
Horticulture has brought people peace and enlightenment for hundreds of years. Horticulture can simply be a pleasurable hobby, or a primary focus to feed the family. This article will introduce ways you can make the most of your horticulture activities.
Annuals and biennials are an excellent way to add a splash of bright color to your flower gardens. Using a variety of flowers allows your flower garden to have a different look each season. They are useful for filling gaps in between shrubs and perennials in sunny areas. Some excellent choices include rudbeckia, hollyhock, sunflower, cosmos, petunia and marigold.
Use climbing vines or plants to cover fences and walls. Climbing plants are extremely versatile, helping to hide an ugly fence or wall, often within one growing season. They can be trained to grow over an arbor, or through trees and shrubs that are already in the garden. A number of climbers need to be attached to a support, but others just take care of their own attachments via tendrils and stems that twine. Some dependable types include honeysuckle, clematis, jasmine, climbing roses, and wisteria.
Make sure to pre-soak seeds, preferably in a dark location. Put some seeds (a small amount) in a container that isn’t too large for the plant you’ll be growing. Fill that container with water, almost to the top. This will keep seeds hydrated and help them to grow faster. The young plants will survive better, and get a boost toward maturity.
Make sure that your deciduous shrubs are protected. If you have tender shrubs in pots, they need to be protected in the cold weather. Pull the canes together at the top and securely tie them. Next, using a sheet or perhaps even a blanket, cover the structure. This method is preferred to wrapping a plant in plastic, since it promotes circulation and prevents rotting.
Knee Pads
A set of knee pads is a great investment if your garden has a lot of low-growing plants. Your knees will take a beating if you spend a great deal of time on the ground while tending your garden. Pick up a good pair of gardening knee pads to help cushion your knees.
See to it that you fertilize your garden. Manure can help grow plants, but to eliminate risk of pathogens, try using a type of commercially composted product. Many types of fertilizers are available. The type you utilize is not critical; just be sure to use one.
When it comes to harvesting your vegetables, know when the optimal time is to do so. Each type of produce has unique time frames for harvesting at the peak of flavor. As an example, zucchini and baby peas both have the best flavor when they are harvested at a young age. Plant winter vegetables at the right time for a sweeter flavor. So, make sure you do some research, and find out when the best time to harvest your vegetables is.
As noted previously, people have enjoyed horticulture for many centuries. It used to be a way of subsistence. Now, people do it for pleasure, need and even profit. Whatever reason pulls you in to gardening, the information you have read in this article should help you to enjoy the process just that much more. Learn to value the rewards that come from horticulture.