Gardening is a relaxing and fun hobby for many people around the world, but doing it organically is even more rewarding. That said, beginners often find it hard to get comfortable with the rhythms of organic horticulture. How can you become a better organic gardener? Reviewing the advice that follows would be a good place to begin!
To prevent your plants from getting shocked by a big change, get them gradually used to climate and temperature changes. Try placing them outside in sunlight for about an hour or maybe two the first day. Then over the next week, gradually increase the time they are in their new habitat. Once the transition is complete, your plants will probably be able to tolerate the outdoor conditions.
Learn about plant varieties so you can choose the ones with the best yields. Many times, hybrid plants tend to resist disease, and tolerate the cold weather better than their traditional counterparts, resulting in higher yields.
Plants need ample amounts of CO2 to reach their maximum growth. Plants tend to grow better when the CO2 levels are higher. A greenhouse will provide plants with an environment rich in carbon dioxide. The levels need to be kept high for optimum greenery growth.
Coffee Grounds
Consider adding coffee grounds to your soil if it contains high levels of alkaline. Used coffee grounds will add acidity, helping to optimize the soil's pH. You will notice that your vegetables and greens will have a stronger taste.
Draw up a garden plan before you plant the first seed. That way, if you see your plants beginning to bud but can't recall what they are, you can refer back to your plan to refresh your memory. This is important, because different plants require different care.
Knee Pads
Get some horticulture knee pads if you find yourself kneeling on the ground a lot to do your gardening. Your knees will take a beating if you spend a great deal of time on the ground while tending your garden. Having a pair of excellent knee pads for gardening can help cushion the knees to provide additional comfort.
Try "boiling" weeds to get rid of them. One of the safest "herbicides" you can find is a pot of boiling water. Pour hot water right on the weeds, but do not get any on your plants. What this does it essentially kill the weeds by damaging their roots. The result is that those weeds are unlikely to regrow.
To give them a helping hand, pour the water you obtain after steaming vegetables over your plants. You should also try using a bit of coffee grounds or tea to increase the acidity of the soil for your gardenias or your rhododendrons. Chamomile tea is a good remedy against fungus.
When gardening, don't use any broad-spectrum pesticides. These kinds of pesticides kill the helpful insects that destroy the pests. Beneficial insects are more susceptible to strong pesticides than the insects you are actually trying to get rid of. This will lead you to end up killing off the good bugs in your garden, leaving the field wide open for the harmful ones. This can cause you to actually use more pesticides than you originally needed to combat the problem.
You don't have to plant just for spring and summer. Consider what are often beautiful colors in the fall. However, that does not have to be the case! The brightest season of the year when it comes to foliage is fall. Many trees display a range of the vivid colors of fall, from bright yellow to rich crimson, including maple, beech, and dogwood. Some very good shrubs to choose are barberry, hydrangea, and cotoneaster, which is a member of the rose family.
Choose one stand-out plant to be a focal point. A focal point in the garden will capture your attention. It can be anything, but oftentimes a plant that stands out from its neighbors will do the trick.
Now you should be able to see why organic horticulture can be such an enjoyable activity to participate in. Horticulture can be an immensely rewarding hobby. These tips will help you get your organic garden started.