How to Grow Carrots in Your Garden

August 20, 2017 by 1 Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips on how to grow carrots in your backyard garden.  A backyard vegetable garden is the perfect place for you and the kids to grow yummy carrots.  They are a great snack and wonderful in soups, stews and other dishes. Carrots  are a root vegetable, which are a rich source of vitamins and a favorite food of many people.  However, growing carrots is not simple.   

Growing carrots requires more of a challenge than you might think.  It would be a pity if your achievements turn out small in size or their taste is not appealing.  So. if you intend to plant carrots, you need to know some useful tips to make sure that they will grow steadily.

 

 

gardening tips

Here’s how to grow carrots:

 

When and Where Should You Grow Carrots?

You can sow the carrot seeds from March to August because it’s a good time to receive enough sunlight and moisture from rain water. In case you want to grow carrots in the winter, you can plant them in the greenhouse.  Carrots can develop ideally in the fertile soil and a sunny location.  If the soil in your garden is stony or clay, you may need to plant short root carrot varieties such as Carson or Parmex.

 

How to Grow Carrots in Your Garden

If you carry out the following steps, you can harvest your carrots as you expect.

  1. Remove any weeds from the soil before you sow the seeds.
  2. Use a stick to make rows of 1 cm in depth and leave 30 cm for each row.
  3. Sow your carrot seeds thinly along the row to make sure that every single seed can receive enough nutrients, light, and moisture.
  4. Pull the soil at the edges of the row back to cover your carrot seeds.
  5. Water the area.

 

how to grow carrots

 

 

How to Take Care of Carrots

  • Water at least once a week
  • Make sure the soil is draining well.
  • If plants are taller than 3 inches, cut the top.
  • After 1.5 months, fertilize the carrots
  • Always eliminate weeds around the area where the carrot is growing

 

How to get rid of pest from carrots

  • Carrot rust fly and carrot weevils: The eggs of these insects can impede the growth of your carrots. They also take nutrients from your plants. One effective way to eliminate these eggs is to change the locations of your plants each year.  Or, you can grow them under row covers.
  • Footed Pests: Lots of animals want to eat the leaves of carrots, while the others tend to dig deeper to try the roots. The thumb rule to get rid of the pests is to keep them away from the growing area.  In this case, building a fence surrounding your plants is the best way.
  • Diseases: Some bacteria cause carrots to yellow, soft rot, leaf blight, and so on. You need to remove all the diseased carrots or change to a new location the next season.

 

Harvest carrots

Once you learn how to grow carrots, you can harvest them within 50-75 days.  However, read the harvest guide on the seed package.  Remember that carrots will get their full sweetness when they are mature.

 

 

How to Grow Carrots

 

You can dig the carrots before the first frost by softening the soil. Simply water the growing area.  Afterwards, you can pull the carrots up.  Enjoy the great feeling of eating your carrots with tomatoes as a salsa or cook them in your favorite recipes.

We hope you have found our tips on how to grow carrots useful. So, purchase a pack of carrots and start planting.  You will be excited about watching your carrots grow and you will enjoy eating fresh and cooked carrots.  If you have questions or just want to share your tips, please leave a comment.

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Author Bio

Richard Clayton

Richard Clayton of My Greenery Life.  It’s a place, where we can discuss everything about lawn care, DIY gardening and critter control topics.

Filed Under: Nature-Gardening, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , ,

Organic Gardening 101: Making the Most Out of Your Backyard

May 14, 2017 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on organic gardening 101. So, you decided to do your own backyard vegetable gardening.  You want to have your own garden, grow your own produce and go organic. However, you believe organic gardening is difficult. Let me tell you, organic gardening is work, but knowing that your family is eating healthy is worth it.  

Having pesticide-free food and knowing that your pets are playing in a yard that is free of toxins give you peace of mind.  Chemical solutions are there to help ease gardening, but they harm your produce and also make the soil chemical-dependent. Organic gardening will take some time, and more effort, but the results will be invaluable.

 

 

 

 

Organic Gardening 101:  

 

Check the soil

Not all soil is the same. There are times when the soil is already filled with certain minerals or slightly acidic. These situations won’t allow for a good harvest.  The best way to prepare your soil is to take a sample of your soil and send it to your local horticultural laboratory. They will send back a report with the analysis results.  It will contain the pH value and advise which actions could be taken to improve the quality of your soil.

 

Which plants to choose

There are quite a lot of options to choose from, and in the end, it all depends on the purpose of your garden.

●     Making your own produce – choosing to feed yourself and your family can be quite a feat. Don’t be discouraged if you are unsuccessful the first time.  For a beginner, it is important to choose plants that are not demanding.  For example, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce are easy to grow. Start small and expand as you get more experienced.  

 

How to plant

It is wise to choose the location of your crops based on the sunlight in your garden. Mark the areas where each plant should go, and be sure to not overcrowd your garden.  Also, be sure to leave enough space for air to circulate freely.  As a result, this lessens the odds of fungi growing. Furthermore, the plants won’t over shade each other, risking crop failure.

 

Organic pesticides

Chemical pesticides are proven to be harmful to people. They are highly effective at protecting the crops, but at what cost? The chemicals the plant absorbs can affect their texture and taste.  Most importantly, pesticides cannot be washed off. Choosing organic, home-made alternatives can more just as effective. One organic and consumable pesticide is Lemongrass.  Lemongrass not only repels certain plant-eating insects, but it also works against mosquitoes.  Furthermore, it doubles as a seasoning and tea herb for human consumption.  Also, ladybugs or praying mantises naturally hunt the pests you have overrunning the garden.

 

Fertilizing and watering

Even if you choose low-maintenance plants, you will need to regularly water and “feed” them. You can never be too careful when watering.  Water at the base of the plant to avoid damage. When it comes to fertilizer, the best compost is the one you make yourself. Designate a place in your garden for a compost bin.  Mix organic waste, soil, water and open air to create the perfect balance of carbon and nitrogen enriched compost.

 

 

 

 

 

Weeds 

Weeds are a pest as much as insects. Its seeds make it almost impossible to root out, especially if you decide to go herbicide-free. And, if not controlled as quickly as possible, they tend to spread out and take over the entire garden. There are several ways in which you can suppress the growth and spread of weeds.  All include using your own two hands, some strength and some mulch. Placing mulch around plants will help reduce weeds. And when it comes to mulch, you have a few choices:

●     Wood chips – unless you have personal access to the source, these can get pricey
●     Burlap
●     Straw – a short – term, but cheap solution
●     Lawn clippings – high in nitrogen, so they should be used only near plants that need them

 

 

 


 

Finally, the food tastes better when it’s brought to the table by your own two hands. Organic gardening provides a good alternative to farmer’s markets.  However, it requires patience and dedication. Make this project easier, by sharing experiences with other gardeners.  Connect with other gardeners on-line, join online forums, and include your friends and family.  

 

About the Author:  Victoria Lim is a journalist, freelance stylist and a girl with a distinctive taste for home decor. She’s quite passionate about writing, sharing tips and DIY projects.

Filed Under: Nature-Gardening, Vegetable Garden

Gardening Options When Space Is Limited

April 21, 2017 by 1 Comment

The dream for most of us is a huge, rolling garden that sprawls as far as the eye can see.  It’s  just waiting for us to fill it with projects, flowers, and vegetables.  But reality sets in, and for most of us that’s not quite how it works out.   Backyard vegetable gardening is a dream for many home owners and renters, but a lack of space is a big deterrent.   However, on the hand a huge garden comes with  a huge price.  It takes time and energy to maintain a garden. 

Having a large garden might be something you can work towards in the future.  Deciding where you want to garden, increasing your knowledge of gardening, and learning to utilize the space you have to work in should be factors.

 

 

 

garden options

 

 

Backyard vegetable gardening might be a total restriction on outdoor space if you’re living in an apartment.  Or you may have a garden, but it’s too small for all of the innovations that you want to try. So what can you do? Give up the green thumb dream until you can move somewhere with the space you need?  Of course not.  Where there’s a desire to care for plants and grow things, there is always a way!

Option 1: Indoor Gardening

Gardening and the outdoors tend to be synonymous with one another.  After all, plants need the sun to grow.  So, you’re not going to have much luck growing them in your living room unless you get lots of light.

Furthermore, you can grow indoors with the help of LumiGrowth.  It mimics the sun’s rays.  It will need to be set up, and it takes some adjustment, but the benefits are great. Not only do you not have to compromise on outdoor space, but you also have the option of growing what you want.  If you fancy growing strawberries just in time for Christmas, then with careful practice, that’s genuinely something you can do.

There’s plenty of resources to help get you started if the idea is appealing. You can find which plants work best when grown indoors and the various methods of caring for them with just a few clicks.

 

Option 2: Vertical Gardening

If you don’t have space in terms of length and width of your outdoor space, then make the most of the space you do have.  However, vertical gardening has no limits. Except beyond what you can comfortably reach.

 

 


 

 

The best way to grow vertically is with stacked plants and/or stacked beds.  Not only is this an effective method of outdoor gardening, but it’s also a great way to save on water – as watering the top layer will eventually trickle down to the layers below.

 

vertical gardening

 

Option 3: Growing In Pots

For most seasoned gardeners, pots are the beginning of growth.  However, the eventual goal is to plant into beds, the ground or raised beds. But you can grow some vegetables successfully in pots.  For example: sweetcorn responds well to pot growing. Just ensure that as your plants grow you stake them.  Depending on what you are growing, if not stalked, the plant may spread.

 

Check out my flower gardening tips before you leave.

 

 

Filed Under: Flower Gardens, Nature-Gardening, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , ,

Backyard Gardening With Kids Tips

March 17, 2017 by

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on gardening with kids and why it is important.  Gardening is a great way to introduce them to nature.  It’s also a great way to give them a life skill; growing their own food.  Gardening can be done in small spaces, vertical, in raised bed, containers and on plots.  I suggest containers/pots for the kids, especially if you’re just starting to garden with them. 

 

 

gardening with kids

 

 

 

Gardening With Kids Tips:  

 

Start with simple tasks with your kids or grandkids.  When kids are excited about something, they look forward to the event or activity.  First, get them excited about gardening:  

Garden Boots – I purchased a pair of Lighting McQueen rain boots for my grandson and he loved to wear them when he was watering my vegetable garden.
Purchase a Watering Can – They make adorable watering cans specifically for children.  They’re easy for them to grip and pour the water.
Gardening Gloves – Covering their hands while digging in dirt is a good idea.  I’m a Master Gardener, and I wear them regularly.
Small Pots/Containers – Give them pots and containers that they can relate to.  Giving a child a 10 gallon flower pot can be overwhelming.  This can apply to raised beds and garden plots too.  

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

I think it’s important for children to understand the land and how to grow your own food.  We never know where the economy will take us, so we need to teach our children how to survive.  Furthermore, we need to teach them how to save where they can.

 

 

gardening with kids

 

 

So, here’s additional tips on how gardening with kids provides benefits:

 

  • They learn how to plant flowers and vegetables.
  • Children learn about nature when gardening.
  • Children learn how food is grown.
  • They learn how to nurture the food that their family will eat.
  • Harvesting vegetables for the family gives them a feeling of importance.
  • The learn about flowers and their beauty as well as purpose.
  • Gardening allows them to watch the birds, rabbits, squirrels and more.

 

 

 

gardening with kids

 

 

 

Another fun activity with kids is picking berries.  If you don’t have a patch in your backyard, plant one.  Until than check out your local farmer’s market.  I suggest an early morning trip to the strawberry fields, it can get hot quickly in the wide open fields.  My grandson loved picking strawberries.  He knew that I was going to turn those red berries into strawberry jam.  Besides jam, we also used the berries for ice cream and funnel cake toppings.  Fresh berries are so good!

 

I hope my tips on gardening with kids has motivated you to spend some time in the backyard with you kids or grandchildren during a small garden project this summer.  Planting carrots, flowers or a pizza garden are great ways to get your children involved.  

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Projects for Kids, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , ,

9 Tips to Increase Your Vegetable Garden Production

January 19, 2017 by 2 Comments

Backyard vegetable gardening is an ancient practice that has survived centuries.  Vegetable gardens allow you to eat homegrown crops all year round.  As promising as this may seem, it is unfortunate that many vegetable gardens do not really reach their full potential. The size of your garden may seem limiting, but there are ways to improve its production.

 

 

how to increase vegetable garden production

 

 

Here are 9 tips to increase your backyard vegetable garden’s production:

 

A Closer Look at Your Growing Medium

This may seem a bit cliché but it doesn’t reduce its importance. Your garden soil is basically the environment your vegetables would sit in. With this in mind, any improvement – directly or indirectly – on the soil would have an effect on your backyard vegetable gardening production. Get the soil tested by your local agricultural agency.   Add fertilizers and lime as well as synthetic and organic nutrients if needed.

 

backyard vegetable gardens

 

Use of Quality Seeds and Seedlings

While the soil may be the environment the vegetables will sit in, the quality of the seed or seedlings would determine the level of production. You cannot invest in poor quality seeds and expect a good production.  Investing in improved seeds and seedlings can help improve the general production of your vegetable garden.

 

Understand the Principle of Spacing

Most crops, if not all, have a required spacing. Plants attain different sizes when matured. The required spacing is one that would maximize the entire garden space and still allow for proper growth of the plant.

 

The shape of Your Beds

Another way to increase your vegetable garden’s production is to provide more space for your plants.  Raised beds, roll and square foot gardening are all effective methods for backyard vegetable gardening.

 

You May Need to Interplant

If you are working with limited space, you may want to interplant different crop types.  Educate yourself on compatible vegetables that can be planted together.

 

Understand Sunlight Direction and Requirements

Anyone who owns a backyard vegetable garden knows the effect of sunlight on plants.  It is usually advisable to locate gardens in the south facing part of the house. This allows the garden get optimum sunlight as the sun travels from east to west. By increasing the amount of sunlight reaching the plants, your will get a better harvest. Get an idea of the sunlight requirements of the vegetables you are planting.  From there position the garden in a way that gives it better access to sunlight.

 

garden pests

 

Controlling Pests

When it comes to crops or a vegetable garden, nothing is more of a nuisance than pests. Prevention of pests infiltrating your garden should be considered as well has how you can prevent it.

 

Weeding Properly

Just like pests, weeds can become a nuisance to your vegetable garden if left unattended. Weeds compete with crops for nutrients and space. Manually remove any weeds.  You can also use organic methods to prevent weeds.

 

Mulch It All Up

Mulching provides a protective layer to the top soil. Depending on the mulching material used, mulching can also add nutrients to your soil. Additional nutrients to the soil would help increase production. While they both have their advantages, it is best to use organic mulching materials over non-organic materials.

So, you know how to increase vegetable garden production.  A bigger harvest will allow you to enjoy fresh produce during the winter months.

 

About the Author:  James G. Craig is a gardening enthusiast who splits his spare time between growing vegetables, preening his flower gardens, and blogging about his experiences at the Gardener Corner.

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How to Prepare Your Soil for Next Year’s Garden

September 27, 2016 by 2 Comments

Backyard vegetable gardening requires gardeners to  prepare for next year’s crops, literally starting from the ground up.  The growing season may be coming to an end, but your job as a gardener is far from over.   Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on how important garden soil preparation is. We are all aware that a plant’s success begins with the quality of the soil in which it is planted.

 

 

 

garden soil preparation

 

 

Follow these self-sustaining methods to ensure a healthier garden next year:   

Tidy Things Up

Clear out dying plant, pesky weeds, and other debris. Uproot vegetables to rid the soil of lingering insects that might be nesting in them. Often times they will lay their eggs in the vines on the surface. If left to rot, the eggs can easily survive through winter and cause issues upon hatching in spring. For composting, it’s okay to save some plants and twigs as long as you’re confident they aren’t hosting any diseases. They make great additions to your compost heap and pass on nutrients to future crops. 

Consider Planting a Cover Crop

If you’re like most gardeners, you might long for fresh dirt under your fingernails and a spade in hand. Instead of daydreaming about the first buds of spring, why not create your own hardy winter garden? Be sure to choose plants that root themselves deeply such as Crimson Clover or Winter Rye. Once spring arrives, it’s important to cut these plants short and incorporate them into the soil to halt growth. Allow approximately three weeks for your winter garden to decompose before planting new crops.  

 


 

Add Plenty of Nutrients

Whether your soil will be vacant for the time being or not, it still requires a bit of care. Look to your compost heap, or even freshly fallen leaves, for all your soil prepping needs. Be sure to dig deep when mixing compost into raised beds for optimal decomposing. Don’t have any compost? No need to fret! Head over to your local supermarket or hardware store to purchase natural fertilizers and/or manure. If you’re in a time crunch consider ordering online from reputable sources, like Nature Safe, for your garden needs. Top off your soil with store-bought mulch or make your own with shredded dry leaves.  

By following these steps, you’re well on your way to starting next year’s garden on the right foot.  Garden soil preparation is key.  So, begin these projects immediately after your final harvest for the best results. Thank yourself for it later when you’re reaping the benefits in spring.

About the writer: Emma is a freelance writer currently living in Boston, MA. She writes most often on education and business. To see more from Emma, say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2

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Gardening Accessories You’ll Need This Fall

August 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Die-hard gardeners know that a good pair of galoshes can turn a rainy day into a productive one in the backyard vegetable garden. However, do not overlook any of the other gardening accessories that can make your yard work easier too. These accessories will come in handy whether you’re harvesting, weeding, planting or cleaning up this fall. We have a few tips below.  

 

 

gardening, fall gardening, gardening

 

 

 Knee Protection
If you suffer with knee pain and standard strap-on knee pads make you uncomfortable and sweaty, try a garden kneeler wave pad instead. This foam-constructed pad not only cushions your knees, but protects them from sharp and rough elements as well.  When you’re not gardening, use it around the house while cleaning.
Tool Organizers
When working in the yard, a garden caddy can keep you from stretching and reaching for tools that you use as you go. Plus, it saves time because you won’t have to try to find tools that were placed in the soil in between use. When it is time to tidy up the yard at the end of the season, don’t overlook the importance of a tool storage rack to keep everything in place until the growing season begins again. That way you won’t have to look for everything in the spring. Some racks even come with casters to allow for easy mobility. Make sure the rack you use has a grid bottom. This allows for air circulation and reduces the probability of rusty tools.


A Gardening Apron with Pockets
Even if dirt on your clothes doesn’t bother you or you use a bucket caddy for tools, a gardening apron with pockets comes in handy. The storage pouches work well for harvesting vegetables or fruit, leaving your hands free for other tasks. Additionally, you’ll save time on doing laundry by protecting your clothing, even if you wear separate gardening apparel.
Adjustable Hoes
Whether you use scuffle, draw, push or chopping hoes, your body will benefit from the adjustable kind. Longer hoes cause less back pain, but don’t work too well with raised beds. Adjustable hoes provide the best of both worlds. Plus, every family member can regulate the length of each for their comfort.
Fall is the ideal time to pick up gardening accessories. That’s when many Central Farm and Garden stores have end-of-season sales. Even stores in zones with longer growing seasons lower prices during the cooler months to make room for new inventory. Not only are these accessories beneficial in the fall, they will all benefit garden endeavors during the rest of the year as well.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.

You may also like:  Container Gardening Is the New Black

Filed Under: Flower Gardens, Nature-Gardening, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , ,

Haus & Garten Titanium Garden Shears Review

June 21, 2016 by 2 Comments

Note: This website contains endorsements for products and services, which means when you click on a link that we recommend, we may receive a commission to help pay for the maintenance of this blog.  However, not every link is an affiliate link.  I am a member of the Amazon Affiliate program.  However, there will be additional expense to my readers.

I was given the opportunity to review the Titanium Pruning Shears by Haus & Garten. In return I was given a pair of the garden shears to use in my backyard vegetable garden.  However, all opinions are my own.  When you’re a gardener, having a quality pair of garden shears is imperative.

 

gardening, garden shears, garden pruners

 

 

I used them in my shrubbery beds, my vegetable garden, and trimming flowers on my deck.  First, I pruned a Nadina in my shrubbery bed, and it was like slicing butter.  Afterwards, I trimmed a few overhanding branches from my Dogwood Tree, and it was easy as 123.  Effortless would be the word I would use.

I headed around back to my deck and trimmed a few of my geraniums.  The job was quick and easy.  The cut on the plant was perfect.  These shears were going to be my go to for cutting back plants and removing vegetables in the garden.

Unfortunately, my vegetable garden wasn’t producing vegetable yet, but I was able to remove lower branches from tomato and pepper plants.  I have no doubt that the shears will easily remove my peppers, squash, zucchini and tomatoes from the plants without issues.

Quality material is evident in the shears.  They are heavy, but not a distraction. I have carpal tunnel, so the design and comfort of the shears is important to me. Ergonomically designed shears are a must for any gardener really.  These shears are definitely a pro, and the feel great in your hands.  The blades are thick and strong.  So, you will be able to perform most gardening tasks with these shears. They are easy to grasp and position on plants, flowers and small limbs. Little effort is needed to complete the task.

 

garden, garden shears reviews,

 

It is my opinion that these shears will withstand many gardening seasons. Compared to other shears that I own, these are superior. They are actually shameful in comparison. I’m looking forward to using them this fall when I cut back my woody shrubs hard.

I recommend these shears for the home gardener.  They will also make a great gift for the gardener in your life.  Click on the link and head over and check them out.

 

Filed Under: Flower Gardens, Nature-Gardening, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , , ,

Top Vegetables for Outdoor Gardens

June 20, 2016 by 2 Comments

Backyard Vegetable Gardens can provide healthy rewards for you and your family.  Have you thought about growing vegetables in your outdoor garden this summer?   In this post you will find a list of the best vegetables for outdoor gardens.  Not only will you find tips on the best vegetables to grow in your garden, we also offer advice on important garden maintenance tasks.  

vegetables for outdoor gardens

 

 

1) First, beans, broccoli, sprouts and cabbages are some of the easiest and best vegetables for outdoor gardens.  These will grow great even in a small outdoor garden. They  offer a long list of advantages and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Not to mention the aesthetic advantage that these low-growing veggies offer. They cover the pots or the area in your garden with a green texture that will become one of your most favorite garden corners.

2) Cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, sweet corn and potatoes – don’t forget the most important vegetables that every gardener should have. Or at least some of them. These plants require just basic care and some are suitable for almost a year-round harvest if you have a greenhouse.

3) Next, carrots, beetroot, onions and herbs – these small yet delicious plants are perfect vegetables for your outdoor garden.  They can even be grown in pots.  Choose these plants if you prefer green colors or if you want to harvest some good-quality veggies in the autumn. These edibles grow underground and are more resistant to the climate conditions, so you can start the season with planting these about a month before the last frost in the springtime.

You could use these few tips for growing vegetables too:

– Make a gardening schedule.  The schedule should include the dates for sowing and starting seeds, the dates for planting directly outdoors and the expected harvesting periods. Do this for every different veggie in your garden. Don’t forget to include other important dates and tasks in your schedule.  For instance, the expected first and last frosts for the year.  The preferred datefor great garden maintenance services. The frequency of watering during the hottest months, the dates for weed control, etc.

– Choose the harvest periods, which will help organize the sowing and select the right dates for it. If you pick the right moment, you can get the advantage of a double-season harvest for some fast-growing edibles.

– Always try to plant good-quality seeds if you want to get the best harvest. Contact the gardening experts in your region to discuss the details and to get help with the selection of the best seeds.   The experts can also assess the specific conditions of your garden and give you indispensable advice for your specific case.

– Consider the regional and climatic factors.  The location plays a major role in all the activities in your veggie garden. Some plants prefer slopping terrains, while others – only a certain type of soil.  Other veggies prefer terrains with a southern (usually warmer) exposure, while others grow better in shaded terrains.

– Finally, make different combinations of vegetables to take full advantage of their individual benefits. When sowed in a combination, some plants absorb only certain types of nutrients from the soil.  And, leaves the other nutrients at the disposal of the other veggies. Other plants grow high and have a large leaf structure, which provides the important shaded conditions for some low-growing veggies.  Other combinations of veggies give just aesthetic advantages, but are very effective too. Choose wisely and make sure you give your plants the proper garden care they need at every stage of their growth.

Bio: Ella Andrews is a content writer. She has a passion for home maintenance, healthy living and gardening  projects. She is presently focused on writing and enjoying every opportunity to share tips and advice with her readers.

 

 

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How To Control Backyard Garden Pests

June 2, 2016 by 1 Comment

Gardening is one of the best remedies for the mind. There are many benefits attached to it like enjoying outdoors, getting some physical activity, and growing nutritious fruits and vegetables.  Unfortunately, there’s a few downsides to backyard vegetable gardening.  How to Control Garden Pests is major issue in gardens.  We’re going to share a few tips today on how you can take preventive measure on controlling them.  And, how to fight them when you encounter them in your garden.

 

 

garden pests

 

One of the important aspects of maintaining a garden is to nourish and protect your plants. It is also natural for gardeners to use pesticides to protect their plants from pest attack. Most of the pesticides have harmful chemicals, and it affects your health and the environment as well.  Find preventive pest control methods that will keep your plants healthy. You have to put in some extra efforts to follow them, but in the end, it will all be worth it.

 


 

 

  • Organic gardeners recommend natural pesticides like soaps, vinegar, neem oil, and row covers.  Chemical pesticides can protect plants, but the majority of the garden has vegetables that are edible. Plants inherit these chemicals.  Consuming the chemicals can become dangerous. Dust and pyrethrum solution extracted from daisy flowers are good natural pesticides. By spraying the solution from time to time, plants are protected from insects, such as flies, fleas, ants, and aphids.
  • If you see any bacterial and pest infestation, you must act on it immediately to prevent it from spreading. Cut off infected part of the plants and throw away the damaged fruits or vegetables. Do not add them to the compost heap. Regularly check your garden for pests and don’t forget to look under the leaves as well.
  • Heat will dry plants and kill them quickly. So build a greenhouse to protect your plants from the harmful radiations.  Cold weather also hinders the growth of plants.
  • Next, apart from shade and shelter, mulch can protect your plants to a great extent. It also reduces general garden maintenance activity, retains water, decreases evaporation and encourages vigorous growth of plants. Do some research and find out about mulch variations that can be used in all temperature conditions.
  • Drinking water in the morning has many health benefits for humans. Same applies to plants. Watering early in the morning ensures that the roots are hydrated enough to bear the heat of the day. This is the only way to protect plants from sunburn. Sometimes a second watering is also a good idea if once wasn’t sufficient.
  • If you’re late at planting seeds, or you live in a place where it is warm throughout the year, plant the seeds deeper. Warm temperature and direct sunlight can dehydrate the top soil quickly. So by planting seed an extra inch or two deeper will prevent the root systems from drying.

 

 

garden pests

 

Last, you cannot entirely protect your garden from changing weather conditions, pests, and plant diseases. But, as a gardener, you have to experiment with gardening protecting tactics so that you can find out the one that is suitable for your garden.

 

 

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