Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Need Some Quick Horticulture Advice? Read This

Horticulture can be very useful, rewarding and fun. It really pays off when you are able to have a successful garden. Not only do you get good produce, but also a wonderful sense of accomplishment. The tips in this article will help you get the most from your garden.

Invest in a kneeling stool, and a wheelbarrow to work in the garden. Horticulture can be very tough on the knees as you spend much time leaning near the ground, so a portable stool can make all the difference to your comfort. Horticulture involves moving heavy objects and dirt, so a wheelbarrow makes for a wise investment.

When planting perennials, seek out those that are resistant to slugs. Slugs and snails can decimate a plant in one night. These pests prefer plants with thin smooth leaves. Plant some helleborus or euphorbias along with your other perennials. Others, though, are disliked by slugs and snails. Those with rough leaves or an unappetizing taste will be less desired by slugs and snails. Examples of these include euphorbia, hellebourus and achillea. Others you may want to consider are campanula and heuchera.

Make sure to lay the sod properly. Your soil should be prepared before you lay the sod. Eradicate any weeds and work the soil until it is very fine. When the soil is clean, pack it tightly and create a flat surface. Moisten the soil thoroughly. You should lay your sod staggered, and have the joints offset. Press the sod down firmly so that the surface is flat and even. If there are gaps remaining, fill them with a bit of soil. You will have to water the sod every day for 2 weeks, and then it should be firmly rooted to the ground, and able to be walked on.

Any time that you are gardening in direct sunlight, dress appropriately to prevent skin damage. Wear sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Wearing sun protection will prevent your skin from burning and by extension will reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

Plant perennials that are slug-proof. Slugs and snails can decimate a plant in one night. They gravitate towards perennials with smooth thin leaves, particularly on younger plants. Perennials with hairy, tough leaves as well as those with unpleasant taste are not appetizing to snails and slugs. Wonderful varieties of such perennials include euphorbia, campanula, helleborus, achillea, and heuchera.

Fertilize your garden. While a lot of people use manure, it is better to choose fertilizer from a reputable company, as this will reduce the risk of any pathogens getting into your soil. There are many fertilization methods out there; the type is not quite as important as actually using something.

Keep your tools stored away safely if you're in a large traffic area. If valuable tools are left out, it could prove to be too tempting for a potential thief.

Soak your seeds in a dark spot during the overnight hours. Put some seeds (a small amount) in a container that isn't too large for the plant you'll be growing. Fill that container with water, almost to the top. This will give your seeds a good start by making sure they have plenty of water, which they need to sprout. This will also give your seeds a much better chance to survive and mature.

You need water for a healthy garden. Just like people, plants require water for their survival. On very hot days, the sun can dry out the soil, and it is important that no one forgets to water the garden thoroughly. With sufficient watering, a garden will thrive.

Snails can be sprayed away with a mixture of ammonia and water. The ammonia will not hurt your precious plants, and it will later convert to beneficial nitrogen. It will kill off the snails and stop them from bringing harm to your garden beds. For best results you're going to want to use this mixture daily.

When mowing the lawn, don't mow the grass all the way down to the root. If you let your grass keep some height after mowing, it will be able to absorb more sun and moisture resulting in a lusher, greener lawn. The shorter the grass, the shallower the roots, which makes the lawn more likely to develop brown patches.

Avoid sun damage by dressing appropriately whenever you will be gardening in the sun. Choose hats with overlapping brims, don those sunglasses and smear on the sunscreen. When you protect yourself against the sun's rays, you are more likely to avoid both skin cancer and sunburn.

If you're growing veggies in the garden, they need to be in a spot that lets them get about six hours of sun daily. Many vegetables need about this much sun to grow quickly. Some flowers need the same thing.

You should divide irises. Take clumps that have become overgrown and divvy them up into separate plants. If you notice a dead foliage, lift the bulb. You will be able to split the bulb easily and replant it to get more flowers next year. For plants with rhizomes, use a knife to divide them. You can split the Rhizomes production by cutting off thin portions from the exterior and discarding the remaining insides. Each piece should have at least one strong offshoot. Immediately replant all your selected cuttings.

Bulbs are a great option for people who want to enjoy spring and summer flowers. Most people have no trouble successfully growing bulbs, and their flowers will return each and every year. Specific types of bulbs usually bloom at specific times of the season, so if you make appropriate selections, you can be rewarded with blooms from the early part of spring to the later part of summer.

Pest control is one of the hardest things about growing a vegetable garden. Avoid spraying harsh chemicals on fruits and vegetables destined for your table. Instead of resorting to these harmful chemicals, you can keep garden pests at bay simply by paying close attention. If you catch pests early, you can remove them by hand effectively.

When thinking about the vegetables to plant in your garden, consider the vegetables that you most commonly use in the kitchen. By doing this, you will be able to use the horticulture space to your best advantage, and you will also save money on food bills. There is no point in growing something that your family will not eat, especially if you are limited on space.

Vegetables should be planted in an area where they will get a minimum of six hours of daily sunlight. Almost all vegetables need this much sunlight, so that they can grow correctly and in a shorter amount of time. This also rings true for some of the flowers.

In conclusion, whether you are gardening on your own or with friends, the tips you've read above are sure to be helpful. Gardening can become a treasured family activity. You can even invite your friends! Regardless of whether you garden alone or in the company of others, these tips are sure to be a valued part of your gardening technique.

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