In the green gardening world, it is important to take the best care of your organic garden that you can. This can be achieved by using smart, eco-savvy gardening techniques. By employing your knowledge you will be able to more efficiently and reliably produce healthy, tasty food. Use the following tips to create a flourishing and very rewarding organic garden.
If your soil is healthy, your plants will be healthy too, which means they’ll be better equipped to resist diseases and other types of damage that insects cause. Insects will still buzz around, but they will cause less damage, so a happy medium is achieved.
Conserve your rainwater! Use barrels or buckets to catch water for your garden. This prevents the need to pay for water used in your garden. Water from natural rain costs you nothing and there is usually a plentiful supply. You will learn rainwater is something that is very good for plants.
Plant trees on your property in such a way as to maximize the amount of shade they provide your house. Your home will benefit from natural shade and so will your utility bill.
Wash your vegetables outdoors, and use the runoff in your garden. The dirt that is washed off can then be put back into the garden. This has the advantage of adding nutrients that neither tap water not rainwater can provide. In order to get the best results, don’t use foreign objects or any type of cleaners when cleaning your vegetables.
When the veggies are prepared fresh for meals, try taking time after eating for chopping extra pieces finely to use in the garden. This will help get nutrients back into your growing plants. You can of course use some for composting, but if you use some of the leftovers quickly, it could be beneficial.
If sustainability and organic gardening are appealing to you, leave a portion of the property you own undeveloped to give wildlife a place to thrive. This can be a good area for the types of insects that pollinate plants. It can also be a sanctuary for birds, which will help some plants thrive. This can greatly improve the production of your organic garden.
Plants that act as companions to others can be a big benefit in a garden. Some plants have a natural affinity with other plants and will aid each other’s growth when placed next to each other. These companion plants repel pests and enrich the soil, and helps to avoid the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Plant vegetables and herbs with a strong fragrance to keep the pests away.
When your seeds sprout, they will not be in need of the warmth they needed to germinate. Your seedlings should be moved away from any heat source. If you have plastic films on your containers, remove them. You should know when the right time is if you are keeping an eye on the seeds.
Do not underestimate pine as great mulch. Some plants have a naturally high acidic level, and therefore like acidic soil. If this is the case, use pine needles to mulch your beds. Cover the surface of the ground with a two-inch layer of the pine needles; as the needles break down, they will release acid into the soil and nourish your plants.
Coffee Grounds
Douse your plants often with a combination of a milk and water in a 1:6 ratio. This can prevent any powdery mildew that may ruin your plants. The mixture is not hard to store, keep in your fridge for about three weeks. It’s safe for daily use until you have the mildew under control.
Put coffee grounds in your soil. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Nitrogen is a nutrient that will help your plants grow taller and bloom faster, so use those coffee grounds, extra compost, or diluted urea to make this happen.
Spacing is an important factor to consider when planting your garden. It is easy to underestimate the amount of space that the plants will take up once they start to grow. Space is necessary not only for physical growth but also to help keep air circulation flowing within your garden. Think ahead and give each plant room for expansion, by properly spacing the seeds.
You can kill weeds naturally. Put down old newspapers in several layers for controlling weeds. Without exposure to the sun, weeds cannot thrive. By covering them with a layer of newspaper, you are essentially suffocating the weeds due to a lack of light. Newspapers break down over time, and they make a great addition to compost. Cover the newspaper with a thick layer of mulch for a more attractive look.
Try using soapy water to discourage aphids from bothering your plants. You would spray the whole plant, including leaves, stems and buds, with the soapy water solution, then follow this a second time with a spray of just clean water.
Organic gardening can help you develop an appreciation for the taste and freshness of your food. Although organic gardening isn’t easy since you have to put in time and effort and wait for results, the health benefits make it worth it.
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