Have you ever wanted to convert your garden into an organic garden, but just do not know how to start? It is not rocket science. In fact, it has been done for hundreds of years, before the advent of chemicals. If you want to learn more about organic gardening, read on for some advice.

Flowers

Attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Certain plants are highly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds due to their nectar. Hummingbirds tend to favor any flower that is shaped like a trumpet, especially if it is pink, red or purple. Examples of these are honeysuckle, fuchsia and monarda. Butterflies like flat, daisy-like flowers, such as chrysanthemums, asters and coneflowers. Choose a sunny position, as both butterflies and hummingbirds appreciate the warmth.

When and why should shrubs be pruned? Most shrubs need pruning to increase flowering. Deciduous spring and early flowering shrubs should be pruned immediately after flowering. Cut back old wood to encourage new growth. The buds for next year's flowers will appear on this new wood. Late summer flowering shrubs should be pruned in spring. They will produce flowers on the shoots that grow immediately after pruning. Winter flowering shrubs simply need pruning in early spring to clean up any dead or diseased branches.

Treat your flowering bulbs correctly after they finish blooming and they will return again next year. Allow the foliage to remain for at least eight weeks after flowering to ensure that your bulbs are able to photosynthesize enough food for the following season. Removing the leaves earlier could result in weak flowers or no flowers at all the next year.

Deadhead annual flowers constantly. This will encourage new growth and promote flowering all season. With perennials, cut the entire plant down by a third after flowering. It will bush out and provide you with a new flush of flowers later in the season. At the end of the season, leave the spent flowers on plants until they dry up, and collect the seeds.

Choose carefully the plants you want to grow. Some plants are simply not made to grow indoors. If you want to grow vegetables, you can easily grow broccoli or Brussels sprouts indoors. Alyssums and zinnias are great flowers to grow indoors. You can also experiment with other kinds of plants, but keep in mind that it might not work.

Be sure your new compost pile contains roughly the same proportion of dried and green plants. Examples of good green material to use for compost include grass clippings, flowers, leaves, and weeds. Dried plant matter, on the other hand, includes shredded paper, used wood chips and straw. Never use ashes, meat, charcoal, diseased plants or carnivorous animal manure in your compost pile.

Organic gardening is the healthiest way you can grow a garden. Imagine not having to worry about your children being harmed by chemicals and pesticides. Try some of the ideas suggested in this article. Experiment, and have fun trying new ways. You will be surprised at how easy organic gardening can be.