Gardening is a very satisfying hobby, and it provides many benefits. Regardless of what you grow, cultivating and caring for plants brings a special kind of satisfaction. This article will give you fantastic advice that you can put to use to improve your horticulture skills.
Learn the proper way to lay sod. Before you lay the sod, the soil has to be prepared. Weed the soil well, and till the entire lawn area. Lightly, but firmly compress the soil, making certain it is flat. You then will want to thoroughly wet the soil. Then lay the sod in staggered rows so the joints are offset. Cut away extra sod and save it to fill in gaps you may create later. Keep the sod moist and avoid walking on it until it is well-rooted, usually two to three weeks.
Shoveling clay is very difficult and lots of work because the clay is hard and sticks to the shovel, making it tough to handle. Simplify the process by putting a bit of wax onto the shovel. The clay won’t stick then. By waxing the shovel head, the clay will not be able to adhere to the surface.
Make garden tools do double duty as handy makeshift rulers. Larger handled tools like rakes, hoes, and shovels make great measuring sticks. Lay the handles onto the floor and place a measuring tape beside them. Then, transfer the measurements to the handle using a permanent marker. You will never find yourself looking for a ruler thanks to this simple tip.
Annuals and biennials are an excellent way to add a splash of bright color to your flower gardens. These biennials and annuals are fast-growing, and they allow you to brighten up your flower bed with a change for each season. In addition, you might need something to fill empty spaces in your flower garden. Fill gaps with annuals or biennials. Just make sure the flowers will get enough sun to thrive. Some examples include sunflowers, marigolds, petunias, hollyhocks, cosmos, and rudbeckia.
When gardening, be sure to look closely for stink bug infestation, especially during Autumn. Stink bugs are attracted to tomatoes, beans and most fruits. If kept unchecked they can certainly do a ton of a damage to your garden so you should do what you need to to reduce their population.
Prior to planting your garden, devise a plan. Planning gives you a map of your garden. When your plants begin sprouting and all look alike, you can refer to your plan to remind yourself of which plants are which. The plan will also help you keep track of your more diminutive plants and smaller groups that could otherwise become lost among a sea of larger plantings.
A great garden starts from the seeds and not from the plants. This is a more sustainable way to start a garden. Plastic used in nurseries normally end up in landfills. For an garden that helps the environment, plant seeds directly in the garden’s soil or purchase plants grown in organic packaging.
If you are a first time gardener, it is important that you follow all of the instructions on all of your tools and chemicals. Failure to follow instructions can be dangerous or painful. For example, some chemicals will irritate your skin if you don’t follow safety rules. So make sure you take precautions, follow the simple directions and be safe.
Gardening is a wonderful hobby that can be very rewarding. The benefits of garden-fresh vegetable or beautiful floral arrangements can be immediate and long-lasting. By applying the tips laid out here, you can take the joys of horticulture to a brand new level.