One of the best ways to improve your diet and make it healthier is to start and maintain an organic garden. However, effort is required in order to effectively grow. You might be wondering where you need to start to have your very own organic garden.
To prevent your plants’ systems from becoming shocked, you need to gradually transition them from higher to lower temperatures. Put them in the sun outside for a couple of hours during the first day. As you continue the first week of the project, gradually extend the duration of sun exposure. By the week’s end, your plants should then be ready for the big move!
All soil is not the same. You need to check the soil to make sure it’s the best for what you’re planting. Have a soil analysis completed so you can know what you need to add to have soil which will fully support your garden. Many Cooperative Extension offices will provide this service, and it is well worth knowing exactly what the soil needs to avoid ruining a crop or two.
Do not mow your lawn too short. If you leave your grass a bit longer, the roots can grow deeper. This results in a lawn that is stronger and less likely to dry out. When you cut the grass too short, the roots are often not deep enough, which causes your lawn to have dry patches of brown, discolored grass.
Coffee Grounds
If you discover that your soil is very alkaline, take used coffee grounds and mix them thoroughly with your soil. The coffee grounds provide a cheap way to re-supply needed acid to the dirt. The right soil will make your vegetables taste better and make your flowers more vibrant and aromatic.
Using boiling water to kill weeds is both efficient and organic. The safest herbicide that you can use in your garden is a simple pot of boiling water. Douse the weeds with this pot, just avoid the nearby plants. Boiling water kills weeds by destroying their roots. Weeds won’t be able to survive, never mind grow, with damaged weeds.
Keep your plants dry and aerated daily. If you have excess moisture, this can attract bugs or diseases. Fungi is the most common parasite for plants. Fungicidal spray treatments can contain fungi, but spraying prior to problems even developing in the first place is the best way to go about it.
Fertilize your garden regularly. While a lot of people use manure, it is better to choose fertilizer from a reputable company, as this will reduce the risk of any pathogens getting into your soil. The options for fertilizing are vast and include environmentally sound choices, so no matter which you choose, just be sure to use one.
All of your vegetable plants should have approximately two inches, just outside the stem, of organic mulch placed around them. Mulch has a nice moisturizing effect on the soil it’s spread over. It will also dramatically decrease weed growth. Time and effort will be saved pulling out all the weeds.
More Gardening Ideas & Resources
As this article has shown, to be successful at organic gardening you must do your homework and put forth a bit of effort. You are also aware now that dedication and consistency will go a long way toward success. Remembering the above tips, you can successfully grow an organic garden.