Gardening can be a fun and exciting way to beautify the outside of your home and improve the aesthetic value. There are many things you can do to create the garden of your dreams that can stay within your budget. These suggestions are sure to help you on your way to a great garden.
Don't underestimate perennials in making your horticulture life easier. Perennials will continue to come back every year and will only require minimal maintenance such as weeding and fertilizing. You'll save time by not having to plant and care for seedlings or starts. Different perennials will perform better in different climates, but sorrel greens and horseradish should work almost anywhere.
Sow plants in succession to each other for a steady harvest. When growing vegetables such as corn, snap peas, and lettuce that mature on a very predictable schedule, make two or three sowings two weeks apart to lengthen the harvest season. You can also plant two different varieties on the same day with different maturation times to ensure a longer season.
If you want to grow fruit trees but have limited space on your property, consider dwarf fruit trees. Many fruit trees are available in dwarf varieties, including apple, peach and pear. These trees typically reach approximately three to eight feet. Not only do they take up less room and produce lots of delicious fruit, but their low height makes it easier to harvest the fruit.
Do not give your garden too much fertilizer. Providing fertilizer to your plants allows them to better make food from sunlight. Too much fertilizer, however, can cause your plant to grow too fast, which prevents it from fruiting or flowering. The excess chemicals left in your soil can wash away and pollute the local ground water.
If you don't have someone to water your plants while you're out of town, build a homemade watering device! Simply make a small hole in the bottom of a jug, block the hole, and then fill it with water. Place the jug near the base of the plant and remove whatever is blocking the hole. This will slowly give your plant the water it needs while you're away.
If you learn that your soil has a high amount of alkaline, mix some used coffee grounds into it. Used coffee grounds will add acidity, helping to optimize the soil's pH. After doing so, you will notice that your greenery and garden will be colorful and fresh.
An excellent way to store the goodies from a homegrown garden is to freeze them in small batches. Using small sealable plastic bags and cutting small amounts of fresh vegetables every few days will help store the extras from the garden. Just bag and toss in the freezer and the packets can be added at any time to soups and pastas year round.
Grow evergreen plants. If you grow too many evergreen plants, your garden runs the risk of looking very gloomy, but a few well-placed evergreens can give a year-round framework. Choose evergreen plants with variegated or lighter green foliage, rather than sticking to darker colors. They can be used as a backdrop for spring and summer plants, and be the main attraction in the fall and winter.
For those new to gardening it is suggested to experiment with annuals. The following varieties are hardy, thrive in average soil, and take minimum care: sweet alyssum, marigold, zinnia, sunflower, nasturtium, petunia and verbena. Just remember to deadhead them frequently to encourage new flowers to grow.
Spacing is one of the primary considerations when planning an organic garden. It can be easy to underestimate how much space your plants will need once they begin growing. Plants don't just need enough space for their physical size; they also need enough space for the air in your garden to circulate properly. If necessary, use a ruler to measure the distance between each plant.
A great trick for organic gardeners and a neat way to reuse plastic milk jugs are to use them as a form of self irrigation for your garden. All you need to do http://www.dailymotion.com/amenager-ma-maison is poke little holes into the bottom of plastic 1 gallon jugs, bury the jugs next to your plants and make sure to leave an opening. Fill the jugs allowing the water to seep slowly into the ground.
Reduce the need for pesticides in your garden by planting native crops. Native plants will have a better resistance against the bugs and bacteria of your area, and will be better equipped to compete with native weeds. Native plants will attract beneficial native insects, such as ladybugs, which can naturally control pest problems without the need for chemicals.
If you plan on starting an organic garden, you should always properly cover your seeds. If your seeds are not properly covered, then they will not grow. You should aim to cover most of your seeds about three times as deep as the thickness of your seeds in order to ensure optimum growth. However, certain seeds, such as alyssum and snapdragons, should not be covered because they need a lot of light to germinate.
Fertilize your soil with organic compost. Organic gardeners tend to fertilize their soil twice in one season: once prior to planting, and then again in the middle of a growth cycle. The best fertilizer to use is an organic compost, as it releases nutrients slowly unlike chemical fertilizers, which release nutrients in one go and then lose their effect.
Get rid of aphids naturally. Most aphids are taken care of by beneficial insects in the garden, but sometimes you will find an infestation. Aphids can cause plants to be stunted or distorted, and can create a sticky mold that will quickly spread from one plant to another. Use a homemade spray to blast aphids off the plant. A forceful jet of water 2-3 times a day will quickly get rid of them. For a stronger infestation, use insecticidal soap.
If you want to have great organic produce but are unable to grow it yourself, then you should be sure to check out your local farmer's market. These places always have a different rotation of produce but typically have great prices for some of the best products that you can find in the area.
If you are running your own organic garden, a great tip is to use pieces of concrete blocks as stepping stones in your garden. These will assist you in getting to those places that are hard to reach without having to use a ladder or purchase expensive stepping stones.
For the best results, use these tips wisely but generously. Having a truly breathtaking garden is something every gardener dreams of, and it's not as difficult a task as it seems either. Learning tricks like the above and paying attention to your garden's individual needs are what you need to do if your ultimate goal is a garden that turns heads and brings a flutter to every plant-lover's heart.