Just about anyone can become an organic gardener. It’s a fun, relaxing hobby that has a lot of benefits. But, if you’re just getting started, the various challenges of gardening can seem insurmountable. So, how can you best prepare yourself as a novice organic gardener? Well, read the tips below, of course!
A good tip to help your plants stay healthy and fight diseases is to use aspirin water. You will need 2 gallons of water and one and one half aspirin mixed together for a wonderful add-on to your plants. Then spray your plants with this mixture to stave off diseases. Use this method to spray your plants every three weeks.
Gardeners who are intrigued by the ideas of organic and sustainable methods should think about designating a portion of their landscape to support native plants and animals. This is a great natural way to allow the insects and animals found in nature to assist with the growth of your garden.
When mulching your flower beds, aim for anywhere between two or three inches of mulch. Using this much mulch retards weed growth, locks in moisture, and ensures that your plants are well-nourished. This will also give a nice, professional appearance to your garden all year.
Pine Needles
Pine needles should not be overlooked as a great source for mulch. Some plants are more acidic, and prefer soil that contains higher acidic levels. Plants like these thrive when you use pine needles as mulch. Lay a few inches of needles over the beds to allow them to decompose and add some acid to your soil.
When planting seeds in containers, remember that the planting depth should be around three times bigger than the seed size. However, you should always know that some seeds cannot be covered, even the slightest bit, because they need to be in direct sunlight. Some common examples include ageratum and petunias. If you’re not sure if your seeds need sunlight, you can find out online or through the seeds’ package.
Though organic farming can present challenges that traditional farming with the use of chemicals does not, harvesting the crops is reward itself for the hard work. Growing your crops organically will offer the best reward for those who eat the foods.
One way to help maintain healthy soil is to incorporate mulch into your landscape. Mulch can give your soil some additional protection and nourishment. On hot days, mulch will also protect your plant’s roots by keeping them moist and cool. The layer of mulch will also minimize evaporation, reducing your need to water as frequently as you would a garden without mulch. This also helps control the weeds.
Plant Garlic
Grow garlic in your organic garden. The best time to plant garlic is either early spring or in the fall. Plant garlic in moist soil with good drainage. Lay each bulb into the ground ends up at a distance of about 4 inches away from the next bulb and 1-2 inches down into the soil. Green garlic can be cur directly from the plant and used in a pinch instead of scallions or chives. The garlic is ready to be picked when the tops turn brown. Place the freshly picked bulbs in the sun, and let them dry and harden for a couple of days. You can then store the bulbs loosely or gathered into bunches in a cool location.
Now you have the groundwork of knowledge necessary to start enjoying organic gardening. Properly growing your garden can involve serious relaxation and even some fun. These tips are your key to becoming a top-flight organic gardener.
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