Today, organic gardening is an incredibly popular hobby and career that is emerging. The demand for products that come from organic grown plants and crops is numerous. Now is the time to enter into it. Here are some tips that you can use to get started with your organic gardening strategies.
Pick the right plants. Certain plants will have an easier time germinating than others, and will guarantee a better harvest for the beginning organic gardener. Good choices include hardy varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, and herbs, but of course, you have to choose those plants which are going to do well in your climate.
Be sure that you have earthworms in your soil. Earthworms are vital to good organic gardening, because they aerate the soil. Also, the by-products of earthworm digestion are actually great plant food. Earthworms encourage soil bacteria that provide needed nutrients to your plants while competing with harmful insect pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Coffee grounds and leftover coffee can be used to repel slugs. If you have an issue with slugs in your garden, you can repel them effectively with coffee. You can sprinkle coffee grounds on the soil around your plants or use leftover coffee in a spray bottle to spray the slugs directly.
Dry your herbs immediately after harvesting them to prevent rot. Rot is usually caused by moisture either within the herb or on top of it. Moisture can cause the production of harmful bacteria that may cause rot on the herb, or produce a nasty by-product which will then spoil your harvest.
Weed control in your organic garden will be more challenging than a conventional garden because you can’t use chemical herbicides. One of the best ways to control weeds without using chemicals is creating ground cover with mulch. Save tree trimmings and grass clippings from elsewhere in your garden and spread them around your plants to a depth of about 3 inches. This should be enough to prevent weeds from germinating and growing.
Research plants before bringing them home. When you are trying to get the best plants for your organic landscape, you should take the time to get educated. Chose plants that are suited to growing conditions you already have, rather than trying to build an environment for a plant you didn’t properly plan for.
If your garden shed is far from your garden, try to carry your frequently used tools with you. This will save you time by helping you avoid making many trips to your shed to get tools. If you will need more tools than you can carry, you could consider using a wagon or a bucket to hold all of your tools.
Variety makes for a better compost pile. By using a wide variety of materials in your compost pile, you are providing a better pH balance, more nutrients and microbial organisms. Shred materials when possible, as smaller particles decompose much faster, but having a few larger materials in there helps to improve the aeration. For the best results, don’t add any more materials once the composting process has begun.
Here is a tip for organic gardening! Use a rain gauge. Most plants require about an inch of water per week. To know how much you need to water, it is important to know how much water the plants received from rain. As rainfall can vary greatly within a city, don’t depend on your weather report; instead use a rain gauge to determine the amount that fell at your location.
Consider adding mulch for healthier soil. Mulch can protect the ground it sits upon. On hot days, mulch will also protect your plant’s roots by keeping them moist and cool. Since it decreases the rate at which moisture evaporates, the soil also stays more moist. It will also serve as a method of controlling unwanted weeds.
If you so choose to organic garden your trees, flowers, and shrubs, it is very important that you surround them with at least 2 to 3 inches of organic material. This will provide your plants with the organic nutrients that they need. As rain falls, it will release the nutrients to the plants.
When starting an organic garden look into natural pesticides. It is a healthy way to be sure you do not lose a great deal of your crop to insects while working to keep your environment safe. There are many pesticides that were once used and are really effective.
If you are growing tomatoes, you should make sure you have them in a place where they can get ten hours of light at the minimum during the summer. Otherwise, your tomatoes will not grow properly. You also want to have space in between your tomato plants so that the air can circulate.
Rotate the plants that you grow each year by switching up where you plant them. Fungus and disease are more likely to affect plants if they stay in the same location for long periods of time, especially if they belong to the same family. The fungus and bacteria will stay in the ground a whole year and attack your plants when the time is right. By changing up varieties and locations, you are reducing the chances of damaging your plants.
Get rid of aphids naturally. Most aphids are taken care of by beneficial insects in the garden, but sometimes you will find an infestation. Aphids can cause plants to be stunted or distorted, and can create a sticky mold that will quickly spread from one plant to another. Use a homemade spray to blast aphids off the plant. A forceful jet of water 2-3 times a day will quickly get rid of them. For a stronger infestation, use insecticidal soap.
You should now see why this hobby and career is very popular. There is a lot that you can do in it. There is lots of information on how to start enjoying the benefits of it. By following these tips, you are well on your way to becoming a successful organic gardener.
If you’re looking to get into vegetable gardening, or are just looking for some tips on how to make your current garden better, then you’ve come to the right place! My name is Ethel and I have been gardening for years. In this blog, I’m going to share with you some of my best tips on how to create a successful vegetable garden.
