There is much more to horticulture than just having something pretty to look at. It is not just an aimless pasttime for the hobbyist with a green thumb. A garden provides the person who has put time into it a way of finding tranquility, peace, and a feeling of appreciation of life. When you excel at gardening, these effects can prove very positive within you life.
Take the proper approach to laying sod. Get your soil ready before you lay your sod. Remove the weeds, then break up the soil into fine tilth. Lightly, but firmly pack the soil down, and make sure that it is flat. Make sure the soil is thoroughly moist. Be sure to stagger the rows of sod. The joints should be offset like bricks in a wall. Press the sod down firmly so that the surface is flat and even. If there are gaps remaining, fill them with a bit of soil. Water your sod daily for a fortnight, which is enough time for it to root and be able to withstand foot traffic.
Use annuals and biennials to enliven your flower beds. You can use biennial and annual flowers to brighten the bed, and let you change how it looks. Sunny areas in the middle of shrubs and perennials can be filled in nicely with these plants. Some examples include sunflowers, marigolds, petunias, hollyhocks, cosmos, and rudbeckia.
The best gardens from an environmental standpoint originate from seeds, instead of plants. The environmentally conscious way to start a new garden is to start with seeds. Many nurseries use plastic growing pots that are very seldom recycled. Try buying from organic nurseries and farms so your garden is not using anti-environmental products.
You can use natural materials or other plants in your garden to keep away pests. Slugs who want to enter a vegetable garden, for example, can be repelled by a simple border of marigolds and onions. Wood ash, when used as mulch, can help keep insects away from trees and shrubs. Using methods like these eliminates the need for chemical pesticides, which can be harsh or even harmful.
Place a few inches of organically based mulch around your vegetable plants. The mulch will help keep the dirt around the plants more moist. It will also prevent the growth of weeds. This will save you a ton of time and work.
Try pouring water leftover from steamed vegetables onto your potted plants. It contains rich nutrients that come from the vegetables. In order to help acidify the soil for plants like gardenias and rhododendrons, you can use coffee and tea grounds. Chamomile tea can be effective if you have problems with fungus in your garden. Simply sprinkle it on the affected plant.
To keep your dog out of your garden, spray old perfume, aftershave, or other scented items in the grass around it. This will help mask the scents that attract your dog, and will make your garden a less interesting place for your pet to be.
Make sure you don’t let your chores pile up when it comes to your garden While you may not be able to spend a lot of time every day in your garden, even little items done daily will stop the mountain of work from growing. If you put the dog outside, weed a few spots in the garden while your dog goes to the bathroom.
Apply these tips to make your garden a beautiful oasis. You will be rewarded by healthy plants full of life. Horticulture can have a powerful effect on your life, so give it a try.
