What could be more rewarding than
a yard packed with bright, beautiful blooms for months at a time?
Enjoy the pleasure of growing great-looking, healthy flowers without
resorting to synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. The key aspects
of organic flower gardening include:
- Matching the plants to your site
- Buying healthy plants
- Preparing the soil for good growth
- Keeping plants naturally problem-resistant
with proper mulching, watering, and fertilizing
- Using safe, effective pest and
disease controls
Follow these guidelines, and your
garden will be the envy of all your neighbors!
PICKING A SITE-
Successful flower gardening starts with picking the right plants
for your site. For a naturally healthy, great-looking garden, don't
try to grow plants in conditions they don't like. Sun-loving plants-
like bearded iris- will hardly grow or flower in a shady spot; while
a dry, sunny site can cause shade lovers- like impatiens- to wither
and die. Plants growing in the wrong place will be weak and much
more susceptible to pests and diseases. Choosing the site first,
then growing the plants that are best for those conditions can help
you avoid many disappointments.
BUYING HEALTHY PLANTS-
Plants and seeds are available from many sources: home centers,
garden centers, roadside stands, and even supermarkets. No matter
where you shop, look for plants that are compact and healthy.
Check for leaves that are medium-green
to deep green, a sign of good care. Inspect plants carefully for
any signs of insects or diseases, like damaged or discolored leaves
or stems. Weak, infested, or diseased plants are no bargain at any
price!
As you select your plants, don't forget
that they need to match the growing conditions you have available.
The label or display sign should tell you how much sun and what
type of soil and moisture the plant needs. If you're not sure what
conditions it requires, don't buy a plant just because it's pretty-if
it doesn't like your garden, it won't look pretty for long. Looking
up plants in books or asking knowledgeable salespeople will help
you buy the best adapted flowers for your site.
PREPARING THE SOIL-
Developing healthy soil is a critical part of growing naturally
healthy plants. Your soil will provide the vital water and nutrients
that your flowers need to thrive and bloom. Take a few minutes to
learn about your soil so you'll be able to correct any problems
before planting time.
When you're starting a new garden,
taking a soil test is one of the easiest ways to discover what your
soil is like. It will usually tell you the soil's pH (how acid or
alkaline it is) and if it is lacking any nutrients. This information
will help you decide if you need to add any fertilizers or amendments,
and how much. You can purchase soil test ing kits at your local
Cooperative Extension Service, or at many home or garden centers.
If you're in a hurry to start your
garden, or if you just don't want to "bother" with a soil test,
you can get away without it. But be cautious about applying fertilizer,
lime, or sulfur to untested soil , since you may be adding nutrients
your flowers don't need. Keep in mind that too much fertilizer can
be as bad as not enough!
When you're starting a new garden,
you'll need to remove whatever is currently growing there-usually
lawn grass or weeds. Skim off the sod with a spade. Dig out any
weeds, making sure you get their roots as well. Removing weeds carefully
at this stage will help minimize weed problems later on. Don't be
tempted to dig or till the sod or weeds into the bed-you'll create
real headaches! Many grasses and some weeds spread by creeping roots
that can sprout new plants. If you chop up these roots, your flower
bed will be full of new grass or weed shoots that will look awful
and possibly crowd out your flowers.
