If you are interested in starting your own garden, you will need to do some research first. You will want to know which fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs can be cultivated in the environment where you live. Certain types of soil are required by some plants but are only available in specific locations.
In the cold winter months, you can salvage certain plants by bringing them into the house. Find out which plants will be able to thrive despite the transplanting and different indoor conditions. Dig carefully around their roots and place them into a pot.
If frost has killed your pumpkins before they’ve had a chance to turn orange, it’s not too late to save them. Cut the pumpkins off the vine, leaving a minimum of 4 inches of the vine on the top of the pumpkin. Wash them thoroughly with water mixed with a small amount of bleach to prevent the development of mold. Bring them inside, and place them in a warm, sunny location, turning them occasionally so the sun can reach all the green areas of the pumpkin. Within a few weeks or less, you’ll have bright orange pumpkins to carve into jack-o-lanterns or use to make homemade pumpkin pie.
Controlling pests is essential to a high yield garden. There are a variety of products available on the market that will kill any invasive pest in the garden. Many organic pest controls have been perfected over the years that work very well, although they can be more expensive than chemical alternatives. With a quick internet search one can find many safe home remedies for pest control too.
Divide large clumps of perennials. Some perennial plants lose vigor and flower less well if the clump becomes too large. Plants like Shasta daisies, bearded irises, phlox, chrysanthemum and coneflower benefit from being divided every three years. Without division they become congested, and the center of the clump will begin to die out. Simply dig the entire plant out, keeping the root ball intact, and divide it into pieces using a shovel. By doing this, you will have at least two or three new plants!
If your soil is highly alkaline, try mixing used coffee grounds into the soil. Coffee grounds are an inexpensive way to increase the acid level in your soil. The greens and vegetables need the proper balance and will grow bigger and stronger with the right mix.
Make sure you read the labels on any weedkillers or pesticides that you use in your garden. Follow the directions closely. Using too much of a chemical can be dangerous to your health and the health of your garden. Failing to read the label might also mean that you get the wrong chemical for the problem that you’re having, polluting the ground around your garden for no reason.
Follow the instructions and you are sure to succeed in your new hobby. Over-watering is a problem some people don’t consider, so it is important to research the needs of your particular plants. It is incredibly rewarding to cultivate a garden from nothing but soil, seeds and water. It’s a great way to reap what you sow.