When you are a beginner, it can be difficult to know what to do in the garden. So we’ve gathered some horticulture tips that will help you get started!
Start with a small patch of soil. This way, you won’t need to dig too much in the beginning.
Water
Water is an essential element in horticulture. It makes up over 85 to 95 percent of the weight of living plants, and it carries nutrients from the soil to the plant cells.
It also cools the surface of plants by transpiration, much like humans sweat. In addition, it helps regulate a variety of chemical reactions and movements within plant parts and between the plant and soil.
The chemical structure of liquid water consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Water molecules cling to each other by a force called hydrogen bonding.
Water is a vital part of the Earth’s ecosystems, which support many different kinds of life. It also plays a critical role in the world’s economy. It’s used in agriculture, industry and homes. It’s the key to a healthy planet.
Fertilize
In order for plants to thrive, they need a good supply of nutrients from the soil. These nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
To achieve this, fertilizers are used to improve the fertility of the soil. Fertilizers can be natural or manufactured.
A soil test can also help you determine whether or not you need to add additional nutrients.
If the soil test indicates that the soil is lacking in any of the key nutrients, it is important to use a high-quality, balanced granular or liquid fertilizer every year. These can be applied at the same time you water your garden.
Applying a fertilizer at the right time is crucial to maximizing the plant’s growth and yield. This is especially true for vegetables and other edible crops.
Mulch
Mulching is the application of covering materials over the soil surface to reduce moisture loss, weed population and to enhance crop yield. It is a very important practice for horticulture.
There are many different types of mulches, including wood chips, shredded bark, grass clippings, leaves, straw, kitchen scraps, compost, and other organic residues. They can be applied to the entire area or used around specific plants.
They can also be mixed together to create a thicker layer of mulch for better weed control and water conservation. They can help maintain a consistent soil temperature (Kader et al. 2019), reducing the need for herbicides and manual labor throughout the growing season.
Mulches are very beneficial in preventing the development of a number of diseases in agricultural lands (Chalker-Scott 2007). They help to reduce evaporation losses from the soil, conserve soil moisture, and act as a barrier against irrigation water or rain drops that carry pathogenic spores.
Protect
Healthy plants are key to the nation’s food supply. Plants must be able to withstand a variety of stress factors, including pests and disease.
Protected horticulture is a method of farming where plants are grown under controlled environmental conditions (Gruda and Tanny, 2014). This approach increases crop yields and quality by altering environmental factors such as light, temperature, air humidity, wind, and pest pressure.
It also allows year-round cultivation by preventing the growth of weeds, which lowers water and fertilizer requirements for crops. Protected horticulture uses a variety of structures to control the microclimate, such as low tunnels, shade net houses, polyhouses, and greenhouses.
Protected horticulture is an important socio-economic sector for cities. The balance between economic, ecological and societal demands is vital to the success of urban horticulture (Edmondson et al. 2020).