Chances are, you've probably at least heard, if not seen, organic foods at some point. Organically produced foods typically stand out from the rest. You can see it on their labels, as well as in their higher prices. Keep reading for a variety of tips and tricks for maintaining an organic garden.
To make the most of your time in the garden, you should store all of your tools and implements in a close, accessible location. For example, you could use an over-sized tote bag or an apron with multiple pockets. You will be much more productive if you can quickly get to your spade, pruning shears, trowel and watering can.
You can fertilize your organic garden with compost you make yourself. You can start off with something small, like a worm composting bin. Purchase red wriggler worms, then cultivate your compost bin with a combination of the worms, dirt, leftovers from your dinner table and shredded newsprint.
You may find an old plastic laundry basket ideal for gathering vegetables from your garden. An old basket will act like a strainer does. When you put your produce in a basket, you can then rinse it off and let it strain any excess water through the laundry basket holes.
Botanical pesticides that are from your local area can be incredibly effective on pests. You can find more power from natural insecticides, as opposed to engineered synthetic pesticides. Yet, because of their biological makeup, when you use botanical insecticides, they often decay very quick and tend to disappear rapidly.
Do you want to get rid of weeds in a natural way? A layer of newspaper, several pages thick, placed over the ground will do the trick. Weeds need sun for growth, just like any other plant. When you pile up layers of newspapers right on top of the weeds, they will suffocate and die. It's easy for newspapers to break down over an extended period of time, making them great for compost. Cover the newspaper with a thick layer of mulch for a more attractive look.
Plants that are natural companions are wonderful in a garden. A lot of plants will help their neighboring plants when they are paired together. Companion plants are able to thwart pests, improve the soil, and eliminate the need for fertilization or chemical additives. Garlic and onion plants, for example, emit a strong odor that some pests find distasteful.
Look closely at the seedlings you purchase. When you are purchasing tomato seedlings for your organic garden, you should watch out for lush green starts with bad root systems. These starts can stay on the tomato seedlings for a long time, and the seedling won't start to grow until these starts have gone.
You should utilize around three inches of mulch that is organic in your flower beds. Using this much mulch retards weed growth, locks in moisture, and ensures that your plants are well-nourished. It also adds a uniform and cohesive look to the garden.
If you are growing your organic plants inside of your home or office, it is vital to make sure that the right amount of light reaches them. If you want indoor plants, choose specimens that can grow in relatively dark places. If you already have plants that need full light and the natural light provided is not sufficient, artificial lights can supplement their needs.
Open your imagination as to what type of plants you would like to plant into your organic garden. Most acid-loving plants enjoy mulch. Pine needles are an excellent choice for mulch material for these plants. As the needles start to decompose, they will start depositing their natural acid into the soil.
It is important to keep the temperature set between 65 and 75 degrees, if you wish to raise plants in the home. In order to encourage proper growth, they will need that warmth. Another option is the use heat lamps that will protect your organic plants.
As you now know, organic gardening isn't as simple as you may have thought. Organic gardens require much patience and hard work, but you can have a wonderfully beautiful organic garden. When you follow the organic gardening advice in the article above, you will have a successful and delicious bounty of fresh foods.
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