Organic gardening is undoubtedly a very enjoyable pastime, despite the effort, patience and skill involved. The aim is to grow food for the family that is both healthy and free of chemicals and pesticides. Does this seem to be easier said than done? The following hints and tips can help you grow your own organic garden easily and successfully.
If you’re thinking about growing your own organic garden, then you might want to consider keeping a bit of your property undeveloped; this way wildlife can flourish. The kind of birds and insects needed for pollination will be naturally present on your property and help with your organic garden.
If you are growing plants inside of your home, you need to keep the thermostat set to 65 to 75 degrees during the day. Plants require a warmer climate to grow. If you do not want to keep your home that warm during the winter months, you can get a heat lamp for the organic plants instead.
After your seeds sprout, the containers do not need to stay as warm as they once did. Take your plants out of the heat once they start to grow. Also, remove plastic coverings from the tops of your growing containers to keep them from becoming too warm or humid. Monitor the seeds carefully so you know the best time to do it.
Want to kill weeds naturally? Layer sheets of newspaper on the surface of areas where you are trying to control weeds. Weeds require sunlight for growing. With layers of newspaper on them, the weeds are not going to have light, and therefore will not grow. As an added benefit, the newspapers will decompose over time, becoming organic compost. Cover the newspaper with a thick layer of mulch for a more attractive look.
If you have recently planted seeds in your organic garden, you should regularly aerate the soil by using your hands to gently sift it. Even though it sounds strange, it will help plants get bigger.
If slugs are problematic in your garden, you can use an all-natural beer trap to do away with them. Take a glass jar and bury it so that the soil is even with its mouth. Pour beer into the jar until it is an inch from the top. Slugs will be attracted to the beer and fall into the jar.
Be aware of the location you are in, and the seasonal and climate changes that occur. Make sure that you adjust your watering cycles to match these changes. Depending upon whether it is morning, noon or night, the chemical composition of your local water supply and soil type may determine your water usage needs. For instance, if you live in a humid climate where it never goes below 30 degrees Celsius, refrain from watering the leaves, as this will inevitably invite leaf fungus. You have to make sure to water the root system.
Gardening organically is a rewarding hobby that incorporates nature, effort and patience. It makes use of empty land to produce something tasty and healthy. Through the careful application of this advice and with time and effort, you will be able to call yourself a successful organic gardener.