A huge variety of wonderful gardening resources exist. Books are available to help you grow orchids and other plants that have special requirements. If you are ready to start creating your own garden you don’t have to learn everything there is to know about horticulture, but you will want to pay attention to a few important steps that can increase the success you will have with planting and maintaining your garden. Read on to start learning.
Healthy soil will be your best defense against the pests that can invade your garden. If you have healthy looking plants, they are stronger and more resistant to diseases and bugs. High-quality soil that is low on chemicals is key. It’s the first thing you should think about when planning on growing your garden.
Grow some wheat grass or cat grass next to the plants your cat seems to prefer. You could also place something that will cause your cat to go away from your plants, such as citrus peels or mothballs.
There are many natural substances that are effective for warding off unwanted visitors. Planting marigolds or onions around the border of your garden will repel slugs. If you place wood ash around the base portion of a shrub seedling or tree, you will ward off insect pests. With these natural methods, there is no need to purchase expensive, harsh pesticides.
You can help provide nutrients by watering your plants with room temperature water that is leftover after cooking vegetables. To add acidity to the soil of your rhododendrons and gardenias, use coffee or tea grounds. If fungus is ravaging your potted plants, sprinkle a bit of Chamomile tea on them, and see if it helps.
Be smart about how you water your garden. Soaker hoses save time by watering all of your plants at once, rather than individually with a standard hose or watering can. Lower your water pressure on the soaker hose to avoid harming tender plants. Just use it on your foliage for a few hours.
Use cologne or other items with a distinct scent to keep your canine out of the landscaping. This kind of scent is going to mask the scents your dog is attracted to. If your dog has no interesting smell to follow, the garden will not be a tempting place.
When you are gardening out in the sun, wear the proper clothing so that you do not get any type of sun damage. Wear sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and sunblock. Protecting yourself from harmful UV rays means you are less likely to get sunburned or suffer skin cancer later in life.
Get added value from your property. Of all the home improvement options that you might consider, landscaping is the most cost effective. In fact, you can boost your home’s value by a fifth with the right landscaping, and in the right market. Get low moisture plants for your garden and yard that are suited for your environment.
You can spray away snails by using a blend of water and ammonia. You won’t hurt your plants with ammonia, and it will actually be converted into nitrogen that is beneficial later. Its effect on snails, however, is deadly. The snails will no longer be able to harm your garden. Add this mixture to your everyday horticulture routine, and you will see amazing results in no time.
Be an eco-friendly gardener by watering your plants with rainwater. Using a specialized barrel, or any other container that works to collect rainwater, saves money on your monthly water bill, and makes good use of natural resources. This is a great alternative to spending your money on water bills and makes your garden even more natural.
Make a calendar to keep track of plantings for your garden. It will show you which plants you can plant and when. It can help you to be prepared ahead of time, and know what to buy, as well as when to buy it. You can make a calendar to hang on the wall, or to merge with your online scheduler.
Chicken Tractors
Chicken tractors are great for fertilizing your prospective garden area. Chicken tractors are moveable chicken coops with sheltered areas and open floors. This will let your chickens consume vegetation and insects while fertilizing your garden. Once an area is complete, you can pull the chicken tractor to your next area.
Propagate additional plants by carefully taking cuttings from the roots of your best specimens. The roots should be cut in winter when they are dormant. Use the sharpest knife you have to take the thickest, longest roots available. Cut the plant’s roots into two inch lengths. Take a seed tray and put a grit and moist peat mixture inside of it, and then place your root pieces on top of it. You will then place out a thinner layer of the peat mixture on top of the cuttings. Wait a month after you put it in a colder place and you’ll get new seedlings. Plant the seedlings separately in small containers until they are large enough to be planted outdoors.
Gardening is a wonderful hobby to get you outdoors and enjoying yourself. The better your skills the better your garden! Increase your knowledge year after year in order to become a great gardener. Try these tips on your own garden and you might be surprised by how soon you see results.