There are many factors involved to achieve the lush and beautiful garden you have always wanted. While horticulture is a lot of hard work, it's a fun way to spend your free time. Below you will find some wonderful tips for making gardening more fun and less work!
Don't bother with expensive chemicals if your plants start to sport powdery mildew. The best solution is mixing baking soda, a drop of liquid dish detergent and water together in a spray bottle. Once a week, spray this on plants to eliminate the mildew. Baking soda is not harmful to your plants and will take care of the issue as well as any other treatment.
Stink bugs can damage your garden, especially if you garden in the fall. Stink bugs like to eat beans, peppers, tomatoes, and all sorts of fruit. If not managed well, they can wreak havoc on your garden.
Make garden tools do double duty as handy makeshift rulers. It is possible to utilize tools with long handles, such as rakes, hoes and shovels, as measuring sticks. Place the handles on the floor, then set a measuring tape alongside them. Have a marker handy, and mark the distance with it. Next time you are working in the garden, you will have a large ruler at your fingertips!
Always take the time to get the weeds out of your garden. A vibrant garden will be overrun with weeds if they are left alone. A simple tool that is useful in removing weeds is white vinegar. The acid in white vinegar kills weeds. You may also be using plants that need that very same acid. Mix white vinegar and water into a spray bottle instead of pulling the weeds by hand.
Boiling away unwanted weeds is an odd, but productive method used in many gardens. Considering that boiling water is rather safe, you don't have to worry about toxins in your soil or at your dinner table. Pour boiling water on any weeds, but be careful not to spill it on plants you want to keep. The roots of the weeds are damaged by the boiling water which, in turn, inhibits further growth.
Ensuring your plants are both dry and aerated is a great way to keep them healthy. Moisture on your plants is a sure way to attract parasites and disease. A fungus is one of the most important and debilitating parasites for plants. Although fungi can be treated with sprays, it is possible to preempt the problem and very important to plant health that you do so.
Your first and best line of defense against pests is having healthy soil. Healthy plants are stronger and more able to resist both pests and disease. For the most vigorous and healthy plants, start with high-quality soil, and stay away from chemicals. These can accumulate salts over time.
Many people delight in the taste of fresh mint leaves, but become frustrated when the plant spreads wildly. Contain their growth with a garden container or large pot instead. You can plant the container into the soil if you want to, but the container will restrict the roots, and make sure that the plant doesn't run rampant in your garden.
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.