There is no better time than right now. If you’d like more information on gardening, this article can serve as a starting point for you. Below are some expert tips to get you moving with the aspirations you have to become a green thumb.

You can use the wooden handles of your tools as measurement sticks. Large handled tools such as shovels, rakes, and hoes can be used as measuring sticks. Measure the handles with a tape measure laid out in the floor. Have a marker handy, and mark the distance with it. Now when you go garden the next time, you’ll have a giant ruler at your command.

TIP! Many times when digging in clay soil the clay will adhere to the shovel, which will make it much harder to dig. Use a thin coat of floor or car wax on your shovel, then buff it with a nice clean cloth to make dealing with clay soil easier.

Plant perennials that slugs and snails won’t be interested in eating. These mollusks are capable of consuming an entire garden full of flowers in a single night. Certain perennials that don’t have tough leaves are especially tasty to snails and slugs. Perennials that have tough or hairy leaves are often times unappetizing to snails and slugs. Wonderful varieties of such perennials include euphorbia, campanula, helleborus, achillea, and heuchera.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is essential to the growth of plants because of its role in photosynthesis. A higher level of CO2 will help plants grow better. The best way to expose your plants to a high level of carbon dioxide is by growing them in a greenhouse. It’s very important to keep the CO2 levels high so your plants have the best possible growing conditions.

TIP! Select plant types that will bring a higher profits and yield. A plant that is resistant to disease, or one that is tolerant of extreme weather, will deliver a higher yield.

Bulbs planted in the spring can flower all the way into summer. These are hearty choices, choices that will reward you for years despite the little effort that is involved in their care. Choose from the variety of bulbs that bloom at various times of the growing season for a garden of color all spring and summer long.

One natural method of weed removal is called “boiling”. Boiling water is a very safe alternative to other potent herbicides. Just douse the weeds directly with boiling water, taking care to avoid damaging nearby plants. Boiling water will actually hurt the roots, and it will prevent the weeds from growing.

Surround your vegetable plants with organic mulch, a few inches worth. Mulch will retain water so that you won’t have to water your plants as often. This also helps reduce the appearance of weeds. You’ll save a ton of time if you don’t have to constantly pull out weeds.

TIP! Bulbs planted in the spring can flower all the way into summer. Since bulbs are easy to grow and resistant to poor weather conditions, they will grow without fail year after year.

If you are growing a vegetable garden, you may find that pests can be difficult to control. Don’t spray any harsh chemicals on your vegetables because you will be eating them later on. Research the methods available for eliminating garden pests organically. If you catch the pests early, the best removal technique is just to take them off your plants by hand.

Beneficial Bugs

Look for targeted pesticides instead of using popular but damaging broad-spectrum products. These pesticides can also kill useful insects that eat your pests. Beneficial bugs usually have more sensitivity towards pesticides than bad ones. Therefore, if the number of beneficial bugs drops, the problem with pests can get bigger. This can cause you to actually use more pesticides than you originally needed to combat the problem.

TIP! One way to correct your soil’s alkalinity is by amending your soil with used coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are an affordable means of adding acid to the soil so that it is pH-balanced.

Plan your garden, and plant with fall colors in mind. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be. In terms of colorful foliage, fall is the time of year admired by many. For example, maple, beech, and dogwood trees all change from their usual green to a vibrant spectrum of yellow, orange, and red. When you choose shrubbery, try hydrangea, barberry, or cotoneaster.

To be as efficient as possible in the garden, always have your tools handy. You should use a large pail and wear sturdy pants that have several pockets. You should be able to do your garden work quickly if you keep a trowel, gloves, small pruning shears, and other handy devices close to you.

Now you are prepared to start horticulture. It is amazing how much you can learn, even after thinking that you were pretty knowledgeable. These tips should help get you going in the right direction so that your garden is extremely successful.

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