Growing green things indoors and out, bring joy to many people's lives. Carefully planted and tended for plants can mean beauty in yards and rooms, as well as fresh food on the dinner table. Yet, despite the simple pleasures it can bring, gardening itself can seem awfully complicated. Simplify your gardening endeavors with these helpful hints. To make your garden more productive, allocate space based on what grows best in your area instead of simply choosing your most favorite crops. Although you may love beets, if tomatoes grow better in your climate then give them more room in your garden and make your beet plantings smaller. Ask your neighbors or take a look around your area to see what grows best in your region. There's no need for chemical intervention if you discover powdery mildew on leaves. All it takes is a liquid soap, water, and baking soda mixture. Once weekly, spray this mixture to the affected areas of your plants, and the mildew should be eliminated shortly. Baking soda treats the mildew effectively and gently and it won't damage your plants. Organize your garden so that all your plants are exposed to the sun most of the time. Your house or your trees cast shadows: keep in mind that these shadows move throughout the day. You ideally want your plants to be exposed to the sun in the morning and the afternoon, but not around noon, especially in the summer time. If you're looking for a natural fungicide to protect the seed flats or trays that you plant this fall or winter, the solution is easy. Simply put a dusting of sphagnum moss that is milled or ground across the top of the flats or sprinkle it between each row of seeds. The acid in the moss helps to prevent the development of fungus, keeping your seedlings strong and healthy. Make your own kneeling pad. Working on the ground can be very hard on your knees. A kneeling pad provides much needed cushioning, providing comfort as well as protecting your joints. If you do not have one on hand, simply find a piece of foam or an old pillow that is two to three inches in depth. Cover it with plastic wrap or place it in a plastic bag to protect it from dirt and moisture and enjoy comfortable cushioning while you garden. It is possible to use natural materials as well as other plants to help keep pests away from your garden. Slugs are repelled by bordering your vegetable garden with either onions or marigolds. Using wood ash as mulch around the base of trees and shrub seedlings will also help keep away insect pests. When done naturally, there is no need for pesticides with harsh, and sometimes dangerous, chemicals Fall is a great time of the year to plant a fall vegetable garden. The mild temperatures of autumn are fantastic for cultivating fast-growing, cool-season vegetables such as spinach, radishes and lettuce. Growing an autumn garden does require some planning since you need to harvest your salad crop before the first frost. By looking on the seed packet, you will find out how long it takes for your plant to be mature enough to harvest. Since plants grow more slowly in the shortened days of fall, add two weeks to the time listed on the seed packet. If the total number of days is 45, make sure you plant your fall crop at least that many days before the time that the first day of frost typically occurs in your locale. From timing of planting to feeding and water levels to access to sunlight, plants can be quite demanding of you even though they never say a word. Keep the tips and tricks in this article in mind in your gardening activities, and you and your plants can keep each other happy. View more gardening products: phoenix home and garden
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