Organic gardening is as old as human cultivation but many people are just discovering the benefits. The aim of this article is to help the would-be organic gardener get off to a great start. Read on to discover some helpful tips and learn how to take advantage of them.
Use slug-proof varieties of perennials wherever possible. Slugs and snails will quickly destroy your garden if you let them. These garden pests prefer perennials with thin, flat, delicate leaves, particularly if the plant is not yet mature. Perennials that have thick, furry leaves and unpleasant tastes are less likely to attract slugs and snails. Good choices in this category are plants such as achillea, campanula, and euphorbia. Heuchera and helleborus also work well.
If your soil is highly alkaline, try mixing used coffee grounds into the soil. Coffee grounds contain plenty of acid to get the soil back to a good balance. When you use them, you will start to notice that your vegetables are tastier and more vibrant in color.
Don’t you hate it how fresh mint leaves take over all of your garden, even though you love them? You should plant the mint in a rather large garden container or pot instead so you can monitor growth. The container will keep the roots from spreading throughout you garden, and prevent the mint leaves from sprouting in other areas.
Place organic mulch close to your vegetables. Mulching helps keep moisture in the soil. This is also efficient in preventing weeds from growing. This could save you lots of weed-pulling time.
Two items you need to invest in when working in a garden are a wheelbarrow, and a kneeling stool. You can make gardening much more comfortable on your knees by using a portable garden stool. In addition, maintaining a garden typically means moving around heavy dirt and other objects, which makes buying a wheelbarrow a very smart purchase.
When you boil vegetables, use the leftover water on your potted plants. Add coffee grounds or tea leaves to the soil of acid-loving plants like rhododendron and gardenia. If you are having problems with fungus, you may find that sprinkling Chamomile tea on the plant is effective.
Make a plant you love the focal point of your garden. When you design your garden, think of a great focal point that will grab attention and add interest. You want to choose a plant that will stand out, as opposed to blending in with the other plants adjacent to it.
If you plant heather in your garden, you will attract insects that are beneficial. Bees will go straight for these plants in the spring. Heather beds are also attractive to bugs such as spiders and ground beetles that will kill pests. If you choose to employ the use of heather, always make sure to throw on a pair of gloves during the pruning process.
As stated earlier, applying organic gardening methods requires only a modest amount of time and effort. Start using these tips to direct your efforts in the right direction. Regardless of what specific insights you choose to apply, they’ll help you successfully grow whatever you choose to plant.