If you're looking to have a healthier diet, think about starting an organic garden. It does require some effort, in order to grow, though. Perhaps you are unsure of the benefits of organic gardening, or you are unsure how to get your garden started.
It is important to do your homework so you choose plants that produce higher yields. A plant that is resistant to disease, or one that is tolerant of extreme weather, will deliver a higher yield.
Use both annuals and biennials to add a splash of color to your flower beds. These fast growing flowers let you change how your flower bed looks season to season. In an area that is sunny, they make good plants to place in the gaps found between shrubs and perennials. Some examples include sunflowers, marigolds, petunias, hollyhocks, cosmos, and rudbeckia.
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. Put the plants outside in the sun for one to two hours in the beginning. Then over the next week, gradually increase the time they are in their new habitat. The plants should be prepared to move outside permanently at the end of this week.
When you decide to add vegetables into your garden space, be aware that they must be placed where they will receive direct sunlight for a minimum of six hours daily. Most vegetables require this amount of sun in order to grow properly and at a quicker pace. This is true of some flowers.
Protect your deciduous shrubs which are tender. If the temperature drops below 50 degrees, you should consider protecting them, especially if they do best in warm environments. The tops should be tied together, and the wigwam should be loosely covered with a sheet or blanket. In contrast to wrapping the plant with plastic, this method promotes air circulation, which stops the plant from rotting.
Knee Pads
There is no need to purchase a costly chemical if your plants develop powdery mildew. Mix some baking soda and a very small amount of liquid soap into water. Once a week, spray this solution on your plants and your mildew should disappear in no time. Do not worry about your plants; the baking soda cannot harm them.
If your garden requires a lot of low work, then save yourself some strain by investing in knee pads. Long hours spent in the garden will wreak havoc on your knees. A pair of good gardening knee pads can cushion your knees for more comfort.
Consider planting evergreens in your garden that produce berries. Your yard will then have bright spots of color all year round, which is especially cheerful in the winter when all of your other flora is bare or colorless. Some evergreens that will provide winter color are the American Holly, Common Snowberry, American Cranberrybush, and the Winterberry.
Be sure to buy a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool that you can use for your garden. Using a large portion of your time near or on the ground working on your garden puts a huge strain on your knees; therefore, having a portable, lightweight garden stool will greatly assist you in making horticulture easier on them. Gardening also typically involves transporting bags of topsoil, fertilizer and other heavy items, so using a wheelbarrow to make these tasks easier is a sound investment for your garden, and your back.
Stinkbugs can be a nuisance in the garden. These bugs are known to be proliferate in the cooler fall months. These destructive pests enjoy many kinds of fruit, as well as beans, peppers and tomatoes. If kept unchecked they can certainly do a ton of a damage to your garden so you should do what you need to to reduce their population.
So, as you have seen, it is true that organic gardening requires research, work, and effort to start growing your own organic plants. After you have begun to grow the garden, it is true that you need to maintain it to get the best possible results. If you keep the tips provided here in mind, you can find your way to organic horticulture success. Enjoy your harvest!