Learning new ways to be a smarter gardener will save you money and back pain. Don't be fooled into thinking that gardening will get easier. Instead, learn new ways to be more efficient that will give you more time to relax and enjoy your garden. Take the time to learn new ways to be a better gardener with these helpful tips.
Natural or agricultural-grade diatomaceous earth is a gardener's friend. You can spread this over the soil in your flower beds to keep pests away. Slugs in particular are cut by the tiny, sharp granules. This causes them to quickly dehydrate and will end their existence in your garden. Reapply after any good rain storm.
Mulches that are applied around the base of your plants in the spring and summer will help reduce the need for weeding and watering. It will also keep the soil cool from summer heat that will keep your plants from scorching. Applying fall and winter mulches will help keep the ground and your plants from freezing and thawing which will eventually weaken or kill the plant.
Poinsettia plants are enjoyed by many families throughout the holiday season. However, most people throw the poinsettias away after the holidays. This year plant the poinsettia in your garden instead of tossing it. Be sure to plant the poinsettia away from streetlights, porch lights or other brightly lit areas. Poinsettias need long, dark nights to thrive and be able to bloom next winter again.
Dis-bud your plants. Dis-budding is the method of 'pinching out' new growth buds to encourage bushier growth and showier flowers. New buds are produced at the leaf axil (where the stem and leaf stalk are attached). By pinching out the top buds, you will encourage the lower buds to grow more freely. This also ensures that the plant has a much longer growing season. Plants that benefit from dis-budding include sweet pea, carnation, fuchsia, aster and marigold.
Instead of throwing your Christmas tree away at the end of the season, break it down and use the needles as mulch for your garden. Mulching in the winter helps to deter insects and bacteria. It also adds moisture to the ground at a time when many people won't be watering.
Just as was stated in the beginning of this article, gardening can be disastrous as well as time consuming for no reward if you don't have the information that you need. Now that you have read this article and have this information that you need, apply it to your garden and get your rewards!
Natural or agricultural-grade diatomaceous earth is a gardener's friend. You can spread this over the soil in your flower beds to keep pests away. Slugs in particular are cut by the tiny, sharp granules. This causes them to quickly dehydrate and will end their existence in your garden. Reapply after any good rain storm.
Mulches that are applied around the base of your plants in the spring and summer will help reduce the need for weeding and watering. It will also keep the soil cool from summer heat that will keep your plants from scorching. Applying fall and winter mulches will help keep the ground and your plants from freezing and thawing which will eventually weaken or kill the plant.
Poinsettia plants are enjoyed by many families throughout the holiday season. However, most people throw the poinsettias away after the holidays. This year plant the poinsettia in your garden instead of tossing it. Be sure to plant the poinsettia away from streetlights, porch lights or other brightly lit areas. Poinsettias need long, dark nights to thrive and be able to bloom next winter again.
Dis-bud your plants. Dis-budding is the method of 'pinching out' new growth buds to encourage bushier growth and showier flowers. New buds are produced at the leaf axil (where the stem and leaf stalk are attached). By pinching out the top buds, you will encourage the lower buds to grow more freely. This also ensures that the plant has a much longer growing season. Plants that benefit from dis-budding include sweet pea, carnation, fuchsia, aster and marigold.
Instead of throwing your Christmas tree away at the end of the season, break it down and use the needles as mulch for your garden. Mulching in the winter helps to deter insects and bacteria. It also adds moisture to the ground at a time when many people won't be watering.
Just as was stated in the beginning of this article, gardening can be disastrous as well as time consuming for no reward if you don't have the information that you need. Now that you have read this article and have this information that you need, apply it to your garden and get your rewards!