Most people have heard about or seen organic foods. You know which items are organic. They are usually more expensive and have different kinds of packaging. This article can help you save money by growing organic produce right in your own garden.
Your plants will respond better to gradual changes of environment. Leave them outside in sunlight for a couple of hours on the initial day. Over a week, increase the time outside slowly. By the time the week ends, your plants will be ready for their big move and should have no problems!
Clay is naturally hard, and can can stick to a shovel making it frustrating to work with. To make the clay soft so you aren’t working as hard, take floor or car wax and rub a light coat on the surface of the shovel using a clean cloth, then buff the surface. The clay will slide off of its surface and it will prevent rust.
Your tool handles can double as measuring sticks. You can convert any large handle tool, such as a hoe, shovel, or rake into a measuring tool. Just lay your tool down on the floor then lay a yardstick beside the handle. Label the distances onto them using a permanent marker pen. Now when you go to work in the garden, you will have a ruler that is large at your fingertips!
Before actually putting plants into your garden, check the type and compostion of your soil. Consider getting a soil analysis and working on enrichment techniques for giving your garden a vibrant and healthy environment. Several Cooperative Extension locations offer this service, and it’s advantageous for you to know what type of soil you have, in order to avoid growing faulty crops.
Be sure to do some weeding on a regular basis. Weeds can kill a precious garden. For this task, try using white vinegar. It can kill weeds. Apply it full strength to any areas where weeds are a problem.
Consider adding coffee grounds to your soil if it contains high levels of alkaline. This is an easy and inexpensive solution to increase the acid content back into the soil. You will discover that your vegetables are more flavorful than ever before.
Before you plant a garden you should plan it out. Having a planting plan will help you correctly identify the young plants once they start to sprout. You might end up losing small plants in a large area, because you did not water them.
Fertilizer is important when you garden. If you decide to use manure, which is great for your plants, choose a pathogen free commercial product. It is important that you use some sort of fertilizer, although it doesn’t really matter which variety you choose.
There are many natural substances that are effective for warding off unwanted visitors. Onions and marigolds can get rid of pests in the garden. Insects also avoid shrubs and trees that are mulched with wood ash. You can avoid using pesticides that contain harsh chemicals if you employ these techniques.
A mixture of aspirin and water can protect your plants from common diseases. An aspirin and a half, combined with a couple of gallons of water, will do amazing things for your plants. The simple practice of spraying them with the mix will help them fight off diseases. Use this method to spray your plants every three weeks.
Green Plant Material
The compost pile should include equal parts of dried material and green plant material. Green plant material consists of spent flowers, veggie and fruit waste, leaves, weeds, and grass clippings. The leaves you rake in the fall, straw, sawdust and the like are dry material. Certain substances will undermine your composting efforts and cancel out any benefits; these include meat, charcoal, ash or plants that have diseases or fungal growths.
Growing your garden at home might not be the most convenient thing for you, but you will save a lot of money and always have the confidence that what you’re eating and feeding your family is as fresh and as healthy as possible. Use the tips you’ve learned here and get started on your garden today.