Getting The Most Green From Your Garden

Gardening is an activity that almost anyone can do. However, some people have no idea where to start or get stuck with certain problems and issues. These tips are a great way to expand your knowledge and possibly, solve some issues that have been plaguing your techniques or your garden.

When using fertilizer, moderation can be the key to success. While it's true that using a fertilizer can enhance your garden's productivity, it's better to apply it sparingly. An overdose of fertilizer can cause excessive growth of the plant's foliage with stunted development of the fruit or vegetables thereby reducing your harvest.

<DIV style='float: left; width: 150px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;'><DIV style='background-color: #FFFFCC; color: #000000;'><small><font color='#FF0000'><b>TIP!</b></font> When buying plants, take a look at the roots. For the most part, healthy roots are white or light pink in color.</small></DIV></DIV>

To encourage new growth in plants that will add new branches and plenty of flowers, use your fingers to pinch off the tips of the plant just above the top of the unfurled leaves. This will make a stockier plant, but the technique develops more stems and buds that will make the plant bushier. Chrysanthemums are the perfect example of a plant that benefits greatly with bloom and keeps the plant bushy.

A great tip to consider when cleaning up after gardening is using a nail brush for your hands. This is a great tip because having the correct cleaning tools will ensure that you can get your hands looking great in no time.

When planting next season's vegetable garden, it is important to rotate some of the crops. For example, potatoes and tomatoes should be planted in a different spot because they are both prone to the same diseases. Keep your vegetable garden healthy and thriving by learning which crops need rotating and why.

<DIV style='float: right; width: 150px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;'><DIV style='background-color: #FFFFCC; color: #000000;'><small><font color='#FF0000'><b>TIP!</b></font> Make your own kneeling pad. Working on the ground can be very hard on your knees.</small></DIV></DIV>

For basic vegetable or flower gardening it is often not necessary to buy the most expensive gardening tools and accessories. Visiting discount stores will often allow you to find basic tools at a low price. You should also be on the lookout each spring for most local supermarkets to set up an aisle or display with gardening tools you can get for a good price,too.

If you want a patch of green in your garden, consider planting a ground cover instead of a lawn. Lawns require a lot of water and maintenance. On the other hand, a ground cover usually uses less water, and certain varieties discourage weeds from growing. Many varieties of ground cover have the green color comparable to a lawn. You can save time and money with a ground cover.

When you do gardening, make sure that you have a good pair of gardening gloves. Gardening is rough on your hands. Thorns and sharp branches can hurt your hands if they are not protected by gloves. Sometimes you cannot see what is in a bush when you stick your hand in there to prune. Wearing a pair of gardening gloves will make sure that your hands will not be injured.

Creating a great and healthy looking garden just requires a little bit of knowledge and a lot of work. The previously mentioned tips are just a small segment of the plentiful information that is available to you. By making a little extra effort and following these tips, you can make a big difference in your garden.