People who start doing organic gardening do so because they don't like toxic effects of pesticides and fertilizers. Another benefit is that organic horticulture techniques are often cost little-to-nothing. These tips will get you right into the swing of organic gardening and improve your skill in no time.
Plants need CO2 grow well. In general, higher amounts of CO2 are related to better plant growth. Greenhouses help contain C02 to keep levels high. When it is exposed to high carbon dioxide levels, a plant has the best growing condition possible.
Before planting seeds, soak them overnight. Place them in a cupboard or other place where they won't be exposed to light. Put a few seeds in a small container and fill it near to the top with water. This will give your seeds a healthy head start in the growth process. The seeds will have a better chance of surviving and maturing.
Plant perennials that are slug-proof. Slugs and snails are voracious eaters that can destroy a plant literally overnight. These pests are especially attracted to tender sprouts and to delicate, soft leaves. Some perennials are not preferred meals for snails and slugs, especially if their foliage is hairy and tough, or tastes bad. Consider planting these varieties of perennials to discourage slugs and snails from eating your flowers. Euphorbia and achillea are examples of slug-proof perennials.
When mowing your lawn, be careful not to cut the grass too far down. If you let your grass grow, the roots will go deeper and make your lawn more resistant to dryness. When grass is cut too low the roots will not grow as deep, and your lawn may suffer from brown patches.
Coffee Grounds
If your soil has high alkaline amounts, mix some coffee grounds into it. Coffee grounds add acidity to the soil and are very cheap. This will allow your vegetables and greenery to really thrive.
As fall arrives, it is the time to prepare for planting fall edibles. Instead of using regular clay pots this year for planting lettuce and kale, try a pumpkin container instead! When you have finished cutting and cleaning the pumpkin, spray it with some liquid that will stave off wilting to keep it from rotting. Once you've done that, you can plant!
There are many natural substances that are effective for warding off unwanted visitors. Planting marigolds or onions around the border of your vegetable garden will help repel slugs. Wood ash can be used as mulch, and if put on the base of shrub and tree seedlings, will keep insects away. These are proven methods without having to use harsh chemical pesticides.
If you are planning on growing peas, start them indoors before putting them outdoors in your garden. If you were to plant them inside first, the seeds should germinate better. Give the seeds enough time to get stronger: growing indoors will make it easier for your plants to resist diseases and the pesky bugs. Once they are suitably strong, transplant them outside.
When gardening, try not to use broad-spectrum pesticides. These types of pesticides also kill the beneficial insects that eat the pests. Many times good bugs will be more sensitive to harmful pesticides than the ones you are trying to get rid of. If your good bug population goes down, your problem will only get worse. Your problem will only get worse and you will find yourself using more pesticides.
Pre-soak seeds overnight in a dark place. Place a couple seeds in each container, then fill it close to full with water. This will hydrate your seeds and it will cause them to grow faster. The young plants will survive better, and get a boost toward maturity.
Hopefully the useful advice in this article will help you create and maintain your own beautiful, healthy, and toxin free organic garden. You should expect to see more wildlife inhabiting your garden as your garden works more with nature.