Gardening is an activity that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. Some people garden simply because they enjoy it, whereas others garden as a means to feed their family. This article brings more of the joy of horticulture to your life.
Clay soil can be a real pain to work with as it often sticks to the end of the shovel. Rubbing wax on the shovel prior to digging can kick this challenge to the curb. This will both make the clay fall off of the surface, and prevent the surface from rusting.
Choose the varieties of plants that will produce a higher yield. A plant that is resistant to disease, or one that is tolerant of extreme weather, will deliver a higher yield.
Your first and best line of defense against pests is having healthy soil. Healthy soil equals healthy plants and healthy plants can fight off diseases with ease. Begin with a high-quality soil with less chemicals to avoid salt accumulation, and you give your garden an excellent chance of growing healthy plants.
Use both biennials and annuals to add color to your flower bed. By utilizing quick-growing biennials and annuals, not only will you be brightening up your flower bed, you can also alter its look each season and each year. In addition, you might need something to fill empty spaces in your flower garden. Fill gaps with annuals or biennials. Just make sure the flowers will get enough sun to thrive. Notable varieties include cosmos, rudbeckia, petunia, hollyhock, marigold and sunflower.
Sometimes the soil you want to use for your garden has a high alkaline content. Combine coffee grounds with the soil to reduce this. Using coffee grounds is a low-cost way to increase the acidity of the soil. When you use them, you will start to notice that your vegetables are tastier and more vibrant in color.
You should divide irises. If you divide the overgrown clumps of flowers, you’ll find that your stock grows proportionally. Uproot bulbous irises if the flowers have wilted. The bulbs will naturally split in your hands, and after you replant them, will flower about a year later. Use a knife to divide the rhizomes. Discard the center and cut pieces from the exterior. Every piece is suppose to have at least one durable offshoot. Set your cuttings into the ground right away.
Fertilizer in the garden is a must. Use commercially composted products in your garden to help your plants grow. This will reduce the chance of pathogens. You must be sure to use some kind of fertilizer. There are many different combinations available for different uses.
You can prevent pests from invading your garden with certain plants and natural materials. Planting marigolds or onions around the border of your vegetable garden will help repel slugs. Insects also avoid shrubs and trees that are mulched with wood ash. Using these natural methods will reduce the need for potentially harmful chemical pesticides.
Place organic mulch as close to your vegetables as you can. Mulch keeps soil moist for longer periods of time. This also helps reduce the appearance of weeds. This can prevent you from having to constantly pull weeds.
As already noted, gardening is an activity that many have enjoyed throughout history. It was a requirement and a way of life a long time ago. In modern times, however, gardening is done for primarily three reasons: profit, pleasure or necessity. The information above will increase your enjoyment of gardening, regardless of your reason for wanting to garden. Take to admire the fruits of your gardening time.