By Kassi T Norington


Gardening is often a lifelong passion, but with a little bit of research and work, you can get started today. Having read the advice and wisdom imparted to you in this article, apply the pointers to your own gardening for a far more successful plant patch in your yard.

Try to have a plan with your garden. Doing this makes it easier to keep track of where you planted what when you first start to see sprouts. This is also a great way to keep track of all your plants.

Shelter your deciduous shrubs. Any potted shrubs should be sheltered in the winter from cold weather. Tie the canes together, and drape a sheet or blanket over the top of the wigwam. Doing this is a lot more effective than wrapping up the plant with plastic because it lets air circulate, which could avoid any rotting.

Start your plant in pots before you plant them in your garden. Doing this betters your odds of your plants making it to adulthood. The period between plantings will also be shorter. When you take out the prior set of adult plants, your seedlings will then be prepared to go in.

Take the time to spread around five centimeters of organic mulch near your vegetable plants. Mulch keeps soil moist for longer periods of time. This is also efficient in preventing weeds from growing. You will benefit by not having to spend so much time fighting weed growth.

Make sure to be weary of stink bugs whenever you garden, particularly during the fall months. Stink bugs prefer peppers, beans, tomatoes, and various varieties of fruits. They can do serious damage in your garden, so look for an effective method of reducing their population.

Separate irises. If you split up clumps of them, you will eventually have more of this flower. When you see the foliage is definitely dead, lift up the bulbous irises. The bulbs, when harvested, should easily split by hand - allowing you to replant them for even more blooms next spring. Make use of a knife to split up rhizomes. Get rid of the center and keep the new pieces you cut from the outside. Be sure to retain a sturdy offshoot on every piece that you intend to plant. Plant immediately.

Some annuals actually thrive better during the colder months. In order to make these plants presentable, be sure to prune them if they become too leggy. In just a few weeks, they will bloom prettily once again, contrasting the browns of usual winter foliage. Snapdragons, petunias and dianthus do the best in cool weather.

If you start to notice some powdery mildew growing on your plants, there is no need to waste money on expensive chemicals. All you need to do is mix baking soda with a tiny bit of liquid soap in with some water. Spray this onto your plants about once per week or until it subsides. The baking soda is harmless to your plants and a very effective remedy.

Get gardening knee pads if you have low-growing plants. Weeding, watering and picking through your vegetation can cause a lot of damage to your knees if left unprotected. Having a pair of excellent knee pads for gardening can help cushion the knees to provide additional comfort.

If you are planning on growing peas, start them indoors before putting them outdoors in your garden. The seeds will grow better in your home if planted there first. Seedlings raised indoors are hardier, too; they can stand up better to diseases and insects. Once the seedlings have become hardy enough to survive, you can transplant them to your outdoor garden.

It is best to aerate and dry your plants daily. Moisture on the surface of a plant can attract parasites, and cause disease. Fungi are parasites that are common in the plant world. It is possible to control fungi with sprays, but the key is to treat your garden before any problems arise.

Do you now see how gardening can be easier and even fun? Like anything else, gardening is a big subject and there is a lot of information concerning it. Sometimes, if you figure out where to begin, it's easy to "jump right in". With the tips provided in this article, you have the knowledge to start your own garden.




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