The main reason people decide to go organic when gardening is that they think commercial chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers, may degrade soil quality, harm the environment and cause long-term damage to their personal health. Another benefit is that organic gardening techniques are often cost little-to-nothing. Keep reading for some useful tips on organic horticulture.
Plant vines like ivy to cover fences and dividing walls. Climbing foliage is a great way to disguise unsightly features on your property, sometimes in the span of just one season. No need to worry if a bush or tree is in the way, as climbers can grow through them. Also, they can match the shape of an arbor. Sometimes the plants will require being tied to supports, but some climbers will attach themselves naturally. Climbing roses, honeysuckle, wisteria, clematis, and jasmine are some great plants to try out.
Take the time to remove weeds. Weeds steal nutrients from plants, robbing a garden of its potential harvest. To help you do this, you may want to consider using white vinegar. Yes, white vinegar actually kills weeds! Mix white vinegar and water into a spray bottle instead of pulling the weeds by hand.
You can use boiling water to get rid of weeds naturally. The safest herbicide that you can use in your garden is a simple pot of boiling water. One simple layer across the weeds with a pot of boiling water will take care of the problem, but you have to remember the same applies to your plants, as well. What this does it essentially kill the weeds by damaging their roots. The result is that those weeds are unlikely to regrow.
Do you love fresh mint leaves but hate how they quickly grow to take over your garden? Keep your mint growth under control by planting them in pots and/or garden containers. Bury the container so that your plant does not stand out. The container will keep the roots from spreading too far.
A touch of organic mulch will boost the potential of the vegetable plants in your garden. Mulching helps keep moisture in the soil. In addition, it will keep the weeds from growing. This can prevent you from having to constantly pull weeds.
It is particularly important for new gardeners to read and follow instructions that come with tools, as well as chemicals. Failing to heed this simple advice can mean skin irritation that you are going to remember, and not pleasantly at that. Keep your health intact and follow the directions to the letter.
Pest Control
Pest control can be very difficult when dealing with a vegetable garden. While chemicals can help with pest control, you should avoid using overly harsh ones, as veggies you grow in your garden are meant for eating. One way to keep pests at bay is to remain diligent about your garden. When pests are noticed early, the best way to get rid of them is to remove then from the plants by hand.
Ward off certain diseases that plague plants with the use of aspirin. Dissolve one and one-half aspirins into two gallons of cold water, and use it to fortify your plants. Next, coat the plant with the aspirin mixture by spraying it on the leaves. The spray ought to be applied approximately every three weeks.
More Gardening Ideas & Resources
Putting the advice you just learned to use in your organic garden will help you realize several benefits, including having healthy plants and a reduction in toxins. A flourishing organic garden will also be an open invitation to some very interesting creatures of the wild that you can look forward to seeing.
