When using these tips, you will want to check with your local garden center or Agriculture Agent. These tips will not harm your plants or trees. But using them in the wrong amounts can lead to unwanted results. So when using these tips the right way will enable your plants, trees, and shrubs to thrive provide you with lots of fun and enjoyment. Remember when its hot don't do anything in the garden. This will stress you plants more than waiting when its cool early in the morning and evening.
=====================================================


One of the best things you can do two to four weeks before planting is to compost your garden. This will give it time to let nutrients start seeping into the soil.

When planting in a new bed of soil, you really need to either till or disc up the ground to break it up good. This will put more air into the soil and let roots grow faster than in compacted soil.

After mixing in compost and/or fertilizer the soil needs to soaked well with water several times. This will start the compost and/or fertilizer working on the soil to release the nutrients into the soil.

The best way to prevent pests from damaging your plants is with healthy soil. This will encourage the plants to strong and fast. These plants will be able to resist the damage caused by pests and disease.

Using organic fertilizers are the best to use on vegetable gardens. These types of fertilizers don't leave chemical residues in the soil. Which plants and grass can soak up.

One way to minimize watering trees is to plant a plastic pipe in the ground around the trees about a foot deep. I use 4" pvc sewer pipe. This already has holes drilled into the pipe. This will let the water seep into the ground at different levels. This will also keep evaporation down to a minimum and gets the water to the roots of the trees.

One of the worst things to do in the winter months is not to water trees, lawn, and annual plants. These need water year around. This will keep the soil moist and nutrients loose so roots can get to them.

You can soak finished compost in water, this will make a "tea". This "tea" will be rich in nutrients that can be readily soaked up by plants and trees. This will give your plants and trees a kick start to the growing season.

Some specialty plants need warmer climates to do well. If you live in a cooler climates you might have to shelter these plants. Putting these plants by walls can act as a solar panel. These walls can soak up heat during the day and release this heat in the night which might be enough to get them through the night.

When watering container plants, if outdoors these usually need to be watered everyday. Because it has limited space in which to hold moisture.

When transplanting plants or trees, be sure to water the hole well before putting the plants in the soil. This will add additional moisture in the soil and reduces the stress on the plants. Also you might put some coffee grounds in the hole to add nutrients for the plants.

To keep pest away from plants you can use eggshells. Just break them up into small pieces and deposit them around the plants. Be sure to wash the eggshells with soap and warm water before breaking them. This will remove the film inside the shells. Making the shells easier to break into smaller pieces.

When planting seeds. The best way is to start them is in small containers then after they mature, you can transplant them into the garden.

When the seeds are first planted you will have to keep the soil moist at all times. Be sure to monitor the seeds once or twice a day. When the seeds sprout and break the top of the soil, you will need to keep the roots moist. Never pour water into a container plants. This will compact the soil and could wash soil off of the shallow roots.

When planting seeds in potting soil, be sure to check the soil regularly because this type of soil is lightweight and will dry out quickly.

When planting in clay soil make sure the soil doesn't get to hot. Clay will absorb heat of direct sunlight. Also clay will hold moisture for a long time. Be sure not to over water when using clay soil.
The best way to check the moisture is with your fingers or you can get a good moisture detector.

Use a trellis when planting vining plants. This will save space and your back from bending over and digging through the plants to find the vegetables. Vining vegetables are squash, melons, cucumbers, cantelopes, and egg plants to name a few. You can train these vining plants to run the trellis and this will make finding the vegetables.

I like to run my vines on netting, this makes it easy to reach through the net and pick the vegetables.

Watering your plants early in the morning or late in the evening. This will help in saving water. When watering in the heat of the day will cause more evaporation to occur.

Be very careful when using pesticides in the garden or lawn. Because these pesticides will be absorbed into the plants. When using these pesticides make sure to read the label and make sure they are safe for use on plants that produce edible fruit or vegetables. Some pesticides can accumulate in the soil making them more toxic after several uses. The pesticides can leech into the drinking water also.

When choosing plants and trees for your property, be sure to pick ones that grow well in your climate. You can grow other plants and trees, but remember that they will take more care to get and keep them healthy.

Do not use garden soil as a potting soil in containers. These soils have different quality and texture. Garden soil may not drain properly when used in containers. Some types of garden soils can contain seeds of weeds, diseases, and insects in them.

When planting your plants keep in mind that some plants don't like all day sunlight. If this is the case then you might want to consider in planting them where there will be partial shade.

Most plants like morning sun rather than evening sun. They say that the morning sun is more beneficial to growing plants and trees.

A good rule of thumb in transplanting plants. Wait until there are at least two pairs of leaves on the plant. Then either plant in a larger container or in the ground. Take plants outdoors for a few hours each day (at least three to four days) to let them get used to being outside before transplanting.
(Never pull on stems of plants to remove them from containers. If possible squeeze the container and work the soil loose from the sides of the container. If not you will either have to cut or break the container.

Use a good organic mulch or compost to top dress your soil around the plants. This will reduce dehydration of plants and return nutrients into the soil.

Never use more than 50% amendments in your soil. A good rule of thumb is about 20% to 30% admendment. This will keep the nutrients flowing and keep soil from losing moisture.

If you live in colder climates they say not to fertilize or compost in the winter months. This is not the case in West Texas. With a few precautions you can usually grow year around.

When using pesticides be very careful not to use any that will harm beneficial insects. Such as ladybugs, spiders, praying mantis, red worms (night crawlers), and other insects. These types of insects are very beneficial to your plants. They will keep the pests away while not harming your
plants.

When planting seeds in the garden. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on them after they break the surface. Then start gently to remove over planting. This will give the additional space needed for the other plants to grow healthy and strong.

You can control mildew by spraying a mixture of 1 part milk and 9 parts water. Spray the leaves with this mixture.

Watch your leaves on plants and trees. If these aren't getting enough water they will start shedding leaves. This is a sure sign that you need to water them more. Or find out why they aren't getting enought water or what is stressing the plants or trees.

When starting seeds in containers, you don't have to go buy expensive containers. You can use almost anything that will hold soil and your seed. You can use milk cartons, disposable coffee cups, ketchup bottles, and so much more. Just make sure there are holes in the bottom of the container for excess water to drain.

Compost is not a fertilizer but it does have nutrients beneficial to plant growth. It will put organic matter in the soil which will hold moisture and nutrients into the soil.

You can use coffee grounds and tea bags to make a mulch around acid loving plants. This will also prevent weeds from coming up around your plants. When you have a longer growing season like in West Texas you will have to keep mulching throughout the year. This mulch will dry out and loose its ability to protect properly. You can also use newpapers in preventing weeds from growing. Be sure to find out if the ink in the newpapers are made out of organic minerals. (Don't use paper that has protective coatings or magazines.)

When starting seeds and growing plants in a greenhouse, you need to keep your greenhouse as clean as your home. Be sure to clean all containers before using. Use soapy water and disinfectant in your containers. Let stand for at least 24 hours befor using. Using contaminated containers will invite disease and weak plants. Which will result in less than satisfactory results.


Happy Gardening
Jesse Auburg  Online Marketing  Entrepreneur
Jesse’s Carpentry  Tips 
Jesse’s Online Computer Services