If you are not blessed with a natural green thumb, gardening can seem like something that you will never be good at. If you have the right ideas and information, gardening can be something that just about anyone can enjoy and actually be good at! Read on for some great tips on how you can be fabulous gardener.
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.
Save some plants in the winter by bringing them indoors. Perhaps save the most resistant or expensive plants. Use caution when digging around the roots of your plant. You need to keep the root structure intact for it to thrive after being potted.
If your green thumb starts to wilt during those long winter months when your garden is buried beneath a foot of snow, learn how to grow microgreens to provide yourself with fresh, healthy salads, sandwich toppings and garnishes all year round. Microgreens require very little sunlight and are easy to grow indoors. Some common microgreens include kale, dill, basil, spinach, and chard.
If you are considering planting a garden take the time to plan it out. That way, if you see your plants beginning to bud but can’t recall what they are, you can refer back to your plan to refresh your memory. You can also prevent yourself from losing small plants within a large garden.
A useful solution to keep pests like bugs and flying insects away from your garden is to put basil, garlic or parsley plants as trim plants around your garden. These plants have the ability to deter pests, while still being quite useful in your kitchen! If a splash of color is more your style, marigolds have a similar effect.
You can use natural waste items around your home to benefit your plants. For example, plants that prefer high acidic soil love a mulch mixed with coffee grounds. Cinnamon can be used as a natural fungicide for potted plants. And of course, there are the myriad benefits of a home compost pile.
If you grow roses or rosebushes, spray them with a solution of 1/3 cup powdered milk in about a quart of water once a week or so. The powered milk solution will be sticky on the leaves and stems of your roses which will trap aphids and protect your roses.
Make your own kneeling pad. Working on the ground can be very hard on your knees. A kneeling pad provides much needed cushioning, providing comfort as well as protecting your joints. If you do not have one on hand, simply find a piece of foam or an old pillow that is two to three inches in depth. Cover it with plastic wrap or place it in a plastic bag to protect it from dirt and moisture and enjoy comfortable cushioning while you garden.
If you have room, consider putting in a raised bed in your garden. A raised bed prevents soil compaction from people stepping on the soil. Raised beds also provide better drainage for your plants, allowing roots to breathe better. Another advantage is that you can control the soil quality better in a raised bed.
Gardening is a joy for many people. The advice and tips in this article are a great starting point for even a beginner who wants to grow that green thumb they’ve always wanted. With just a little bit of knowledge and information, your luscious garden isn’t too far away.
