Consider gardening as a hobby with many benefits and rewards. Whether you decide to grow a flower garden or plant some fresh herbs, you'll find that tending to your plants is incredibly fulfilling. Learn how much water your vegetables and flowers need and be sure you plant them in the right kind of soil. Follow some of the advice contained in this article for further ideas of things you should know.
To prevent shocking your plants, you must gradually introduce new temperatures and other conditions to them. When starting the transition, leave the plants in the sun for just 1-2 hours. Over the course of a week, slowly increase the amount of time that you leave them outside. At week's end, the plants should be welcoming of their new home.
Seeds should be soaked in a dark area overnight. Soak the seeds by placing them in a container where they are covered with water. This lets water soak into the seeds, giving them an extra boost of hydration when they start growing. The seeds will then have a greater chance at lasting and blossoming.
The handles of your tools can double as clever rulers. Tools with long handles, such as shovels, hoes and rakes can be made into measuring sticks. Lay the handles upon the floor and use a tape measure along side of them. Label the distances onto them using a permanent marker pen. When you are at work in the garden, you will always have a handy measuring device on each and every tool.
When you grow veggies in a garden, you need to ensure they get at least six hours of good sunlight each day. Most vegetables need at least that much sun for optimal growth speed. The same can be said for some flowers.
Do you love fresh mint leaves but hate how they quickly grow to take over your garden? Instead of planting mint in the ground, confine it to a large pot. You have the option of planting the container with the plant to keep the roots from taking the garden over.
Split up the irises. Increase your iris stocks by dividing your overgrown clumps. Pick up bulbous irises after the foliage dies. The bulbs often divide in your hand with no intervention on your part, and when you replant them, they will usually flower the following year. Use a knife to carefully divide rhizomes. Cut several new pieces out of the outside and get rid of the old center. Every piece should contain a strong offshoot. Do this cutting beside your garden bed, so that you can place your new groupings into the ground immediately.
When powdery mildew appears on your plants, you should not rush out to purchase a costly chemical treatment. Combine baking soda with a small dollop of liquid soap and add it to water. Once every week, you should spray the mixture on your plants; the mildew will disappear shortly thereafter. Baking soda will effectively remove the mildew without damaging your plants.
Organic Mulch
Spread a little bit of organic mulch, around two inches worth, in and about each vegetable plant. The organic mulch will keep moisture in the soil for a little longer. This also helps reduce the appearance of weeds. Time and effort will be saved pulling out all the weeds.
As was mentioned earlier in the article, horticulture can be a truly rewarding hobby. The benefits from a garden range from being able to eat great home grown food, to having a good looking flower garden that adds to the aesthetics of your home. By assimilating what you learned about horticulture into your routine, you can enjoy gardening and all it has to offer.
Bring some plants into your home to protect them against winter weather. Choose the plants that are most likely to survive. Dig around the roots carefully and transfer the plant to a pot.