• Gardening tips

    Potassium and Phosphorus rich organic fertilizer 

    The most important nutrients that plants need are nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. They are called macronutrients. Nitrogen is essential for plants to grow foliage. Nitrogen-rich fertilizer is needed for leafy green vegetables. Phosphorous is needed for a strong root system and for producing more flower blooms. Potassium helps to build pest-resistant plants and is necessary for the transportation of nutrients across the plant. Potassium and Phosphorus rich fertilizers are essential for plants like tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, gourds etc. Apart from these macronutrients, plants also need micronutrients like iron, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iodine, zinc etc. Potassium and Phosphorus-rich organic fertilizers.  1. Eggshells Eggshells contain calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium which are…

  • Gardening tips

    How to use banana peel fertiliser

    Banana peels contain lots of nutrients that help in building better root and stem structures in plants. So don’t throw those banana peels away instead use them to fertilize your plants. You can use banana peel fertiliser for all your vegetable and flower plants. Some of the nutrients that these peels contain include phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese and sulphur.  Potassium is a macronutrient that is essential for stronger root and stem systems. It makes the plant more drought resistant.It is also essential for flowering and fruiting and helps to improve the quality of fruits and flowers. Phosphorous is also essential for increasing the number of flowers and fruits in…

  • Flowers

    How to grow calendula from seeds in containers.

    Calendula also called pot marigold is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. There are about 16 varieties of this plant and the flowers come in colours like red, yellow, orange and apricot. Calendula is native to Mediterranean countries. They can grow up to 2 feet tall and wide.Here is how to grow calendula from seeds. Growing conditions for Calendula These flowers can be grown during the spring and summer seasons. This flower is not frost and drought-tolerant. Extreme temperatures can harm this plant. Calendula needs fertile soil to grow well. The optimum temperature for these plants to thrive is between 16°C to 17 °C (61°F to 63°F). Calendula…

  • Gardening tips

    DIY easy organic liquid fertilisers for plants.

    When you grow vegetables in your garden, you will need to fertilise them often to get good yields. You can use either solid or liquid fertilisers for your plants. Liquid fertilisers are easily absorbed by plants when compared to solid fertilisers. Organic liquid fertilisers are easy to make at home. They can be made from biodegradable waste such as banana peels, vegetable scraps, manure and eggshells. DIY Liquid fertilisers for plants 1. Eggshells Eggshells are rich in calcium and they can be used for your vegetables. Collect 10 to 12 eggshells and dry them well. After they are dried blend them into powder using a blender. Mix 2 tablespoons of…

  • Container Gardening

    How to make potting mix for container gardening

    When you have a backyard garden all you need is well-prepared fertile soil to grow the food you want. But when you want to grow vegetables in pots you will need to fill the pots with a good potting mix. Potting mix is also referred to as soilless mix as it is a mixture of materials like vermiculite, perlite, compost, sand, coconut coir, lime and peat moss. The potting mix is lightweight and has better drainage and aeration. Making the best potting mix for container gardening can help plants grow healthy and produce better yields. You might think of using garden soil to fill your pots as it is more…

  • Gardening tips

    How to control whiteflies in the garden

    When you have a backyard garden with all kinds of plants, you will also have to deal with a variety of pests that attack them. These pests end up draining the life out of your plants. One of those pests is whiteflies. These pests live on the underside of leaves. They are triangular and are about 1-2mm long. Each adult whitefly can lay hundreds of eggs. These pests suck the juice of the plants causing them to turn yellow, dry up and wilt. Whiteflies can be found in temperatures that are warm and humid. Always check the underside of the leaves of your plants. Whiteflies attack all plants including vegetables…

  • Gardening

    Easy herbs to grow in your garden

    When you grow herbs in your home you get fresh herbs to add to your morning tea and dishes. Herbs are easy to grow and they can be grown in small to medium-sized containers. A single herb can be grown in small containers that are at least 8 inches deep. Multiple herbs can be grown in containers that are at least 18 inches deep and wide. Herbs require soil that is well-drained and fertile. Herbs do not require much maintenance and they are great for beginner gardeners. If you have a vegetable garden, you can grow herbs as a companion plant. Herbs help to repel unwanted pests from your garden.…

  • Permaculture,  Uncategorized

    Plants that attract beneficial insects

    When we have a vegetable garden, we have to constantly monitor and take care of our plants so that they don’t get infested by pests. When the pests are left untreated they end up killing our plants.A garden that needs constant maintenance can be a lot of work over a period of time. One of the ways to control pests in the garden is by growing plants that attract beneficial insects into the garden. Beneficial insects are those that feed upon these unwanted pests like aphids, mealy bugs, whiteflies, cabbage moths etc. Some of the beneficial insects include ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies and parasitic wasps. Creating a garden that provides a…

  • Gardening

    8 Easy flowers to grow for beginners

    Flowers create a vibrant atmosphere and attract butterflies and other pollinators to our gardens. Some flowers need lots of care and maintenance and at the same time other flowers grow quite well and they do not require consistent care. If you are a beginner in gardening and want to grow some flowers in your backyard then this article might help you. Here are a few flowers that are easy to grow for beginners. Easy Flowers to Grow in your Garden 1. Marigolds These flowers grow well in average soil conditions and are drought-tolerant. They can be annuals or perennials depending upon the variety that is grown. They come in colours…

  • Vegetables

    How to plant tomato seeds

    Tomatoes grow well when they get the needed soil, water and light. You can get lots of tomatoes by simply growing them in a few containers. There are two varieties of tomatoes namely determinate or bush varieties and indeterminate or vine varieties. The bush variety is easier to grow in a container. The vine variety needs lots of space to grow. If you are living in an apartment or if you don’t have much space in your garden, then it’s best to grow the bush variety. The container size for growing the bush variety is 14 inches deep and 8 inches wide. You can grow a single tomato plant in…