| The following lawn and garden care tips will help you | | | | them into the lawn. If the leaves are too thick or |
| get the most from your garden. | | | | matted then rake them up. |
| 1. Different soil types have different watering needs. | | | | 5. Keep garden beds covered with shredded leaves to |
| Loosen the soil around plants so it can quickly absorb | | | | minimize the risk of soil erosion and nutrient run-off. |
| water and nutrients. Early morning or night is the best | | | | 6. Leave the grass clippings to decompose on the |
| time for watering to reduce evaporation. | | | | lawn. This will provide nutrients equivalent to one or |
| Lengthening the time between watering combined with | | | | two fertilizer applications. Set mower at 2 inches to |
| deep, heavy watering encourages root growth while | | | | reduce water use during hot weather. |
| reducing top growth in lawns. This increases the | | | | 7. Consider using natural alternatives for chemical |
| root-to-shoot ratio and helps produce plants that are | | | | pesticides such as non-detergent insecticidal soaps, |
| more resistant to wilting when exposed to infrequent | | | | garlic, hot pepper sprays, used dishwater, or forceful |
| watering. | | | | stream of water to dislodge insects. Also consider |
| 2. When choosing plants for your garden, remember | | | | using plants that naturally repel insects. |
| crops that are suited to your soil and climate will be | | | | 8. Organic Gardening - Since organic fertilizer and soil |
| more resistant to problems. If you experiment with | | | | conditioning materials are slow working in general, they |
| exotics, be prepared to give them more care. Also, | | | | should be mixed into the soil at least three weeks |
| when placing plants around the home, remember as a | | | | ahead of planting and the soil thoroughly prepared for |
| general rule, plants with thick leaves can take lower | | | | the seed or transplants. |
| light levels than those with thin leaves. | | | | 9. Where animal manures are available, they are |
| 3. Fertilizers provide nutrients necessary for plant | | | | probably the best source of fertilizer and organic |
| health and growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and | | | | matter for the organic gardener. Use manure which |
| potassium. Test your soil to find out what nutrients are | | | | has been aged for at least 30 days, or composted. |
| needed. Choose a fertilizer that has at least one-fourth | | | | 10. Weeds are easy to control when they are small. |
| of the nitrogen in a slow-release form, such as | | | | Shallow cultivation and hoeing are advised in order to |
| sulphur-coated urea. | | | | reduce damage to the root system. |
| 4. Mow lawn frequently to chop up leaves and recycle | | | | |