Gardening Services Guide

Archive for the ‘General Gardening Tips’ Category

To grow a bounty of beautiful tomatoes all you need to do is follow these simple tips. Tomato gardening is not difficult, but it does require some care and attention to get the plants started. While all tomato varieties have some strategies that work more effectively most tips – tomato gardening included, will work well with all varieties and types of gardens.

All the following tips, tomato gardening both indoors and outdoors, are effective and organic in nature to prevent any concerns with using herbicides or pesticides in the garden.

* Plant the tomatoes deep in the soil of the container or garden. Be sure that the roots are at least two to three inches deep in the soil. This is especially true if the tomato variety produces large size tomatoes. Shallow rooted tomato plants are more likely to require staking or will simply fall over when they start to bear fruit. Many of the best tips tomato gardening experts recommend are to bury the seedling at least to the bottom leaves.

* Plant tomatoes in moist soil and in direct to indirect sunlight. Keep the soil damp but not saturated with water. Watch for any signs of the leaves curling or appearing dry. If this happens immediately increase the amount of water being provided.

* Stake or place tomato cages around the plants prior to the tomatoes forming. This will support the weight of the plant and prevent any damage from the plants becoming uprooted. This is one of the most important tips. Tomato gardening requires some advanced planning to ensure that plants mature properly.

* Start with a good quality seed or tomato plant. Find out what varieties grow best in your area and stick with what works. Heirloom tomatoes are often a good option as they have natural immunity to many soil and plant insects and diseases that may occur in your area.

* Mulch around the tomato plant, even if it is in a container. Not only will mulching prevent weeds from going around the plant but it will also conserve moisture.

* Remove the bottom leaves from the tomato plant as they start to age. The brown spots on the bottom leaves are often the first signs of mold or fungus due to the moisture levels and lack of sunshine to these leaves.

These tips, tomato gardening techniques, and ideas for keeping your plants healthy will ensure that you have a wonderful harvest. For some interesting and conversation starting tomatoes try one of the new or heirloom varieties of yellow, orange or even purple tomatoes. The tips, tomato gardening advice and practical strategies will be the same for these various types of tomatoes as for the standard tomato varieties that gardeners love to grow.

A great way to relax after a hard days work is strolling through your garden admiring the beautiful plants and flowers. Sitting down to dinner and eating the fresh vegetables you grew will also bring a smile to your face. Gardening is an art that takes time to learn to be successful but is worth the time and effort you put into it. Gardeners are always anxious to learn new tips and ideas to make their gardening easier, faster or more productive so here are some questions and answers that should interest you.

Gardening Tips FAQ # 1 – Seeds

Q: What is the life expectancy of vegetable seeds?

A: If you place your vegetable seeds in an airtight, dry container with a silica gel pack to reduce any moisture and place them in your refrigerator, many can last up to five years. You can stores vegetable seeds such as broccoli, cabbage, tomato, radish, and sunflower seeds up to five years, carrots, pumpkin, peas, and spinach up to three years. Do not keep onion, spinach, parsnip and corn more than one year.

Gardening Tips FAQ # 2 – Bulbs

Q: When is the best time to plant bulbs?

A: It is best to plant bulbs that flower in the springtime, in the fall or late summer but this depends on your climate zone. For fall or summer flowering bulbs, plant these in the springtime.

Gardening Tips FAQ # 3 – Flowers

Q: Is there anything I can add to the soil to improve my roses performance?

A: Yes, use banana peels around the base of your rose bush just under the soil. It will slowly break down in the soil and add potassium, which roses love.

Gardening Tips FAQ # 4 – Tidying Up

Q: Can I cut the foliage after my spring or fall flowering bulbs finish blooming, as the plant looks unattractive in my garden?

A: No, you need to leave the foliage on until it turns yellow, as this is what feeds the bulb. It often takes several weeks for this to happen, so in the mean time, plant some ornamental grass or annuals to hide them if they bother you.

Gardening Tips FAQ # 5 – Washing Up

Q: I hate wearing gardening gloves but it is very difficult to remove the soil from my hands. Is there a way to remedy this?

A: Take a nylon stocking, old sock or even a thin sock and put a bar of soap in the foot. Keep this by your outside tap or waterspout. The soap lathers up while the stocking or sock acts as a scrubber.