Best Organic Gardening Secrets

Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. It provides soothing therapy for some people especially when they see their work bloom in season. These are the sort of people who want to use their hands to make living things grow strong and healthy through their patience and hard work. Thus, gardeners often feel a strong connection with the soil and a powerful appreciation for beauty that only flowers can provide. The hours may be long and the work backbreaking, but the rewards of seeing a single flower bloom can lift all the hours and the aches away.

If you’re looking for a new hobby or just something to do to spend idle time while at home, try gardening. Why? Well, one good reason is that a garden will definitely make your home look more attractive and beautiful. Besides that, the air in your private space will be cleaner and fresher since the plants absorb carbon dioxide to produce oxygen. Growing flowers is easy, if you have the time and patience for it. The tools are not that expensive and there are various resources in books, magazines and the Internet to help you with your project.

A small piece of land, tools, and knowledge is all you need to start a gardening project in your backyard. Here are some basic instructions:

1. Choosing the right spot. A sunny area with well-drained, fertile soil is the best for flowering plants. Make sure that the area is sheltered from strong winds that could defoliate and destroy the blooms.

2. Preparing the soil. Dig the soil thoroughly with a shovel until it is fine and loose. Add a large amount of compost or organic fertilizer to the top layer and mix it a bit with the soil. Fertilizers are vital to ensuring that your plants have all the nutrients they need for growing strong and healthy so make sure to do it properly.

3. Planting the seeds. You can buy the seeds at any department store or gardening shop here in the Philippines for a relatively cheap price. Follow the instructions in the package in planting the seeds. Depending on the requirement of your flowering plants, plant the seeds deep or only at the surface.

4. Watering. Water the seeds or plants at least twice a day. Moderate the amount of water as over-watering could kill your garden easily.

5. Fertilizing. Fertilize the flower bed periodically to make your flowers grow well.

6. Pest control. Always watch out for pests that could damage your flowers and take care of them early. Common pests are easily killed with the pesticides out in the market so ask your retailer for advice when you come down to buy.

7. Deadheading. Remove diseased, infested, rotting or old blooms and leaves. This will prevent the disease from spreading or attracting the pests. Also, the plants will bloom longer since dead flowers signal that the plant should start producing seeds.

These are only basic tips so make sure to read more details on creating your own garden. Happy gardening!

Timothy Spencer
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/growing-flowers-in-your-garden-729066.html

Every day, more and more news is coming out on just how damaged the environment has actually become. We are finally awakening to the fact that we have severely damaged our planet and we are looking for ways to live better and not deplete our precious natural resources.

One simple way to help the planet is by planting trees. Trees have a natural ability to convert carbon dioxide that is present in the air, into oxygen. Another way to help is to conserve water so there is enough water for all humans, plants and animals.

Here in lies a paradox. How can we achieve a balance between giving plants very little water while trying to conserve it, yet giving those plants enough water to survive?

Scientists are hard at work trying to develop plants that are genetically engineered to require little water to grow, but we can also do our part. One way is through a gray water rerouting system.

What is Gray Water?

Water that is generated from our baths, dishwashing, hand washing and laundry is called gray water. Black water is water that is generated from our toilets. It is estimated that an average family of four, generates nearly three thousand gallons of gray water weekly. This water is wasted down the drain and could be reused.

The gray water that is discarded does contain soaps and detergents and often bleach. These soaps and detergents do contain certain minerals that can actually help plants, but the gray water also contains chemicals that may harm plans and the soil. Bleach is especially dangerous as it damages the roots and can actually stay in the soil for a long time.

It is possible to reroute the gray water that is now going down the drain and reroute it to your garden. This is done through a series of treatment tubes and a filtration system. This will help the environment by permitting more plant life to grow and you are conserving water by reusing water that would have gone to waste.

The following tips will help you get started to use gray water for your garden.

If you are planning to use gray water to water your garden, then take note of the following tips before you start. Check with a local plumbing supply house or repair shop to see what products are available to reroute gray water.

Drip irrigation systems that direct gray water directly to the plants are available. These types of units are very efficient as they direct water to the root system of the plants where it is needed and best absorbed.

Most gray water does not require treatment, but a filter on the system will help keep dust or debris that may harm delicate plants, out of the water. Your plumbing supply will be able to assist you on how to treat the water. A stop at your local gardening supply center or landscaping professional will be able to give you information on whether or not you can use gray water on the plants you have in your garden.

Most gray water contains phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, all of which benefit plants. These chemicals are found in organic soaps and shampoos. Check the labels on the products you purchase and look for natural or organic products. Avoid products that contain toxic chemicals and bleaches. If you notice that your plants are suffering damage from the gray water, stop using it and consult a horticulturist or gardener.

Research is needed before you can use gray water. Every garden is different and has different plants with different growing conditions. If your passion is gardenias, you may not want a gray water recycling system as gardenias to not like soap products, and can damage them severely.

If all this sounds expensive and beyond your ability, remember that you can still recycle gray water by keeping a bucket handy whenever you do your laundry, wash your dishes, or take a bath. If you use organic soaps, you can use this otherwise discarded water on your plants.

Beverly Saltonstall
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/tips-on-using-gray-water-for-your-garden-714154.html

If you have a tiny yard and would like a simple but well-maintained garden, you only need two things - determination and know-how. Here are some tips on how to keep your garden by the yard looking spruced up and glamorous.

1. Deadheading Keep your border free from wilted flowers and dried leaves. Deadheading or removing dead flower heads will encourage the plants to produce more blooms for longer. Many perennials such as geraniums and dahlias, and some annuals benefit from having spent blooms removed

3. Pinch out tops. Certain plants - especially foliage plants like Coleus - respond with a spurt of growth when their tops are pinched out. Pinching out makes the plant much bushier and so more blooms are produced. Fuchsias are prone to becoming leggy unless they are pinched out.

4. Fertilize lightly. A minimal amount of fertilizer will further boost the growth of your vegetation. If you water your yard frequently, you have to fertilize it more regularly because of nutrient depletion. A fortnightly application of liquid fertilizer is sometimes more beneficial than granules as it is more readily absorbed by the leaves. Container plants will be considerably healthier with a half-strength solution of liquid fertilizer applied regularly.

5. Weed out. This is one of the best ways to preserve the beauty of your garden by the yard. Remember, weeds compete with your plants for both nutrients and moisture. If the weeds are not close to seeding, leave them on the bed to rot down for mulch. If you must use a weedicide, try and get a wick applicator, rather than a spray. This will protect you plants from spray-drift.

6. Water them well One good tip when it comes to watering your garden by the yard is to give it a thorough soaking once a week, making sure there is no run-off to cause erosion. Deep watering will encourage the growth of deeper roots that will be able to withstand dry spells weatherwise

7. Say no to chemicals Chemicals are dangerous to humans and often kill the natural predators of the pest in your garden, so avoid them if possible. There are many organic alternatives that work almost as well.

With these simple tips, your garden by the yard will soon be the envy of your neighbors.

Jon Simms
http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/tips-for-your-garden-702004.html

I was recently shaken to hear the news that one of the most important and diverse water tables in our community is below the critical level. It was a striking reality that the water cycle is not as it used to be. Most of us take water for granted. We assume that the rains will replace the water table below. Fortunately, some regions do have enough rain fall to replace those tables. However, conservation still needs to be heeded as it too may soon become victim to drought situations in the future.

It takes a great deal of run off water from rains far away to replenish our underground water. You can do several things to reduce the amount of water you use in your garden.

Step One:

When selecting a garden spot, try to locate the best soil possible. Your garden will only be as good as the spoil you plant it in. Take the time to build soil amendments into it. An inexpensive method is to buy a soil compost in bulk. You will find it easier and less expensive in the long run. There are many local garden centers and businesses that carry soils which can be loaded onto your truck.

Planting in soil that offers no nutritional value or holds no water is simply a waste of time. You can amend your soil by using several different mulches or composts. One of my favorites is earth worm casting. You can find this in bulk wherever earth worms are raised. Such materials are natural, do not burn your plants and are chemical free. Locate a good organic or natural compost either in bulk or bags. Work this well into the soil.

Step Two:

Start your own compost bin. They are easy to make and well worth the time. You can use mesh wire in a barrel form, a wooden framed box, bins or you can buy them from local garden centers. You will find several options to building a compost bin on line.

Step Three:

Start by planting your vegetables so water can be maintained rather than run off the sides. If using row planting, make sure you berm up the isles enough to hold water in between the rows. No water should be wasted. There are many gardens that start our with good berms. During the course of the season, they are worn down. Re build your berms and make sure you always have them in a condition to hold water. If you plant in containers, leave at least 2” at the top for water to stand so it soaks into the container. A common mistake is to fill the pot to the top with soil. Run off water is easily controlled, however, it is the most wasteful mistake in gardening.

Step Four:

How much water do you actually need to use? Each plant is different. A basic rule is to feel the soil . Observe that the soil is just starting to get dry before you water. If the weather is hotter you will be watering more. When you water make sure to water deeply. It is better to soak the soil than to sprinkle or lightly water. Check your plant requirements according to the package.

Step Five:

Use a drip irrigation system. This is probably one of the most important methods you can use to save water. Sprinklers loose water to the air, wind and run off. Local garden centers and home stores usually have some sort of drip system. They will be able to show you how to install and use them. These systems are really very easy to set up.

Begin by making a scaled plan of your garden. Measure the size and how many rows you will have. Take the plan to the garden center and let them help you figure out the components. At the end of this article you will find a resource website to look up most all of your garden needs. You can search for tips and products.

Step Six:

Consider using “gray” water for your garden. This is water generated from your baths, dishwasher, laundry, etc. It is one of the most wasted sources of water. I am not referring to”black” water. It is unusable as it is generated from toilets With some modification you can save about 3,000 gallons of water weekly (from a family of four). Now that’s a lot of water!

If you use a lot of chemicals and bleach you will need to install a series of treatment filters to eliminate them. The amount of water you save in the long run will easily compensate for the cost of the filters. Do some research before you use gray water.

Most gray water contains phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, all of which benefit plants. These chemicals are found in organic soaps and shampoos. Check the labels on the products you purchase and look for natural or organic products. Avoid products that contain toxic chemicals and bleaches. If you notice that your plants are suffering damage from the gray water, stop using it and consult a horticulturist or gardener.

These are simple but important steps you can take to help conserve water in your garden.

Erland Schulze
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/6-ways-to-save-water-in-your-garden-742496.html