Maintaining an organic garden is extremely beneficial for your diet. However, there is a fair amount of information that you must learn, including how to choose the proper equipment and tools. Additionally, there are a variety of seeds with different planting times to consider. Keep reading for insight on what is best suited for the garden of your dreams.
If you’re really serious about environmentally-friendly gardening practices, refrain from developing some of your land and use it as an animal habitat. Most likely, you will find your organic garden producing better once your property is home to the insects, birds, and other wildlife that plants rely on for pollination and the production and dispersal of seeds.
It is easy to quickly prepare your perennial garden ground. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips. Give the area a couple of weeks, then dig into it and plant your new perennials.
If you want to start a small organic garden indoors, evaluate the amount of natural light that is present. If you’re living in a home that doesn’t receive much sunlight, you should consider growing plants that thrive in environments with low to medium amounts of light. If this is not an option, or you have your heart set on a particular type of plant, consider adding additional growing lights instead.
Coffee Grounds
Add used coffee grounds to your soil. Coffee grounds are filled with nutritional elements plants need, such as nitrogen. 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.
Do you want to kill weeds in a natural way? Layer sheets of newspaper on the surface of areas where you are trying to control weeds. Weeds cannot grow without light. If you place sheets of newspaper over the weeds, they will die due to a lack of sunlight. Newspapers break down over time, and they make a great addition to compost. Use mulch on the top in order to make everything look attractive.
Have plastic bags on hand so that you may cover your muddy gardening shoes. This lets you be able to return to the garden without interrupting your work.
A rule of thumb followed by many planters is to bury the seeds in soil to a depth of around three times the diameter of the actual seed. However, you should be aware that certain seeds should not be covered at all because they are required to be in the sunlight. Some common examples include ageratum and petunias. If you are not sure whether your seeds need to be exposed to sunlight, resources are usually provided with the seeds or can be found online.
Organic gardening is more difficult than gardening with chemicals, but you will reap a greater reward. While chemical pesticides and fertilizers may claim to do great things for your garden, organic methods will give you the best crops possible.
Be aware of the location you are in, and the seasonal and climate changes that occur. Make sure that you adjust your watering cycles to match these changes. How much you water depends on the time of day, the quality of your water and the type of soil you have. In some cases, you can’t water because of climate issues. You can’t water the leave of your plants during humid, warm weather–it’ll promote the growth of leaf fungus. Rather, see to it that you water the root system well.
Make sure you consider adequate spacing when planting your garden, so that each plant is given room enough to grow and flourish. Do not underestimate the space that plants need to develop their root systems. The plants will inevitably need to unfurl and spread, but they also need the circulation of air from open spaces. Plot out all of these considerations before putting that first seed in the ground.
Mulch Acts
Use mulch to enhance the health of your soil. Mulch acts as a protective covering for the soil. This protective effect is especially important during the summer, as it protects the roots from the effects of the heat. Mulch acts like a barrier that ultimately decreases the rate of evaporation. Mulch also prevents the growth of weeds.
Organic fruits and vegetables grow without being exposed to pesticides and other chemicals. This is great for your health, but you do want to check the produce for bugs prior to using it.
Use a laundry basket to help you collect produce from your garden. The laundry basket can be used as a colander for your produce. Rinse your crops while in the laundry basket to strain the excess water.
Plant your own garlic with organic methods. Garlic cloves should be planted in the spring or fall. They require soil that is well-drained and moist. Plant them approximately 4 inches apart at a depth of 1 or 2 inches beneath the surface of the soil with the pointed end facing upward. Cut the green garlic sprouts as they grow, you can use them like you would use scallions or chives. The bulbs of the garlic are ready for harvesting when the very tops of them begin to brown. Allow the sun to dry out the bulbs for a few days until the skin gets hard. Store them in a cool place, tied in bunches or loose.
A well-cared for organic garden can enhance the beauty of your property and be a source of dietary nutrition. Knowing what and when to plant is also something to keep in mind. The tips you’ve found above are sure to help you get off to a good start on growing chemical-free healthy food.
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