutrients that you need in your garden. A layer of mulch also creates a more attractive appearance.
Coffee Grounds
Using coffee grounds as part of your soil mixture in your garden is often advised for healthy plants. Coffee grounds have a lot of nutrients that plants can use. Plants need an adequate nitrogen source in order to thrive. Adding coffee grounds, chemical fertilizer, or diluted urea to your soil increases the soil's nitrogen content and will help to make your plants grow faster, taller and healthier.
Anyone can have a garden, but it takes knowledge to have a productive and healthy one. Remember these helpful tips the next time you are working in your garden!