It can be somewhat overwhelming to learn everything there is to know about gardening. Luckily, horticulture can be researched easily, taught and learned. Since you have discovered this tip-filled article, hopefully, you will gain enough information to refine your horticulture methods, thereby, becoming a better gardener.
Clay is difficult to dig through with a shovel, as it is sticky and compact. Try applying a coat of wax onto your spade prior to working with clay soil, and then buff the spade head with a cloth. You will be able to work with the clay more easily, and it will not stick to your shovel.
A good way to ensure that your seeds sprout effectively is to start them in smaller pots and then transplant them once they reach the seedling stage. They are then more likely to survive and to become thriving, mature plants. It also allows you to tighten up the time periods between plantings. The seedlings are ready to go, once you remove the mature plants.
Use the handles of your tools as a handy ruler when doing your outdoor chores. You can use larger tools, like rakes, as measuring sticks. Place the handles on the floor to measure the distance between them. Label the distances using a permanent marker. Now, every time you work in your garden, you are going to have a powerful ruler at the touch of your fingertips.
Try using annuals and biennials to add color to your flower beds, and brighten them up. Annuals and biennials that grow quickly can really wake up your flower beds, and they allow you to have a new garden look every season or every year, if you choose to. They can be used to fill in gaps in your garden between the perennials or shrubs so your garden looks fuller. There are many flowers you can plant in these gaps. Try marigolds, petunias or sunflowers for a brighter garden.
If powdery mildew appears on your plants, don’t purchase expensive chemical solutions. Mix a solution of baking soda, water, and a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid. Once a week, spray this on plants to eliminate the mildew. This is a natural solution for ridding your plants of mildew safely.
Hopefully, you can now see that becoming a great gardener is not as difficult as you first feared. Like any other trade, the gardening field is vast and there is a huge amount of information about it available. Often, you only need a little mental nudge or insight that will empower you to get moving. With any luck, the guidance in this piece has been just that.