TIP! The handles on your gardening tools can be used as a convenient measuring instrument. Tools that have long handles such as rakes, hoes and shovels can be used in place of a measuring stick.

Many individuals prefer organic gardening, as they fear the possible long-term effects on their health as well as the environment from the many commercial pesticides and fertilizers that are used. Another benefit is that organic gardening techniques are often cost little-to-nothing. Here are some fundamental tips to get you well on your way to being a successful organic gardener.

TIP! Check the nutrients in the soil before you plant your garden. You can obtain a soil analysis for a nominal fee.

Try planting seeds in pots, and then transferring the seedlings to your garden. Doing this betters your odds of your plants making it to adulthood. In addition, you can shorten the intervals between your plantings. Once you remove the most recent mature plants from your garden, the seedlings are immediately ready to be planted.

TIP! Fill your garden with bulbs if you want to enjoy beautiful flowers through the spring and into summer. Bulbs are hardy, easy to grow into flowers, and will blossom for several years.

During winter, you should take your favorite plants inside. Perhaps save the most resistant or expensive plants. Carefully loosen the dirt around the roots, then transfer the plant into a pot filled with the same soil.

TIP! You can plant wheat grass or cat grass near the plants that the cat eats. You could also place something that will cause your cat to go away from your plants, such as citrus peels or mothballs.

Bulbs will give you wonderful flowers that you can enjoy in early spring and right through the summer. Not only are bulbs hearty and easy to grow, but they’ll continue to grow as time goes on. Find out which flowers will bloom when and then plant a variety, so that you can have fresh blooms all the way through the spring and summer!

TIP! Do you like mint, but not how they ruin your garden? You can control the growth of the mint leaves by growing them in a large container rather than in your garden. If you would like the mint leaves to still be in the ground, simply plant the container, and the leaves will stay within the boundaries of the pot.

As fall arrives, it is the time to prepare for planting fall edibles. Instead of a clay pot, show some fall spirit by using a hollow pumpkin to plant your lettuce or kale in. Once you cut an opening at the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the insides, spray the inside and edges with Wilt-Pruf to keep the pumpkin from rotting. Now this is completed, it is time to get planting!

TIP! Invest in a quality wheelbarrow and a kneeling stool if gardening work is going to happen often. Get a portable stool if you want to garden comfortably without damaging your knees.

If you use this advice concerning organic gardening, you will have a healthier yard in no time. When your garden is working with nature, you can also expect to see an increase in the amount of wildlife that inhabits your garden.