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10 Tips for Successful Rose Planting
Planting roses isn't actually complicated, as long as you have some good advice and tips to start with... 1. Check with your local gardening center or florist for the best...read more on organic gardening
A Garden Pond With Goldfish
Goldfish ponds are a beautiful addition to any garden and a stunning focal point. Goldfish ponds have been admired in Asia for centuries, especially in China and Japan....read more on organic gardening
Make the Most from Your Vegetable Garden
Make the Most from Your Vegetable Garden All your hard work has paid off, and now you are presented with a dilemma, too many vegetables! After sharing your wealth with...read more on organic gardening
Interior Decorating Themes
There are a variety of decorating themes from formal to informal
and everything in between. Which one best describes your
decorating style?
Formal Traditional...read more on organic gardening
Caring for And Planting a Balled in Burlap Christmas Tree
You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be...read more on organic gardening
Growing and Caring for Rhododendrons and Azaleas
You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be...read more on organic gardening
Using Hydrogen Peroxide in your Hydroponics Gardening System
There are no doubts about the benefits of using hydrogen peroxide properly in a hydroponics system. This becomes especially true if your nutrient reservoir...read more on organic gardening
How to Grow Red Oak Trees Near Doylestown Pa
This article is designed for gardeners living near Doylestown Pa.
Planting Red Oak Trees Red Oak Trees. Whenever I think of Red
Oak Trees, I remember hunting when I...read more on organic gardening
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Unfortunately, weed seeds are very quick to germinate. In fact,
weed seeds only need to be within an inch of the soil surface to
sprout. It doesn't take long before they appear, and they will
rudely elbow their way in beside plants and shrubs. Though some
weeds can be fairly attractive, you should quickly rid your
garden of them, as they will take over.
Many weed seeds are brought close to the soil's surface when we
dig in our gardens. It is recommended that after you do your
early spring digging that you wait a good week to ten days
before you sow any seeds or plant any flowers. This will allow
adequate time for weeds to sprout--and for you to hoe them up so
they dry out and die. You should hoe your soil during this
waiting period at least every three days, and only hoe the top
soil-- no deeper than one inch. This leaves the lower soil
undisturbed, which keeps new weed seeds from rising to the
surface.
Many new gardeners fail to realize the importance of mulch, and
how it can greatly impede the growth of weeds. Mulch serves many
purposes. Not only is mulch attractive, but it also helps the
soil retain moisture, it keeps garden soil temperatures fairly
stabilized, and it also keeps sun seeking weed sprouts from
getting the much needed light they need. Mulch can be found in a
wide variety of materials. Mulches vary in price range,
attraction, and practicality. Organic mulches can include pine
needles, leaves, tree bark, peat moss, sawdust, wood chips, and
straw.
If you have planted seeds in your flower beds, you should wait
until they have sprouted and grown to at least three inches in
height before mulching. Mulching too soon will smother out the
seedlings you want to grow. Once your seedlings start maturing,
you can mulch your garden. Just be certain to water down the
mulch so that it settles into the bed. This keeps the mulch from
blowing over, or being kicked onto, your new seedlings.
Many gardeners prefer to lay out their flower beds using weed
resistant liners, or black plastic. These sheets can be staked
to the ground with nails. Gardeners then proceed to cover the
liners and fill the beds with mulch. When planting time arrives,
they will dig through the mulch, cut holes in the liner, or
plastic, and plant their flowers and shrubs where they like.
There are a few gardeners who do not like to use mulch at all.
These gardeners work hard to keep weeds out of their gardens by
cultivating the soil on a frequent basis. This hoeing of the top
soil keeps weed seedlings from taking root, as they dry out once
they are dislodged from the soil. Large weeds should be
completely removed from the garden and discarded, as they can
re-root if left in the garden area.
Chemicals--or herbicides--can also be used for weed control.
Most chemicals that are used are for controlling lawn weeds.
However, they can be used in flower beds. Pre-emergents are used
in the spring to prevent weeds, such as crabgrass, from taking
root. Post-emergents are used on weeds that have already
germinated and taken root.
Pre-emergent chemicals work well on existing beds if you find
that weeds are peeking through. It is important that you don't
use pre-emergent chemicals in your flower beds until the
existing plants and flowers have matured to at least four to
five inches in height. You would never apply a pre-emergent to a
flower bed that has tiny seedlings growing in it. You will want
to wait until your seedlings have matured to at least four
inches before you apply the pre-emergent to weeds. When applying
herbicides, be mindful of weather conditions. The slightest
breeze can carry the chemicals onto your hearty plants and
flowers and kill them. When spraying weeds, always keep the
nozzle close to the ground and spray directly onto the weed.
When using any kind of chemical, you should always proceed with
caution. Most poisons occur to gardeners during the mixing
process. Splashes to the eyes and skin can be avoided by wearing
protective eye goggles, rubber gloves and long sleeves. You
should follow all directions on the herbicide label and never
make your own concoction of chemicals. Doing so can harm you,
and your plants. All herbicides have been scientifically
calculated for its most effective use. As always, you should
store all chemicals out of the reach of children and in their
original containers.
The key to weed control is staying ahead of them. A garden that
is neglected, even for a couple of weeks, can quickly be overrun
with weeds. A little weeding here and there is better than a
full weekend's worth of work.
About the author:
Author Ian White specializes in helping people who are
interested in finding a house sitter in their town. To find out
about these services, visit http://www.housecarers.com today.
This is a free service for homeowners. Find like-minded gardeners to
care for your home, pets, and gardeners for Free while you are
away
Written by:
Ian White
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