There are many different reasons why one would might prefer organic gardening methods over more traditional approaches. Some of the most popular reasons include concerns about chemicals, health problems and the environment. Additionally, a lot of organic gardening techniques do not cost a lot of money. Here are some strategies to aid you in becoming a good organic gardener.
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. You will then find that the wildlife that can help you create a garden that can flourish become present; from birds to insects, they’ll be around your garden and help your produce grow better.
Once your seeds have germinated they will not need to be kept as warm as before. Take your plants out of the heat once they start to grow. If you have plastic films on your containers, remove them. Check on your seeds periodically to make sure you know when to remove the films.
Work efficiently in your garden. Don’t waste thirty minutes looking around for a tool. In addition to keeping your gardening tools in one location, you should also clean your tools after each use. One way to keep your tools handy is to use a belt especially designed to hold them. An alternative is to wear a garment with multiple pockets that are big enough to hold your more commonly used tools.
Pine Needles
Pine can make a great mulch. Some garden plants are high in acidity, and do better with acidic soil. If you are growing these types of plants, simply gather up fallen pine needles for use in your garden. Sprinkle the pine needles over your beds. As the needles decompose, they add to the acid level in the soil.
Add coffee grounds to your garden’s soil. Coffee grounds have nitrogen that plants will utilize. Nitrogen, along with phosphorous and potassium, is an important nutrient in the garden. It contributes to healthy and strong growth of the plant, but don’t overuse it.
When planting seeds in containers, remember that the depth should be at least three times bigger than the seed. Some seeds need to be in direct sunlight, though, so you need to know information about each type of seed. Some common examples include ageratum and petunias. Read the instructions that came with the seeds, and do some research on the Internet to find out the sunlight that your seeds need.
Use alcohol to help control the slugs in your garden by fashioning a beer trap. Place a container in the ground so that the lip is even with the soil surface. Fill the jar with beer to an inch below the jar’s top. Slugs will be attracted by the beer and fall into the jar.
Consider the climate and season when watering your plants. The amount of water you will need will vary according to your climate and even such factors as the part of day and soil type. As an example, leaves should not be watered in humid, warm climates else leaf fungus could occur. Instead, water the root system well.
Excessive amounts of water makes it harder for plants to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Don’t go ahead and water your garden if the weather report predicts rain that day. Make your decision about watering dependent on the weather.
More Gardening Ideas & Resources
Use the advice here to start your own organic garden. It is an interesting hobby and one that can improve your health. Your foods will taste better and not contain the heavy chemicals of store bought produce. When your garden works with nature, you will also be able to notice an increase in the number of wildlife inhabiting your garden.