How to plant zinnia seeds in containers.
Zinnias are annuals that grow fast and attract pollinators and beneficial insects. They do not tolerate frost and the best time to plant zinnia seeds is during the spring and summer seasons. Zinnia flowers come in colours like purple, pink, red and white. The best zinnia varieties for container gardening are hybrid varieties. Some of them areZahara, Uptown grape and Profusion. These varieties are more resistant to pests. Growing Conditions for zinnias Zinnias require fertile well-drained soil to grow. They grow well when the weather is warm. The optimum temperature for zinnias to grow is between 23°C to 28°C (73°F to 82°F). They germinate within4 to 7 days. Zinnias need…
How to plant sunflower seeds in containers or pots.
Sunflowers are annual flowering plants that are native to North and Central America. The scientific name of the sunflower is Helianthus annuus and it belongs to the family Asteraceae. Sunflowers come in several colours like yellow, white, brown, red and orange. They are grown as food crops or ornamental flowers. The seeds are packed with vitamins and minerals. There are about 70 varieties of sunflowers. Certain types grow from 12 to 24 feet. A few examples are the Russian Giant, Titan Sunflower, Mongolian Giant, American Giant and Skyscraper Sunflower. Other varieties of sunflowers grow 2 to 3 feet. A few such sunflower varieties are Elf, Firecracker, Double dandy and Sunbright…
Chicken pasta recipe
Introduction Chicken pasta is one of those meals that never goes out of style. It’s warm, filling, and packed with flavors that feel both comforting and satisfying. Juicy pieces of chicken, tender pasta, and crunchy veggies come together to create a dish that works perfectly for weeknight dinners, weekend lunches, or even casual gatherings. The best part is how flexible it is—you can keep it simple, make it creamy, add vegetables, or adjust the spices to suit your taste. With minimal prep and everyday ingredients, this chicken pasta recipe is an easy way to put a wholesome, homemade meal on the table. Ingredients 2 chicken breasts finely chopped 1 medium…
How to grow basil from seeds in pots or containers.
Basil is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. It is native to tropical Asia and Southeast Asia and is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is used to add flavour to dishes and soups. There are 50 to 150 varieties of basil. Some of the varieties that are commonly grown are sweet basil, purple basil, lemon basil and holy basil. You can either grow basil from seeds or you can buy a sapling from the local nursery. Growing Conditions for Basil The best time to grow basil is during the spring and summer seasons. Basil is neither frost-tolerant nor is it drought-tolerant. Mulching should be…
How to grow butterfly pea flower from seeds in containers.
Butterfly pea flower (scientific name Clitoria Ternata) is a perennial flowering plant that is native to Southeast Asian countries. It is a vine that can grow up to 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It is easy to grow butterfly pea flower and requires less maintenance. This plant gives blue and white flowers and they can be used to make tea and natural colourings. It is also grown as a cover crop as it helps to fix atmospheric nitrogen in soil. Growing Conditions for Butterfly Pea This flower can be grown during the spring and summer seasons. They require warm temperatures to grow well and do not grow in…
How to attract earthworms to your garden.
Having earthworms in your garden benefits your plants and improves the soil. They are also known as farmer’s friends as they help to plough the soil thereby loosening the soil and helping plants to penetrate their roots into it. Earthworm manure also called as worm castings is a great fertiliser for plants. They contain loads of minerals like nitrates, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and calcium that help in plant growth. Worm castings contain lots of beneficial microbes that help build soil fertility. Find out how to attract earthworms to the garden. Compost Worms are the ones that help in turning biodegradable waste to organic matter, by turning them into worm castings.…
How to make Vermicompost at home from kitchen waste.
Vermicomposting is the process of using worms that feed on organic matter and produce worm castings that can be used on plants. Vermicomposting is an easy process and you can get good compost for your plants when it is done in the right manner. Find out how to make vermicompost at home. Benefits of using vermicompost It is necessary to know the right kind of worms needed to make vermicompost. There are a variety of earthworms but the worms for composting are the red wrigglers and Eisenia fetida. These worms feed on kitchen scraps and organic waste to produce worm castings. Earthworms have a huge appetite and they eat a…
How to grow cosmos in containers or pots
Cosmos is a herbaceous annual plant that is native to Mexico. There are 30 different varieties of cosmos. Cosmos comes in several colours like pink, white, yellow, orange and red. It grows up to 6 feet tall. There are also shorter varieties and they can grow up to 4 feet. Some of them include Cosmic red cosmos, Cosmos yellow and Cosmos bipinnatus pink. These beautiful flowers require less maintenance. Cosmos attracts bees and other pollinators. The shorter varieties of cosmos can be grown in pots. Growing conditions for cosmos The best time to grow this flower is during the summer season. Cosmos is drought tolerant and does not like soil…
How to get rid of mealy bugs on your plants.
If you find tiny white insects sticking to your plant, you must get rid of them immediately. These insects are called mealybugs and they feed on the plant leaves causing them to turn yellow. If nothing is done to control these pests, they can multiply in large numbers. Each female is capable of laying up to 500 eggs. Mealy bugs can drain the life out of your plants. They share a symbiotic relationship with ants. Ants protect mealy bugs from predators in exchange for the honeydew mealybugs secrete. It is best to get rid of these pests when they are less in number. Ways to get rid of mealy bugs…
How to grow radish from seeds in Containers.
Radish is a root vegetable that is consumed all over the world. It contains lots of antioxidants and minerals such as calcium and potassium. There are several varieties of radish, most varieties can be harvested within 4 weeks. Daikon or winter radish takes about6 to 7 weeks to mature. This vegetable germinates soon and it is easy to plant radish especially if you are a beginner. Growing conditions for radish Radish is a cool weather crop. Planting radish during summers when the temperatures are high can result in bolting. The best time to plant radish is during Spring and Fall. The optimum temperature needed is between 18°C-29° C (64°F- 84°F).…
