If you want to improve your diet, you may want to get into organic gardening. However, effort is required in order to effectively grow. Knowing this might make you ponder where you should start and what aspects of organic gardening are most important.
If you are a fan of organic, sustainable gardening methods, consider leaving part of your backyard untouched so that natural plants and wildlife can flourish in the area. Wildlife can help the plants in your garden to thrive, as insects support plant reproduction, while the excrement of many species contains nutrients which can help to fertilize your soil.
Use this simple tip to get your perennial garden ready in a flash. All you need to do is use a garden spade to slice under the turf, flip it over, then spread wood chips over the area about three to four inches deep. Give the area a couple of weeks, then dig into it and plant your new perennials.
When a seed actually sprouts, it doesn’t need to be in as warm an environment. As your baby plants grow, you can move them from their heat source. This also includes removing any plastic that you had covering the plant or container. Unless you closely monitor your seedlings, you may not move them in time.
When it is time to gather your produce, you should use an older laundry basket. This laundry basket can be used as a type of strainer for all your produce. When you put your produce in a basket, you can then rinse it off and let it strain any excess water through the laundry basket holes.
When developing your compost pile, use equal measures of dried and green material. Green plant material includes grass clippings, spent flowers, vegetable and fruit waste, weeds and leaves. Examples of dried plant material are sawdust, shredded paper, straw, cut-up woody material, and cardboard. Charcoal, meat, ashes or other diseased plants should not be included in a compost pile.
Change how much you water your plants with the changing of the seasons. You should also adjust your watering habits if the temperature or amount of rainfall changes dramatically. The amount of water you will need will vary according to your climate and even such factors as the part of day and soil type. In a warm and humid climate you should avoid watering the plant itself. Wet leaves promote the growth of leaf fungi. Instead, the roots should be thoroughly watered.
Soil health can be improved by adding mulch. A couple of inches of mulch will protect what lies beneath it. It helps keep your soil cooler on warmer days, which protects the roots underneath. Mulch acts like a barrier that ultimately decreases the rate of evaporation. Mulch is also excellent for keeping weeds at bay.
Organic foods don’t contain any chemical pesticides. While this is great, you still need to check your produce for any bugs or other pests.
Grow garlic that is organic. Plant individual cloves of garlic in the early spring or fall in moist, well-drained soil. Plant the cloves one to two inches beneath the soil about four inches apart and with the pointed end up. Cut the green garlic shoots and use them as a substitute for chives or scallions. When the tops of the bulbs become brown, it is time to harvest them. Place the freshly picked bulbs in the sun, and let them dry and harden for a couple of days. The garlic should be stored out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
You may be able to find botanical insecticides locally, which are often very helpful for preventing pest infestations. Sometimes natural insecticides are more efficient than the synthetic pesticides you can buy. But, because they are made of natural materials, these types of insecticides frequently fade much faster.
Organic gardening requires work, effort and research. You are also aware now that dedication and consistency will go a long way toward success. If you use the advice in this article, you will soon see great results from your organic garden.
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