Organic gardening is a movement that is rapidly gathering satisfied followers. The aim of this article is to help the would-be organic gardener get off to a great start. Just put these tips to work in your own garden to yield delicious and nutritious results.
Just because winter is coming doesn't necessarily mean that it's time to give up your garden. Instead, create an outdoor tent to protect the area. Make use of old bean poles as you stick them to the edge of your beds. Place a sheet over the poles and keep them down with bricks or rocks. This inexpensive tent can protect cabbage and kale, carrots, beets and potatoes to be harvested during the winter.
Some advise passing your hand gently over your newly planted seedlings each day. That may sound like a silly thing to do, but it's been proven to help plants grow larger than they would otherwise.
Mulching your garden plants will mean less watering. Adding additional mulch means your plants will require less water. You can use any kind of mulch, whether it's store bought or plant compost from your yard. The key to good much is to use enough of it and provide a thick layer of it.
Add mulch to keep your soil healthy. Mulch can help protect your soil. This protective effect is especially important during the summer, as it protects the roots from the effects of the heat. Evaporation will be reduced and the soil will remain moist for longer when you water. It will also serve as a method of controlling unwanted weeds.
Spacing is essential when planting an organic garden. It can be easy to underestimate how much space your plants will need once they begin growing. Space is necessary not only for physical growth but also to help keep air circulation flowing within your garden. Think ahead and give each plant room for expansion, by properly spacing the seeds.
Grow garlic. Plant individual garlic cloves early in the spring or fall. They should be planted in well-drained moist soil. Plant your garlic cloves around 1-2 inches into the ground, making sure the end is pointed up and they are four inches from each other. You can cut the shoots of green garlic as they are growing and use them as an alternative to scallions and chives. The garlic will be matured when the green tops start drying out and turning brown. Dry the bulbs in the sun in order to harden their skin. Garlic can be tied in bunches or left loose, and stored where it will be cool and dry.
If you are interested in sustainable organic gardening, consider keeping part of your property undeveloped so that wildlife can flourish there. Your cultivated garden spaces will benefit from the various insects and wildlife that will inhabit and pollinate the undeveloped space.
While you may have heard a few things here and there about composting, how much do you really know about it? Almost any organic item can be used to make compost. It may include leaves and grass, food scraps and wood chips. Use this instead of commercial fertilizer.
Your seeds, once they begin sprouting, don't need the same amount of warmth as they did before. You can begin to move them further from the heat source as they become seedlings. Make sure you remember to remove any plastic films that were on the plant containers to repel humidity and warmth. You should know when the right time is if you are keeping an eye on the seeds.
Check the roots of your plants. For instance, if you buy tomato seedlings for an organic plot, be cautious if you find green, lush-looking starts that have underdeveloped root systems. Starts like these can remain on the seedlings. This will inhibit their growth because they will not be able to grow until they are gone.
A good tip to help your plants stay healthy and fight diseases is to use aspirin water. Crush and dissolve one and one-half 325mg tablets in two full gallons of plain water. You can simply spray them with the mixture to help aid them in fighting off diseases. Spraying should be one time every three weeks.
Now, you shouldn't get your hopes up and believe that a few tips are going to turn you into an instant professional gardener. However, these tips are a great starting point if you do plan to grow organically. As you implement these tips and hone your skills, you'll be a professional green-thumb-holder in no time.
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