Gardening Basics

All about indoor gardening during winter

Posted by Bryan Perry

Every gardener waits patiently for the time of the year when they can sit and chalk out the plans for the following years garden. It is usually in the winter that such plans need to be made, since summer is the best season for outdoor gardening. But if you think that your green fingers are raring to go and get some activity even in the winter months, you can go for winter indoor gardening. Before you embark upon indoor gardening, you need to have certain things ready. The gardening equipment that you need will need to be selected and ordered for light requirements.

when it comes to gardening, the primary requirement are that of light. One needs to monitor the amount of light coming in. The light, however, must be adequate for all the plants. The basic problem is that during winter, the days are shorter, which means that the amount of light that your plants will get will require very careful monitoring so that every plant gets optimum sunlight. Although many gardeners use incandescent light, high intensity discharge lamps or halogen lights, you must remember that there is nothing better than sunlight. Try to give your plants the best of whatever light is available. For the extra light, you can rely on indoor gardening equipment.

Water Or Earth You can grow your indoor garden in two ways. You can either use soil, that is good old mother earth for the plant or you can use special water that has all the added nutrients in it. The indoor gardening equipment that you will need depends upon the system that you use. In case you want your indoor gardening endeavor to be one that is soil free, you have to go for hydroponics or soil less systems. Although this system is somewhat difficult, especially in comparison to the usual technique, it is not something impossible. There are numerous hydroponics kits available in the market and you can order one whenever you want. For the gardening enthusiast, hydroponics is a very intriguing field and winter is a great time to learn a lot about it and actually put it to practice through indoor gardening.

In case you want to use seeds in your indoor garden and cultivate them in such a way that you can transplant it outdoors later, you can go for jiffy peat cups or seedling starter kits. The best thing about these kits is that they allow you to get through the whole process without creating much of a mess. And when you want, you can take the whole of the peat pot and transfer it outside. There are many individuals who have a great passion for indoor gardening. And there are some who have a fascination for a certain kind of plant.

There are many who like to cultivate cacti while others have a soft corner for all kinds of tropical plants. Whatever your interest is in, you just have to ensure that you start gardening only after doing a certain amount of research on the type of the plant that you want to cultivate.

Every kind of plant needs a special kind of soil for growing and special conditions to thrive. Taking care of the individual needs of the plants is the task of a good gardener. Do your research and then order indoor gardening tools that will help you make your indoor garden resemble the environment that the plants are most comfortable in.

Choosing the Best Japanese Landscape Design

Posted by Mary Swanson

Easy To Maintain Japanese Landscape Design

After careful design, planting and arranging your Japanese landscape design there would be little to do accept sit back and enjoy the tranquility it creates. The garden should include some traditional Japanese stonework, a trickling water feature or pond, as well as the groomed evergreens.

Plan a strolling garden with beautiful paths taking you past tiny waterfalls and small ponds filled with koi fish. There are so many stonework Japanese art pieces to arrange along the paths to complete the look and feel of an authentic Japanese garden.

A Wooden or Stonework Japanese Garden Bridge

By adding a Japanese garden bridge you create safe passage through your exotic garden. At the heart of a Japanese garden is harmony with nature. Through the careful use of plants, stones, and water, areas of serene and quiet beauty emerge.

You should be able to find an authentic looking Japanese garden bridge at your local garden shop. They will either be made out of wood or stone. They add a nice touch to your Japanese garden and offer a fun way to cross over a small stream or pond.

Dry Japanese gardens consist of stone arrangements and gravel symbolizing the ocean and islands. It may also include sand that has been carefully raked. Traditionally five large stones will represent the five basic elements…sky, earth, wind, water, and fire. It is very traditional to have stone figures of Buddah or various animals representing longevity, happiness, or peace, etc.

Where to Find Japanese Garden Supplies

The thing to remember is that when shopping for Japanese garden supplies to include a bridge, you want to choose the size that will work with the size of the garden, and then go with the style and material that looks best. After all, in Japan, the bridge is believed to be a journey, taking a person from one place to another. For this reason, the bridge in your own Japanese garden needs to represent your own personal journey and the movement involved.

You can be as creative as you like with your design. True to Japanese tradition, it must be simple but at the same time include many features such as the dry garden with the sand base and stones, a pond or other water feature with a waterfall and a Japanese bridge. Japanese Lanterns lining the paths would also be a nice addition.

History of Tortillas and How to Use Them

Posted by KC Kudra

Tortillas got its name from the Spaniards. The word “tortillas” comes from the Spanish word “torta” with the meaning being round cake. Tortillas are eaten everyday not just in Mexico but also in America. Americans put just about anything they can in the tortilla from meat and beans to apples and brown sugar. Ever try peanut butter and jelly in a tortilla? Many eat it that way; also, the tortillas are used with hot dogs, casseroles, and sandwiches.

Tortillas have been used for thousands of years but without the exotic, imaginative flavors and fillings of today.

Aztecs made tortillas more than 10,000 years before Christ. Aztecs ate a lot of corn, some right from the cob, and others they would save and use later. They would ground it into corn meal and later make into masa, which is corn dough. The masa is added with water. If the water is not the right temperature, the consistency will not be enough to make the tortilla. Once the masa is ready, it is placed in a ball size in the maker’s hands. It takes awhile to go through the process of making the masa flat. It is patted into what looks like a think pancake. Once it is the right size, it is placed on a hot griddle. It does not take long to cook.

Modern tortillas are made the same way as those in tortillas history. A lot of tortillas are mass-produced in factories with machinery these days since the demand for them is very high. You can get tortillas in various flavors or even make your own homemade version and experiment with the flavors. Various Mexican foods use tortillas. One example is enchiladas, where the tortilla is filled and rolled up and then cooked. Tacos use tortillas for the shell. Tortillas are used as turnovers when making quesadillas, before being filled and fried.

Did you know that tortillas are not just for eating? “Tortilla art” is when tortillas are used as a canvas. They are baked before being covered with acrylic. Then they are painted. Tortilla art represents the culture of Latino artists.

Tortillas are also, what are used to make the tortilla chips. The tortilla is cut into wedges and fried. Corn tortillas are made from corn, vegetable oil, salt, and water. The chips first became popular in the 1940s in Los Angeles, California where the chips were mass-produced, but it is still considered a Mexican food.

Americans use tortillas for a lot of their foods. It is most common found in burritos, which started long ago in northern Mexico. Tortillas are a traditional food of many people from northern states of Mexico and Native tribes that are found in the Southwestern United States. Just about any restaurant will carry tortillas. You can try many different foods that include them. They are easy to find in the grocery store. You can use your taste buds and imagination to make your own foods, which include the tortillas.

There are plenty of tortilla recipes available if you fancy making your own tortillas and creating some wonderful fillings!

Vegetable Gardening For Beginners

Posted by Kirsten Huntington

Did you realize that one of the most popular hobbies that there is, is gardening? Although gardening can take on a lot of different forms, vegetable gardening is probably one of the most popular. Not only is this an enjoyable pastime that keeps us busy in the outdoors, it can also provide us with delicious fresh produce.

If you want to try your hand at vegetable gardening, you probably want to make it look as nice as possible. Maybe you realize how beautiful a nice garden can be, and how it can increase the overall value of your home. Perhaps you simply want to enjoy working on your new project, and make it a success. Here are a few vegetable gardening ideas that will increase the chances of success of your new garden.

Plan Early and Plan Well - A proper garden layout is essential to the overall success of your vegetable gardening project. Sunlight availability is a major consideration, so place plants in areas which will give them the optimum sunlight for their needs. Some plants thrive next to certain neighbors, as these neighbors can provide some natural pest control.

Include Crop Rotation In Your Plans - Crop rotation is often done on larger farms, but did you know that your small backyard vegetable garden can also benefit from this technique? If you plant the same crops in the same location every year, the soil’s nutriets will be completely used up before you know it. By rotating your crops annually, you will realize that your plants will grow much better and look more beautiful than if you hadn’t done any crop rotation.

Preparation Is The Key - The first thing you need to do, after you have created your garden design, is to prepare the soil. This step is the most important, as this will determine the success (or failure) of your garden. Use a spade or tiller to turn the ground over, and use a rake the remove the large rocks. IF the soil is too hard to manage, mix in some peat moss to soften it up.

Add Nutrients - Your garden isn’t finished as soon as you finish planting. You still need to add nutrients on a daily basis. At the end of the year, spread the compost out of the garden, and then turn it into the soil in the spring.

Handling Pests - Regardless if the culprits are bugs or diseased plants, these things can ruin our garden. It is best if you handle this in an organic way so that you are not putting dangerous chemicals onto the food that you will eat. One of the best ways to handle pests is to buy ladybugs and release them into your garden. Also check your plants regularly and remove any diseased plants. Do not add them to your compost pile, otherwise, you risk bringing the disease back into your vegetable garden.

Tender Loving Care - If you wish to have a thriving garden, you need to keep up your vegetable gardening hobby through the growing season. It might be easy in the beginning, when you are eager to start something new, but it gets harder as time goes on. If you think about it, keeping up with your vegetable gardening project doesn’t really take that much time, as long as you do a little bit every day. If you do, you will definitely reap the rewards from your consistent efforts.

I hope these ideas will get your creativity going and help you think about starting your own vegetable gardening project. There are many more ideas available on the Internet. By using just a few of these ideas, you will be able to have a nice garden and fresh vegetables for your family.

Helpful Tips for Transplanting Plants

Posted by Mary Swanson

Transplanting Plants Takes Care

You may have a plant that has outgrown its current residence or you may need to thin out another, whatever the reason for transplanting plants, care needs to be taken. For the best results care of the root system is adamant.

The cooler weather and fresh spring rains can add to the success of your transplanting project. If you live in a milder climate area successful transplanting can be done almost any time of the year. But in the harsher climates where there is the transition from a cold winter, mild spring, to a hot dry summer, springtime is the best.

Front and Backyard Plants

You may have plantings in your front entry garden that need transplanting and you were hoping to put the transplants in the backyard or back patio area. If you live in a mild climate this may work well, but if you live in an area where the backyard receives lots of hot sun, a plant moved from the shade will not survive in the direct sun.

When separating the plant or digging up a whole one for transplanting, try to keep the root ball nicely packed in a small amount of soil. Whether they are front or backyard plants, have the new space properly prepared before moving the transplant. Fresh potting soil with a fair amount of nutrients will insure their survival.

With transplanting plants, a good rule to follow is that for every one inch of stem caliper, you need about 12 inches of root ball. While some people worry about cutting some of the roots, it will not hurt. Just be sure the roots are not cut shorter than the one inch of stem caliper to 12 inches of root ball guideline. If you do this, you will rejuvenate the plant with what is called pruning of the roots.

To aid in the root growth of your new transplant, prune a small amount of the roots before planting. The cut ends will be able to take in nutrients from the new soil and new roots will sprout from the cut ends produce new growth in the stem system above ground.

Starting Rock Plants from Transplants

Now, if you want to consider rock plants for transplanting, you may find that you have to move the rocks to get enough of the root so the existing and cut plant to move is not damaged. Sometimes, rock plants will wrap the root around the rock or deep underneath so you will need to make sure you can gain proper access to get enough of the root or consider some other types of front or backyard plants to transplant.

Controlling a Variety Landscape and Garden Pests

Posted by Kent Higgins

Trying to control pests and bugs in an organic garden can be challenging, just ask an organic gardener. No matter the flora, all have their variety of insects that they attract. No plant leaf, stem and/or flower are immune.

The most time consuming yet most natural way is to inspect each leaf and flower for bugs and removing them by hand. This is not ideal if you have a large garden and obviously not a favorite method among gardeners. Thank goodness, there are other methods one can use.

Persistent control of weed growth is a step in the right direction. From the beginning of planting, especially in vegetable gardens, a large enough space for a hoe to work easily should be left between rows and seedlings. If done early on, weeds are easily taken out and are not given time to drop their seeds and attract unwanted vermin to your patch.

Certain plants used as by-standers in the garden are also deterrents. These herbs and flowers act as natural repellents and aid in controlling annoyances. Some to consider are chives, elderberry, garlic and lemon balm.

Each plant is used differently to repel. When chives are planted around rose bushes they prevent black spot and they also prevent scab, when around apple tress. Elderberry branches and leaves can be used to displace moles just by simply putting them into a mole’s hole.

The tea you make from the leaves of this same plant can also be used to fend off aphids, carrot root fly, peach tree borers, and cucumber beetles. The smell from garlic is another repellent but be careful not to plant them near other vegetables that might absorb its flavor. Scattering lemon balm leaves throughout can also repel in your backyard landscaping. Did you also know, by rubbing the crushed leaves of lemon balm you can ward off mosquitoes? These methods are all repellents that can be used in your organic garden to keep pests away.

Give Your Meals A Fresh Twist By Growing Culinary Herbs

Posted by Lee Dobbins

A great way to have a continuous supply of herbs for cooking is by growing culinary herbs in your own garden. There are many great herbs have been used for thousands of years to add flavor to a variety of dishes. Herbs can have a tang to them, or they can be spicy or even salty, or they can be simply delicious. For any recipe out there, there is the perfect herb.

Parsley is a herb best applied to a fish dinner but this popular herb can be bestowed upon a variety of meals with appetizing results. Do not downgrade your parsley to a simple decorative role with your meal, enjoy it in your chosen recipe for the day.

The most common ingredient in recipes is Thyme. Thyme is made from the leaves of a woody-stemmed plant that is small in size. This herb works wonders when added to tuna casserole. It is brilliant in sauces for beef or in stews, and in chicken or cheeses. It seems that almost any dish can benefit when a bit of thyme is added.

One beautifully pungent herb used as a common addition to Italian dishes — Basil — is used for good reason. It adds what many chefs like to call the ‘right’ touch. This is an herb of many uses, whether used for varieties of recipes from colorful pastas to cheesy pizzas, and is recommended greatly when preparing one’s tomato sauce for sophisticated, delicious pasta dishes.

Use aniseed for a spicy kick. Aniseed is related to Tarragon. The narrow leaves of the herb leave a delightfully spicy flavor to fish and mayo. Anise oil has a licorice-like flavor that compliments many dishes and is used to make artificial licorice.

Growing culinary herbs is not a very difficult task at all. Soil, water and sunshine are really all they need, the same as any other type of herb. As a matter of fact, they are actually quite hardy and disease-resistant. Yes, growing your own herbs for cooking is really rather simple!

Another popular favorite is coriander seeds, which are derived from the cilantro plant. Porks and curries taste fantastic with a little zing from the citrusy coriander seed. Their mild and sweet zest creates delicious chutney, as well. Another herb with a bit of kick is dill. It lends itself perfectly to dressing up a plain old salad or for use in pickling. Added to chutney in combination with olive oil, it can’t be beat.

The most popular herbs for cooking come from the mint family. These include sage, rosemary, peppermint, and others. These herbs offer a unique flavor to meats, potatoes, soups and jellies.

Saffron, a rarer herb, is used a lot in chicken and in fish dishes. It is also used in traditional Turkish rice pudding recipes. It is an adventurous spice with a beautiful color and a honey-like flavor with a kick.

No matter what you enjoy cooking, your masterpieces will be enhanced by growing culinary herbs. Cooking with herbs is fun and adds just the right spice to any old ho-hum dish.

Seafood Safety in Your Home

Posted by KC Kudra

There is nothing quite so exquisite as fresh shellfish or fish, piping hot and prepared excellently. Whether you are trying out a grilled lobster recipe or a baked tilapia recipe, you need to remember to cook for safety as well as for flavor. There are frequent warnings about food contamination so it can sometimes be difficult to relax and enjoy your fish dinner. As long as you are well informed, you will find that fish safety is easier that you thought. A little knowledge about fish and seafood safety means you can continue enjoying your baked fish recipes to your heart’s content.

When you buy fish at the farmer’s market or supermarket, examine the fish well. Fresh shellfish and fish do not smell. If the fish smells oily or fishy, choose a different one. The eyes on a fresh fish are clear and protrude a bit. Staler fish have sunken or cloudy eyes. The skin around the eyes should not be yellow or brown. The fish’s flesh must be firm and shiny and the gills should not have discharge in them. If you have any doubts about a fish, do not buy it.

When you are grocery shopping to create your baked fish recipes, ensure the fish counter is the last place you visit. The less time your fish is exposed to room temperature, the better. Ask the cashier to double-bag the fish and pack it away from other foods. This ensures the juices of the fish do not spill on to other food and contaminate it.

When making your baked fish recipes at home, keep the knives and cutting board you use for the fish away from the vegetables, unless they have been washed with hot, soapy water first. Some people prefer to use different cutting boards and knives for fish, meat, and vegetables, to avoid any risk of contamination.

Never put cooked food on an unwashed plate that has had raw poultry, meat, or fish on. The bacteria from this might contaminate the cooked food. You can use a food thermometer to tell you with complete accuracy whether your food is safe to eat or not. You cannot tell by sight or smell alone.

Raw seafood is popular, in some places more than others are. Do you enjoy raw oysters in the half shell or Japanese sushi or sashimi? There is always an inherent risk with raw seafood, no matter how professional the presentation appears. People with liver disorders or weakened immune systems or pregnant woman have a higher risk for these problems. Be aware of the facts and choose wisely.

There is no reason at all not to enjoy your baked fish recipes, grilled fish recipes, tilapia recipes or whatever kind of fish recipes you fancy trying out. Just remember the tips and precautions and your fish recipe meal should turn out great!

Herb Bags: What is it?

Posted by Peter D Vizard

Every chef knows that the freshness of the ingredients is very important for the quality of the food. If you are able to simply pick the herbs you need, as you need then, it will make you cooking more enjoyable for all.

At the same time it is a joyful experience to pick and to use something you have grown and cultivated from nothing, to being able to form part of a meal.

Herbs are some of the most popular plants for home growing. They are easy to grow and require little care other than regular watering and a small amount of trimming.

Once you taste fresh herbs in your home cooking, you’ll wonder why you ever used dried herbs!

Bringing fresh herbs Indoors with herb bags

Do you want to have the freshness of your own herbs, but don?t have the space? You wont need the large outdoor space of a regular garden. Herb bags may be just the solution for you. Herb bags are waterproof foil type bags that contain everything you need to grow a healthy indoor plant.

Easy steps for using herbs using herb bags:

1. Tear open the bag, 2. add water, 3. Set bag in an area where it can get plenty of sunshine.

You can grow just one plant or many green, sweet smelling herbs.

Even people who aren’t gardeners of any kind, can have a flourishing herb bags garden inside. There is very little work involved and the smallest amount of space required that anybody can do it.

Herb bags are especially useful if you live in a climate where gardening is difficult, or if you have very little indoor and outdoor space to grow plants. Even if you have an outdoor garden, keeping your herbs growing indoors ensures that they will always be close at hand whenever you need them for cooking.

Herb bags come in the many different herb plants to match all of your cooking needs. All of the main herbs used in the kitchen are available form the basic parsley to oregano and mint.

If you’re looking for something a little different, why not try growing lavender or other more fragrant herbs? These herbs can not other be used for different teas but can also be used to add a delicate perfume to the home.

Every home could benefit having fresh plants inside, as it creates at atmosphere of peace. It has long been know that plants enhance the living environment and help the flow of fresh air which is always good for brain development in children.

Vegetable Gardening - Pumpkin Growing Tips

Posted by Dave Truman

Pumpkins are great for a number of purposes. They can be used to make a great pie, and of course there’s the traditional Halloween decoration. Fortunately, growing good ones takes only a modest amount of knowledge and care.

As with any vegetable or fruit, preparing the soil properly is paramount. Use a soil testing kit to make sure the pH is about 6.0, a little more alkaline than many vegetables see as ideal. pH can be adjusted up or down with sulfur or lime. A soil temperature of about 60F/15.5C is best.

Good drainage is important for growing good pumpkins. Too much clay in the earth will retain excess moisture. Soil that is too sandy will lose water. A good sandy loam is best. You can adjust the consistency by adding compost, breaking up clay, adding topsoil and other common methods.

From Seed to Vegetable

Planting in small mounds is a favorite technique. Be sure to leave plenty of space from one plant to the next, though. Pumpkins grow large and they like to have lots of sunshine, water and earth all to their own. From 4-6 feet (1-2 m) apart is best. If you like to plant in rows, then keep them 6-8 feet (2-2.5 m) apart. The surrounding ground should not be planted with other vegetables.

Daily watering would be overdoing it for these plants. But when you do water, make it ample. Pumpkins like a good soaking that puts water down deep into the soil. Provided you have soil that drains properly, a drip irrigation system will put plenty down where it needs to go.

Some Concerns and Remedies

That style of watering will also help avoid some of the common diseases that attack pumpkins, such as downy mildew. It’s caused by the Pseudoperonospora cubensis fungus and growth is encouraged when the temperatures are lower and the leaves are moist. It will appear as yellow spots on the foliage. As the disease progresses it turns brown, then black. Along with proper watering practices, ample space encourages good air flow, which helps to reduce the odds of disease.

Powdery mildew is a similar problem, caused by a different type of fungus. It appears as a white mold on the leaves. Unlike downy mildew, however, this type tends to occur in warmer weather. But it is encouraged by the same bad watering methods. That’s actually good, since one good technique can combat multiple problems. Compost tea is useful for these problems, too.

Unfortunately, fungi aren’t the only enemies of pumpkins. Cucumber beetles are a common pest for this plant. Squash bugs also like pumpkins a little too much. Thick mulch helps minimize their ability to lay eggs.

Many growers will plant ‘trap crops’ to lure the insects to sacrificial plants in order to retain the more valued pumpkins. Companion plants such as catnip, marigolds and mint will help keep the squash bugs at bay, for example.

With a little care pumpkins will be ready for harvest in 3-4 months. Then you can carve one up and have pumpkin pie just in time for Halloween.

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