Taking the time to use good gardening practices really shows in the end. It will show how much you care about the plants you grow, and your desire to ensure they are as healthy as possible. This is a valuable attitude. However, there are always ways to learn new skills, and hone your existing ones. The following tips can assist you.
If you choose to use organic methods to care for your houseplants, you should bear in mind that certain plants require more sunlight than others. If your windows are small or receive little light due to their positioning, a plant that requires little sunlight will be more comfortable and healthy. If this is not an option, or you have your heart set on a particular type of plant, consider adding additional growing lights instead.
When your plants begin to sprout, they can survive in somewhat cooler temperatures. Remove plants from the heated environment once they begin growing. Additionally, remove any plastic films that were on your containers. This will keep out warmth and humidity. Watch the seeds so you can know when you do this.
Flower Bed
Use approximately two or three inches of natural, organic material as some mulch in every single flower bed. Mulch will minimize weed growth and maximize nutrients and moisture. You will also have a gorgeous and finished organic flower bed.
Try using coffee grounds on the soil. Coffee grounds have a lot of nutrients that plants can use. Plants need nitrogen in order to thrive, so give it a natural source with coffee grounds, then watch everything come to life much more quickly.
Do you prefer to eliminate weeds without the use of harmful chemicals? Take newspapers and layer them for controlling weeds. Weeds need sun for growth, just like any other plant. They will suffocate and die if you cover them with newpapers. Newsprint also breaks down well, incorporating itself into the compost. Cover the newspaper with a thick layer of mulch for a more attractive look.
A rule of thumb for when you are planting seeds in containers is to make the hole depth around three times larger than the seed itself. However, you should be aware that certain seeds should not be covered at all because they are required to be in the sunlight. This is true of popular flowers like petunias and zinnias. If you are unsure about your seed’s requirements for sunlight, the resources are often provided along with the seeds, or you can find out online.
One unusual tip in organic gardening, is to “pet” your seedlings often. Use your hands or a piece of cardboard and lightly ruffle the seedling about one or two times a day. That may sound like a silly thing to do, but it’s been proven to help plants grow larger than they would otherwise.
Garlic is an excellent choice to grow organically. Plant garlic cloves individually. Do this in early spring or during the fall in moist and well drained soils. 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. You can cut the sprouts as they grow and use them to replace scallions and chives. Harvest the garlic bulbs when the tops of the plants turn brown. Allow the skin to harden by letting your bulbs sit out in the sun. Store the dried bulbs loosely or in bunches in a dark, cool area.
If you have the right tools and products, you can use these tips to help your garden. Wonderful! Learning is a constant process, so use the insights gained here to enhance your skills in organic gardening. Try new things, and keep looking for more resources as you progress with your garden.
