When you actually take the time to break down gardening, it is actually an intricate and complex hobby. If you want to try your hand at organic gardening, then be prepared to learn about concepts like pH balance. It can be hard for a rookie to grow organic. Read on to find some tips to make gardening in a clean, organic fashion a little easier and more fun to do!
Try using aspirin water for fighting plant diseases. Three aspirins per four gallons of water will help keep your plants healthy. The solution can then be used to spray the entire plant, and will offer protection naturally. Try to apply the mixture to the plants at least once in each three week period.
If you’re working to build a sustainable organic garden, try leaving a portion of your garden untouched so that the wildlife will be able to thrive. Certain wildlife can be good for an organic garden; birds and insects can help your plants reproduce and be as healthy as they can be!
For in-home organic gardeners, you are looking for an ideal temperature of around 60-75 degrees for your plants. The temperature needs to remain warm so they may grow. Heat lamps can be used to promote growth without the necessity of raising your home’s interior temperature.
Flower Beds
You should utilize around three inches of mulch that is organic in your flower beds. Mulch discourages weeds and helps retain moisture while adding nutrients to your flower bed. It will also make your flower beds look more finished.
Pine needles should not be overlooked as a great source for mulch. Some garden plants are high in acidity, and do better with acidic soil. Use pine needles to increase the acid level in your soil if you have plants that require higher acid. Cover the beds with a couple inches of needles and as they decompose, they will disperse acid to the soil.
Use coffee grounds on your soil. Coffee grounds have nitrogen that plants will utilize. The coffee grounds act as a powerful nitrogen source that will help your plants bloom much quicker.
A good way to plant seeds is in containers. Plant them three times as deep as their overall size. Be aware that some seeds shouldn’t be covered, as they need sunlight. Petunia and ageratum seeds need direct sunlight, for example. Always be sure to check online or with the company you’re purchasing the seeds from as to their sunlight needs.
You can make a raised bed with untreated wood, brick, or stone. If you choose wood, ensure that it has not been treated with a sealant or other chemicals. Excellent choices are cedar, locust and cypress. Take care to avoid wood that has been chemically treated when your garden will hold vegetables, since unknown substances in the wood can make their way into your future food. If you must use treated wood, consider using a liner to keep chemicals out of the soil.
The watering needs of your garden will vary considerably, depending on your climate zone and the time of year. Other factors that influence how much you need to water include time of day, soil factors and how hard your water is. For instance, if you live in a warm, humid climate watering the leaves can cause leaf fungus. Water the roots with care.
A good tip for an organic garden with tomatoes, is to plant an additional set of tomatoes once three weeks have passed since you planted the original ones. This way, all of the tomatoes will not be ready to harvest at once. If something ruins one batch of tomatoes, the ones you planted before or afterward may not suffer the same fate.
Now, you shouldn’t get your hopes up and believe that a few tips are going to turn you into an instant professional gardener. However, these tips are a great starting point if you do plan to grow organically. As you implement these tips and hone your skills, you’ll be a professional green-thumb-holder in no time.