Natural, environmentally-friendly living is catching hold among legions of individuals, as is a preference for organic produce. In order for someone to live a holistic lifestyle, and obtain the desired health benefits, they usually have to learn to grow their own herbs and plants. They have to know how to start and maintain an organic garden. Check out the helpful organic growth tricks listed below.
Put down sod correctly. You will need to prepare your lawn soil before laying the sod. Pull out any weeds and break up the soil. Make sure your soil is flat and compacted. Water the soil until it is saturated. You should lay your sod staggered, and have the joints offset. Make sure that the sod forms an even, flat surface, and if you have any gaps show between the sod, fill them with a little bit of soil. You will have to water the sod every day for 2 weeks, and then it should be firmly rooted to the ground, and able to be walked on.
Use pots to start your plants, then transfer them to a garden when they become seedlings. This can give your seedlings the advantage they need to survive and reach adulthood. It also permits you to tighten the time between plantings. As soon as you harvest the mature plants in your garden, your new seedlings will be large enough to plant outside!
The quick and drastic change in the weather conditions can shock your plants and cause them to die. It's important that you gradually change temperate conditions over time, so that your plants can adjust. Leave them outside in sunlight for a couple of hours on the initial day. Gradually increase the the time they spend outside over a one week period. Once the transition is complete, your plants will probably be able to tolerate the outdoor conditions.
It is very important to keep the weeds from taking over in your garden. Weeds can truly ruin a good garden. A great way to get rid of them is to use white vinegar. White vinegar will definitely kill the weeds! So, if weed pulling is tiring you out, spray a white vinegar solution all over them.
Protect your deciduous shrubs which are tender. Shrubs in pots especially need special care in the colder weather. Pull the canes together at the top and securely tie them. Next, using a sheet or perhaps even a blanket, cover the structure. When you do this you allow air to flow and circulate which can actually prevent rotting, this method is great and better than just wrapping your plant in some plastic.
Split up irises. To increase the number that you have, you need to take all your overgrown clumps and split them up. When the foliage dies, take the bulbous irises and lift them. The bulbs, when harvested, should easily split by hand – allowing you to replant them for even more blooms next spring. Cut rhizomes into pieces with a knife. Throw away the center after carefully cutting new sprouts from the exterior. Be sure to retain a sturdy offshoot on every piece that you intend to plant. Replant your new rhizome pieces as soon as you have finished the cuttings.
Turn the handles of tools you have on hand into rulers to make measurements in your garden. You can use shovels or rakes as measuring sticks. Lay the handles on the floor, then run the measuring tape down next to them. Use a permanent marker to label distances. The next time you find yourself in your garden, you will have one large ruler right at your fingertips.
Organic Horticulture
As you pick up more tips, acquire new techniques, and learn more in general about organic horticulture, you will find organic horticulture becoming easier for you. Keep in mind that the tips you have read are just the beginning point.