Organic gardening can be a very enjoyable and relaxing activity in which anyone can participate. A beginning organic gardener may find the prospect of getting started to be rather daunting. So, how does a novice learn more about gardening? This article will give you some great ideas to begin.
Strawberries are a great plant to grow in any organic garden, especially if you happen to have kids or any strawberry lover in your home. Children love to snap up these sweet juicy fruits for themselves and will be much more willing to eat other foods you’ve planted as well.
The ambient temperate of a room with live plants should be kept between sixty-five and seventy-five degrees throughout the day. This is the optimum temperature to ensure strong growth. If you are not willing to keep your house that warm during winter, you could always get the organic plants a heat lamp.
Prepare the ground for a perennial garden quickly and easily. Use your spade in a slicing motion to cut a flap of turf. Carefully turn the flap over, then cover the area with a three-inch layer of untreated wood chips. Wait two weeks, then dig in and plant the new perennials.
As your seeds sprout, they require less warmth than before. You can begin to move them further from the heat source as they become seedlings. If you used plastic wrap to insulate your seedlings, you should now remove it. To know when it is time for this, keep a careful eye on your seeds.
Learn to work efficiently. You do not have the time to spend an hour looking for each tool you need. Keep your tools well-maintained and stored away in a designated place. That way you always know where they are and they are ready to use when you need them. One way to keep your tools handy is to use a belt especially designed to hold them. An alternative is to wear a garment with multiple pockets that are big enough to hold your more commonly used tools.
Pine Needles
Pine needles make a great organic mulch. Many types of plants thrive in soil that has high acid levels. For these types of plants, pine needles are wonderful for mulching. Spread a few inches of pine needles on your organic beds so that it will put the acid into your soil.
Remember to plan for adequate spacing when you first lay out an organic garden. As plants grow and spread out, you will not always know how much space will be required. Space is necessary not only for physical growth but also to help keep air circulation flowing within your garden. Plan your organic garden while keeping this in mind, and space your seeds accordingly, when planting.
A good way to plant seeds is in containers. Plant them three times as deep as their overall size. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Some seeds should remain uncovered because they thrive in direct sunlight. Ageratum and petunias fall into this category. If you don’t know whether your seeds require sun exposure, check the seed package or search online for the information.
Treated Wood
You should use wood that is untreated, brick or stone when building the raised bed. If you choose wood, ensure that it has not been treated with a sealant or other chemicals. Several species of trees yield suitable wood. Locust, cypress, and cedar are among the more commonly used rot resitent woods. If you use treated wood in your vegetable garden, the chemicals in the wood can make their way into the soil, and in turn, to your crops. If you have placed treated wood in your garden, line it with a coat of plastic.
If you sell or use organically grown produce in a commercial setting, you should communicate your commitment to natural growing by becoming certified. This will increase your sales, and it will prove to your customers that they have quality products.
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. Using what you’ve learned here will help you sow your organic garden.