Horticulture is a relaxing and fun hobby for many people around the world, but doing it organically is even more rewarding. If you lack experience as a gardener, it is perfectly natural to be somewhat intimidated by the thought of all that work. How can the beginning organic gardener get a handle on how to start out? All you have to do is read the following suggestions.
Digging in hard clay soil is made even more difficult because it sticks to the shovel. Coat the shovel with floor or car wax, and buff it with a clean rag to make the job a lot easier. The wax will enable the clay soil to simply slide off the shovel, and will also prevent the shovel from rusting.
If you notice powdery mildew on your plants, do not buy an expensive chemical. Combine a bit of liquid soap and some baking soda with water. Use a spray bottle to apply to your plants weekly until the issue clears up. Baking soda will not damage your plants and treats the mildew gently but efficiently.
Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. Plants that climb are extraordinarily versatile, and can help hide an unsightly wall or fence, usually within one season. They may grow up through some existing shrubs and trees, and can even be worked to grow around an arbor. Some require ties attaching them to supports, but others will attach themselves to any surface nearby. Climbing roses, honeysuckle, wisteria, clematis, and jasmine are some great plants to try out.
When winter arrives, you can save some plants by placing them in your home. This is especially useful if you have a particular plant that you love or was expensive. Always be careful when digging around the roots, and put the plant in a suitable pot.
Stink bugs can damage your garden, especially if you garden in the fall. They thrive on fruits, citrus, peppers and various beans. Proper measures should be taken in order to ensure minimal damage to your crops.
Before you start planting your garden, plan it out. It will be a while before things start to sprout and visually remind you of what was planted where, so a written record can be helpful. It can also keep you from planting any of your garden favorites too close to each other.
Take extra care of any fragile shrubs that are known to drop their leaves in the autumn. Shrubs in pots especially need special care in the colder weather. Connect the tops, and then place a sheet over the top of the wigwam. This method works better than covering your bushes in plastic, allowing air to circulate and preventing rotting.
Try and maintain daily aerated and dried plants. Moisture on the surfaces of your plants is an invitation to pests and illness. Fungi is the most common parasite for plants. You can control fungi with the application of fungicide sprays. However, the area should be treated before you see the onset of any problems.
A green garden needs to begin with seeds, not plants. When planting a garden, the best way is to initially start with seeds. It’s better for your garden, in particular, because transplants have high failure rates; whereas, sprouting a seed and growing a plant in the same conditions is better. Additionally, it’s better for the environment, because the plastic pots used by most greenhouses are generally not recycled and are cluttering landfills.
Choose a plant to use for a focal point. Your focal point will be the main center of attention for anyone who sees your garden. The focal point should be a plant totally different from the others around it.
You should now realize how much fun and how enjoyable gardening can be. Cultivating your green thumb is a relaxing, engaging hobby that the whole family can enjoy. Use these tips to get your organic garden up and running in no time.