Horticulture isn't just a means to adorn your landscaping. It's more than just a simple activity for a green-thumbed hobbyist. Gardening can have a very calming effect, and can really slow life down a bit, allowing you to find your inner peace. Gardening is best when you have the knowledge to do it right.

Irises can be easily divided. You can get more irises by dividing the overgrown clumps. Try to life the bulbous irises when foliage begins to die. The bulbs should split naturally, and the replanted bulbs will usually flower within a year. Rhizomes, however, need to be divided by using a horticulture knife. New pieces should be cut from the outside, then the old center you want to discard. Each piece needs one strong offshoot. Set your cuttings into the ground right away.

Plant dwarf fruit trees in small gardens. Urban gardens are typically small in area, but there is plenty of room for dwarf fruit trees, even if only one. These tiny trees will bear full-sized fruit in about three years. Place dormant tress in your garden early in the spring and water them religiously.

Check the nutrients in the soil before you plant your garden. Soil analysis costs a little money, but the report can inform you how to enrich your soil and open the door to a lush garden. It is worth having this information so that crops do not get ruined. Most Cooperative Extension offices provide this service.

When growing a vegetable garden it can be hard to control pests. Don't spray harsh chemicals since they will spoil your veggies. One way to keep pests at bay is to remain diligent about your garden. If you catch them early, you can take them off the plants by hand.

The best time to plant larger plants, including trees and bushes, is during the months of September to November, as these months are best for root development. Given that the soil will be warm in comparison to the ambient temperature, and the plants will be free of foliage, they will be able to dedicate nutrients and energy to growing stronger roots than might otherwise be possible.

Put your compost vegetation in plastic garbage bags. The large ones work really well. This is best done in autumn after you rake up all the leaves in your backyard. Put your leaves in a plastic garbage bag in a warm area. Now, when the springtime rolls around, you have some great material to mix in with your compost.

Keep your gardening on a schedule. A planting calendar will tell you the type of plant you need to plant in every season. You will know ahead of time what plants and supplies you will need to purchase. There are many software applications that can help you do this. Or, you can be really old-fashioned and use paper.

You can get rid of salt deposits on clay pots with rubbing alcohol and vinegar. Salt deposits will appear on the outside of the pot over time. Mix water, white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in equal parts, and spray the combination on the pot. The next step is getting your plastic cleaning brush and scrubbing it while you see the salt deposits disappear. Just rinse the pot out after this and you should be on your way.

Consider growing wheat grass or cat grass near the plants your cat enjoys eating. You may also place something offensively smelly atop the soil, like citrus peel or mothballs.

A great tip to consider when gardening is to make sure that you are not over or under watering your plants. Too much water can cause roots to rot, while too little water can dry your plants out. Frequently check the moisture levels of the soil, and make adjustments accordingly.

Encourage the development of roots in larger plants, such as shrubs or trees, by planting them in the fall. The ground is somewhat warm when compared to the temperature of the air, and the plants are stripped of their leaves, the root system can get all of the plant's resources and create a strong foundation.

As you can see, the suggestions here are easy to follow and rather simple to implement. Put the knowledge you have just learned to good use by horticulture in a creative way. Pay close attention to your plants and how they react to your methods. Experimenting with already existing plants will only lead to disaster. After some time, your neighbors will be envious of you!