Monday, September 24, 2012

What You Need To Know About Organic Gardening

When it comes to organic gardening, take note that it requires a lot of patience, as well as a green thumb. The idea here is to grow healthy, great-tasting food bereft of pesticides, herbicides and other unnatural chemical enhancers. You might think this sounds complicated or expensive. Enjoy the following article that will help you become an expert organic gardener.

Organic gardening just got easier! One of the best techniques is to plant native flowers, grasses and bushes to your landscape. If you select plants able to thrive in your climate, soil variety and indigenous neighbors, you can cut the amount of fertilizer and pesticide you might need. Native plants and natural fertilizer work well together. Since the compost is made from native ingredients, plants react strongly to it.

Maneuver the trees you plant around your home so that they are in a location that is optimal for shade over the home. Since tree shade cools your home naturally, it'll cut back on your energy consumption and lower your electric bill.

One of the problems that people come up against when trying to grow organic plants indoors is a lack of natural light. If you live in a home or apartment that does not get great sunlight you may want to consider growing plants that are designed to grow in low or medium-light environments. If you simply must have a plant that has higher requirements for sunlight, you can use indoor UV lamps.

Asprin will actually help your plants out by killing diseases. An aspirin and a half, dissolved in about two gallons of fresh water, is great for your plants. Spray this mixture onto your plants. Spraying should be one time every three weeks.

For some plants, pine needles makes an ideal mulch. Some plants are more acidic, and prefer soil that contains higher acidic levels. Use pine needles to increase the acid level in your soil if you have plants that require higher acid. Spread the needles over the beds in a layer that is approximately 2-inches deep. Over time, the needles will begin to decay, supplying the soil with acid as they do.

Keep the temperature in your home between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, if you are keeping or growing any kind of plant in your house. The temperature needs to be this warm so they are able to grow. If you are not willing to keep your house that warm during winter, you could always get the organic plants a heat lamp.

This is a very easy organic gardening tip! Stick to native plants, grasses, flowers and bushes when you plan out your landscape. You can reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers by selecting plants that correspond to the soil you have and to the climate. Compost your yard trimmings and kitchen waste, then use it to fertilize native plants and to help them conserve moisture.

Work efficiently in your garden. Don't waste your time by looking all over for your tools. Prepare your equipment before you go into the garden and put everything away afterwards. A good way to keep your tools at hand is to buy a tool belt or utility pants with many large pockets.

When preparing to plant a shrub or tree in your garden, consider digging a hole that looks ugly for planting them. If, after digging a hole, you notice the sides look "glazed" from the action of the shovel, this could restrict plant roots from growing through to the surrounding soil.

Make sure any trees you plant near your home are located to provide optimal shade for your home. Your trees can provide natural cooling by shading your house.

If you're working to build a sustainable organic garden, try leaving a portion of your garden untouched so that the wildlife will be able to thrive. Your cultivated garden spaces will benefit from the various insects and wildlife that will inhabit and pollinate the undeveloped space.

Create biodiversity in your garden. The more plants you have, the more wildlife that will come. Plant all different types of plants in your garden to try to recreate a natural environment. This will make your garden enjoyable, and you will also be doing the right thing environmentally.

If you're growing indoor organic plants, you should ensure that you think about how much light is available for them. If your home does not let in sufficient light, then consider getting plants that thrive in low-light situations. If you cannot achieve success merely through plant selection, consider using artificial light sources.

If you have recently planted seeds in your organic garden, you should regularly aerate the soil by using your hands to gently sift it. That may sound like a silly thing to do, but it's been proven to help plants grow larger than they would otherwise.

Use companion plants within your garden. When certain plants are planted near one another, they will assist their each other in growing. The companion plants will repel pests, and help enrich the soil so that the use of fertilizers and pesticides are not necessary. One example of companion plants in action is the ability of foul-smelling herbs and vegetables to repel insects.

Go ahead and make your own compost so you have access to your own fertilizer in your garden. A fun method to make this is to start a small compost bin with worms. Earthworms are perfect composting accomplices. All you need is some dirt and shredded newspapers to make them feel at home. Feed them scraps from your kitchen and they will oblige you by turning them into compost.

Aspirin water will strengthen your plants against diseases. Dissolve one aspirin and a half for 2 gallons of water. Spray this mixture onto your plants. The spray ought to be applied approximately every three weeks.

Garlic is an excellent choice to grow organically. Plant organic cloves in spring or fall and use moist, drained soil. Plant them an inch or two below the soil line with the pointed end facing the sky. Each clove should be around 4 inches from the one beside it. Green garlic shoots can be cut as they grow, and used in place of chives or scallions. When the bulbs begin turning brown on top, they are ready for harvesting. To harden the bulbs' skin, dry them for several days in the sun. Store the bulbs separately or tied in loose bunches in a cool place.

Invite biodiversity into your garden. You will notice more wildlife if you have diverse plants. Plant various plant types to create a natural environment. A diverse garden is incredibly attractive. It's also very rewarding and relaxing.

As you have learned, having an organic garden is an important factor in healthy dietary habits, as is a thorough understanding of the many plants you can choose from. Using the information that has been provided is a great way to start an organic garden of your own

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Seeds, Shade And Other Perfect Horticulture Ideas

A lot of people feel gardening is difficult to do, but it can be easy if you are aware of what to do. The right information can help anyone become a master gardener. This article's tips and advice will help you become an amazing gardener.

If you want an organic way to weed your garden, try "boiling" them. Water is cheaper than chemical herbicides, and less hazardous to humans and soil. Make sure to pour only on the weeds and to stay away from healthy vegetation. The weeds' roots will be damaged by the boiling water; normally, this prevents them from continuing to grow.

Certain houseplants may need to be repotted, while other plants do not respond well when their roots are disturbed. It's simple to check the plants that need re-potted. Simply turn them upside down and tap their container until you notice the plant falling out willingly. If all you see are mostly roots, the plant needs a new pot. You do not have to transfer the plant to a new pot if you are not seeing any roots, or just a few.

Plant seeds in pots that have a rich soil to give them a strong start. This boosts the chance that the plants can survive to adulthood. It also lets you have tighter control over the planting periods in your garden. Once you've removed the previous group of plants, your seedlings can go into the ground.

Remember to remove weeds from the garden. Weeds can take a promising garden and turn it into a shell of its potential. To do this, think about using white vinegar. It can kill weeds. Mix white vinegar and water into a spray bottle instead of pulling the weeds by hand.

It is just as important to not water your plants too much as it is to provide them enough water to satisfy their needs. This is important since either extreme can be harmful to your plant by either drying out your plants or causing root rot. A good way to check to see if your garden is getting the right amount of moisture is to check the moisture in the soil daily.

Use root cuttings to create beautiful new plants. Cut the plant roots during winter, while they go dormant. Start by using a sharpened knife to separate the plant from the largest roots. Cut the roots into two inch lengths. Fill up a tray with seeds with dirt and grit and put your roots on the surface of that. Place a light layer of the grit and peat mixture on top of it. Leave the tray in a place that is cool for about a month and seedlings will sprout. Plant each seedling in its own small pot until it is developed enough to be transplanted outdoors.

Keep your tools stored away safely if you're in a large traffic area. If valuable tools are left out, it could prove to be too tempting for a potential thief.

Protect your plants from moisture on a daily basis. Excess moisture creates an appealing environment for disease and parasites. A common parasite found in the plant kingdom is fungi. It is possible to control fungi by using fungicide sprays. However, these sprays should be used before issues become apparent.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you want a more organized look, select plants that will grow to the same height and put them in the same bed.

Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. Climbing foliage is a great way to disguise unsightly features on your property, sometimes in the span of just one season. They may also grow through tress and shrubs that are already grown, or you can train them to cover your arbor. There are natural climbers, which use tendrils or stems to wrap around any given surface, while others must be tied with a string or rope. Some dependable types include honeysuckle, clematis, jasmine, climbing roses, and wisteria.

The prevent your dog from trampling through your garden, spray some old aftershave, perfume or other heavily scented things on the grass around your plants. This helps mask the attractive scents and can make your garden unappealing to them.

In order to rid your garden of pests, take advantage of plant materials and other organic matter. Slugs can be kept at bay with a patch of marigolds or pungent vegetables. Keep insects away from shrub and tree seedlings with mulch containing wood ash. Natural remedies, like the ones listed, will help reduce the need and usage of harsh chemical pesticides.

If you garden is small, consider planting dwarf fruit trees. A lot of gardens, especially ones in the city, are small, but you have room for a small fruit tree! These tiny trees will bear full-sized fruit in about three years. Springtime is the best time to plant a dormant tree. Be sure to keep them watered until the roots are well established.

The first thing you can do to avoid pests is to start with healthy soil in your garden. If your plants are healthy, they can more easily resist insects and disease. So give your garden a kick start by beginning with a healthy batch of natural and organic soil.

Make sure you protect your knees well while you are gardening. Most people can't bend for long periods while standing. If you kneel, you can easily work on your plants without placing stress on your back. Place a cushioning kneeling pad on the ground or wear knee pads to make kneeling more comfortable.

If you are going to be doing some horticulture, watch out for stink bugs, especially in the fall! They thrive on fruits, citrus, peppers and various beans. If not taken care of, these pests can damage the garden, so take steps to cut down their population.

When thinking about the vegetables to plant in your garden, consider the vegetables that you most commonly use in the kitchen. By doing this, you will be able to use the horticulture space to your best advantage, and you will also save money on food bills. There is no point in growing something that your family will not eat, especially if you are limited on space.

Vegetables should be planted in an area where they will get a minimum of six hours of daily sunlight. Almost all vegetables need this much sunlight, so that they can grow correctly and in a shorter amount of time. This also rings true for some of the flowers.

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.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Use This Piece As Your Personal Horticulture Guide

Gardening is a great hobby that can be very rewarding in many ways. Regardless of what you grow, cultivating and caring for plants brings a special kind of satisfaction. The information below provides a little advice and a few pointers when it comes to both your garden, and the act of growing.

Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. 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. They can grow through shrubs and trees, or even cover an arbor. Some need to be tied to a support, whereas certain climbers attach themselves to a surface with tendrils or twining stems. A few good choices are climbing roses, wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle and clematis.

Use cologne or other items with a distinct scent to keep your canine out of the landscaping. Using this will cover up the odors that your dog likes and will cut down on the intrigue of your landscaping for your furry friend.

Put your horticulture plan down on paper. Write down a list of the plants you wish to grow, and include an illustration of your garden containing a map of where your plants will be placed. Be sure to remember things like the heights of the plants you want to grow, maturity and what they need in terms of moisture and sunlight.

Try using annuals and biennials to add color to your flower beds, and brighten them up. Fast growing biennials and annuals can enliven a flower bed while letting you change up the look each season and year. They are useful for filling gaps in between shrubs and perennials in sunny areas. Notable collections include sunflower, marigold, hollyhock, rudbeckia, cosmos, and petunia.

To keep your garden at its healthiest, it must be watered properly. Your plants need it to survive. When it is very hot, the sun may dry soil, so it's important to be sure that watering the garden happens regularly. Proper watering will help ensure that the garden is going to thrive.

Do you love fresh mint leaves but hate how they quickly grow to take over your garden? That's why it's better to place mint in containers rather than letting it have free rein in your garden. You have the option of planting the container with the plant to keep the roots from taking the garden over.

Bulbs planted in the spring can flower all the way into summer. Bulbs are easy to grow and hearty, and they keep growing in years to come. Various bulbs do not all bloom at the same time, and if you employ this knowledge wisely, your garden can provide freshly blooming flowers for half the year.

There are several annuals that thrive during the cooler months. To make sure that these plants always look their best, prune them if they start to look too leggy. Some annuals will produce flowers again within a few weeks and stand out against other winter foliage. Consider annuals such as petunias, snapdragons or dianthus.

Try growing wheat grass or cat grass in the area of the plants your cat wants to eat. Another option is to protect your plants by lacing them with offensive entities, such as peels from citrus fruit or even moth balls from your closet.

Snails can be sprayed away with a mixture of ammonia and water. The ammonia will not hurt your precious plants, and it will later convert to beneficial nitrogen. It will kill off the snails and stop them from bringing harm to your garden beds. For best results you're going to want to use this mixture daily.

Plant things that will give you color for the fall. Fall, though, can still be an interesting time for trees. In the fall, the foliage displays every color of the rainbow. Maple, beech, and dogwood trees are many colors in the fall, from yellow to a deeper crimson. When choosing shrubs, think about cotoneaster, hydrangea or barberry.

Before planting seeds, soak them overnight. Place them in a cupboard or other place where they won't be exposed to light. Use a small container filled with water to nearly the top and place several seeds in it. This lets water soak into the seeds, giving them an extra boost of hydration when they start growing. The seeds will be better able to survive and grow up.

Remove your garden's weeds! Weeds can turn a beautiful garden into an eyesore. To help with the removal, you can use white vinegar. The acid in white vinegar kills weeds. You may also be using plants that need that very same acid. So, if weed pulling is tiring you out, spray a white vinegar solution all over them.

Water plants with rainwater to be more eco-friendly. Collect the rainwater in a container or barrel, which makes for a great natural resource, not only that it saves you money on water bills. This will help you save your money and keep an all natural garden.

If you are going to be doing some gardening, watch out for stink bugs, especially in the fall! They enjoy tomatoes, peppers, beans, and many different varieties of fruits. If left unattended, your garden could be ravaged by these bugs, so you need to proactively keep their population under control.

While you garden, it's important that you wear the right clothing to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Wear hats and sunglasses, and make use of sunscreen. Wearing sun protection will prevent your skin from burning and by extension will reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

In order to bring in good insects to your garden, you need to plant heather. Heather is very attractive to bees, and when bees first emerge in the spring, it is an early source of nectar. In addition, beds of heather are usually left alone. Because of this, insects that are good for your garden often make them a home, such as beetles or spiders. Because of this, you might want to invest in a good pair of horticulture gloves for the times when you need to prune it.

Vegetables should be planted in an area where they will get a minimum of six hours of daily sunlight. Almost all vegetables need this much sunlight, so that they can grow correctly and in a shorter amount of time. This also rings true for some of the flowers.

Easier than you expected, right? Just like any number of topics, much has been written on the subject of horticulture, and therefore a great deal of advice is available. It is easy to become overwhelmed. Sometimes, it helps to have a place to start! You should hopefully get what you can from these tips.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Want A Beautiful Lawn? These Tips Will Help

Do your neighbors love to talk about your yard? Is your yard often snickered at, and perhaps even ridiculed? If that's the case, this article can be the first way to show neighbors that you no longer wish to be a laughing stock. Keep reading to find some great yard tips.

To landscape successfully, you must understand the difference between annual and perennial plants. You must also be aware of which plants, shrubs and flowers grow best in your particular geographical area and its climate. You have to also think about what season it is when you're doing any kind of landscaping. Consider every way that nature will impact a landscaping project before you start.

Using peat moss is a very good way to ensure that your plants survive. Peat moss provides ground cover while also providing necessary plant nutrients. Peat moss, when used as mulch, contrasts beautifully against the foliage of your plants.

If landscaping on a budget is what you're considering then remember that the entire project can be broken down into segments. There is no shame in tackling your project through steps, segments and even seasons. It is easier to accomplish this financially. Write down everything you want to accomplish, then prioritize each goal.

Include many different plant species when you plan the look of your yard or garden. Doing so can help protect your landscape design in case of disease or insect infestation. If you use identical plants, all of them will die if this happens. When you landscape, you want to make sure you have diversity; it's crucial for plant health.

Time your purchases right to save money. Wait until the off-season to purchase such things as shrubs, trees or lumber, and don't mulch at the height of summer. When newer plants arrive on market, wait a few years until prices decrease.

Adding curves to your landscaping adds interest and helps areas flow well. Consider using a curved flowing border in your landscape. Curved borders help the flow of ares and keep your landscaping from looking too boxy or rigid, which adds value and appeal to your home. Although it's a little harder to construct than a straight border, the payoff is worth it.

When creating a landscaping plan, include paths and walkways. One of the worst looks is an ugly concrete sidewalks. Change it up by using stepping stone patterned paths to make your landscape more attractive. These are available in various colors and shapes and cost about as much as concrete.

Remember that cheaper is not always better. Sometimes, quality is much better for a project like this. If you are just starting out in landscaping, a store which specializes in it can give you good helpful advice and guide you to creating something much better.

If you have a large shade tree in your yard, planting flowers underneath it can be difficult. You can choose to put a ground cover such as mulch, or perhaps a bench around the base to give it a well maintained look. This can add beauty to your yard, and it is very easy to maintain. Some options for ground cover include hosta and sweet woodruff.

Take the time to regularly trim your plants to make sure your yard looks well groomed. Many plants, especially hollies, azaleas, and forsythia, are prone to excessive growth. Don't be hesitant to cut off a lot of overgrown and trim bushes back because they will grow back quickly.

Soil is a big factor in your landscaping efforts. Some kinds of soil and some plant species are poor matches for each other. If you see that some plants aren't growing, consider changing soil; you might also consider wood chips or mulch.

Are you considering selling your house soon? Landscaping your yard is a great way to increase the value of your house. Making your backyard into an appealing and functional space will contribute to your home's value, while investing your time in beautifying your front yard can produce instant curb appeal.

Talk to an expert before beginning any yard work. While you may not need them to do everything for you in regards to your landscaping, their advice can help you avoid mistakes that will cost you later on down the road. Talking with an expert is particularly important if you have no landscaping experience.

Spending less is not always the right thing to do. While you can find fairly inexpensive supplies to do your project, the quality is probably not going to be what you are looking for. Whether you are new at landscaping or an old pro, try a specialty store. They will be able to guarantee your purchases and give you valuable advice on your project.

Create continuity of you landscape with evergreens and foliage plants. Choosing plants that only bloom in the spring or summer will leave your yard looking dead in fall and winter. Interspersing evergreen plants into your flower beds will ensure that your yard is never without greenery.

When landscaping, plant your seeds in the largest patches of your yard first, which is more efficient. It doesn't take much more time to seed a hundred square feet than it does to seed ten, so you will save yourself time by doing it all at the same time.

Use all kinds of flowers and trees with different colors to add unique beauty and variety in your landscaping. Shrubs are available in a variety of colors in addition to green, and some of them produce flowers in spring and summer. Trees often not only produce flowers, but follow that up with edible fruit, which makes a garden even more fun. For example, cherry trees are an excellent choice for many yards.

Check your property boundaries before beginning a landscaping project. This will be crucial if you have no fence around your property. The last thing you want is to be sued by your neighbors for planting trees and shrubs on their land. You will be able to locate this information on a property deed.

Whether you want to attract a flock of birds to watch through the window, or the neighbors to come over for a barbecue, this article provides you with all you need to know to get started. You will be successful provided you stick to a plan and keep up with the hints from this article.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Dreary Garden? Perk It Up With This Fabulous Advice.

Horticulture is generally a relaxing and therapeutic hobby. When it comes to horticulture there are some basic "need to know" things such as: knowing your soils, which equipment to use and the time frame for planting your seeds. This article contains important information for anyone wanting to begin a garden.

Plant cool-weather edibles in the fall. Clay pots are boring, so replace those ordinary lettuce and kale pots with pumpkins. To use the pumpkin as a planter, it is important to prevent it from rotting. To do this, you simply spray the entire inside and any edges with a horticulture spray called Wilt-Pruf. This is done after you've opened the pumpkin at the top and removed the insides. Now you can use the pumpkin as a planter.

There is always a best time to pick your garden's vegetables, and you should know them. Each kind of vegetable should be picked at a specific point for maximum flavor. Harvesting zucchini is best done when they are small and baby peas should be harvested when they are young. The opposite is true of tomatoes. They taste their best if you allow them to ripen on the vine as long as possible. Find out what the best harvest time is for your vegetables.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you use a combination of plants that grow to the same height, your garden bed will be uniform and dull looking.

Cover the fences and walls with climbers. 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. They can be trained to grow over an arbor, or through trees and shrubs that are already in the garden. There are natural climbers, which use tendrils or stems to wrap around any given surface, while others must be tied with a string or rope. A few good choices are climbing roses, wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle and clematis.

Think about berry-producing trees that are green year round for your garden. This will allow your garden to have color, even in the dreary winter months. Some examples include Holly, Snowberry trees, Winterberry and similar plants.

Turn the handles of your garden tools into measuring rulers. Tools that have long handles such as rakes, hoes and shovels can be used in place of a measuring stick. Place the handles on the ground and measure them. Use a bright permanent marker and label the distances. This will allow you to have a ruler at your fingertips when you are working out in the garden.

Keep your tools stored away safely if you're in a large traffic area. If valuable tools are left out, it could prove to be too tempting for a potential thief.

Protect your plants from moisture on a daily basis. Excess moisture creates an appealing environment for disease and parasites. A common parasite found in the plant kingdom is fungi. It is possible to control fungi by using fungicide sprays. However, these sprays should be used before issues become apparent.

Choose the right soil for best results. Different types of plants require different soils, so check soil requirements for the ones you choose. You may also cultivate an artificial area comprised of just one type of soil.

Create a planting calendar for your garden. This will tell you what you need to plant each season. If you make a plan ahead of time, you will be prepared with the seeds and plants when you need them. You can make a planting calendar using a computer program, or with paper.

Get some horticulture knee pads if you find yourself kneeling on the ground a lot to do your horticulture. Long hours spent in the garden will wreak havoc on your knees. Investing in good knee pads will help cushion your knees so you are more comfortable.

A great horticulture tip to implement is to actually create new plants for your garden by using root cuttings from existing plants. Cut the roots in the winter, while they are dormant. Use a knife to take the longest and thickest roots away from the plant. The roots should be sliced at least two inches long. Fill up a tray with seeds with dirt and grit and put your roots on the surface of that. Cover the root pieces with the same grit and peat moss mixture that you filled the trays with. Leave the tray in a cool area, and seedlings will sprout in approximately a month. Then you can transplant the seedlings into separate pots with room to grow. In the spring, you can plant them outdoors.

Remove your garden's weeds! Weeds can turn a beautiful garden into an eyesore. To help with the removal, you can use white vinegar. The acid in white vinegar kills weeds. You may also be using plants that need that very same acid. So, if weed pulling is tiring you out, spray a white vinegar solution all over them.

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. Spiders, ground beetles and other useful insects are drawn to heather beds because they don't tend to get jostled around. With this in mind, be sure to prune your heather while wearing gardening gloves.

Biennials and annuals are great if you would like to better your flower bed. These types of flowers grow at high speed, which gives you more flexibility in changing the look of your flower beds as the seasons change. They are very useful for filling in the gaps between perennials and shrubs in a sunny area. The most popular varieties to use include petunia, zinnia, cosmos, snapdragon, marigold, hollyhock, and sunflower.

Improve the value of your home. If you are looking for high returns, landscaping gets you a lot of your money back. Certain plants could increase the value by 20%. It is a good idea to aim for plants that require low moisture to survive and are adapted to thrive within your environment.

In order to bring in good insects to your garden, you need to plant heather. Heather is very attractive to bees, and when bees first emerge in the spring, it is an early source of nectar. In addition, beds of heather are usually left alone. Because of this, insects that are good for your garden often make them a home, such as beetles or spiders. Because of this, you might want to invest in a good pair of horticulture gloves for the times when you need to prune it.

Vegetables should be planted in an area where they will get a minimum of six hours of daily sunlight. Almost all vegetables need this much sunlight, so that they can grow correctly and in a shorter amount of time. This also rings true for some of the flowers.

Gardening is a rewarding and pleasurable hobby. Whether the garden is for fresh vegetables, or just for beauty of having flowers, the benefits are clear and never ending. By applying some of the advice you have learned, you can find a lot of joy from gardening.