15 Garden Pests and Natural Ways To Control Them

October 11, 2022 Farhan Ahsan Leave a comment

When you want to have a beautiful garden, it is always necessary for you to save your crops and plants from garden pests. In case you grow vegetables and fruits, it is not advisable to use chemicals to eliminate them. Therefore, it is important for you to identify the garden pests and use proper pest management techniques to control them without using pesticides. The following are well known garden pests you will be compelled to deal with.

1-Colorado potato beetle

It is easy to identify these beetles with their yellow colored backs with 10 black stripes. Potatoes, tomatoes and egg plant are the main crops on which their larvae and the adults feed on. They damage stems, flowers and buds. The best thing you could do to eliminate them is to pick both adults and larvae by hand and collect them in a can filled with soapy water. Also, you could crush eggs to prevent them from yielding larvae.

2-Cabbage looper

This is the green caterpillar garden pest which will cause damage to your cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower and turnips. They create ragged holes in these crops. When the population is high, they are able to even prevent the head formation with cabbages. One of the best natural insect control methods to use on them is to find some sick caterpillars and mix them in water and to spray the mixture on healthy caterpillars. The virus in the sick caterpillars will kill the healthy ones. You may also like to check out beneficial garden insects.

3-Bronze cut worm

This is also a larva of a moth. It is able to damage a number of plants that include potatoes, tomatoes, beans, peas, lettuce and many others. These larvae cut plants at soil level. Tilling the soil before planting is one of the remedies to prevent bronze worms from infesting your garden crops. Also, you can find and kill them. You may also like to check out homemade pesticides.

4-Bean leaf beetle

These beetles garden pests are found in a number of colors and they attack legumes such as beans and soybeans. Adult beetles damage both foliage and pods. Picking them up and dropping them into a can of soapy water is the best insect pest control method to use in order to get rid of them. You may also like to check out homemade bug sprays.

5-Aphids

Aphid pests damage any crop though they predominantly damage beans, melons, pumpkins, cabbages, tomatoes and potatoes. The best way to control them is to attract predatory insects that feed on them. In order to do so, you must know your pest identification methods.

6-Cucumber beetles

There are two varieties of these beetles pests. One has black strips on its wings while the other has spots. Cucumbers, cantaloupe, squash, melon and pumpkins are among the crops attacked by them. This common garden pest cannot cause much damage to well grown healthy plants. Therefore, using cones and raw covers until plants grow up is a good way to protect plants from them.

7-Squash vine borer

The cream colored larva of squash vine borer moth garden pest will cause damage to pumpkin, squash and zucchini plants. They rarely attack melons and cucumbers. If your plants wilt suddenly, that is a good sign of the presence of this garden pest. If you have some experience in identifying insects you can find the adult squash vine cork borers. Use yellow pan traps to find if they are there. Using raw covers and other barriers is the best way to contain damage caused by larva. You may also like to check out natural tick repellents.

8-Squash bug

These black or brown insects are common garden pests. They cause damage to pumpkins, melons, cucumbers and sometimes gourds. Squash bugs are not easy to catch and destroy because they hide with the slightest disturbance. Use trap boards at night and catch them early morning to destroy them. Also, you could find their eggs and crush.

9-Flea beetles

These shiny beetles pests are dark in color and they have a metallic sheen. They damage a number of crops including melons, squash, pumpkins, potatoes, cabbages, tomatoes and many others. Organic pest control methods such as keeping the weeds away and using transplanting instead of planting with seeds are the methods to control them.

10-European corn borer

Caterpillars of European corn borers garden pests are grey or light pink in color. They damage corn primarily but they also attack tomatoes, cabbages, okra, celery and many more crops. In order to control them, destroy all corn stalks. Do not use them in compost either. Try attracting their predators such as lady beetles and lacewings.

11-Asparagus beetles

There is the common asparagus beetle as well as the spotted asparagus beetle that damage asparagus. It is not difficult to hand pick them and drop inside a can of soapy water in order to destroy them. Even the larva could be found and crushed. You also could wipe the larva away from plants with a soft broom.

12-Tomato and tobacco hornworms

These caterpillars garden pests are either white or yellow in color. Peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes are the crops they damage. Hand picking the caterpillars is the best way to get rid of tomato pests. Tilling the soil at the end of the season is a good remedy too. You also can use a culture of Bacillus thuringensis to destroy them.

13-Cabbage maggot

Maggots garden pests attack plants of cabbage family by tunneling roots, killing plants. Remedy to prevent them from attacking your plants is to use raw covers and to use tar paper squares and transplant through silts in them. You also could apply nematodes at the roots of your plants.

14-Mexican bean beetle

Cow peas, soybeans, snap beans and lima beans are damaged by this beetle. They defoliate and even kill plants. The way to destroy them is to hand pick them. Floating raw covers could also be applied to prevent damage from them.

15-Japanese beetles

These garden insects eat leaves leaving only their skeletons and chew on flowers. You can shake plants early morning in order to save plants from them. Also, you could use floating raw covers. Using milky disease spores is also a good remedy. You may also like to check out mosquitoes & fly repellent plants.

Flowers

Top 12 Plants That Grow Well In Clay Soil

October 11, 2022 Farhan Ahsan Leave a comment

Sometimes we get stuck with the type of clay we have as clay soil can make plant life difficult to survive and grow. Although texture of soil can be improved with the addition of some organic materials but it is a time consuming and a continuous process. If you are facing problem regarding the soil texture and it creates hindrance in your gardening, then you need not to worry now because there is still a variety of plants that can grow well in clay soil.

Here is a list of 12 popular plants that grow in clay soil.

1-Aster Plant

Aster is one of the glorious plants that can survive in the clay soil and its flowers add beauty to your garden as it has a variety of colors like white, pink and purple with its amazing plant height of 6 feet. Another additional quality of aster is that it is drought tolerant, requires low maintenance and attracts birds to fall in love with aster.

There are two categories of asters; fall bloomers and summer bloomers. Both these types have difference of their growing season that make them more compact and compatible with the season.

2. Goldenrod

Goldenrod is the perennial type plant that grow in clay soil with its height of less than 6 inches to 8 feet. Its marvelous flowers bloom in late summer and early autumn. Its gold color and magical fragrance adds richness to your garden.

3. Black-eyed Susan

This orange flower grows in annual and perennial turns. It requires natural sunlight and moderate amount of soil. Its tall variety looks like shrubs that provide strength and support.

4. Japanese Iris

Japanese Iris is one of the outstanding and glorious flowers of the garden. Its beautiful color gives more attraction to it. It is more adaptable in moist soil and has a distinguished position in clay soil plants.

5. Viburnum Flowering Plant

Viburnums is one of the most popular flowering plants that grow in clay soil with its more than 150 species. Its white and pinkish flowers add beauty to your garden. Early spring is the most suitable time for its transplantation and it grows well in consistent moist. It has a height up to 30 feet,

6. Potentilla

The variety of colors in Potentilla flowers makes it unique in your garden. Its color range starts from white, yellow, orange, pink and red. Its growing season starts from May to November. It also has a variation in height, as its maximum height is 5 feet and its minimum height is 60 cm. It can easily be trimmed to maintain its beauty and shape.

7. Daylily

Daylily is one of the delicate flowering plants that can grow in clay soil very easily and give your garden a marvelous look. It has variety of colors and size ranges. Its flowers last only for a single day and this specialty makes it unique among all clay plants. Its blooming period starts from early summers.

8. Coreopsis

Coreopsis can be grown in dry to medium moisture. It has the qualities of being heat resistant, humidity resistant and drought resistant. Sometimes its plants are called ‘tickseeds’ as it has resemblance of seeds to ticks. Its beautiful flowers makes it more attractive not for the humans but for the hummingbirds and butterflies.

9. Russian Sage

This plant can grow well in dry, hot and sunny clay. Its color combination adds beauty to your garden. It is a drought tolerant and trouble free plant with a height of 3 to 5 feet.

10. Purple Coneflower

The flavor of your garden can be enhanced by these purple or lavender shady with dark center cones. It can be planted in either spring or fall. These are tough and drought resistant plants and can be bloomed for a long time.

11. Scarlet Runner Bean

Bright red bean flowers are fast growing vine which can survive in full sunlight and can bear shades as well. It is an annual vine type and requires fertile soil with moderate moisture. They can grow up to 6 or 8 feet. Its green beans can be used as a vegetable.

12. Fern

A flexible nature of ferns makes it unique as you can grow it in almost every condition like sun or shades, inside or outdoors. You can add beauty to any location by growing ferns, but the only thing you need to adjust is your soil type with some organic matter to balance the growth of particular fern type and to make it more adaptable.

Container gardening

20 Unique Container Gardening Ideas For Deck, Patio or Yard

October 11, 2022 Farhan Ahsan Leave a comment

Container gardening is the best way to do your gardening if you are compelled to do it in a small space. The following are a few innovative ways to do that.

1-Rustic Stand as a Container Gardening

A novel way of planting foliage, flowering plants or even a mixture of them is to buy a rustic metal stand made out of iron bars and leave a jute bag on it in place of the pot. Fill it with soil and plant your seeds or cuttings.

2-Rusty old radio flyer wagon as succulents container

Who could think to use radio wagon as a container? Yes! You can grow succulents in an old rustic flyer wagon by drilling hole in its bottom and putting some dirt within it. Related: Growing egg plants in containers.

3-Jute sacks as a wall container

If you want to use the space you have in a meaningful manner, you could plant your foliage in jute sacks and hang them on your parapet wall. Even empty cans could be used for this purpose. Herbs are also suitable plants to be grown this way. Related: growing blueberries in containers.

4-Elevated Boxes at window

Elevated boxes are great containers to be left at entrances to homes and near the backdoors. Foliage is the best for growing in them as they grow well in partial shade.

5-Plants Inside Glass Jars

Planting your small plants inside bell jars is an innovative style of gardening. Moss and ferns are ideal plants to be planted this way. They should be kept away from direct sunlight.

6-Recycle Boat into Plant Container

If you have an old boat, paint it and use it as a large flower pot. There is enough space to plant a number of flower plants there. You can leave it on a stand in order to make it look tidier.

7-Boots as Planter

Old boots when painted in the right way will become beautiful pots for plants. You could plant anything in them.

8-Wooden School Desk for Container Garden

If you find an old wooden school desk, use it as a box for growing flowers or vegetables in a container. It will become a beautiful elevated container when you plant your foliage and flower plants on it.

9-Flower Boxes for container gardening

Plastic boxes are ideal for growing vegetables in limited spaces. You can grow both herbs and vegetables in them easily. There is no restriction on the shape or the size either.

10-Stack of Tires as a Stand for Your Flower Pot

When you collect a few tires of different sizes and paint them in different colors, you could create an innovative stand for a flower pot. You have the option to change their positions to break the monotony.

11-Car as a planter

In case you could find an old car that is fit for only crushing, you could use it as a box for your garden. Cut the upper part leaving only the base and the sides. When filled with soil, plants could be planted.

12-Structures for adding variety to Flower pots

When you have blooming flower plants in pots you could add structures made out of metal in order to add variety. Only you need to have an innovative eye to find the suitable ones.

13-Hand bags an Economical way to Container Gardening

Buy some bags from the supermarket. Fill them with soil and plant your foliage or flower plants. Hang them on a suitable structure. Your old handbags are ideal for this purpose.

14-Container Gardening using a Vintage Newspaper Magazine Holder

When you want to change your vintage magazine rack, use it as a stand for your flower pots. However, you need to have your plants in a flexible type of container that fits into the rack.

15-Vegetable Gardening on a Stair Case

If you can imagine how it looks when you leave a drawer on each of the steps of a wooden stair case you will be able to imagine a beautiful way to use your cramped space for gardening. The entire structure is made out of wood. Related: growing lettuce in containers.

16-Toy Wheelbarrow for Container Gardening

Leave a toy wheelbarrow anywhere and fill it with soil to make it ready for planting flower plants. This is ideal if you want to avoid weeding or if you are staying in the house temporarily.

17-Rock as Container Gardening

If you find flat pieces rock you could put them together in an innovative manner on top of a suitable container to create a good container for planting plants of cactus family.

18-Simple Salad-Garden Containers

Flyer wagons are good substitutes for pots if you want to avoid the monotony of having standard sized pots of plants on your patio and the deck. Not only flower plants but also vegetables could be planted in them.

19-Raised tire Container Gardening Ideas

Tires are difficult to dispose of but you can use them as flower pots. Leave your old tire on a structure with three legs of one foot height and plant your flower plants. You will end up with a beautiful flower pot. Related: vegetables that grow well in pots.

20-Watering Sprinkler an Ornamental Pot

Don’t throw your old watering sprinkler. Instead, fill it with soil and plant a flower plant. You will end up with a good flower pot.

UK Listings

Fertilizer And Compost

10 Types of Mulch- Choose the Right One for Your Landscape

October 11, 2022 Farhan Ahsan Leave a comment

How do you protect your garden when you are threatened by the damages your plants could suffer due to many factors? Well, it is a good idea to dig out soil well, put good seeds and manually take good care of the soil. Still, that is not enough! You need mulch to be added to the surface of soil for protecting it from temperature irregularities and for the sake of enhancement of the structure of soil.

As you are familiar with the significance benefits that mulch could provide to your garden, let us talk about mulch types. Basically, it could be divided into two types: organic mulch and inorganic mulch. We will discuss ten most important types of mulches that could prove to be useful for your garden.

Types Of Mulches

1. Rock Mulch

It could definitely be a good idea to use rocks for your soil if you want a solid base that would be easy to use in perennial plants. Although pebbles could also be used as landscape mulch yet rocks have a definite advantage over pebbles. Rocks could easily be dug out due to their bigger size and provide maximum protection in the form of better heat absorption.

2. Wood Chip Mulch

It is common type of mulch which incorporates wood and bark that could give good protection to your soil. Pine is one of the important uses of wood bark that are used as natural mulch. Moreover, cedar and cypress trees are also used that could be used as mulch for your landscape.

3. Straw Mulch

The use of straw as mulch is significant for using in vegetable gardens because it is best suited for vegetables. However, to avoid weed production in winter, it is advisable to use lesser amount. The use of straw mulch will help you in walking easily around the garden as well. Hence, it is sometimes preferred over other sort of mulches.

4. Plastic Mulch

The use of black plastic is quite common and makes good mulch especially if you have to get rid of weeds for overgrowing in your garden. However, you will have to use wood bark as well for absorbing heat by putting it above the black plastic.

5. Cedar Mulch

This wooden mulch provides great benefits to the soil in the form of durable wood bark. It smells good and is better to use in large sizes of wooden bark for a good deal of protection.

6. Cypress Mulch

While using cypress as mulch, it is advisable for you to get to know about the source of the bark. There needs to be genuine wooden bark of cypress tree in case you want good formulated mulch. It is often rare to get original cypress due to massive shortage of trees as a result of cutting of cypress trees at a large scale.

7. Cocoa Hull Mulch

Many gardeners love to use cocoa beans as mulch because of the great fragrance they give and pleasing appeal and color. However, in case you having pets around that garden area, you need to avoid the use of cocas hull because it is toxic for many pets. They might eat away the poisonous beans and would end in deadly outcomes.

8. Grass Mulch

In case of using grass clipping above your garden soil, make sure you use green grass due to the abundance of nitrogen inside it and it will break down quite well into the soil. However, if the grass has turned brown, it might not have the amount of nitrogen necessary for the plants.

9. Landscape Fabric

As compared to black plastic and some other types of mulch, fabric mulch enables water and air to pass through it which makes it a desirable entity to be used. It is not organic in nature but it can be used for results like naturals.

10. Newspaper Mulch

You might not know before but newspaper makes really effective types of mulch for your garden. You need to top up the newspaper with wood or some natural mulch to not let it sway.

So, we are done with the brief description of top ten mulches that you can use for your landscape according to your needs. Pick out the one that best suits your garden requirements and good luck for your garden!

Indoor plants, vegetable garden

12 Healthy Vegetables and Herbs To Grow Indoors

October 11, 2022 Farhan Ahsan 2 Comments

A great choice for your indoor vegetable garden

Do you consent to the fact that home cultivated veggies are healthier and tastier? Yes, we all know that. It is very popular nowadays to grow vegetables indoors which is a very good way to obtain healthy and fresh vegetables but the main question arises; how to grow vegetables indoors? Almost every person thinks to grow vegetables indoors and have their own indoor vegetable garden as it provides you year-round access to all season’s vegetables but they are not fortunate enough to implement this. Sometimes their procedure is not feasible for cultivating the vegetables or sometimes their choice of plants is not right. Let’s see some of these vegetables and their methods of cultivation.

1-Peppers

It’s very easy to grow indoor veggies like peppers as they only need a sunny spot in your house and a big container with a plenty of space. To add this to your indoor vegetable garden you should provide it with a plentiful supply of water of about 4 gallons!

2-Radish

Radish is one of the simplest vegetables which become ready in just a few days. They only need a small trough which is not very wide with small holes at the bottom for drainage purposes. Plant the seeds into the soil filled trough only under a thin layer of soil. On the other hand they need to be placed in a well-lighted area with moist soil. You may also like to check out: fast growing vegetables.

3-Green Onions

This veggie also known as scallions does not require any seeds to cultivate them. You just need to plant the bulb, which is at the bottom of scallion, in the soil and they start growing. A small container is required and it needs to be placed in a sunny place. Furthermore, while harvesting keep in mind to reap them only when they are almost six inches long.

4-Mint

To plant this indoor herb, first buy seeds or arrange starter plants. Put them in a pot. Pot should be deep and large. Now place some soil and inside it, put the seeds or starter in it. Some precautions should be kept in mind. There should be plenty of sunlight and the soil should not be dry. So constant watering at regular basis is required. While harvesting, do not snip all the leaves of mint from one plant. Leave at least two leaves in one plant. You may also like to check out: vegetables that grow well in pots.

5-Lettuce

Lettuce is a cool season and one of the easiest vegetables to grow indoors that requires minimum care. All it needs; standard potting soil, a little water, well drained soil and a lot of sunlight. It is rich in taste and vitamins A content. You may also like to check out: vegetables to grow indoors.

6-Mushrooms

Mushrooms are rich in fiber, vitamin C and full of antioxidants. You can grow mushrooms indoors in a bag of special compost with mushroom spawn. For cultivation and successful growth of mushrooms keep the growing medium damp.

7-Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a best choice to add them into your indoor vegetable garden. These container veggies need to be planted in a medium sized pot of 8 to 10 inches. Fill the pot with the soil and plant the seed into one quarter of an inch into the soil. The seed takes almost 8 to 12 days to germinate and needs to be watered regularly and placed in the sunlight during this period. When the tomatoes become red and soft, they are ready to be used. You may also like to check out: tips for starting a vegetables garden.

8-Basil

Basil is the simplest type of herb which is planted through seeds or starter plant. Size of the pot should be no less than four inches along with drainage holes. Sunlight is needed with a combo of warm temperature for basil to nourish nicely. In hot days, water the plant daily. Otherwise water in such way so as the soil does not get dry. When the height of the basil reaches to six inches, start trimming it. In this way, the plant will become bushier and the yield will become faster.

9-Cilantro

Coriander is the seed for planting Cilantro. Starter plants can also be used for growing food indoors. Put soil inside the container, such that the top two inches of the pot are not filled. Put the seeds (coriander in this case) or starter plant inside the soil and water it. One extra effort is to be done to grow cilantro. After watering, wrap the pot with plastic using rubber bands. Once the seeds are germinated, remove the plastic. The process of germination will take few days. Keep the pot in sunlight and water it regularly.

10-Ginger

Planting ginger is the easiest one. No seeds are required. Simply, take a piece of ginger and press it inside the soil of container. The orientation of the ginger chunk should be such that he fresh buds should be facing the upper side. The soil should be kept moist, receiving indirect sunlight.

11-Garlic

Medium sized garlic, with sufficient cloves, a large pot (the bigger the better) and soil is needed to grow garlic at home. A well ventilated spot with sunlight is needed. Take the coves and press the, in soil individually, the pointed side facing upwards. Water the plant not making it soggy. Enjoy the garlic at home 24/7.

12-Potatoes

Growing potatoes indoor requires you to use all of your indoor vegetable gardeningskills. They need a slightly bigger pot and should be placed into a plenty of sunlight. Moreover, you will need to water it every day to enjoy fresh potatoes at your home. You may also like to check out starting vegetables seeds.

Garden Projects Plans

12 Inspiring Square Foot Gardening Plans-Ideas For Plant Spacing

October 11, 2022 Farhan Ahsan 1 Comment

Gardening is an interesting hobby. When you have some nice vegetable pots you will derive lots of pleasure by watching their lush growth. At the same time, you will save money and will be able to cook vegetables picked up from your own home garden. But what if you live in an urban area and do not have enough space to spare? Square foot gardening is the answer. This new concept of gardening is nothing but growing your veggies in square shaped wooden boxes to use limited space to grow multiple vegetables. Out of the following ideas you could pick up one to create your square foot garden. The links are also available.

Square Foot Gardening

1. A well protected box for a small garden:

Boxes in which the plants are grown are 3 feet wide and 4 feet long. Made out of 5/4X5 cedar decking, they are attached to the ground with 18” – 24” lengths of ½” rebar. Strong nylon netting provides support for vines. There is the possibility to use netting to protect plants as well. These are cheap to make and easy to maintain. Get the details at organiclawndiy.

2. Boxes for large gardens:

In case you have a larger garden, your wooden squares for planting could be 8’ long and 3’ wide. Timber necessary could be scrap obtained from a nearby saw mill. Mixing seasoned horse manure, compost and soil will make up good square foot gardening soil. Diy square foot gardening by squawkfox.

3. Gardening for tight spaces:

Digging a 4’X 4’ bed and lining it with some wooden boards is the specialty with this one. In order to grow different crops in each square you could divide each side into 4 strips with some kind of wire to have 16 squares. Get the Plan at twobrosgardening.

4. No dig Square foot garden layout:

In this case, you never need to do any digging. The only need is to make some 4’X 4’ squares with wood and divide them into 16 equal squares with Twine. Plant your crops in these squares. This is cheap and easy to work with. Get the details of this Square foot gardening planting guide at no-dig-vegetablegarden.

5. Elevated square foot gardening:

This is a plan for a raised square foot garden plot. In this case a structure similar to a table is built in order to add soil mixture and plant the crops. The 4’X 4’ box is divided into 16 squares. The following square foot gardening pdf by orange.ifas.ufl.edu provides you with details.

6. Green foot project:

You could buy everything you need to create a small garden consisting of two 48”X 48” boxes, all types of soil you need and other tidbits for just $130. It is a case of adding the soil into the boxes before planting your seeds or the plants. Square foot garden plan by obsessionist.net.

7. Plant spacing for novices:

Square foot gardening is a good way to do plant spacing. When you go to this link you could learn a lot on this subject. In order to have your little garden of this type you never need to have any previous experience either. Get the details at arcadia-farms.

8. Creating DIY garden beds:

It is a good idea to go for 4’ X 4’ garden beds if you are a novice. You only need to buy some cheap wood or get some of those ones that are given free and use a few basic tools to create your garden boxes. Get the detail of this Diy square foot garden at removeandreplace.

9. Use of templates to space plants:

When you need to have the perfect space between your plants you could create some templates. You could have several of them for different kinds of spacing. The link here tells you how to make them. Get the square foot planting templates at vegetablegardener.

10. Using 2’X 4’ configuration boxes:

In case you think you can manage, the possibility is there for you to have your own way with creating the boxes. Here, the boxes are narrower and they are more suitable for small gardens. You could use them for square foot gardening tomatoes conveniently with necessary adjustments when you turn out a suitable DIY trellis.

Get the instuctions at affordableschoolsonline.

plant spacing — Image via: **affordableschoolsonline**

11. Square foot gardening without wood:

For this type of gardening it is not a must to buy expensive wooden boxes. You could make your garden even with makeshift concrete structures. Pictures available in this square foot garden idea by welldonelandscaping provide evidence.

12. A garden plan for a large garden:

In this one, the boxes used are odd in size. The length of each box is 9½’ and the width is 4½’. Such boxes are fit for large gardens. When you go to the site you will be able to find some useful information on spacing of plants as well. Plant spacing guide at gardenplanner.almanac.

Ending Note

It looks that there is a lot of interest on square foot farming. It is time for you to try this new method of growing vegetables.

Gardening

10 Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms-Guide to Mushroom Identification

October 11, 2022 Farhan Ahsan Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered while cooking what can you possibly add to make your dish standout? Mushrooms are an option and they can take your cooking to a whole new level. But in order to use them for eating and cooking, inedible and edible mushroom identification is essential. You will find hundreds of mushrooms out there in your garden, some of them are edible while others are poisonous and should not be eaten. Here are the ten edible and poisonous mushrooms after which you will be easily able to distinguish between mushrooms.

10. Chanterelle Mushrooms:

Also known as Girolle, these wild edible mushrooms are orange or yellow in color. They are commonly found in the Northern parts of Europe and North America including Mexico. They have a wonderful and a rich flavor and are cooked in many famous gourmet restaurants all over the world. They have several benefits towards health as it is low in saturated and unsaturated fat.

9. Sulfur Tuft:

This mushroom is found in UK and all types of forests and woods. They are found in small clusters and large groups as well and feed on dead matter. They look beautiful when clustered together in woods and look really good to eat but are inedible and can lead to serious poisoning and diarrhea.

8. Shittake mushroom:

Because of its abundant benefits for human health this mushroom is very famous and most edible in renowned restaurants. This mushroom species was formerly known as Lentinus Edodes and is a native of Japan, China and Korea and is used widely in Asian countries. Their caps grow up to 8 inches in diameter with a wide umbrella like shape and are of cream colored from the inside.

Recent studies have shown that Shittaki mushrooms protect us against cardiovascular disease along with making our immune system strong. They are available in tin food as well and a number of dishes are prepared using the shitake mushrooms which are loved throughout the world.

7. Deadly Parasol:

This deadly parasol is a medium sized umbrella mushroom and is extremely deadly as the name portrays. This mushroom is found in woods and on grounds. They have reddish scales on the top which is their distinguished feature. They are mostly found in North America and if digested can destroy intestines and then results in death.

6. Portobello Mushrooms:

Mostly used in Italian cooking, Portobello mushrooms are large in size about 4 inches and 10 cm in diameter and are easily distinguished. These mushrooms when young are called crimini or baby bellas because they are white and rounded. As this mushroom matures they turn dark in color and become flat. Their cooking trait is that the longer they are cooked the more taste it produces in the foods just like meat so they are mostly grilled. It is best for those people who have to watch their weight while eating or their cholesterol. They are the best source of potassium, Vitamin B and amino acids.

5. False Morel:

Among the types of the edible mushrooms comes the Morel Mushroom as well but there is a false morel mushroom too which contains the chemical monomethyl hydrazine and is poisonous. These deadly mushrooms feed on dead rotting matter and its caps are usually reddish brown and in rare cases yellow.

4. Bolete Mushrooms:

Wild mushrooms can only be eaten if available in the market not from the wild because they can be poisonous. This brown capped Bolete mushroom is extremely delicious when cooked and is quite popular. The baby mushrooms begin to appear after heavy rainfalls in the West mostly in September and October.

3.Clitocybe rivulosa or False Champignon(fool’s funnel):

Commonly found in the grassy areas of Europe and North America, a false champignon mushroom looks like a small funnel. It is also known as the ‘sweating mushroom’ because of its symptoms and it leads to severe poisoning but is not deadly. It contains muscarin which is dangerous for human health. It is a very small mushroom with no smell and taste and is found growing on grasses which increases the risk of children getting close to it. It can be easily mixed up with the edible fairy ring champignon because of the lack of knowledge of identifying mushrooms.

2. Oyster mushroom:

These edible mushrooms are easily found in the supermarkets. It is also known by its scientific name Pleurotus Ostreatus and is found all the way through the North Temperate Zone. Their name shows that they look like oysters and grow mostly on wood of fallen and dead trees. They are 2-8 inches wide and look like a white shell with no stalk. Among all the edible mushrooms oyster mushrooms has shown to be a benefit for human health. They are enriched in Vitamin D, niacin, fiber and iron all very essential for human health. Along with improving your health they are healthy for the environment as well; as they can diminish all the harmful toxins present in our air especially hydrocarbon contaminated. Oyster mushrooms are widely used in cooking all over in every sort of dish. You just stir fry it in the end and it will give a lovely taste and a great look to your dish.

1. Destroying angel:

One of the most toxic and poisonous mushroom is the destroying angel. It belongs to the species of Amanita Virosa. With a white stalk and gills they can sometimes be mistaken for button mushrooms and the meadow mushrooms which are edible so it is important to know how to identify mushrooms as they can also be found on lawns or grassy areas. They are white in color and grow in summer and autumn. They are highly poisonous and can result in instant death if consumed. These mushrooms are dangerous for human health and if digested the symptoms occur after 5 to 24 hours and by then the poison has been absorbed in the kidneys and liver.

Please not confined merely to this guide read more resources to make clear identifications of edible and inedible mushrooms.The identification of edible and poisonous from pic alone is not quite enough.

Disease and Pest control

7 Effective Ways To Getting Rid Of Moles In The Yard

October 11, 2022 Farhan Ahsan 6 Comments

It is the dream of every housewife to have a nice looking garden with an emerald green lawn. Most often, they toil for achieving this dream and realize it by creating beautiful lawns. It is quite possible for such housewives to witness the beauty of their lawns being disturbed by moles that leave mounds of dust excavated from lower layers of the gardens strewn all over. Quite naturally, they will look for ways to eliminate these little diggers.

There are more reasons than having to manage with mounds for one to try and eliminate these creatures. Since the tunnels created by these unwelcome guests of your garden are close to the surface, a visitor of yours unsuspectingly walk in your beautiful lawn could get her ankle sprained if she steps on top of one. Treatment for such an accident could cost a lot. Also, these tunnels provide paths for parasites to reach the roots of your plants.

The following are seven successful ways to eliminate them.

1. Catch them and release them in a safe area: This is the best way to get rid of moles if you want to do it in a humane way. The methodology is simple. The first thing to do is to locate an area where moles dig. After finding a tunnel, you need to dig a pit that is able to hold an empty can. Leave the can with its open end at the level of the tunnel. Cover the can with an empty shoe box or something of the sort to make it dark. Inspect this simple trap from time to time. You could pick up the moles trapped and release them in a safe distance away.

2. Use a Commercially available trap: When you go to the pest control product store you could buy a trap which usually is spring loaded. These traps kill the vermin when it attempts to feed on the bait.

3. Use repellents: Those who want to know how to get rid of a mole without harming it could formulate repellents for moles and spray them in lawns inhabited by them. The mixture will have soap, cayenne pepper and castor oil. This mixture will cause irritation to moles when it comes in contact with their skins. Therefore, they will avoid coming to your garden.

moles repellents — Image via: **plantprotec**

4. Put a Barrier around your garden: Unlike catching or killing moles this is a more permanent solution if you use it the right way. The only thing to do is to dig a trench around 2 feet deep. The barrier could be a mesh that will not allow the little diggers to cross. You also could fill it with gravel or clay. Such a barrier has to be 8 to 12 inches in width.

5. Use of natural repellents: This is how to get rid of moles naturally. Planting garlic and chocolate lilies in your garden is a very effective natural way to control them as moles dislike these plants. They will go and find a place that is devoid of such plants when you do so.

6. Using baits: Use of baits is for those who want to know how to kill moles. There are baits that are poisonous to moles which you could buy in the shop. Some of them look like worms while there are others such as poison peanuts which could be left on the trails where moles dig. When you use this method, you need to make sure that pets or kids will not be able to pick them up.

7. Use of vibrating devices: If you want to know how to get rid of ground moles without much effort, this method is for you. Moles do not like to live in areas where they are disturbed. Therefore, you could repel them effectively by leaving a few wind propelled spinners along the paths they dig. Even you could use battery operated ones.

Image Source — Image via: sustainable.co.za

Since you have seven ways to control moles that dig tunnels in your garden and disturb the appearance of your lawn, you could choose just one or two of them which are most suitable for your garden. When you use them in the proper way, you are sure to eliminate the nuisance caused by them. In case you choose methods that do not kill these little animals, you will also have the satisfaction that you have treated them humanely.

Planting

10 useful tips to Growing Squash-learn how to Grow Summer and Winter Squash

October 11, 2022 Farhan Ahsan Leave a comment

Squash, according to the viewpoint of botany negates the classification of being with vegetables and is considered as fruits having seeds. Originating from Central America 7500 years ago are now grown all around the world including beans and corns. The varieties of squash are categorized as either the summer or the winter squash. However, while planting squash their differences must be kept in notice (like their harvest time) in accordance with the appropriate type.

Summer squash,rich in vitamins A, C are mild flavored with thin skin producing effectively from early summer to the frost. Such varieties are shaggy and have various appearances; they are favorable for eating with less cooking as their skin is not poisonous. Most of them are harvested within 50 days and belongs to one of the following category:

Scallop
Crooked-neck
Straight-neck
Zucchini

Winter squash possibly stored throughout the winter have thick seeds enriched with iron and vitamins A, C. They require more cooking than the summer squashes. The storing could be done at cool and dark place for a month or so along with the fruit size. Harvesting normally takes about 70-120 days. Its further categories are as follows:

Spaghetti
Acorn
Hubbard
Butternut

Tips regarding how to plant squash

Growing summer or winter squash is simple despite of the numerous shapes, colors or sizes of the vines. These cucurbits have equal cultural needs like for growing squash vertically, a sunny location is needed. Certain important things regarding these squashes are as under:

Favorable season and sowing of seeds

Planting squash depends on the preferable seasonal conditions so that squash planted grows well. Unable to tolerate the first frost, squashes are summer loving. Growing squash in long-summer gardens requires sowing the seeds directly in hills after last date of frost, however; for small-summer gardens implanting the seeds before last frost date is effective. Squash plants require full sun, planted usually around 1 inch deep with 4-5 seeds per hill ignoring the root problems during transplanting. Indoor planting on the other hand works well with 1.5 cm squash seeds.

Soil requirements

Squash seeds decay in wet soil and develop defectively in cool soil. 6.0-6.5 is the optimal soil pH for winter squashes. Soil should be prepared up to a depth of 18-20” for growing squash as they require enough organic matter for their feeding. The pH range 5.5-6.8 is considered as ideal for squash. If the soil is lean then various organic amendments by incorporating compost and decomposing manure could be added.

Squash plant spacing

Different squash plants require much space whether they are planted in raised gardens or the conventional hills. Winter squashes need more space around 5-7 feet apart than the summer squashes that work well with 3-4 feet hills apart. If the seeds are planted directly than they must be sown 6-8” apart with 3 feet among bush varieties and 4 feet among the vines. Proper air circulation should be present while planting squash so that the diseases could be avoided.

Watering

Like the watering process of every grown vegetable or plant is necessary, similarly proper water consumption is necessary for growing spaghetti squash or growing butternut squash. When the soil gets dry;summer squashes like yellow squash requires water till the roots for deep utilization. To avoid fruit deterioration watering must be reduced. Drip irrigation is another method of watering. However, for regular squash production 1-1.5” per week supply is considerable.

Care and fertilization

Effective care of squashes demands some tips like to thin the plants when first true leaves develop(to save the best three or four plants per hills), planning on 4sq inch for summer squashes and watering up till 20 inches deep. As squash plants need ample amount of organic matter, add some organic fertilizer before transplanting to make a rich soil. 2 pounds of a fertilizer (20-20-20) per 100 feet of row is to be applied in spring. All varieties of squash once are grown up do not need much to do; cutting off old leaves is better where the main stem is being connected. Moreover, spreading vines require burying nodes so that it caters with the borers problems.

Harvesting conditions

In order to increase the production rate harvesting must be done frequently .Summer squashes like patti pan are harvested before ripening of fruits and winter squashes like acorn are harvested in the fall (usually late September-October). Some varieties take about 60 days to get maturity. Zucchini cultivars are best when they are 4-8”, however maturing a single fruit may affect the productivity. Winter squashes are tasty when the shells are hard. In this case all ripe fruits should be picked before the frost by using sharp knifes in dry weather.

Temperature and storage

Summer squashes can be stored in the refrigerator up to 10 days and winter ones are kept in cool locations for 1-6 months at a temperature of 50 to 65 degrees F packed in a freezer containers. Summer squash grows best between temperatures 65-75 degrees F with soil temperature at approximately 60 degrees F. Winter squash grows well in air temperatures ranging from 50° to 90°F.

Pests prevention

Squash pests include striped cucumber beetles; squash borers etc. Squash bugs are grayish brown bugs up to 3⁄4 inch long that wilt the plants, However; you can mound the soil over the wound to develop root systems, hence preventing from vine borers. Distorted squash in another case of stink bug can be corrected by spraying appropriate insecticides and thus various leading problems could be vanished. Sometimes if you’ve short of bees or the bees activity for transferring the male pollen to female flower is less, than you can manually pollinate with a Q-tip or can grow plants in the surroundings that attract bees.(See the flowers that attract butterflies and bees)

Dealing with the growing problems

Bacterial and fungal diseases are suspected through squash bugs, borers, powdery mildew in squashes that you can cure with fungicides. If proper planning and maintenance is not done then such problems could lead the leaves to wilt. Fulfillment of the growing requirements is important for the squashes to flourish. Consistent watering with fertilization and removal of debris (after final harvesting) are included in these measures. Digging weeds and covering the hays could be used to avoid borers attack. Rubbing of the red eggs is also prominent for destruction considering the entry holes at the plants base. Though planting of nasturtiums to keep away squash bugs is also recommendable.

10. Cooking tips

The summer squashes should be salted 15 mints before cooking and then are blotted dry. You should use grilling, stir frying to avoid mush factor as these are the best methods I advice. Squash about 4-6 ounces should be selected for amazing flavors using steam. However baking is perfect if refrigerated in a bag of plastic for around 5 days. On contrary, winter squashes skin must be peeled before cooking and they can be boiled, roasted, simmered for favorable tastes.

Garden Projects Plans

15 DIY Swing Set-Build A Backyard Play Area For Your Kids

October 4, 2022 Farhan Ahsan Leave a comment

Getting children to spend time outside is key to their mental and physical well-being. Time in the garden should be fun, exciting and inspiring. A DIY swing set can be a great addition to your outside space and is a sustainable way to encourage your children to spend time in the fresh air. Here are fifteen diy swing sets that you can build yourself:

Build Swing Set With Child’s Playhouse

A playhouse is a space that a child can call their own. It is a den that can be a space for fun, for imaginative play and for thought. If you already have a playhouse in your garden, why not consider adding a diy swing set like this one by ana-white to the side of the playhouse?

Improve Your Child's Playhouse — Image via: **ana-white**

Create A Complete Play Fort With Swing Set

By following plans found online and with some simple DIY skills, anyone can create a magical play fort that kids will love for a fraction of the cost that would be incurred if the fort was bought ready made or as a commercial kit – with a much lover carbon footprint. Get the detail swing set plan like this one by boxycolonial.

Create A Complete Play Fort With Swing Set — Image via: **boxycolonial**

DIY Swing Set Plan For Grown Ups

Who says that swing sets like this one by prettyhandygirl are just for kids? We should all embrace the inner child within and make the time for simple joys in our lives. A swing set for adults to use as a relaxation space could be the perfect way to create comfortable seating to use after you have been hard at work in your garden.

Swing Sets For Grown Ups — Image via: **prettyhandygirl**

Wooden DIY Swing Set Plan

Good quality lumber is the perfect material for an outside play zone. Not only is it strong and durable, it is also a sustainable building material. Here are some Swing set plans to show you how to construct a beautiful wooden play structure like this one by popularmechanics, step by step:

Wooden DIY Swing Set — Image via: **popularmechanics**

Wooden Kids’ Swing Set Plan

There is a certain satisfaction that comes from knowing that you have created something yourself, from scratch. This simple DIY swing set by hgtv can be made by anyone with basic skills and woodworking tools and will give the kids enjoyment for years to come.

Perfect Project For A Handmade Home — Image via: **hgtv**

Red Cedar Swing Set

Red cedar is a naturally durable and ecologically friendly building material and is the perfect wood to use for a swing set for your backyard like this one by allthumbsdiy. Since you do not need to treat this type of wood with harsh chemicals, it is perfectly kid friendly and a good choice for an organic garden.

Red Cedar Swing Set — Image via: **allthumbsdiy**

Sturdy A-Frame Swing Set

Once you have the basic plans in place, you can take measurements and make the swing set like this one by instructables whatever size you want it to be. You can make a very large swing set as in the link below, or tailor the plans to suit a much smaller space. When you are making your own, you are in charge of all the decisions.

Sturdy A-Frame Swing Set — Image via: **instructables**

Three In One Swing Set

We all want our children to be competent, engaged and bold. What better way to encourage your future adventurers than to show them that it is possible for them to do it themselves? Inspire them by creating a combination diy swing set like this one by diynetwork, playhouse and climbing wall.

Creating the Adventurers of the Future — Image via: **diynetwork**

Make A ‘Swing City’ For Your Kids

It is a great idea to include your kids in your garden design. Get them interested in sowing some seeds and watching them grow. But for when play is the thing, make sure they have a zone where they can let off some steam. Get the tutorial for diy awing set at motherearthnews.

Make A 'Swing City' For Your Kids — Image via: **motherearthnews**

Build A Backyard Playground

When you are creating your own swing set for your kids like this one by blackanddecker, your imagination is the main limiting factor. Think big and aim for the stars. Your kids can have a whole backyard playground, and it does not need to cost the earth!

Up, Up and Away On An Airplane Swing

For a unique gift, give your children an inspiring swing set like this one by ana-white that will really get their imaginations flowing. One example is this cute little airplane shaped swing for would be aviators – where will your kid fly off? Sit back and watch them soar.

Up, Up and Away On An Airplane Swing — Image via: **ana-white**

Simplicity is Key To Success In DIY

Anyone can make a DIY swing set like this one by jacksbackyard for the right plans – you just have to think carefully about which are the right plans for you. Keep things simple and think about your own children and their likes, wants and needs and you can create something that can really stand the test of time.

Simplicity is Key To Success In DIY — Image via: **jacksbackyard**

Solar Swing Set

Make your swing set multi purpose like this one by instructables by installing photovoltaic panels on the roof to harness the power of the sun and take another step towards eco-friendly sustainability.

Solar Swing Set — Image via: **instructables**

Swing Set For Birthday Present!

You can give your child the best birthday present ever without going anywhere near a toy store. Enlist the help of friends and family to build a magical play set like this one by our-everyday-art just for them.

build a magical play set — Image via: **our-everyday-art**

Detailed Swing Set Plans and Costings

Anyone can build a DIY swing set like this one by hot4cad but as with any other DIY project, preparation and planning are key. Luckily, those who have already built their swing sets have already done a lot of the work for you, as evidenced in these detailed plans, below.