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…
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.…
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…
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 Marigolds 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 like…
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…
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 are Zahara, Uptown grape and Profusion. These varieties are more resistant to pests. Here is how to plant zinnia seeds 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).…
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 of such sunflower varieties are Elf, Firecracker, Double dandy and…
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 be 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…