Many people get into organic horticulture since they fear the toxic effects of commercial pesticides and fertilizers, both on the environment and their health. Organic horticulture methods are extremely cheap for the most part. Here are some essential tips to help you become an expert organic gardener.
Use the handles of your tools as a handy ruler when doing your outdoor chores. You can convert any large handle tool, such as a hoe, shovel, or rake into a measuring tool. Lay your handles on the floor, and put measuring tape right next to them. Mark the measurements with a permanent marker. When you are gardening next, you’ll have a ruler beside you at all times.
Do not plant perennials that are prone to snail infestation. Snails and slugs are garden nightmares, and only need a single evening to obliterate a plant. Snails and slugs like to eat perennials with smooth and thin leaves, especially if they are young plants. Perennials that have thick, furry leaves and unpleasant tastes are less likely to attract slugs and snails. Examples of these include euphorbia, hellebourus and achillea. Others you may want to consider are campanula and heuchera.
Flower Bed
Biennials and annuals are great if you would like to better your flower bed. These fast growing flowers let you change how your flower bed looks season to season. In an area that is sunny, they make good plants to place in the gaps found between shrubs and perennials. Some of these that you might consider are petunias, marigolds and sunflowers. If those are not flowers you like, you can also try cosmos, holyhocks or rudbeckias.
Stinkbugs can be a nuisance in the garden. These bugs are known to be proliferate in the cooler fall months. Stink bugs enjoy gardens, and are especially fond of fruit, tomatoes, beans and peppers. If left unattended, your garden could be ravaged by these bugs, so you need to proactively keep their population under control.
Take the time to remove weeds. Weeds can take over a healthy garden faster than you think. For this task, try using white vinegar. Use it instead of chemical solutions to kill weeds. A spray solution is much easier to apply than to rid your garden of weeds by hand.
Plant bulbs in your garden if you want flowers through spring and summer. Planting and growing bulbs is very simple, and once planted the bulbs will grow for years. Specific types of bulbs usually bloom at specific times of the season, so if you make appropriate selections, you can be rewarded with blooms from the early part of spring to the later part of summer.
Don’t cut your grass too short! Cutting your grass at a taller height allows grass roots to grow deeper and stronger, which helps lessen the chance of your lawn drying out easily. When grass is cut too low the roots will not grow as deep, and your lawn may suffer from brown patches.
Knee Pads
Knee pads are absolute miracle accessories if you work in a garden with plenty of low-growing plants. Horticulture is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable; you don’t want to finish every gardening session with aching, throbbing knees. Investing in good knee pads will help cushion your knees so you are more comfortable.
For an unusual, but effective, organic solution to weeding young plants, try “boiling” the weeds away. Boiling water is a very safe alternative to other potent herbicides. Although this method is organic, it does pose a danger to your plants. Boiling water kills weeds by destroying their roots. Weeds won’t be able to survive, never mind grow, with damaged weeds.
Organic gardening is healthier. You won’t be exposing your plants – and yourself to toxins or chemicals. Use the tips you just read to help you start planting your organic garden. As your garden starts to become more attuned with nature, you will also see it attracting more wildlife.