Batten's Plantscapes Gardening Tips

1.    Organic pest control is a comprehensive approach instead of a chemical approach. Create a healthy
biodiversity so that the insects and microbes will control themselves. Using natural products and building healthy soil
is the best long-term treatment for pests.

2.    The most important step in pest management is to maintain healthy soil. It produces healthy plants, which are
better able to withstand disease and insect damage.

3.    Compost improves soil structure, texture, and aeration, and increases the soil's water holding capacity. It also
promotes soil fertility and stimulates healthy root development.

4.    Mulch acid-loving plants with a thick layer of pine needles each fall. As the needles decompose, they will
deposit their acid in the soil.

5.    There is no need to work the soil deeply when adding compost or soil amendments. Eighty five percent of
a plant's roots are found in the top 6" of soil.

6.    The best organic matter for bed preparation is compost made from anything that was once alive, for example
leaves, kitchen waste, and grass clippings.

7.    Compost introduces and feeds diverse life in the soil, including bacteria, insects, worms, and more, which
support vigorous plant growth.

8.    Think "biodiversity". Using many different kinds of plants encourage many different kinds of beneficial insects
to take up residence in your yard.

9.    Less than 2 percent of the insects in the world are harmful. Beneficial insects such as ground beetles, ladybugs,
fireflies, green lacewings, praying mantis, spiders, and wasps keep harmful insects from devouring your plants. They
also pollinate your plants and decompose organic matter.

10. Aphids? Spray infested stems, leaves, and buds with a very dilute soapy water. It works even on the heaviest
infestation.

11. Weeds? Spot-spray with common full-strength household vinegar, on a sunny day. It's an organic weed killer
that's safe for you and the environment.

12. Think of mulching as "maintaining the forest floor": add 1" to 3" of compost or mulch to planting beds each
year.

13. Natural fertilizers, compost and organic materials encourage native earthworms. Earthworms are nature's
tillers and soil conditioners, and manufacture great fertilizer.

14. When buying annuals or perennials, select plants that are budded but not yet in bloom, so their energy the
first two or three weeks in your garden will be directed toward making larger and stronger plants with
better-developed root systems.

15. Newly planted trees need supplemental water to avoid transplant shock, so water deeply on a weekly basis
throughout the growing season.

16. Shade gardens are low maintenance - they require less watering, slower growth, and fewer weeds to fight.

Gardening Tips

Batten's Plantscapes

BATTEN'S

PLANTSCAPES

The Gardener's Gardener