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Tag: garden

Ideas To Try In Your Organic Garden

Posted on by kelvinaurelians

If you knew the one sure-fire way to create a beautiful garden, you would probably be at the garden store right now. But alas, planning a garden that integrates all the elements that make it aesthetically pleasing is easier said than done. Start your planning by considering which plants will grow with little maintenance. Then, focus on contrasting foliage colors and plant shapes. Choose large-leafed bushes and set them off with an agave with spear-shaped leaves, for example. Write out your plans on paper ahead so you can change things until they feel right. This is just some of the helpful information contained in this in-depth guide to successful gardening. Want more tips? Read on!

Organize your garden so that all your plants are exposed to the sun most of the time. Your house or your trees cast shadows: keep in mind that these shadows move throughout the day. You ideally want your plants to be exposed to the sun in the morning and the afternoon, but not around noon, especially in the summer time.

Wait for the right moment if you plan on dividing a plant. Leave perhaps two years to grow and divide it at the end of the season when it looks at its best. If your plant shows signs of diseases or has areas with fewer leaves and flowers than others, it is too late.

Buy Diatomaceous earth as an alternative to toxic pesticides or adding predatory insects to your garden. Diatomaceous earth is natural, organic, and non-toxic as well as inexpensive and easy to find. It is a green way to keep pests under control. Sprinkle over the surface of soil and water as normal.

Grow from seeds. In garden centers, it is usually much cheaper to purchase a packet of seeds than to buy the equivalent number of grown plants. Remember, if you sow some seeds before the summer, you can get a garden full of bright, colorful flowers for a very cheap price.

A wonderful treat for your indoor houseplants is to take them outside periodically and let them bask in the glory of a summer rainstorm. You will be treating them to higher humidity and longer hours of daylight that far surpasses the stale conditions they may be getting indoors! You will want to minimize too much direct sunlight and make sure your plant containers have good drainage holes so that extra rainwater doesn’t collect to cause root rot. Some quality time in the outdoors will pay off with lush, healthy plants year-round!

Use your used pantyhose in two beneficial ways for gardening. Wrapping and knotting up old soap slivers in pantyhose allows you to scrub stubborn ground in dirt off your hands, without needing expensive garden soaps. You can also use pantyhose to bag up your squashes and melons as they grow to give them more support on the vine, and the sun can still get through hosiery.

As you can see, garden planning and design takes a little bit of upfront work. When you understand more about features such as your area’s climate and the type of soil in your yard, plant selection and placement becomes much easier. Sketch your plans on paper, then bring them to life and crate a garden you will cherish all year around.…

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Tired Of Chemicals? Grow An Organic Garden With These Tips

Posted on by kelvinaurelians

Organic gardening is great for the environment and you want to make sure that you are taking full advantage of it. Use the tips and tricks that we have provided for you, in order to make the most out of your experience. Hopefully, you will find plenty of useful information here in this article.

You should work efficiently, instead of working hard in your garden, to simplify things. Do not waste your time looking for tools. Prepare all the tools you need before you go out to work on your garden, and put them away nicely when you are done. If you need, use a tool belt or even pants that have quite a few pockets.

Tuck away some plastic grocery bags and use them to slip over your muddy boots. You will be able to go in and out without having to keep taking your shoes on and off.

Do not overlook the benefits of pine mulch for your garden. Some garden plants have a higher acidity, and prefer a more acidic soil. For such plants, pine needles function both as a handy mulch and as a soil amendment to lower the pH. Sprinkle the pine needles over your beds. As the needles decompose, they add to the acid level in the soil.

When raising an organic garden, sometimes a solution to resolving bad soil is to raise your garden bed. Building a garden bed or roost above the regular soil, can allow you to put your own fertilized soil within the bed without the risk of the soil becoming diluted or mixed in with the surrounding area.

Choose a site for fruit trees depending on their specific requirements. Most fruit trees require 8 hours of sun per day. Morning sun is important, as it dries dew rapidly, helping to prevent fungus. Avoid planting fruit trees in a low spot in the garden where frost or cold air can collect. Some fruit trees are especially susceptible to late frost damage, and are better planted on a north-facing slope. This is especially true for peach, plum, cherry and apricot trees.

Do you prefer to eliminate weeds without the use of harmful chemicals? Use a lot of layers of newspaper in order to achieve weed control. Weeds can only grow in sunlight. The newspaper will block sunlight and weeds won’t be able to grow. Because newspapers decompose well with the passage of time, they make great additions to compost. Use mulch on the top in order to make everything look attractive.

Organic gardening is a high-risk, high-reward activity compared to normal gardening, but the rewards certainly are sweet. While chemical companies may make astounding claims about their products, growing organically is the most rewarding option for you and those who consume your crops.

In conclusion, you want to grow an organic garden because you know what is good for you and the environment, in general. This article provided many ways that you can make the most out of your gardening experience and hopefully, you learned more than one thing that will benefit you.…

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Tips On Choosing The Right Garden Sizes For Your Landscape

Posted on by kelvinaurelians

Is your lawn looking bad? Could your bushes and shrubs use a little makeover? If so, then your home may be in need of some landscaping. A good landscaping can make your home look completely different and add a bit more attractiveness. Here are some landscaping tips that will spice up your yard.

You do not have to hire a professional to design your landscape for you, but it might be worth your time and money to quickly meet with an architect. You will get a better idea of how much your project will cost and perhaps avoid mistakes that would end up costing you money.

Invest in a drip style watering system for your plants. This type of system continually provides water to your plants. Irrigation systems actually use less water, because they use a slow drip rather than large streams of water.

While you may be tempted to let ivy grow all over your house, do not let that happen unless you are ready to put a lot of effort into properly maintaining and caring for it. Ivy attracts a lot of bugs, including termites and that may end of greatly costing you in the end.

Always choose quality products rather than cheaper ones. It’s not uncommon to find that many products at chain stores are inexpensive, but are of cheap quality. A specialty store will have knowledgeable staff who can give you good product recommendations and advice. Though you may end up spending more money, remember that you are paying for the quality of the goods and service that you are receiving.

When it comes to purchasing landscaping materials, do not always believe that cheaper is better. Yes, these materials will save you money, but most of the time, the quality of these materials is not very good. Ask the employees of the store you go to, which brands are the best.

Invite wildlife into your garden. Birds, squirrels and butterflies can add beauty to a yard, and they will also benefit your plants. You can invite them into your yard by leaving out food, strategically placing bird feeders, and having sources of water spread throughout the garden. You will love watching the animals and listening to the birds every time you enter your garden.

Use balance, not symmetry. A balanced distribution of plants creates a focal point, but the garden should never be symmetrical. For example, a large tree to the left of the garden can be balanced by two smaller trees to the right. This creates a much more desirable effect in the garden, whereas a symmetrical look appears completely unnatural.

Add some paving stones to your landscaping project, to create walkways. This can help to keep people off of your lawn, and it adds beauty to your property. You can line the walkways with some native flowers, to increase the beauty, and further enhance the appearance of your entire property.

Hopefully, now that you have these great landscaping tips, your home will look a little better. Your home will be seen by many people, whether it’s friends and family, or random strangers, who happen to pass by. Why not make sure it looks good? These tips will give your home a new vibe and make it look sensational.…

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Tips For Protecting Your Garden Plants From Bugs

Posted on by kelvinaurelians

Growing your own organic fruits and vegetables is a great way to know what your food contains and where it comes from. While gardening without the use of pesticides and herbicides can seem like it might be hard to to do, if you have the right information, it can actually be very easy and rewarding. This article will show you how it can be done.

To make your garden more productive, allocate space based on what grows best in your area instead of simply choosing your most favorite crops. Although you may love beets, if tomatoes grow better in your climate then give them more room in your garden and make your beet plantings smaller. Ask your neighbors or take a look around your area to see what grows best in your region.

Planting a bare-root rose. Bare-root roses are best planted at the beginning of their dormant period to lessen the shock of transplanting. If the roots look dry, soak them in a bucket of water for a few hours before planting. Remove diseased or damaged stems, and trim any thick roots by a third. Place the rose in a freshly dug hole, spreading out the roots and checking that the bud union is slightly above ground level. Backfill with soil and water thoroughly.

Consider using your car to dry your home-grown herbs. Simply lay a sheet of newspaper across the backseat and spread out your herbs on it, then roll up the windows. Your herbs will dry quickly in the low-humidity heat of your car, and the interior of your car will have a fresh, herbal scent.

Growing your own vegetable garden, whether large or small, offers many benefits. You will eat better! Fresh vegetables offer more vitamins than those which have been processed. Planting and doing upkeep on your garden will also help provide exercise which leads to better fitness. It will also save you a significant amount of money at the grocery store!

Deter bugs without pesticides with careful planting. Planting marigolds along the edges of your garden, or planting garlic, parsley, and basil within your garden can repel bugs without resorting to harsh chemicals. These plants give off strong scents which are unappealing to most insects. With these in your garden, pests will steer clear.

So you have finally decided you want to plant a garden. One of the first things you will want to do is to find out if you have good or bad soil. The only sure way you will know this is to have the soil tested. Many nurseries will test your soil for a nominal fee. Soil with poor health will produce yellow, sickly-looking plants. By having your soil tested, you will know if your soil needs nutrients added or if you need to make adjustments to the pH of the soil.

As you can see, growing your own garden, free from the chemicals that other foods contain, is not only easy to do, but you will have a wonderful, healthy crop of food that you can eat yourself, or share with family and friends. Make sure you tell them what they are eating.…

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Use These Tips To Get The Garden You Have Always Dreamed Of!

Posted on by kelvinaurelians

Your garden can be an important part of your life. Just like you, it needs to be properly maintained. You need to research, work hard and be patient to watch your work translate into progress for your own personal garden. These tips below can help you with growing a successful garden.

Make use of rain buckets and barrels around your home. You can later use this collected rainwater on your garden to grow healthier plants, while saving the planet. This method also reduces your water bill, as you can’t be charged for using the water that runs off your roof!

If you live in an area with clay soil, coat your shovel or gardening trowel with flour or car wax before you start digging your garden. This will prevent soil from sticking to the blade of your shovel, making your work much easier. It also lengthens the life of your shovel by preventing rust.

If you want something fun to do that will benefit you in the kitchen, try growing some herbs in your window. Some herbs may not take kindly to this, but many will! In this way you have some herbs always fresh and handy, and they add a nice touch to the house.

If you want your garden to be successful, focus on your soil. In order to protect your plants from unwanted pests, it is essential to have healthy soil. It will nourish your vegetation and help them grow into strong plants that are able to fight off disease and damage from bugs.

If you are getting very small fruit or flower yields, make sure to check the pH level of the soil. If the pH level is to high or too low, it can affect the amount of nutrients that your plants can absorb. Plants need different nutrients at different stages of their lives to be healthy, successful and to bear fruit.

Make a do it yourself twine holder by grabbing a rolled up length of twine and putting it into a small clay pot. Pull a small portion of the twine out the drainage hole and flip the pot upside down. You will always know where your twine is instead of digging around for it in a toolbox or shed.

When planting tomato seedlings, be sure to plant them all the way up to the first set of leaves. This allows the plant to grow a larger and deeper root system. The more roots your plant sprouts, the more tomatoes the plant will be capable of supporting and the more flavorful they will be.

Get rid of any garden pests immediately. Garden pests, such as red spider mites, ants, whitefly, and aphids, can infect your plants with various diseases, so if you notice any of the plants in your garden dying or failing to thrive, check for pests first. To get rid of garden pests, invest in a good pesticide.

Gardening, if done correctly, can help supplement you or your business. While the plants may not be human, they still have lives and deserve to be well-cared for. So, do yourself a favor and do your research, work hard in the dirt, and have a bunch of patience to help grow and take care of your garden.…

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Make Your Garden Organic With These Top Tips

Posted on by kelvinaurelians

When it comes time for you to start growing an organic garden, you may wonder where to begin, as there are so many things to consider when buying the right tools and accessories. The tips in this article can provide you with what you need to know to successfully grow your own organic garden.

When you buy seeds for your garden, be sure to purchase seeds that are labeled “certified organic.” This ensures that your plants will be organic throughout their lifespan and that the seeds you are buying aren’t contaminated with chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Watch out for labels, such as “genetically engineered” or any mention of “natural” that does not include the phrase “certified organic.”

Make your own compost. If you create your own compost at home, you can be absolutely certain of what goes into it, unlike if you purchase bags of compost from a gardening store. In addition, composting in your yard will attract helpful native wildlife such as insects that will balance the ecosystem of your garden.

Reduce the need for pesticides in your garden by planting native crops. Native plants will have a better resistance against the bugs and bacteria of your area, and will be better equipped to compete with native weeds. Native plants will attract beneficial native insects, such as ladybugs, which can naturally control pest problems without the need for chemicals.

Establish a precise schedule to know when you should plant your seeds. Even if you are growing your plants indoors, you should follow a schedule that matches the season and outside temperature. Spend some time on your schedule at the beginning of a season and you should be able to improve it the next year.

Utilize frost covers for your plants when it gets cold. Frost may cause tiny ice crystals to form in your plant and shred the natural, soft flesh of the plant. Milk jug containers and other plastics can help assist you in making a closed environment around your plant. Ideally you want to protect your plant from being exposed to the cold outside air.

When building or maintaining a compost pile, it is important not to add coal ash or charcoal to the pile. Both ash and charcoal have high amounts of iron and sulfur, as well as other unwanted chemicals, that may pollute the soil and potentially harm the health of your plants.

You should always take spacing into account when placing plants in your organic garden. As plants grow and spread out, you will not always know how much space will be required. Space is necessary for the plants, but air circulation is also important. Make sure your seeds have a good amount of space between each other for optimal growth.

As you have seen, organic gardening techniques, while various, share many fundamentals. They just vary in terms of plant types and care. All it takes to decide between them is some research and common sense to find the best plants and tools that will work with you, your budget, and your organic garden.…

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Use These Tips To Help Landscape Your Garden.

Posted on by kelvinaurelians

If your lawn and shrubs are looking gloomy, you might need to give them a makeover. All you have to do to make the fauna of your home look more green and beautiful, is some simple landscaping. You may be wondering what exactly landscaping is. Read this article to find out, as well as, to gain a few useful tips.

Consider edging your garden to create soft and shapely beds. A curving bed offers a more contemporary look than the classic square and rectangular planting areas. Not only is cutting fresh edges an inexpensive project, it can also make a huge difference in the appearance of your flower beds and your lawn.

Prior to beginning your landscaping project, you should know which greenery and flowers will flourish in your area and when perennials and annuals will bloom. You must also remember your seasons when landscaping as well. Knowing these things will help you make the most of your yard and your landscaping budget.

Consider why you want to landscape your yard before you begin your project. Are you looking to add beauty? Are you trying to add privacy? Is your goal to reduce the overall maintenance of your property? The answers to these questions can help you to select the right variety of plants, making your landscaping project easier to complete.

Plant companion plants in your garden. These plants naturally work together to help each other repel pests and diseases. This can help you to have a healthier garden without the use of pesticides. You can find a lot of information on companion plants through a quick Internet search.

Do not forget your hardscape when it comes to your landscaping plans. A deck or patio is an important aspect in your landscape’s appearance. There are many options for decks and patios that include rock designs or woods that coordinate with the colors of your trees, shrubs and flowers. Do not forget this important aspect.

If you are going to be the one mowing your lawn, use a mulching mower so the clippings will go back into the lawn. Clippings will help your lawn retain moisture easier, and they also help provide important nutrients your lawn needs as the clippings break down.

When you first begin growing plants, it may be wise to grow smaller plants. Not only do they require less watering, but they are easier to take care of. Once you get use to these plants, you may think about extending your plants by getting bigger ones, as long as you are prepared to care for them.

Be sure to carefully estimate your costs when doing your own landscaping. To create an accurate list of costs associated with your landscape design, include plants, mulch and equipment. Then, consider where best to purchase all of those items. The cost of these items can vary wildly, depending on where you live. Locate where quality materials can be purchased at the lowest price.

Now that you know what landscaping is, it’s time to get outside and start working. The tips from this article will help you every step of the way, so all you have to do is put them to use, and your fauna will perk up, thanks to your successful landscaping.…

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