Many people think of gardening as a hobby that is soothing and therapeutic. Knowing which soil to purchase, which gardening equipment to buy and when to plant your seeds are some of the key questions gardeners are asking. This article contains key pieces of advice for those interested in horticulture.
Brighten up your flower beds with annuals and biennials. Biennials and annuals that grow quickly can add color to a flower bed, plus they permit you to modify the way the flower bed looks each season and each year. Sunny areas in the middle of shrubs and perennials can be filled in nicely with these plants. There are many different varieties to choose from such as daisies, marigolds, impatiens, and lantana.
Prior to planting anything in your garden, check your soil. You can actually get an analysis of soil for a little fee, and with the report you get back you can figure out how to create a vibrant garden by enriching it properly. Before you ruin any crops, make sure you do this. Soil can be analyzed at a lot of cooperative extension offices, so make sure you plan accordingly.
If mildew is forming on your plants, you should not purchase an expensive chemical. Mix a solution of baking soda, water, and a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid. This solution can be sprayed onto your plants once per week until the problem is resolved. Baking soda is safe for use on your plants and is a gentle, but effective way to care for your plants.
Knee Pads
A set of knee pads are a life saver if you're an avid gardener and a lot of your plants sit close to the ground. Your knees will take a beating if you spend a great deal of time on the ground while tending your garden. With good knee pads, you can stay in the garden longer, and more comfortably.
Irises can benefit from being separated. Splitting up overgrown groups of irises will allow you to easily increase the number of irises in your garden. Once the foliage has died off, lift out your bulbous irises. The bulbs will then split naturally in the palm of your hand and if they're re-planted, they can flower next year. Divide up the rhizomes with a knife. Cut out new pieces from outside the bulb and throw away the old center. There needs to be a minimum of one healthy offshoot on each of the new sprout sections. Immediately replant all your selected cuttings.
In a dark area, pre-soak your seeds overnight. Put some seeds in a container and fill the container to the brim with water. This hydrates your seeds and jump-starts their growth. The seeds will most likely survive and mature this way.
Use fertilizer for maximum planting success. Composted manure is effective in raising healthy plants, and commercial fertilizer products are safer and more convenient. You can choose from many different fertilizers. Do not worry about the kind of fertilizer you end up using but definitely put down something.
Try growing your peas indoors for the first couple months. If you give them a chance to grow indoors where they are protected, they will germinate better. It will create heartier seedlings, which means they will more easily resist the pests and diseases they will encounter in an outdoor environment. After the seedlings have grown strong indoors, it will be time for you to transplant them to outdoor beds.
In summation, horticulture can be fun and satisfying, but you should follow some basic guidelines in order to get the most from your garden. The advice given here will help you to be able to plan and execute a beautiful and bountiful garden. Follow the advice in this article and you will be on your way to enjoying a beautiful garden of your own.
If you are considering planting a garden take the time to plan it out. Doing so means you can remember where each particular plant is when you start seeing sprouts arise from the earth. You can also prevent yourself from losing small plants within a large garden.