With a push to eat healthier and to save money at the grocery store, many people are turning to organic horticulture to meet their needs. By using the right tips for the job, anyone can go from knowing little about organic gardening to developing a reliable green thumb. Keep reading to learn some tricks of the trade that will help you get a great garden.
Higher Yield
Choose higher yield plant varieties. Many times, a cold-tolerant or disease-resistant hybrid can have a higher yield versus traditional ones.
Use climbers to cover walls and fences. Known commonly as climbers, these plants are very versatile, easy to grow, and they will quickly spread out to cover up walls and fences within a single season. It is possible to get them to grow in conjunction with trees and bushes already on the premises, or train them to drape over arbors. There are those that have to be fixed to a support, but others will find a surface to cling to all on their own through twining stems or tendrils. You can be sure that varieties such as climbing roses, wisteria, jasmine, clematis and honeysuckle will grow very well.
Be sure to do some weeding on a regular basis. Weeds steal nutrients from plants, robbing a garden of its potential harvest. For this task, try using white vinegar. Use it instead of chemical solutions to kill weeds. Mix white vinegar and water into a spray bottle instead of pulling the weeds by hand.
Fresh mint is a wonderful addition to a herb garden, but it can quickly take over your entire yard. You should plant the mint in a rather large garden container or pot instead so you can monitor growth. If you would like the mint leaves to still be in the ground, simply plant the container, and the leaves will stay within the boundaries of the pot.
You should divide irises. If you divide the overgrown clumps of flowers, you’ll find that your stock grows proportionally. When the foliage dies it’s time to lift the bulbous irises out of the ground. The bulbs will naturally split in your hands, and after you replant them, will flower about a year later. If you have a rhizome you will need to split it with a knife. You can split the Rhizomes production by cutting off thin portions from the exterior and discarding the remaining insides. Each piece should retain a minimum of one sturdy offshoot capable of spurting new growth. Replant your cuttings immediately for the best results.
If you have a vegetable garden, it can be quite difficult to decide what to do about pest control. One major benefit of growing your own produce is knowing that they haven’t been treated with pesticides and other harsh chemicals. Research the methods available for eliminating garden pests organically. If you catch them when there are only a few around, you can actually pick them off the plants by hand.
Don’t count the fall season out. It’s not necessary to think this way, however. Fall is the most colorful time of year for foliage. Maple trees, Dogwood, and Beech trees exist in lots of Fall colors that range from deep crimson to yellow. Cotoneaster, barberry and hydrangea can provide vibrant color if you are considering shrubs for your garden.
To keep dogs from disturbing your garden, spray some old aftershave, cologne, perfume or other strongly-scented products in the dirt or grass surrounding it. This can make scents that dogs are attracted to, and make your garden less interesting in general for pets.
If you want to spend more quality time outdoors with your children, why not allowing them to help you with your horticulture? Kids delight in the idea of growing things and seeing how things change over time. Explain every step to your child and he or she will hang on to your every word.
Try using aspirin water for fighting plant diseases. One and a half aspirin, dissolved in two gallons of water, can be a great addition to your plants. All you need to do is spray the plants with the solution in order to battle common ailments. You should spray your plants about once every three weeks.
As stated earlier, applying organic gardening methods requires only a modest amount of time and effort. Use the tips you found here, mixed with some of your own ideas, to have a productive, environmentally friendly garden. You will find that organic horticulture is an ideal approach for growing vegetables, flowers and grasses.