If you want a healthy organic garden, you have many options. You only need to learn about them and implement them.
Start your plants in containers, and then transplant the seedlings into the garden later on. This boosts the chance that the plants can survive to adulthood. It also lets you have tighter control over the planting periods in your garden. When you take out the prior set of adult plants, your seedlings will then be prepared to go in.
Your tool handles can easily be used as handy rulers. Tools with long handles, such as rakes, shovels or hoes can work as great measuring sticks. Lay the handles of said tools on the ground where it is flat and there is no interference, such as gravel, and stretch a measuring tape along one side. Then, with a permanent marker, you want to label distances. Now, the next time you’re down in the garden, you’ll have a handy ruler without needing to look anywhere else.
Save some plants in the winter by bringing them indoors. This is especially useful if you have a particular plant that you love or was expensive. Dig the plant up without damaging the roots and place it a big enough pot.
A set of knee pads is a great investment if your garden has a lot of low-growing plants. Horticulture is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable; you don’t want to finish every horticulture session with aching, throbbing knees. Buy yourself a pair of knee pads to use in the garden to cushion and protect your knees.
You could try to boil weeds if you are trying to remain organic. Boiling water is a safe herbicide which won’t damage your garden or your body. Pour the boiling water directly onto the weeds, just make sure you do not damage the nearby plants. Boiling water is not good for the weed roots and will stunt further growth.
Don’t you hate it how fresh mint leaves take over all of your garden, even though you love them? Rein in their growth by planting the mint in a large pot or garden container instead. The container can be planted in the ground, and it will still prevent the plant from dominating the garden.
Place a few inches of organically based mulch around your vegetable plants. The mulch will keep the soil around the plants moist a little longer. This is also efficient in preventing weeds from growing. This will save you tons of time from pulling out tons of weeds.
Look for targeted pesticides instead of using popular but damaging broad-spectrum products. Broad spectrum pesticides don’t only kill the offending pests, but the beneficial ones also. Beneficial insects are more susceptible to toxic pesticides than their annoying counterparts, so a broad-spectrum pesticide could kill all of the good bugs first, allowing the population of bad pests to multiply. This will cause a cycle to start where you will need to keep increasing the amount of pesticide you are using.
Only with the best knowledge can you take the most from your horticulture efforts. Use what you have learned to make your garden grow!
