With the current organic trend, holistic lifestyles are common these days. In order for someone to live a holistic lifestyle, and obtain the desired health benefits, they usually have to learn to grow their own herbs and plants. They have to know how to start and maintain an organic garden. Read on to glean some new organic ideas in the following article.
If you work with clay soil, you have probably found using a shovel very frustrating and exhausting. To ease the digging, apply some car wax or floor wax to the head of the shovel and buff. The clay will no longer stick to the shovel, and this also helps to prevent other problems like rusting.
Choose plants that will give you the most yield at harvest time. If yield is important, choose hybrids designed to resist cold and diseases rather than traditional varieties.
Try using climber plants to cover up your fences and walls. These types of plants can climb anything, which makes them perfect for covering up a wall or fence that needs to be hidden. They can cover an arbor, or grow through trees and shrubs. Some climbers you plant will have to be tied off and supported, but others have no problem attaching themselves to any surface using their tendrils or twining stems Some climbers that have proven to be reliable are honeysuckle, jasmine, wisteria, clematis, and climbing roses.
If you have a vegetable garden, it is crucial they are kept in a spot with at least six hours of sun each day. Many of the vegetables need a lot of sun, so they can grow right and at a faster pace. Some flowers are especially sun-loving as well.
Make sure air can circulate around your plants, and keep leaves moisture-free. If you have excess moisture, this can attract bugs or diseases. One common organism that thrives on moisture is the fungi family. It is possible to control fungi by using fungicide sprays. However, these sprays should be used before issues become apparent.
Do you ever wish that your fresh mint leaves would not grow as quickly and overcome your garden? Rein in their growth by planting the mint in a large pot or garden container instead. The container can be planted in the ground, and it will still prevent the plant from dominating the garden.
Instead of leaving clumps of irises intact, divide them so that your flowers can grow in a more healthy manner. Divide any overgrown clumps to increase your stock. Try to life the bulbous irises when foliage begins to die. The bulbs should split naturally, and the replanted bulbs will usually flower within a year. Rhizomes should be divided using a knife. Cut new pieces from the outside and discard the old center. Each piece should have at least one strong offshoot. Plant immediately.
In order to start the best garden possible, remember that you should always start with the seeds and not pre-purchased plants. Starting from seed is far less harsh on the environment than using plants you buy at the nursery. The plastics used in nurseries are rarely recycled and ends up in landfills, so it is best to start with the seeds or buy from nurseries who use organic materials in packaging their plants.
It is possible to use natural materials as well as other plants to help keep pests away from your garden. Forming a border around your vegetable garden with marigolds or onions are ideal for repelling slugs. Another way to get rid of pests is to spread wood ash at ground level around shrubs and tree plantings. Using these methods eliminates your need of chemical pesticides.
Try planting berry-bearing evergreens in your yard. They will provide a splash of color in the drab and dreary winter months when a lot of other plants have lost their colors. Some examples include Holly, Snowberry trees, Winterberry and similar plants.
Two items you need to invest in when working in a garden are a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool. Horticulture can be very tough on the knees as you spend much time leaning near the ground, so a portable stool can make all the difference to your comfort. Using a wheelbarrow or wagon to transport heavy loads of dirt will help protect you from back injuries so make sure that you have one.
Cooled water left over from steaming vegetables can be fed to them as a little snack. Tea and coffee grounds can be used to add acidity to your soil for plants like gardenias and rhododendrons. Chamomile tea is a good remedy against fungus.
Choose plants that will provide color in autumn. But, that does not have to be the case! Fall is the most colorful time of year for foliage. For example, maple, beech, and dogwood trees all change from their usual green to a vibrant spectrum of yellow, orange, and red. When selecting shrubs that will be colorful during the fall, consider hydrangea, barberry, or cotoneaster.
Involve your children in gardening. Gardens are a wonderful place for kids to learn, and working side by side with them can strengthen the bond that you have.
Over-watering plants is counterproductive, as too much water reduces plants’ ability to absorb nutrients from the surrounding soil. Before watering your organic garden, check weather forecasts to determine if it is likely to rain later that day. If the weather forecast calls for rain, it’s probably wise to not water your plants that day.
Organic gardening is simpler if you have knowledge on the subject. While these tips primarily cover only the basics, they give you a place to start your organic horticulture venture.