One great way to improve your diet and give yourself a fun an interesting hobby is to plant an organic garden. It does require some effort, in order to grow, though. You may be curious as to how to start the organic gardening process.
Measuring Sticks
Your tool handles can double as measuring sticks. Large handled tools such as shovels, rakes, and hoes can be used as measuring sticks. Place the handles on the floor, then set a measuring tape alongside them. Mark the measurements with a permanent marker. Next time you work in the garden, you can have a larger ruler with you!
Soil needs to be rich in certain nutrients to grow healthy plants. The type of plants you’re planning to grow will determine the type of soil you need, and whether the soil will or will not be adapted. For special requirements, you can build separate areas with soil that is right for certain plants.
Don’t mow your grass too short. If you allow your grass to grow a little longer, the roots will go down deeper into the dirt, helping the grass grow better and remain hydrated. If you keep your lawn too short, the roots will not go deep enough to survive in case of a heat wave.
If growing vegetables, make sure they are in a location in your garden where they will be exposed daily to at least six hours of the sun. Most vegetables need this amount of sunlight to grow the right way at a faster pace. This is also true for some flowers.
Coffee Grounds
If a test indicates that your soil is very alkaline, you can mix the dirt with used coffee grounds. The coffee grounds provide a cheap way to re-supply needed acid to the dirt. Balanced soil will produce more flavorful, crisp vegetables and greens.
Make a plan for your garden. Use this to remind you where certain things were planted, later when they start sprouting. A good plan can also help you to place each plant in the area that is most beneficial to them.
There are several all-natural ways to keep pests out of your garden, including certain plants. Forming a border around your vegetable garden with marigolds or onions are ideal for repelling slugs. Wood ash used as mulch helps repel pests as well when around shrubs and trees. Using these natural methods will reduce the need for potentially harmful chemical pesticides.
Remember to place a layer of mulch over the soil around your vegetables, approximately 2 inches deep. The mulch will keep the soil around the plants moist a little longer. It will also prevent weeds from growing. You will save time by not pulling weeds.
Add some heather plants to your garden, to attract good insects. Heather attracts bees, and when they come out in the spring, this provides an early nectar source. If your heather bed is undisturbed, as it would be in nature, many beneficial insects will make it their home. With this in mind make sure you wear some gloves when you are working with the heather.
Organic Horticulture
As has been outlined in the above article, you need to research all about organic horticulture, and know that it will take a lot of work and effort in order to grow organic plants of your own. It is also true that in order to see results, that you have to keep at it. The next time you are in your garden, think of the tips from this article. If you can use that knowledge, you will be more capable of using organic horticulture techniques to your advantage.