Many people turn to organic horticulture because they are worried about the long-term toxic effects of the many commercial fertilizers and pesticides, on both their health and the environment. Also, the majority of organic horticulture strategies require very little money. Here are some strategies to aid you in becoming a good organic gardener.
A great gardening tip to use is to always select types of plants that are more likely to produce a high yield. Normally, hybrid plants that are disease-resistant and cold-tolerant have a greater yield than traditional varieties.
Consider Planting
Clay soil is hard and will also stick to a shovel, making it difficult to work with. Try applying a coat of wax onto your spade prior to working with clay soil, and then buff the spade head with a cloth. Not only will the clay slide off the surface, but it will keep the end from rusting.
Consider planting slug-proof perennials. Snails and slugs can quickly wreak havoc on a garden. These garden vermin prefer plants with tender, herbaceous stems and leaves, particularly seedlings and young plants. Some varieties of perennials are not preferred by snails and slugs, particularly perennials that have hairy, tough leaves or a taste that isn't appetizing. Consider planting these varieties of perennials to discourage slugs and snails from eating your flowers. Euphorbia and achillea are examples of slug-proof perennials.
Use both biennials and annuals to add color to your flower bed. These usually grow quickly, and provide an easy-to-change solution to making your flower beds bright and beautiful. They allow you to select different flowers from one year or season to the next. If there are gaps between the perennials and shrubs you have planted in a sunlit area, try filling those gaps with annuals and biennials. Some excellent choices include rudbeckia, hollyhock, sunflower, cosmos, petunia and marigold.
Use climbers to cover walls and fences. Climbing plants are extremely versatile, helping to hide an ugly fence or wall, often within one growing season. You can also train climbers to cover arbors and other things that you want covered, and they will even grow right through trees and shrubs. Some may need to be attached to a support, and others will attach themselves to any surface using their twining stems or tendrils. Climbing roses, honeysuckle, wisteria, clematis, and jasmine are some great plants to try out.
Plant perennials that slugs and snails won't be interested in eating. It is alarming to see how quickly slugs, and their cousin snails, can annihilate a plant. Young plants with smooth and tender leaves are their favorite. Some perennials are not preferred meals for snails and slugs, especially if their foliage is hairy and tough, or tastes bad. These varieties include achillea, helleborus, heuchera, euphorbia, and campanula.
Do not mow your lawn too short. If you let your grass keep some height after mowing, it will be able to absorb more sun and moisture resulting in a lusher, greener lawn. Short grass leads to more shallow roots and will result in more brown, dried-out patches.
Use the advice here to start your own organic garden. It is an interesting hobby and one that can improve your health. Your foods will taste better and not contain the heavy chemicals of store bought produce. You should expect to see more wildlife inhabiting your garden as your garden works more with nature.