Planting an organic garden gives you easy access to a source of healthy food, but buying what you need and getting it set up can be tough for a first-timer. There are also other other considerations, like the optimal soil for a garden and the right seeds. With the following steps, you can make sure that you get exactly what you need for your organic garden to grow properly.
You need to consider beginning the plants into pots. Then, you can plant the seedlings into your garden. Your plants will be more likely to mature this way. It also allows you to tighten up the time periods between plantings. Your next crop of seedlings will be started and ready to be planted immediately after you remove your last crop from the garden.
Plant perennials that are slug-proof. Slugs or snails can kill a plant very quickly. They tend to enjoy perennials that have thin, smooth, tender leaves, especially those of young plants. Perennials that have tough or hairy leaves are often times unappetizing to snails and slugs. Selecting an unappetizing perennial, such as campanula or heuchera, will help stop them from being eaten.
There are home solutions available to combat the powdery mildew you may find on your plants. All you need to do is mix baking soda with a tiny bit of liquid soap in with some water. Spray this on your plants once a week until the mildew disappears. This mixture will not hurt your plants and it will eliminate the mildew slowly but efficiently.
Use climbing vines or plants to cover fences and walls. Many climbers can cover the wall or fence in as little as one growing season. You can direct them over certain branches or boards, or you can send them through plants you already have. Some need to be tied to a support, whereas certain climbers attach themselves to a surface with tendrils or twining stems. Wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle, clematis and some rose varieties are good choices for climbers.
When winter comes, you can save a few plants by transferring them inside the house. You can save the ones you spent the most money on or the ones that are resistant. Carefully loosen the dirt around the roots, then transfer the plant into a pot filled with the same soil.
When horticulture in the fall, you need to be watching for stink bugs. They like beans, peppers, tomatoes and many fruits. If not managed well, they can wreak havoc on your garden.
Climbing plants and vines are great for covering fences and wall structures. These types of plants can climb anything, which makes them perfect for covering up a wall or fence that needs to be hidden. You can also use them in your landscape to cover an existing arbor, or allow them to climb up trees, or through shrubs. Some varieties will climb and attach using their tendrils or branches, but some will need to be trained or supported with ties. Excellent varieties include honeysuckle, wisteria, jasmine, climbing roses and clematis.
Coffee Grounds
One way to correct your soil's alkalinity is by amending your soil with used coffee grounds. Using coffee grounds is a less expensive way to make your soil more acidic than trying to replace your topsoil. The right soil will make your vegetables taste better and make your flowers more vibrant and aromatic.
A well-cared for organic garden can enhance the beauty of your property and be a source of dietary nutrition. Knowing what and when to plant is also something to keep in mind. Use what you learned above to help your whole family prosper with great nutritional food that you grow in your very own organic garden.
To get the best results in your garden, you need to use a good quality soil. Fertilizer can enrich the soil to make it more viable. It is also possible to create individual areas with one specific soil type.