Many people are beginning to enjoy growing an organic garden. Using the information in this article will help you to quickly get up to speed on how to grow your own organic garden. Continue reading to uncover a number of effective tips for growing an organic garden you can be proud of.
Check the nutrients in the soil before you plant your garden. Have a soil report done. It is cost effective and you can make necessary adjustments, based on the report, to your soil so it is correctly enriched to encourage plant growth. Cooperative Extension departments often offer this testing service. It is a worthwhile effort so a garden can be productive on the first year of planting.
Before you plant seeds, pre-soak them for a night somewhere dark. Use a small container filled with water to nearly the top and place several seeds in it. This lets water soak into the seeds, giving them an extra boost of hydration when they start growing. This way, the seeds you have planted will have some chance of growing.
Make a plan for your garden. Doing so means you can remember where each particular plant is when you start seeing sprouts arise from the earth. In addition, some plants are so small you might forget you planted them once all your plants sprout. Planning stops these plants from getting lost in the crowd.
Boiling away unwanted weeds is an odd, but productive method used in many gardens. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find. Literally pour the water on the weeds, avoiding any wanted plants near them, and watch the weeds die over time. The weeds’ roots will be damaged by the boiling water; normally, this prevents them from continuing to grow.
It is best to aerate and dry your plants daily. Moisture on plants is sure to attract disease and parasites. A common parasite found in the plant kingdom is fungi. Fungus can be handled with sprays specifically formulated for fungi control, but you must treat the area with spray before seeing any kind of problems.
Make sure that you divide your irises! If you split up clumps of them, you will eventually have more of this flower. If you notice a dead foliage, lift the bulb. The bulbs will automatically split in you hand, and will likely flower the year after being replanted. Split rhizomes with a knife. Get rid of the center and keep the new pieces you cut from the outside. Each piece should retain a minimum of one sturdy offshoot capable of spurting new growth. Replant right away.
In order to rid your garden of pests, take advantage of plant materials and other organic matter. For example, planting a border consisting of marigolds or onions can repel slugs. Mulch around the bottom of trees and shrub seedlings with wood ash to reduce unwanted infestation of pests. These are methods you can use to get rid of the need to use pesticides.
Place a few inches of organically based mulch around your vegetable plants. The mulch help keeps the soil that is around the plants much more moist for much longer. It also prevents weed growth. This will save you tons of time from pulling out tons of weeds.
When it comes to harvesting your vegetables, know when the optimal time is to do so. Each veggie has its own prime time for harvesting. Many vegetables are best when picked young; baby peas are a prime example. By contrast, it’s best to wait until tomatoes are fully ripe before picking them. So, be aware of the best harvest time to pick your veggies.
Be careful how you water your garden. To save time, use a soaker type hose so each plant doesn’t need individual watering from the nozzle of a hose or a little watering can. Turn the water on at low pressure so your delicate plants will not be damaged by the soaker hose. You can take care of other tasks or just relax while your plants are automatically watered for an hour or so.
Perfecting an organic garden is as simple as committing a little time, and being patient. Head out to the garden, and make use of these tips to turn it into an amazing organic masterpiece. Regardless of which organic crops you choose to grow, these tips will help you enjoy a bountiful harvest.