Benefits of having a kitchen garden
Most of the food that we eat today is grown using pesticides and they do more harm than good to our health. At the same time, these pesticides destroy our soil, water, and biodiversity. Having a kitchen garden can benefit you and the environment. Fruits and vegetables that are grown in kitchen gardens are more nutritious and benefit our health. Benefits of having a kitchen garden 1. Provides clean air Having more plants in your garden can help you breathe clean air keeping your lungs healthy. If you are living in a polluted city, it’s a must that you have more plants. 2. You get Fresh herbs You can pluck…
What is permaculture?
A lot of us have heard of the word permaculture but are not sure of what it is. Permaculture is derived from “ permanent agriculture”.It was introduced by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the year 1978. It follows a natural and sustainable approach to agriculture. Besides agriculture, permaculture design principles can be applied in several other fields such as Town Planning, Community Spaces, and Commercial and Industrial Premises. Permaculture Ethics These designs are created by observing natural patterns in an ecosystem. These patterns are replicated to create a sustainable system that can help solve issues like food shortages for humans and restore damaged ecosystems. Permaculture is about working with…
9 vegetables to plant in fall season
Fall is the season that lasts for four months (August, September, October and November) before the first frost arrives. It is the best time for growing vegetables that grow best in cooler temperatures. Before you start to plant vegetables during this season, know when will the first frost date be. Then plant vegetables that germinate fast and can be harvested within 2 months. Certain vegetables cannot handle very low temperatures whereas other vegetables are cold-hardy. Here is a list of fall vegetables that you can grow. Best vegetables to plant in fall season 1. Radish Radish is a cool weather crop and can tolerate temperatures between 60°F to 65 °F…
9 Best companion plants for okra.
Okra is one of the vegetables that is widely used for cooking purposes in many countries. It is one of the easiest vegetables to grow for beginner gardeners. This plant belongs to the same family of hibiscus and can be easily attacked by pests and many insects. Practising companion planting is one way to reduce the attack of pests on your okra plants. Best Companion Plants for Okra 1.Cosmos Cosmos flowers help to attract bees, pollinators and other beneficial insects to your garden. Beneficial insects help to control pests like mealy bugs and whiteflies on your okra plant. 2. Basil The strong scent of basil can help to deter pests and many insects away from your okra. Okra can also provide…
Growing a herb garden for beginners
Herbs are one of the easiest plants to grow in your home as they grow fast and require less maintenance. Growing herbs in your home can benefit you in many ways. You get fresh herbs to add to your dishes plus herbs can help to treat ailments as well.Here are few things to know when growing a herb garden: Planning a herb garden 1. Before planning your herbal garden, do some research and find out what herb grows well in your location. Herbs are of two categories Annuals and Perennials. Annuals are herbs that grow for a single season. Some examples include mint, cilantro, borage, dill and basil. Perennial herbs are those that live for…
11 flowers to grow in fall season
Certain flowers grow well and give bright blooms in cooler temperatures. Fall is the best season to grow them. Some of these flowers can tolerate frost and give blooms during the next spring whereas, others die when the first frost arrives. Here are some of the flowers that grow best in the fall season 1.Pansy: Pansies come in a variety of colours such as yellow, violet, red and purple. These flowers can also tolerate moderate levels of frost. They grow well when temperatures are between 7°C to 18°C (44.6°F to 64.4°F). They need well-drained fertile soil to grow well. 2.Nasturtium: Nasturtiums are cool-weather flowers but not frost-hardy. They grow well…
How to grow oregano at home.
Oregano is a low-maintenance herb that belongs to the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranean region and grows up to 31 inches tall. Oregano produces flowers that are white, pink or purple. It has been used since ancient purposes for medical and other purposes since the 18th century. Here is how to grow oregano at home: Growing conditions Oregano is a drought-tolerant perennial herb, that can grow best in sandy loam soil. The soil pH should be between 6.0 to 9.0. It grows best when it gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day. Oregano does not like waterlogged soil, so avoid overwatering. Also, make sure to…
How to prune tomato plants
One of the best ways to increase yields in your tomato plants is by pruning them. When plants spend most of their energy in developing branches and leaves the yield decreases. Pruning regularly can help in more flower and fruit production. Pruning your tomato plants helps to improve air circulation which reduces the risk of the plant getting attacked by disease. There are two varieties of tomatoes namely determinate or bush varieties and indeterminate or vine varieties. How to prune tomato plants Indeterminate varieties: Indeterminate varieties or the vine variety can grow up to 12 feet tall so it’s necessary to prune them regularly. Remove the branches that are at…
How to get rid of thrips in your garden.
Thrips are small microscopic insects that range from 0.5mm to 14mm in size. There are about 6000 types of thrips and most of them feed on plants. These insects feed on plants by puncturing the outer layer and sucking out the cell contents. This leads to silvering, and discolouration of the leaf’s surface which eventually kills the plants. They also leave excrement on the plant’s leaves and this can be seen as black varnish-like flecks. Plants affected by these insects should be isolated as they can be blown to healthy plants through winds. The life cycle of thrips The life cycle of thrips comprises six stages. They are the egg,…
How to use coffee grounds for plants
Coffee grounds have many uses in your garden. They can help in improving overall soil fertility. Although they can improve the soil they must be used in less amounts. You can mix coffee grounds with compost before using it on plants. Benefits of using coffee grounds for plants. Disadvantages of using coffee beans Certain plants don’t like coffee grounds. Some of them include Roses, chrysanthemums, garlic, lemon tree and sagebrush. How to use coffee grounds in the garden: The best way to use coffee grounds in your garden is to directly add them to your compost bins. Make sure that they compromise only 5 % of the whole compost. You can also spread a thin…
