Many people turn to organic gardening because they are worried about the long-term toxic effects of the many commercial fertilizers and pesticides, on both their health and the environment. Also, organic horticulture is quite cheap on the whole. Below are some great tips to assist you grow to be the organic gardener that you hope to be.

In order for plants to grow, they must have enough CO2. Plants tend to grow better when the CO2 levels are higher. Greenhouses help contain C02 to keep levels high. The levels need to be kept high for optimum greenery growth.

TIP! Clay is difficult to dig through with a shovel, as it is sticky and compact. Rubbing wax on the shovel prior to digging can kick this challenge to the curb.

Pre-soak seeds overnight in a dark place. Place a small amount of seeds in a little container, while filling it to the brim with water. This hydrates your seeds and jump-starts their growth. The young plants will survive better, and get a boost toward maturity.

You can alleviate this problem by planting grasses that your cat will naturally gravitate towards. In addition, you could put an item on the soil’s top around the plants which has a smell that cats hate, such as citrus peel or mothballs.

If you are growing vegetables in your garden, it is important that you have them in a spot where they can get at least six hours of sun a day. This allows the vegetables to grow quickly and healthily. Many flowers also require adequate sunlight to flourish.

TIP! Transform your gardening tool handles into clever measurement rulers. You can use shovels or rakes as measuring sticks.

Make sure you protect any tender deciduous shrubs. Tender, potted shrubs must be protected when the weather is cold. Tie these canes at the top, and place a blanket over it. People sometimes use plastic to wrap their plants, but plastic can cause the plants to rot because it impedes air circulation.

If you would love to have access to fresh and healthy mint leaves from your own back yard, but dread the way the plant spreads so quickly, worry not. Try to keep your mint in a container in your garden to stop their rampage. This container can be placed in the soil if you prefer the look of mint in your garden, and it will continue to contain the roots of your mint and prevent it from taking over.

Always 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.

TIP! Choose perennials that slugs are not attracted to. Snails and slugs are garden nightmares, and only need a single evening to obliterate a plant.

Using natural materials in the garden will keep pests away. A good way to keep slugs away is to create a border with onions around a garden with vegetables. Marigolds would do this trick as well. You can also mulch around trees and shrubs with wood ash, which drives away insects. Natural remedies, like the ones listed, will help reduce the need and usage of harsh chemical pesticides.

Give peas a head start by sprouting them indoors. Pea seeds tend to germinate much better when planted indoors, before being moved to an outside garden. This method also results in hardier seedlings that can better resist insects and disease. You could transplant the seedlings outdoors once they are able to survive and thrive.

Plant heather to attract beneficial insects. Bees are naturally attracted to heather for its nectar. Heather doesn’t usually require a lot of tending, so spiders, ground beetles and other good bugs like to call it home. If you choose to employ the use of heather, always make sure to throw on a pair of gloves during the pruning process.

TIP! You can make your flower beds brighter with biennials and annuals. These fast growth plants make flower beds vibrant, and they let you alter the appearance seasonally and annually.

When you are organic gardening, ask your children to lend a hand. Toiling together in the garden brings your family closer together and offers many different opportunities to learn new things and instill green values.

Protect cuts from dirt and chemicals, and think about staying away from gardening until they heal. Open wounds can easily get infected while gardening because you’re exposing yourself to dirt, bacteria and germs. Instead, opt for a bandage that entirely covers your wound.

Go slowly as you plant the seeds. The first thing you should do is moisturize the soil. You may then distribute your seeds evenly while being sure that they all have adequate space in which to grow. Plant them depending on how big the seeds are. There are some varieties of seed that are not planted underground since they require light to grow.

TIP! Make sure you remove the weeds from your garden! Weeds can take over a healthy garden faster than you think. Try using white vinegar to get rid of weeds.

Your seeds, once they begin sprouting, don’t need the same amount of warmth as they did before. To ensure that your plants do not suffer shock, start eliminating the use of a heat source. Additionally, remove any plastic films that were on your containers. This will keep out warmth and humidity. Check on your seeds periodically to make sure you know when to remove the films.

When you are working in your garden, you will want to have all of your tools in a convenient location. Don’t waste time searching for lost tools. Before you start work in the garden, make sure you have the necessary tools, and always remember to put them away when you are finished. Even something like a carpenter’s tool belt or some cargo jeans work well to keep tools organized.

If you follow these advice on organic gardening, you will be able to have a productive, toxic-free, healthy garden in the future. When your garden works with nature, you will also be able to notice an increase in the number of wildlife inhabiting your garden.

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