Essential DIY Horticulture Tips For The Struggling Gardener

Posted on March 4, 2013 in gardening

There is a lot of information you need to learn if you want to achieve your goal of having a thriving garden full of beautiful, colorful, blossoming plants. Horticulture takes some effort, but it is also a pleasant and rewarding hobby. This article should help you to learn a little more about the process of creating a beautiful garden, and having fun in the process!

TIP! Don’t use broad-spectrum pesticides in the garden. These pesticides can kill the useful insects that work as predators to pests.

Maximize the use of fall color. Gardens and yards come alive with warm, impressive reds and yellows during the fall as deciduous trees, shrubs, and even vines begin to change color. The production of chlorophyll is stopped since the sun does not shine as much as during the summer, and other pigments appear to replace the green color. Place these types of plant in a location which gets plenty of sun, especially after noon. Plants and trees that will produce great fall colors include maples, barberrys, chestnuts, and burning bushes.

Annuals and biennials are an excellent way to add a splash of bright color to your flower gardens. Your flower beds will look different from one season to another. These kinds of flowers are also excellent for filling in gaps between shrubs and perennials in sunny areas. There are many different varieties to choose from such as daisies, marigolds, impatiens, and lantana.

TIP! Always protect yourself from the sun when you are outdoors working in the garden; you can do this by wearing clothes that will shield you from the sun. There are many ways to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays such as wearing sunglasses, sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats.

Having bees in your garden can really help it to thrive because they will pollinate your fruits and vegetables for you. However, some types of bees can be harmful such as the carpenter bees that eat through wood to create their nests. In general, bees are beneficial to your garden, so the best thing to do is to let them be so they can do their job.

There are many effective ways to use mulch in your gardening projects. It also lessens the rate of evaporation of the water in the soil and helps keep the weeds at bay.

TIP! A few annuals grow better in colder weather. To make sure that these plants always look their best, prune them if they start to look too leggy.

A certain amount of CO2 is necessary for plants to maximize their growth potential. Plants will not thrive if they don’t have an adequate amount of CO2. A greenhouse can concentrate the levels of CO2. To achieve optimal growing conditions, keep the levels of carbon dioxide high in your plants’ environment.

Coffee Grounds

TIP! Take the proper approach to laying sod. Before you lay the sod, the soil has to be prepared.

A simple way to lower the alkaline content of your soil is to dilute it with coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to increase the acid level in your soil. When you use them, you will start to notice that your vegetables are tastier and more vibrant in color.

Shoveling soil that is mostly clay can be difficult because of the hardness of the soil, and because it sticks to the shovel. Take the hard work out of using a shovel in clay soil by rubbing a light coat of car or floor wax over the surface with a clean cloth and buff the surface. This causes the clay to slide rather than stick, and prevents rust as a side effect.

TIP! Read instructions before using any gardening tool you aren’t familiar with, including pesticides or other chemicals. Use the tools only as directed in the instructions.

With these tips, you’re better equipped to grow the most beautiful garden you can imagine. In learning how to create your dream garden, you’ll also be growing as a person. That’s because learning how to nurture your plants will not only help you reach the goal of having a great garden, but it will help you learn to nurture yourself.