A garden offers much more than beautiful decoration. Anyone can enjoy this hobby from an amateur to someone with a very green thumb. Becoming involved in gardening is a great way to find peace in your life, and gain an appreciation for the world around you. Gardening is best when you have the knowledge to do it right.
A handy trick is to turn the handle on a tool that you use often into a makeshift ruler. Handles of things such as rakes, hoes or shovels make excellent measuring instruments. Put the handles down and measure them with a measuring tape. Mark your distances with a permanent marker. Now, the next time you do work in the garden, you'll actually have a ruler at your fingertips.
If you see mildew that is powdery, stay away from expensive chemicals to treat it. Mix a bit of liquid soap and some baking soda into water. Once weekly, spray this mixture to the affected areas of your plants, and the mildew should be eliminated shortly. This solution is perfectly safe for your plants and gently treats mildew in a short amount of time.
If your garden requires a lot of low work, then save yourself some strain by investing in knee pads. Long hours spent in the garden will wreak havoc on your knees. Purchase a great pair of knee pads; they will provide a cushion for your knees while making gardening more comfortable.
Split up your irises. You can divide those overgrown clumps and increase the amount of irises you have. When the foliage has died off, it is time to harvest the iris bulbs. The bulbs, when harvested, should easily split by hand - allowing you to replant them for even more blooms next spring. Divide up the rhizomes with a knife. Cut new pieces from the outside and discard the old center. Each piece should have at least one strong offshoot. Do this cutting beside your garden bed, so that you can place your new groupings into the ground immediately.
Use fertilizer for maximum planting success. Manure is probably the best fertilizer. Choose a commercial product to reduce the risks of pathogen exposure. You must be sure to use some kind of fertilizer. There are many different combinations available for different uses.
Put a couple of inches of organic mulch around each of your vegetable plants. The mulch will help keep the dirt around the plants more moist. It will also dramatically decrease weed growth. That helps you save a great deal of effort and time in weed eradication.
Gardening can be very relaxing. Many methods of relaxation can be employed to lead a peaceful life. Horticulture is an excellent choice for calming your mind and soul. Without too much effort, you can enjoy great returns. Growing your own garden brings a feeling of tranquility and joy to you.
Choose one plant and make it the focal point of your garden. In a well designed garden you should have a focal point so that your eyes will stay there. Mostly it is a distinctive plant that sets it apart from the neighboring plants and flowers.
Take what you learned from this article and bring your garden back to life. Once your garden is back to its blooming glory, you will feel gratified and renewed yourself. If you give horticulture a chance and see it through, it can be a life changing experience, so hop to it!