Every gardener dreams of having a thriving garden. For some, this is a reality, for some it isn’t. If you want to achieve your dream of a beautiful garden, there are a few things to learn. The hard work involved in horticulture is usually offset by the fun and enjoyment it can offer. Here are a collection of nifty little gardening tips that will make the your time spent outside more fun and less demanding.
Flat Surface
Properly put down your sod. Before laying the sod, the soil must be prepared. Break the soil into fine tilth and make sure you remove any weeds as well. When the soil is clean, pack it tightly and create a flat surface. Now make sure the soil is thoroughly dampened. When laying down sod, create staggered rows with offset joints. Sod should be firm and have an even, flat surface without gaps. According to your climate, you will likely need to water the new sod daily over a period of a couple of weeks. This will insure proper root formation and establishment.
Digging in clay soil with a shovel can be very difficult. The clay isn’t easy to work with and will adhere to the shovel, which only makes the problem worse. To make working in clay easier, rub the shovel with floor or car wax and then buff it with a cloth. The wax will prevent any rusting, and the shovel will cut through the soil with great ease.
If you have any mildew on the plants, do not go out and buy anything. Put a little baking soda and some dish soap in water. You then want to spray this mixture on your plants one time a week until you notice the mildew disappear. Baking soda will bring no damage to your plants, and will treat the mildew in a gentle and efficient manner.
Plant vines like ivy to cover fences and dividing walls. Climbing plants are known to be very versatile, and can help hide any ugly wall or fence, and this often only takes one growing season. You can also use them in your landscape to cover an existing arbor, or allow them to climb up trees, or through 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 A few good choices are climbing roses, wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle and clematis.
Pick the correct soil to get the best results. Fertilizer can enrich the soil to make it more viable. You can also create an artificial area with only one kind of soil.
When mowing your lawn, avoid mowing the grass too short. Cutting your grass at a taller height allows grass roots to grow deeper and stronger, which helps lessen the chance of your lawn drying out easily. Short grass leads to more shallow roots and will result in more brown, dried-out patches.
It is possible to use natural materials as well as other plants to help keep pests away from your garden. Slugs stay away from marigolds and onions when they are planted in a garden. Another way to get rid of pests is to spread wood ash at ground level around shrubs and tree plantings. You can avoid using pesticides that contain harsh chemicals if you employ these techniques.
A touch of organic mulch will boost the potential of the vegetable plants in your garden. The soil around plants can stay damper through the use of mulch. An added benefit is that it also inhibits weed growth. This will save you tons of time from pulling out tons of weeds.
When you water your garden, do it with care. You can water efficiently by using a soaker hose which will eliminate the necessity of watering each plant one by one with a nozzle, or having to use a water can that you have to refill over and over. Be sure to keep the pressure of the water on low so that the hose does not damage the tender plants. Letting the soaker hose do the work frees you up to turn your attention elsewhere.
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. Always apply sunscreen with an adequate SPF level. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Finally, throw on a wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp. If you shield your skin from the sun correctly, your risk of sunburn and cancers will go down.
If you want to draw advantageous insects to your garden, plant some heather. Bees like heather, and they get their nectar from it early in the spring. Since a heather bed is normally left undisturbed, ground beetles, spiders and other beneficial insects tend to live inside it. Because of this, you should put on a pair of gloves when it’s time to prune the heather.
Gardening can actually increase the value of your property! Improving your landscape is one of the best ways to get a high return from your house. Some plants can even raise your home value about 20%. Plants that are low in moisture and suit your environment are a good investment.
If you’re planning on selling crops to people and labeling them as organic, you will need to receive an organic gardening certification. This will increase sales and shows your customers they’ve been buying from the best.
While it’s harder to grow organically than chemically, the rewards are much better. While chemicals offer an easy solution to many common gardening problems, the organic method is far healthier for you and everyone you share your food with.
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.