Horticulture is a great hobby that can be very rewarding in many ways. It really pays off when you are able to have a successful garden. Not only do you get good produce, but also a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Read this article to learn some important tips about gardening, and taking care of your growing plants.

Grow wheat or cat grass around the plants your cat likes nibbling. Additionally, use your cat’s keen sense of smell to your advantage. Citrus fruit peels and mothballs both smell horrible to cats, so put them on the soil near the plants your cat likes to eat.

TIP! Shoveling soil that is mostly clay can be difficult because of the hardness of the soil, and because it sticks to the shovel. One way to get around this problem is to coat the shovel with wax.

Try dividing the irises. Take clumps that have become overgrown and divvy them up into separate plants. If you find any dead irises in your garden, immediately pull up the bulbs. The bulbs will naturally split in your hands, and after you replant them, will flower about a year later. Use a knife to divide the rhizomes. Cut several new pieces out of the outside and get rid of the old center. A strong offshoot is needed on every piece that you decide to plant. All that is left to do is immediately replant the pieces you have created and let the cycle begin anew.

If you are new to horticulture, make sure you read and follow all the directions on any tool or chemical you use. Garden chemicals can cause skin irritation and eye injury. Protect your plants and yourself by knowing how to correctly use all of your gardening implements.

Having a good wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool makes garden chores a lot easier. Horticulture can be very tough on the knees as you spend much time leaning near the ground, so a portable stool can make all the difference to your comfort. In addition, maintaining a garden typically means moving around heavy dirt and other objects, which makes buying a wheelbarrow a very smart purchase.

TIP! Look for the variants of a plant that offer the highest yield. Frequently, a hybrid plant will produce a higher yield because of its disease-resistant properties.

Try pouring water leftover from steamed vegetables onto your potted plants. It contains rich nutrients that come from the vegetables. Add coffee grounds or tea leaves to the soil of acid-loving plants like rhododendron and gardenia. If you find that you have a fungus problem, try sprinkling some chamomile tea on your plants.

During the hottest hours of each day, your vegetables become too soft, and even gentle harvesting will cause damage and bruising. Use garden shears to remove your vegetables from the vine to avoid damaging the plant.

To create an English garden, combine a lot of different plants in the same garden. Using plants that all grow the same height result in a flat and uniform looking bed.

Plant strawberries for your children. A lot of children not only love to pick out their own fruit but they also love to learn about it as well.

When gardening, remember to take care of your knees! Bending over for extended periods can be harmful to your joints and muscles. To get down to plant level without pain, try kneeling instead. To protect your knees while gardening, you should get a pad to kneel on or at least use a folded up towel.

Prior to working in the garden, make sure any cuts on your hands heal completely, or shield any cuts from contact with chemicals and dirt. A cut may become badly infected if it’s exposed to a lot of dirt or grime when you garden. Look for newer bandages which are able to completely seal your cut.

TIP! If you want an organic way to weed your garden, try “boiling” them. A boiling pot of water is one the best and safest herbicides you can find.

Coat your flower beds with a few inches of an organic mulch. This practice is an easy way to discourage weeds, retain moisture, and add valuable nutrients to your garden. It will also increase the visual appeal of the flower beds.

As has been noted above, there are many rewards inherent in horticulture. There is just something about growing your own flowers and vegetables that is very fulfilling. By applying the tips laid out here, you can take the joys of horticulture to a brand new level.

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