It’s undeniable and probably unstoppable. The world is gradually transforming into a place filled with unnatural things. Commercialized areas have replaced forests and environmental sanctuaries, instant food has taken the place of organic fruits and vegetables, and even beauty has become quite artificial with all the advancements in dermatology.
This is not to say that development is an entirely bad thing. But it would sure be nice thing to go back to things that are natural once in a while. A flower garden filled with the natural abundance of fresh and fragrant blooms is truly a refreshing change from the unnatural world we presently live in. This is why organic gardening, which makes use of natural elements to preserve, maintain and care for these flowering plants is the better choice even if it is more challenging.
Using chemicals can make gardening easier but it’s unsafe for the plants, for the environment and for the people around.
To help you as you embark on the journey of organic gardening, here are the steps that you follow:
Select Flower Varieties to Grow
Flower seed selection depends on personal preference but it is a good idea to consider the following factors when choosing flowers: color, fragrance, height and size of the plant, and hardiness. Aside from these, you also have to decide whether you want to grow perennials or annuals. Perennials are those that last for more than one season.
This means less work because there is no need for yearly replanting. They are generally low maintenance and are less prone to pest problems. The downside to having perennials though is that they only bloom flowers for a short time. On the other hand, annuals complete their entire cycle in only one season. They grow foliage, bloom flowers, set seed and then die all in one year. But they have more intense colors and their blooms last for an entire summer giving you plenty of time to bask in their beauty and fragrance.
Ask yourself if you want flowers that last for more than one season, flowers that bloom for a very long time, flowers that are easy to care for, flowers that reseed and so on. This will make it easier for you to make your choice.
Choose the Location
Choose which area in your yard you want to brighten. Some of the things you must consider is if there is adequate space for your plants to grow into mature size, if there is sufficient sunlight that shines on this area and if the soil is loamy and has proper drainage system. It is also important that you clear the area off shrubs, weeds and other plants that may compete with your flowering plants for sunlight and nutrients. If ever there are trees in the spot, plan to place under the trees those variety that can thrive well under the shade.
Buy Flower seeds
You can buy from local garden stores or search online. You will find some online store’s A to Z flower seeds highly useful when doing your seed shopping. Prepare the Soil One of the ways to prepare it is to test the soil’s pH. Get a handful of sample and test it with a soil testing kit to see if it has the neutral pH level of 7. Adding lime can improve the soil’s pH if it is too acidic. Also, most plants grow well in soil that is neither too sandy nor too clayish. Too sandy soil cannot retain water well enough for the roots to absorb its nutrients while too clayish soil cannot drain water efficiently and is difficult for roots to penetrate.
Adding pine bark humus can improve water retention as well as drainage. Furthermore, you also have to clear the area and remove weeds, rocks, dead foliage and roots. Till the area which you will be using as flower bed and apply compost on it two to four weeks before you start planting. This gives the soil sufficient time to absorb the compost.
The best kind of organic matter to use is compost of substances that were once alive such as leaves, grass and kitchen waste. Whether planting perennial or annual flower seeds, preparing the soil is important to ensure that your plants can thrive well in it. Start the PlantingOnce your flowerbed is ready, start digging a small hole and drop a couple of seeds. Cover the seeds with soil and water gently.
Use Compost and Organic Fertilizer
Compost is an excellent way to enhance the structure, texture and aeration of the soil as well as promote fertility and healthy root penetration. Fertilizers meanwhile give additional nutrients to the soil which help plants grow up healthy. It is better to use compost and organic fertilizers because they are safer than chemicals, which integrate toxic substances into the soil.
Not only that, using organic fertilizer encourages growth and promulgation of earthworms, which do wonders in enriching the soil and increasing air space. If you plan to plant perennials, add organic fertilizer and compost at the start of each growing season. While with annuals, you will need to put in one or two organic fertilizer applications during the growing season.
Here are some tips when using organic fertilizer:
1. Follow directions carefully. Remember too much fertilizer can burn the plants while too little can cause weak plants.
2. Give enough time for manure sources to compost to prevent odor and residual disease carryover.
3. It is not advisable to apply fertilizer during fall or winter. Use Natural MulchWhen it comes to mulching, use organic mulch such as shredded leaves, bark chips, compost, or hulls to help retain moisture, prevent weed growth and moderate the temperature of the soil.
Add 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the plants after planting then each year add 2 inches additional mulch. Control Pests NaturallyOrganic pest control is more beneficial than using the chemical approach. Beneficial insects such as ground beetles, wasps, spiders, and ladybugs help fight harmful insects that destroy plants. Planting garlic, chrysanthemums and onions around your garden attract beneficial insects and repel harmful pests.
It is also good to plant flowers that attract butterflies because they help in pollination. Putting up an organic flower garden will not be successful without hard work, patience and skills. But it is more than enough reward to know you are protecting your family from harmful chemicals as well as helping sustain the environment.
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