A garden can provide far more than just decorative appeal. There are many benefits that horticulture can provide you, besides the satisfaction of seeing your garden looking its best. Gardens give the people working on them a feeling of serenity and a close bond with nature. The effects can be profound if you’re good at it.
In order not to shock your plants, you have to gradually accustom them to the change of temperature and conditions. You need to give them about an hour of sunlight during the first day. Throughout the week, gradually increase the time they are spent outside. By the weekend, the plants can make that big move without a problem!
A handy trick is to turn the handle on a tool that you use often into a makeshift ruler. Tools with substantial handles, like rakes, hoes and large shovels are great for taking measurements. Put the handles down and measure them with a measuring tape. Label the distances onto them using a permanent marker pen. When you decide to work in the garden again, you will now have a ruler at your disposal.
Use both biennials and annuals to add color to your flower bed. Annuals and biennials that grow quickly can really wake up your flower beds, and they allow you to have a new garden look every season or every year, if you choose to. They are very useful for filling in the gaps between perennials and shrubs in a sunny area. Some varieties are hollyhocks, petunias and sunflowers.
Check the nutrients in the soil before you plant your garden. Have a soil analysis completed so you can know what you need to add to have soil which will fully support your garden. Cooperative Extension departments often offer this testing service. It is a worthwhile effort so a garden can be productive on the first year of planting.
Take all of the weeds out of your landscaping! Weeds can take a promising garden and turn it into a shell of its potential. A great way to get rid of them is to use white vinegar. That’s right, you have safe way to get rid of weeds right there in your kitchen cabinet. So, if weed pulling is tiring you out, spray a white vinegar solution all over them.
For showy flowers throughout the spring and summer, plant plenty of bulbs. Planting and growing bulbs is very simple, and once planted the bulbs will grow for years. Bulbs bloom during different seasons, if you pick them carefully you will have flowers almost all year.
To help young plants, try pouring boiling water on top of nearby weeds. Boiling water is an excellent, organic substance for use against weeds. Douse the weeds with this pot, just avoid the nearby plants. What this does it essentially kill the weeds by damaging their roots. The result is that those weeds are unlikely to regrow.
Consider planting evergreens in your garden that produce berries. This will allow your garden to have color, even in the dreary winter months. Some evergreens that will provide winter color are the American Holly, Common Snowberry, American Cranberrybush, and the Winterberry.
Use a wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool when you’re working in your garden. It is important to protect your knees when you are kneeling in the garden, and a foam kneeling pad will help with that. You often need to move large objects from place to place, so it’s a good idea to have a sturdy, well-balanced wheelbarrow.
Know the perfect time to harvest the vegetables in your garden. Each veggie has its own prime time for harvesting. Some vegetables, such as zucchini and baby peas, should be harvested when they are relatively young. Plant winter vegetables at the right time for a sweeter flavor. Take some time to learn about the best harvest time for the vegetables that you have growing.
Apply the wisdom of the preceding paragraphs to return vigor and vibrancy to your garden. Ultimately, when you see your plants bloom and full of life, you will be happy you did. Horticulture may change your life if you let it, now get started.