By Olivia H Masion
Not only is gardening very relaxing, but it is also an activity which doesn't require much money to do. It can also be a great occasion to bond with your family and friends. Children are particularly fascinated at the way seeds grow into hearty vegetables and beautiful flowers. This is a great way to help them appreciate the great outdoors and nature. This article will help you create a functional garden, then let others in on the fun of planting and cultivating the crops you grow.
Be sure to split the irises. Splitting up overgrown groups of irises will allow you to easily increase the number of irises in your garden. If you find any dead irises in your garden, immediately pull up the bulbs. The bulbs often divide in your hand with no intervention on your part, and when you replant them, they will usually flower the following year. Use a knife to divide the rhizomes. From the outside cut the new pieces and then get rid of the old center. Make sure that every cutting contains a viable offshoot. Set your cuttings into the ground right away.
Check your soil before you begin planting your garden. An inexpensive soil report can be used to adjust soil nutrients to optimum levels, which will ensure your garden thrives. Ask about this service at a local university or the county Cooperative Extension office to improve the soil and insure fruitful crops.
When gardening, remember to take care of your knees! For most people, bending over while gardening is too difficult. Kneeling is a good way to reach plants without causing back stress. A knee pad can be placed under your knees to protect them from damage and strain while you are working.
All plants need an adequate supply of carbon dioxide in order to thrive. The majority of plants grow much better when CO2 levels are at their highest. A great way to reach these CO2 levels is through a greenhouse. CO2 levels are usually kept high to get the best growing situation for your plants.
When gardening in the fall, you need to be watching for stink bugs. They like to feast on all kinds of fruits, as well as peppers, tomatoes, and beans. If not taken care of, these pests can damage the garden, so take steps to cut down their population.
Bees are obviously very beneficial to your gardening, such as bumble bees that help with pollination. However, some types of bees can be harmful such as the carpenter bees that eat through wood to create their nests. Overall, bees are beneficial to your garden, and should be left to go about their merry way helping your garden grow.
Avoid damage from the sun by dressing correctly when you garden. Wear sunglasses and hats with wide brims, and apply sunscreen. Utilizing the correct sun protection makes it less likely that sunburn will occur and decreases the chance that skin cancer will develop.
Separate irises. If you divide the overgrown clumps of flowers, you'll find that your stock grows proportionally. Uproot bulbous irises if the flowers have wilted. The bulbs should split naturally, and the replanted bulbs will usually flower within a year. You can divide rhizomes with a knife. You can trim new pieces away from the outside of the bulbs and then simply throw the old center away. There needs to be a minimum of one healthy offshoot on each of the new sprout sections. Replant each one immediately.
Make gardening into a hobby for your children. Many children love picking out the flowers and plants. Children also love situations in which getting dirty is acceptable, especially if parents are in on the fun.
Pull all the weeds in your garden. Weeds will cause your garden to become overgrown and cluttered. White vinegar can be used as a natural herbicide. It can kill weeds. Use a spray bottle full of white vinegar and you won't have to use your hands.
In a place that's dark, pre-soak the seeds. Use a small container filled with water to nearly the top and place several seeds in it. The idea here is for your seeds to become fully hydrated by the time they hit the dirt. This will also give your seeds a much better chance to survive and mature.
That's not so bad, right? Just like any topic, gardening is vast a subject which encompasses a plethora of information. It is easy to become overwhelmed. Sometimes, it helps to have a place to start! The advice you read probably provided that, so start that garden right now!
