Category Archives: Gardening

Tips and ideas to plant and grow your own food to get fresh vegetables and fruit from your backyard for self-sufficient living.

Flowers

12 Best Drought Tolerant Plants-Perennials and Annuals

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Unlike a decade ago we get lower rainfall in some regions of the country at present. Due to this reason and many others, we are compelled to use as little water as possible for the maintenance of our gardens. One of the best ways to cope with this problem is to have drought tolerant plants in our gardens that need lesser water than others.

Choosing the right kinds of plants

One of the best ways to curb the usage of water is to find low maintenance perennials. These plants never need daily watering. The following are good plants to grow.

1-Cone flowers:

This drought tolerant flowers bloom during the summer. The flowers could be of colors such as purple, yellow, white, red, pink or orange. Though flowers of these plants were always pink sometime back now-a-days you get them in several colors. Slender cornflower leaves minimize water evaporation.

Cone flowers

2-Coral bells:

This drought tolerant plant got its name due to the fact that its original flowers had shapes of corals. These look attractive foliage plants but it is their blooms that are most beautiful. The flowers could be pink, white or red and they bloom in late spring and early summer. Leaves of coral bells are broad and make them useful foliage plants.

Coral bells

3-Russian Sage:

You need well drained areas to grow this drought tolerant plant that carries blooms of shades of blue. The flowers will appear from mid-summer up to fall. As the blossoms open, the colours become vivid. This is one of the best low maintenance plants to have in your garden. Gray green leaves of Russian Sage are narrow and limit water evaporation.

Russian Sage

4-California poppy:

Being the state flower of California this plant grows in many locations in the state as a wild plant. The flowers appear in a range of colours such as red, yellow, salmon, white and orange. These are highly drought tolerant flowers. The leaves of the plant are divided into lobes and they are of blue green colour.

California poppy

5-Madagascar periwinkle:

This is a drought tolerant plant that is around 18 inches in height and its flowers are white, pink, red, purple or salmon in color. The plant grows either in hot sun or in the shade. Leathery leaves of dark green color cover the soil in most species.

Madagascar periwinkle

6-Zinnia:

This is another hardy plant that produces beautiful blooms of a variety of different colors. The plant grows in bright sunshine and is moderately drought tolerant. The leaves are located on opposite sides of the stem and are rigid. Water evaporation through them is minimal.

Zinnia flower

7-Hedge roses:

These are plants that will not perish in drought. The flowers are around 3½” across. They bloom from June to August. They are good for growing on borders and also on hedges. Do not have lots of leaves and the leaves are small.

Hedge roses

8-Siberian Bellflowers:

This sprawling drought tolerant plant that blooms in May and June bear star shaped flowers of lavender blue color. This plant is good as edging for paths and for rock gardens. The leaves are small and form cushion like mounds.

Siberian Bellflowers

9-Siberian Iris:

A plant highly adaptable to dry weather once it is established. Its leaves are narrow. The flowers could be purple, blue or white. Bloom in late spring and sometimes form blooms again during the fall.

Siberian Iris

10-Sea Thrift:

These are drought tolerant plants that could not only grow in dry weather but also thrive in rocky soil. The plant look like tufts of grass and the flower is formed at the end of a stem. Flowers may be of red, lilac, white or rose in colour.

Sea Thrift

11-Foam flower:

This is an ideal plant for ground cover to reduce evaporation of water from soil. It grows fast and the leaves are of maple shape. The flowers come off the leaf clusters and are white to pink in color.

Foam flower

12-Blazing Star:

If you are looking for a drought resistant plant that also grow on marshy lands choose Blazing Star. Its grassy foliage will grow on any kind of soil and needs little water. There will be blooms from mid-summer to fall. The flowers will be white or purple.

Blazing Star

When you water your plants, do that early morning. This will minimize water evaporation and the plants will absorb water better when you do so. Instead of watering several times using a little water every time, use more water and water the plants less frequently. Mulch around plants helps to retain moisturizer in the soil thus protects the plant roots from hot sun. If you’re starting your plants in small pots make sure you transplant them in large pots before they become root bounded. Though these are just simple tips they will help you maintain your garden easily and you will have your plants in great shape when you follow them.

Here are some more useful tips to fight drought

Planting, vegetable garden

10 Tips to Starting a Vegetable Garden for Beginners

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Nurturing a vegetable garden in your house is beneficial in several ways. Vegetable gardening for beginners courses are widely available in the internet. You can gain immense physical exercise whilst your mind relaxes blissfully. Seeing a plant you sowed as a flower and produce fruits is proud experience. A few dollars you spend to buy seeds can earn you several dollars when you reap baskets of flowers and fruits. Besides, it will save you loads of medical bills and gym subscriptions.  Here are the top ten tips to for beginners on how to start a vegetable garden.

Related: fast growing vegetables, vegetables that grow well in pots, vegetables to grow indoors, popular winter vegetables to grow, top spring vegetables to grow, and starting vegetables seeds.

1- An important aspect of vegetable garden planning is determining what to grow. There is no use in planting a rare vegetables or excess variety of same vegetable. Take a list of the normal vegetables your family consume and plant only them in the beginning.

2- Space is never a constraint for vegetable garden planning. There are techniques like container vegetable gardening and intense vegetable gardening which will help you plant several varieties of vegetables even in a very small place.

 3- Tomatoes, peas and leafy vegetables like lettuce and cabbage are the easiest to plant. Their consumption is also very high. Vegetable gardening for beginners courses recommend them to plant these basic items first as they are easy to nurture and maintain. They require very little time every day for their tending. Further these plants are suitable for various climates and can grow with moderate water consumption.

4- Learn carefully how to use organic fertilizers and how to tend to various diseases affecting the plants. There are several different forums and websites giving you easy tips on how to use cheap and common house hold materials to drive away garden pests. Weeding is the most important work in good gardening. It consumes most of your gardening time. It is better to know the difference between various plants to avoid pulling out actual plants.

5- Vegetable gardening planning and creation is similar to cooking. You might get only rotten fruits in a season and there will be abundant growth in another. It is a matter of things falling to place in a proper way. Natural factors, your hard work and the quality of the seeds everything affects the growth of the plants and the harvest. Never get disappointed if your efforts do not give you the desired results in the first attempt.

6- Be sure to involve your kids and other interested family members in gardening. The whole experience should be a relaxing one. There is no use in doing hours of hard work in the garden and venting out anger on your family members. Simply ensure you make it an enjoyable experience which releases stress.

7- Starting vegetables from seeds or seedlings is crucial part of vegetable gardening. While it is easy to start vegetables from seeds by directly sowing into the ground but some takes several month of growing season to mature like eggplant, tomatoes, peppers that may be a problem if you’ve short season; so it is better to start your seeds indoor some weeks before the last frost date and then transplant them when soil is warm.

8-There’re some vegetables that grow well when sowing directly into the ground like root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes unlike transplanting.  Container vegetable gardening can be best done with seeds. Even a small balcony is enough to grow multiple vegetables in container gardening. Several vegetables can be grown together in a single container. The toughest job is to weed out the unwanted plants and nourish the various plants growing together. However, there are various methods to do it successfully which can be mastered easily.

9- Beans and peas can be cultivated easily if you have a wide garden. You need to till the soil well, add good manure and make the soil fertile for a few weeks before you start to plant anything. Organic fertilizers, cutworms, compost and various other natural soil enriching sources can be purchased from local nurseries for a very low cost.

10- Besides they will also visit your garden directly and teach you how to plant a vegetable garden. The agriculture department will also help you do the same. They will give recommendation regarding what to plant in which season after doing various soil tests.

Learning how to plant a vegetable garden is easy. But, implementing it and becoming successful is no easy task. There are several practical issues you will encounter. But, the end result will be the happiness of eating the products created from your own sweat and knowledge. There is no satisfaction compared to that feeling.

Flowers

Top 10 Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds To Your Yard

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Hummingbird Facts

For centuries, gardeners have been fascinated with the aerobatics and beauty of the hummingbirds. Birds vary in their sizes and appearance; hummingbirds from their name can make a humming noise by flapping their wings (about 80 times per second). They are the tiniest of all birds, weighing less than an ounce and measuring only 3 inches long. They could be called as flying jewels with the ability to fly in various directions. These are small and colorful with iridescent feathers; their beaks help them to sip the nectar from thousands of colored flowers every day. There is a probability that these birds can’t resist red and crimson blooms could be an invitation for them in the gardens however it’s not the only way to attract them. Hummingbirds primarily eat flower nectar, tree sap, insects and pollen, this species is found only in North and South America.

What Plants and flowers that attract hummingbirds

There are several flowers that can attract hummingbirds but there are some of them that could be considered in the list of the favorite and most appealing ones. For the selection of such hummingbird plants and flowers, it is required to search for blooms that have rich and bright colors. These must be rich in nectar urging the birds to come back for them, hence satisfying their thirst. Diverse flowers could be added to provide plentiful food for the hummingbirds throughout the summer, fall and spring.

Following are the most preferable hummingbird plants along with their specialties:

1.Bee Balm

It is a spherical shaped attractive plant that could illuminate the gardens with its presence. It thrives best in full sun and can approximately grow about 12-36 inches high. Availability is in the intense shades of red, pink, purple and orange, it is also referred as bergamot or horsemint. They also attract bees and butterflies. These flowers could be used as a garnish for green salads, fruit, cakes or preserves. The aromatic leaves serve as a substitute for mint and can be dried for tea.

Bee Balm flowers for hummingbirds1

2. Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower also called as lobelia is one of the flowers’ that can serve best in well-drained soil and moist. Its red blooms are gracefully shaped and its long stalks can grow about 48 inches with the quality to provide visual interest to the flowerbeds. It tolerates full sun with enough moisture and this species bares spikes of brilliant, scarlet red-flowers. It could also be found in pink, white and is non-invasive. You may also like to check out Flowers that attract butterflies to the garden.

Cardinal Flower for hummingbirds

3. Zinnia

Thriving best in full sun with a compact shape, this annual bloom is quite easy to grow from seeds. The blooms of pink, red, white and yellow becomes an ideal choice for the migrating hummingbirds as it flourishes more from late summer to mid-fall. These typically range from 10 to 100cm in height and can bare hot summer temperatures. They have the ability to attract the hummingbirds and works as a defense against whiteflies; therefore zinnias are a desirable companion plant.

Zinnia flower for hummingbird

4. Bleeding Hearts

These are dangling heart-shaped blooms in pink or white. The bleeding hearts thrives best in lightly shaded locations and are hard in cooler climates. The growing rate is 24-36 inches and can be an affordable choice for hummingbird gardens as they can be divided to transplant. It grows best in moist conditions. You may also like to check out colorful flowers that are easy to grow.

Bleeding Hearts for humingbirds

5. Salvia

It is one of the great plants that serves the centers or backs of flowerbeds. These flowers range from pink to mauve, blue to purple and works best in full sun being larger in size each year. Salvia flowers come out in mid-summer and continue blooming till late summer. This plant does best in full sun and it tolerates dry soil; one of the top flower to attract hummingbirds.

Salvia flower for hummingbirds

6. Butterfly Bush

The butterfly bush plant acts as a source of attracting butterflies justifying its name and is also welcoming for the hummingbirds. The clusters of flowers are in purple and from mid-summer through fall they have a continuous bloom. It thrives in full sun and become a thick, luxurious shrub over time.

Butterfly Bush for hummingbirds

7. Lupine

It is a drought tolerant plant that serves as a representation for attracting spring hummingbirds. Its purple and blue shades are striking, working best in areas with full sunlight. It reaches around 1 to 4 feet in height and may be annual. Wildflowers of the lupine plant are generally in hues of blues and white.

Lupine flower for hummingbords

8. Trumpet Creeper

The plant has dense foliage and can climb on many surfaces. It is also known to be hummingbird vine or trumpet vine. Its tubular flowers are perfect for hummingbirds and it works best in full sun to partial shade. It ranges in red, orange or yellow blooms.

Trumpet Creeper for hummingbirds

9. Columbine

This flower is also known as Granny’s bonnet and it is known for its bell shaped flowers blooming from mid spring to early summer. It is from Columba (a Latin word) and is an ideal for hummingbird. This elegant flower is in the shades of pink, purple and blue. It works best in areas with limited shade, growing about 15-20 inches tall.

Columbine flower for hummingbirds

10. Petunia

Petunias are easy to grow and are perfect for containers and baskets in small spaces. They flourish best in full sun. These can be in shades of pink, red, purple, blue, white providing nectar to the hungry hummingbirds. These are an important type of annual and are divided into Grandiflora having larger and Multiflora having smaller flowers. They are also tolerant of heat.

Petunia flower for hummingbirds

Key points for flowers to attract hummingbirds:

For attracting the birds’ utilities like lots of flowers and habitat for shelter, shade and security is important. A moving hummingbird loves water so a gentle spray from a nozzle could serve the purpose. Bright colors can capture their attention. Red is the most popular color for them. Tabular flowers hold much nectar including columbines, lupines, petunias.

Planting

7 Natural Fertilizers That Promote Plant Growth

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In the past few years, we’ve seen a change in the way the World proceeds about its doings. People have gone through quite a few revelations, which have in general placed an impact upon their perceptions and outlook. Ever since, we’ve grown more aware of the toxicity rates of chemicals and chemical products, an organic trend has swarmed over the multitudes with people making choices to lead an ‘organic lifestyle’. Supermarkets and flea markets now have separate sections labeled as ‘organic produce’. And organic farming means that the farmers use the most conservative feed, and fertilizers, only then can their produce be termed as organic.

In farming, organic or natural fertilizers have gained a special place and there are several types of fertilizers today that cater to the needs of organic farming. In order for a fertilizer to be considered organic, it has to come from natural sources. Some of these have been gone over and detailed below.

1-Banana Peels

Bananas are available in the markets year round and are the favorite fruit of many out there. Rarely a house doesn’t have any banana peels lying around. And if more people took into consideration the fact that they can be recycled in a sustainable way, our Earth would have much less baggage. Banana peels after composting, when returned to the soil; help provide nutrients like Potassium, Nitrogen and Calcium to the plant. Or you can let them compost naturally by burying them in the soil before planting. They help in the fruit formation and the plant strength they propagate is especially essential for vertical veggies.

bana peels

2-Coffee Grounds

Do not dispose of the coffee remnants in the bottom of your mug after your morning ritual. Instead kill two birds with one stone, and recycle them as an organic lawn fertilizer. They are an excellent addition to your compost pile, especially beneficial for acid loving plants like tomatoes and roses. Or you can dilute the grounds and pour them over the soil, though it won’t be as effective. These grounds have been claimed to produce some of the largest and plumpest melons, carrots etcetera. They are believed to add nitrogen and other minerals and vitamins to the soil, which in turn reduces the risk of insect infestation.

VLUU L100, M100 / Samsung L100, M100

3-Grass& Weed

Looking for a great organic fertilizer? Well look no further than beneath your feet. Grass clippings once diluted, and then set-aside for a few days before straining the liquid proves to be a rich source of nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus for the soil. Once sprayed over the soil, even miniscule grass can do wondrous remarkable things to your organic gardening endeavors. Weeds can also be added as they also break down quite easily and benefit the richness of your soil. In fact, grass/weed is one of the best fertilizers.

grass clippings and weeds as a natural fertilizer3

4-Manure

Manure is probably one of the oldest means for fertilizing land out there. It provides all the necessary nutrients like Potassium, Nitrogen and Phosphorus that are essential for plant growth, development and propagation. However, manure from livestock should be used; the one from household animals contains pathogens, which causes more harm than benefit. Composted manure and the manure that has aged for quite some time will be the most useful in richening the soil. However proper and guided use of manure is necessary, in order for manure to prove to really be the best organic fertilizer.

manure as a natural fertilizer

5-Bone meal Fertilizer

Bone meal is a quite useful albeit unfamiliar organic fertilizer. It is essentially what the name implies, bones that are ground to powder form before steaming sometimes, which helps the plant to get more benefit from it. Plants need it for stronger development of roots and growth of flowers. It is an ideal supplement for bulbs and roses that needs phosphorus to boost up. Its N-P-K ratio is usually around 4-12-0, which may alter in steamed bone meal. As it is implied from the ratio, it is basically a great use of Phosphorus for a soil but doesn’t provide any Potassium and not necessarily enough Nitrogen to the plant; Even though it also provides Calcium.

bone meal

6-Egg Shells

Mainly composed of Calcium Carbonate, which is what agricultural lime is composed of, broken egg shells from your breakfast will prove to be a great source of Calcium, Potassium as well as traces of Phosphorus which when combined, provide all the nutrients in a fertilizer. You won’t need to waste your money on buying lime when eggshells simply solve any deficiency of Calcium that may exist in the plant. Powered eggshells or eggshell tea are both equally effective, giving your plants an essential boost.

egg shell as a natural fertilizer

                                                                             Image credit

7-Fish Emulsion Fertilizer

Albeit a stinky alternative, fish and its by-products will make your soil rich and fertile, with a healthy N-P-K ratio of 5-2-2. This contributes towards one of the most powerful natural fertilizer. Which means your plant is getting the essential nutrients for its propagation and without seriously denting your bank account too. How about that for a budget cut?

fish emulsion as a natural fertilzer

Learn How to make fish fertilizer

Thus, all these fertilizers are great replacements for the synthetic and chemical fertilizers in the markets. Think wisely, choose wisely and live wisely.

Planting

10 Tips To Growing Pumpkins-Learn When To Plant and Harvest Pumpkin

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 Pumpkins are amazing to have as deserts and other edibles; you must have seen them on Halloween, as they are one of the most desirable things of the event. Planting and growing pumpkins is a rewarding and fulfilled experience – however, you can only grow big pumpkins if you exactly know how to grow them. The excerpt talks about the basic tips that can facilitate your aim of growingpumpkins from seeds and make the harvest a success:

1: Make sure the soil is well done:

If the growth is planned for the spring season, make sure you prepare the soil from fall. The soil must be worked out with raw manure and dried leaves; rot tiller is also an essential need here. Kitchen wastes when mixed with soil also help in growing big pumpkins and of various types.

2: Know your space:

Know one thing from the beginning; growing pumpkins always require larger spaces. The railings of the pumpkin plants may go up to 20 feet, so be prepared. Also, the area must be getting around 8 to 10 hours of full sun each day, otherwise you won’t be able to get the desired results.

3: When to plant Pumpkins:

When to plant pumpkins? Well, this might be based on your need of having miniatures or larger ones. As mentioned before, there are various types of pumpkins; many keep on posting how to grow a giant pumpkin, probably they are competition goers. If you are amongst these, make sure you start sowing in mid may to mid June. In case you want smaller ones, your period can be extended to July 1st. It would be ready to harvest during the late September.

4. Frost protection:

How to grow pumpkins if your area is likely to have late frost, it is better to start the growing process indoors and transplant seedlings later.

Frost would destroy the pumpkin plants, so it is ideal to have indoor setup. You can keep the soil warm and ideal; just make sure you have covered the soil with some black plastic one week before planting pumpkins. Keep the sheet over the soil until the frost goes away completely.

5. Where to plant:

As mentioned before, the vines of the pumpkins have the capacity to grow aggressively and cover large spaces around them. Therefore, choose the areas where if the vines spread, does not affect the other plants. The heavy wind can harm the leaves of vines so if are living in an area where you experiences a lot of wind then plant them in the same direction as normally the wind blows.

6. Growing in smaller space:

If you have smaller spaces, you can trellis the vines. This is one popular way that is used by pumpkin farmers, but strong support is needed to handle the ripen ones.

7. Supply plenty of water:

Other than inquires like how to grow pumpkins, one major question is about its care. For that, make sure you provide enough water to the soil so that they can easily grow. The soil used for planting pumpkin seeds has to be rich in nutrients and minerals, and definitely water is required too. Make sure you plant your pumpkin plants early in the morning. However, make sure you keep the foliage dry, otherwise fungus may infect your entire farm.

8. Look after the pumpkin patch:

Just like all the other plants, pumpkins would need your love and affection so that they can grow. Make sure you weed the rows and the patches on weekly basis. However, do not use too much fertilizer or nitrogen contents.

9. Careful Harvest

If you try to harvest your pumpkins before the right time, you will end up eventually losing the entire thing. Make sure when you are about to harvest it, it has a deep color and same thing you can find around it. Also, the rind has to be tough; you can check by pressing it with your nail, it has to resist it from getting scratches and dents. Make sure you have harvested your pumpkins before it is fall or frost. You can check out the vines, if they start to freeze, don’t be scared your fruit is still protected. Simply use some sharp cutting tools and cut off your fruit from the vines. Do not cut from the stem; leave around 4 to 5 inches in between.

10. Proper storage

The cure duration for pumpkins is about 8 to 10 days. During this period, they must be placed in those areas where the temperature remains between 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit and there is little humidity. This helps in keeping it for storage. Once this process is done right, make sure you select the place for storage which is cool and dry. The suggested temperature for this period is between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The tip that you must know here is, never store pumpkins in double or more layers. They must be kept in single layer, otherwise they may get spoiled. It is because due to constant touch with each other, they would release some sort of heat, and ultimately it would cause decay. If you follow proper guidelines, you can easily store a pumpkin for about 3 months. You can enjoy your Halloween, in fact Christmas too with them.

Fertilizer And Compost, Garden Projects Plans

10 Helpful Worm Composting Bin Ideas and Plans

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The importance or you can say utility of the worm compost bin is certainly known to those who have backyard fellows or garden spaces. A question might be popping in your head, “How to make a worm bin”. Well, that is not an issue, if you have some crazy plans to follow. Let us start with great yet simple ideas leading to wonderful diy worm bins.

1: Simple worm composting bin

With the help of a worm composter like this one by queenbeetoday you can utilize the waste food in efficient way, as it would be transformed to a rich fertilizer. It does not emit odor, rather it’s a simple maintenance system. Here you go:

Buy a packet of red worms; they are a bit different from typical earthworm types.

You need two bins, one for holding the worms and this contains holes on the sides; while, and the other bin would be used for drainage. You need to drill holes in the bottom on the upper bin as well. Put in the wet newspapers and other scraps and slight sprinkle water over it. Don’t forget to add the worms, and fix the bin over the drainage tub.

Simple worm composting bin
Image via: queenbeetoday

2: Single bin plan

Vermicomposting is the process through which worms compost the waste and make it productive for the use. Look for a medium size plastic box in your house; in case you fail to do so, buy it for fewer $10 dollars from local store. Steps to follow in order to get a perfect vermicomposter like this one by makezine include:

  • Make small holes for drainage
  • Provide ventilation (placement)
  • Prepare the bedding
  • Add and feed the worms
  • Harvest your soil and keep on checking.
Single bin plan
Image via: makezine

3: Indoor vermicomposting bin

Compost bins are not always designed for outdoor settings; for example, with this plan you can design one and place it in your kitchen, maybe. This is more like a funnel shaped worm bag by instructables; launder hamper stand would fit your need easily in this case. This design allows you to separate the worms from compost. It would not take more than a day to craft out the final look.

Indoor vermicomposting bin1
Image via: instructables

4: Three tier homemade worm composting bin:

The things that you require include:

  • Lid
  • Plastic sheet
  • Cork
  • Three stack plastic bin

Make a few holes on the top of the bin for air and ventilation; whilst at the lower end make a bigger hole so that you can fix the tap. Plastic sheet can be used as lid for the bin; it must be placed underneath the bin. You can start now! Get complete instructions at hereworm-composting-help.

You may also like to see diy compost tumbler.

homemade worm composting bin
Image via: hereworm-composting-help

5: Harvester vermicompost bin:

With the help of the plastic containers, preferably two, you can get a simple and decent type of worm bin by whatcom to facilitate your requirement. It works under the normal mechanism of making holes at the top bin and fixing one inside so that drainage system is maintained.

Harvester vermicompost bin4
Image via: whatcom

6: $5 Worm bin idea

Look for three to four nursery flats, reasonable length plastic sheet, as it would be the bottom of the tray. Make the bedding so that it can be placed within it. Put them over and other so that it looks like a bin, and at the top add your red worms. You are done! Get the details at instructables.

$5 Worm bin idea
Image via: instructables

7: Worm farming bin

This is one simple idea and handy one also, because you can construct your bin in less than an hour time. So start with:

  • Marking holes in one of your plastic bins.
  • Drill in the holes
  • Put the newspapers and other scarps in the bin without drilling holes
  • Add the worms(Eisenia fetida) and wigglers

Keep on checking the results after a few days, and harvest it when you have fertilized form. Get details at modernfarmer.

Worm farming bin
Image via: modernfarmer

8: Vermicomposter diy plan:

Get a simple bin and with the help of the electric drill pinch in some holes. Also, make holes in the lid; it has to be of the same size. The bottom end must have four holes at each side; add the bedding and let it settle for a week. When the week is over, add the worms and you will be done. You may also like to see guide on how to make compost. Get the detail at sierra-worm-compost.

Vermicomposter diy plan
Image via: sierra-worm-compost

9: Rubbermaid worm bins:

This one of the most inexpensive types – start with choosing a plastic bin and drill holes of flow of air. It has to be done of the sides as well as the bottom for drainage. Add your bedding and let it settle for 5 or 6 days. You can than add the red worms and use your compost bin for harvesting. Check the detail at vermicompost

10: Wooden worm composter:

You need to have two wooden containers come tables, so that they can be placed each other. In the lower slab you can place the bedding and worms; whilst upper would have net lid to protect it. Details at ecoyardfarming.

Wooden worm composter
Image via: ecoyardfarming
Indoor plants

8 Most Common Types Of Succulents Plants For Home

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Succulents -The small attractive plants for your Indoor decoration

If you are a plant lover and have the passion with the natural beauty, but don’t have time to spend for gardening, then here is the great tool for you to enjoy the natural beauty at your doorstep. Don’t be confused because there are plenty indoor plants are called succulent houseplants which available to fulfill your heart’s desire and enjoy the natural beauty beside you. Succulents are the small indoor plants, which provide the natural essence to your indoor environment and brings natural nourishment to your guests and also for your family.

Succulents can survive in the dry places and bright light areas of the indoor environments and there is no need for special arrangements; they can adjust with the natural indoor adaptations, the reason behind this are they have the fleshy leaves, thick stems and the enlarged roots provide the natural habitat to survive in the indoor adaptations. They can store the water in the leaves and stems and survive for longer periods with the minimum water conditions. If anyone asks you about the succulent plants than immediately your mind strikes with the cacti succulent, but there are greater number of succulents that are available to bring more natural enhancement to your indoor environments.

The list provided below are the great succulent houseplants which are liked by plant lovers for indoor environment and these plants have the capability to tolerate the temperature and huge water storage capacity to live stronger and healthier.

Related: Succulent plants for indoor

Types of Succulent plants

There are plenty succulent plants are available for purchase and you can choose according to the need and taste of your indoor background and environmental adaptations. The mostly used indoor succulents’ plants are listed below

Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)

This is the small succulent houseplant that can be planted in a small hanging basket. The leaves of this succulent can grow up to three feet long and appear in different color background like grey green or grey blue pattern. It requires medium to highlight for the activity of the plant and if you hang these plants at the welcome door on at the entrance it brings shine to the doors and will give a grand pleasant welcome to the guests.

Burro’s Tail

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera xbuckleyi)

The attractive indoor succulent plant is Christmas cactus. It’s a glowing flowering plant which provides brightness to the indoor environment. For its better growth keep the soil dry 2 inch below the surface between watering. In the budding season don’t overwater it and also keep it save from dehydration. The light should be medium to high and fertilizer used to be two to three times in summer to avoid the external problems and also to initiates the blossoms.

ChristmasCactusRedRed

Aloe vera

The Aloe Vera is also known as the Medicine Plant and can be perfect succulent plant to be grown indoors. This plant is known as the medicine plant because of the different cures it can give to a human body. The leaves of this plant can be chopped down and peeled. The gel coming out from the leaves can be used on face and body which is perfect for treatment for acne, acne marks, pigmentation, dryness, sensitive skin, eczema, sunburns and different problems. The gel can also be used for treating different types of wounds and on scalp to ensure hair growth and to put a stop to hair fall. It requires the dry soil and direct sunlight. Fertilize 3 times in summer but avoid fertilizing it in winter.

Aloe vera

Panda Plant

There are huge varieties of Kalanchoe plants are available but, Panda Succulent plant is the most commonly used plant which has the unique appearance with its foliage. The leaves of this plant are covered with soft silver hairs and appears like a fuzzy, blue grey appearance. It can grow in the medium to bright filtered light.  It doesn’t need much attention for its care and growing.

Panda Plant

Pincushion Cactus (Mammilaria)

The mostly used cacti in the home is Pincushion Cactus which is ball in shape and able to grow in bright sun. They often show flowering and required dry atmospheric soil and have a pin pointed spines around them. These are available in ball, clumps and in different shapes.

Pincushion Cactus

Crassula ovate

This is commonly called as friendship tree or lucky plant and some people treat this as a money tree. This succulent plant have beautiful appearance with small pink and white flowers. It’s a commonly used house plant worldwide. It can survive in the medium light to bright and able to survive in any indoor adaptations.

Crassula ovate

Tree-like Euphorbia

These are another type of succulent house plants which appear tree like in globosely or columnar appearance and closely resemblance with the normal Cactus species. The fleshy green stems and sharp pointed branches are the great external assorts with this plant.

Tree-like Euphorbia

Euphorbia lacteal (Crests)

The bright color appearance and the stronger growth of this secculent makes it a passionate plant for many people. It is available in two color reforms with the whitish colored and green appearance and somehow it looks like a pinkish appearance too. It also requires the medium to high temperature and dry environment.

Euphorbia lacteal

Apart from above there are many varieties of succulents that are available in various patterns and colors. The above mentioned are some which are mostly purchased and seen in various indoor environments.

How to grow succulents?

It is very easy task to grow succulents. They doesn’t require high watering, seeding, pest control etc. Most of the succulent plants require dry environments, medium to high light and avoid of moist from the soil are the basic important  steps to grow succulent tropical plants indoor. They all require fertilization twice to thrice every year and there is a need of sandy soils for the better growth for succulent plants. During summer it is better to keep the succulent plants outside for better growth and during winter it is essential to avoid the moist from the soil. The most important element is succulent plants doesn’t require large places and huge pots to grow, they can survive in the hanger pots, small vessels, and mini plant pots and also they are super fit in a small designer pot which is best apt for your desktop working table.

Natural nourishment

The fresh and energetic mind always keeps the mind active and happy. That could be possible with the natural beauty and lively environments, which could be possible with the plants which are friendly to us and live with us. Those are succulent indoor plants.

Planting

10 Useful Tips For Growing Strawberries In a Pot

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Strawberries are one of the most favorite fruit all over the world. They can have a sweet and sour taste, are perfect to be eaten idly or can go well with different desserts and salads too. The strawberry smoothie shakes and juices are also very popular among the people of all the ages as they are refreshing and taste excellent. For those who are very much fond of strawberries, they can grow them at home in pots or in garden easily without any problem. By growing at home, you can enjoy some fresh strawberries right from the garden which are free from different chemicals and also you can have as much as you want. Growing strawberries in pots is a very simple task if you know about the nature of strawberries and the environment in which they grow well.Those that don’t have much space in their gardens but are fond of this fruit can easily grow them in containers, which can either be a strawberry pot or a hanging basket or planter.

Many people don’t know how to grow strawberries in a pot? It is very simple task but seems difficult as most people do not have basic knowledge about this plant. You just need to select the type of container which can be a clay pot, a can and even the rain gutter, add some soil, plant seeds and water on a regular basis, and then enjoy some of the best strawberries right at your home. Here are 10 tips for planting strawberries in pots which will not only help you in growing the best strawberries in your garden but will help you to know how to grow strawberries in containers:

1: The best way to growing strawberries at home is to grow them in a container which has a good drainage. For this reason, the plastic containers with punched holes in the bottom and strawberry pots are highly recommended. Those who have made a rack of rain gutters for the strawberry containers should also have punched holes in the bottom for drainage. Related: growing eggplants in containers.

2: If you are using a small container, for example a container with 10 to 12 inches of diameter and depth of 8 inches, then watering them frequently is highly recommended. But don’t water it so much as your plants don’t need soggy soil; just water it when soil gets dry one inch below the surface. Keep in mind that strawberries have small root balls and so can grow equally well in the small containers.

3: Containers which have light color should be used for growing strawberry plants. This will help in keeping the roots cooler than those dark colored pots which can conduct heat. Dark colored pots may also burn the plants due to conduction of heat. Related: growing blueberries in containers.

4: You can start growing strawberries from bare root crown and seedlings too. But seedlings in a small 3 or 4 inch container establish themselves quicker than bare root crowns.

5: The soil needed for the strawberries should be loamy potting mix that has pH between 5.3 and 6.5.It should also be loose as this will help in holding water which is required by the strawberries for their growth and will drain out the excessive water.

6: When strawberries grow in the container, they will spread out in all the directions and can take about 2 feet of space. If you have planted them in hanging pots, then they will have a good space to spread out.

7: Growing strawberries indoors is also possible; however you should make sure that they daily receive 6 to 8 hours of the sunlight. For this, you can plant your strawberries near a window which may have sunlight for 6 to 8 hours.

8: Birds and other animals such as squirrels and other rodents love strawberries. In order to protect them from these animals, add netting or fence around your plants or install some measures like wind charms or scare crow kind of things which may scare away these birds and animals.

9: After every 3 to 4 weeks, you should provide liquid fertilizer in your strawberry containers which should have high content of phosphorus. This will give them necessary nutrients for growth. The selection of fertilizer should be done according to requirements of plant.

10: Strawberry plants have a short life. One needs to replace the plant after every three years.

Planting

When To Start Vegetable Seeds Indoor And Outdoor-Helpful Chart

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Temperature has great effect on starting any vegetables seeds. The change in temperature alter the days a seed takes to germinate. So you must be aware what is an ideal temperature for starting any vegetables seeds. Here is handy chart of temperature variations effect on seed germination in terms of time.

Related: sprouting seeds and tips for storing seeds

For sowing indoor-Air temperature for hardening off
seed starter chart
Image Source
For directly sowing in the garden-the time it takes to germinate by soil temperature
seed starter chart1
Image Source
Designs and Ideas

13 Creative and Innovative rain Gutter Garden Ideas

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The rain gutters are installed at the top of the roofs so that it can provide drainage to the rain water and voids them to pool on the roof which may cause them to leak or become moist which can also be dangerous for the house. These rain gutters are made from different materials such as plastic, PVC and other metallic material like aluminum. While the rain gutter can be very beneficial for protection of the roof and drainage of the water, but do you know that they can be excellent for gardening too?

There are many rain gutter gardening ideas present on the internet while others can do it by just using their creativity and imagination. They can be excellent planters for different types of plants and can actually be an amazing decorative piece for the exterior and interior of the house as well. Many people prefer gardening in the rain gutters because they don’t take much space and either can be hanged or fixed with the walls. These ideas are highly recommended for those people who have limited space in their house but love gardening. Moreover you can also decorate and paint these rain gutters to look even more attractive. Below mentioned are 15 gutter gardening ideas which will surely light up your house:

1) Strawberries in a rain gutter trees

The strawberries are one of those fruit plants which don’t need a deep space to grow. Since they can be grown in a shallow space and the rain gutters are shallow containers they can be very ideal for the growth of strawberries. You can make the complete area with these decorative rain gutter trees and enjoy fresh berries right at home.

strawberries in a rain gutter trees
Img via gardenbytes

2) Plant seasonal flowers in your rain gutter

One of the cutest small gutter garden ideas includes planting different flowers, especially the seasonal ones such as marigolds, violas and pansies. These flowers are small and may bloom beautifully in their seasons. The bright colors and the lovely smell can be an excellent decoration for the exterior of the house. You can hang these rain gutter lines on the walls and plant a variety of these flowers so that they can make your house look bright.

seasonal flowers in rain gutters
Image via : purelightwindowcleaning

3) Hanging  gutter garden can be a great outdoor decor

The rain gutters like this one at huffingtonpost can actually be a great container for hanging pots. This is one of the best vertical gardening ideas where you can plant those plants which don’t need deep containers and can grow well in a shallow area. You can hang these rain gutters in a vertical position, especially by attaching them to the ceilings of the house. They look the most amazing with the seasonal flowers hanging by the patio.

Jamie Rector Photography

4) The in budget rain gutter gardening

The rain gutter is a great in budget gardening idea. If you are on a low budget and space, then simply use unused rain gutter, add some soil in it and then plant some seeds of those plants which don’t require much area to grow. They can be hanged by the ceilings or can be hanged on different trees and also drilled in the wall.

The in budget rain gutter

5) Herb gardening with rain gutter

Many people love growing herbs in their house, after all it is a great idea to grow herbs right in your house and not to go to the market to purchase a certain herb. With rain gutter like this one by huffingtonpost, you can actually make a wonderful herb garden right in these pipes. The best idea is to hang them outside the kitchen window. You may just have to reach out and pluck a few herbs whenever there is a need.

rain gutter herb garden

6) Aquaponics or self watering rain gutter garden

If you’re interested in raising fish and also want to enjoy some fresh veggies too then you can build this aquaponics or self watering rain gutter system that works together. Read the instructions at here farmxchange.

Aquaponics or self watering rain gutter garden

7) The red chili rain gutter garden

Red chilies can easily be grown at home. When it’s time to harvest, the entire plant can be full of red chilies. If you want to add some spice in your home food, then making a chili garden can be a great idea, especially if planted in the rain gutter. You can make an entire area for these red chilies.

The red chili rain gutter garden

8) Lettuce in rain gutter garden

Lettuce can be a great leafy vegetable to be grown in the rain gutter garden. They can be planted vertically on the lines and you will be able to produce the lettuce right in the comfort of your home. You can now enjoy fresh lettuce salad every day.

Segmented rain gutter for lettuce1

9) Gutter garden plants for indoor planting

There are many gutter garden plants available in the market. Many of these plants can be planted in very small containers and then those containers can be kept in line on the rain gutter. They can be excellent for indoor planting.

indoor rain gutter

10) The pvc rain gutter garden

You can use pvc rain gutters and joint them around a two stand vertical frame. Make a small holes in the upper portion and fill them with soil.Now you can plant peas in them. They can be excellent addition to your garden and will look unique.

vertical-gardens

11) Rain gutter or Trough garden.

This is stunning gutter gardening idea for those who live in apartments or in a limited yard space.You make rain gutters as a base of colorful plant buckets and their roots will grow towards water source so you don’t have to water overhead.

rain gutter or trough garden

12) Self watering rain gutter garden

The rain gutter garden at facebook can be made with different small rooted plants. However another idea for these rain gutters is that it can have an automatic watering system, especially for those plants which require a lot of watering.This page link has lot of self watering rain gutter gardening ideas.

Self watering rain gutter garden

13) Cactus rain gutter garden

You can easily grow a variety of small cactus in your rain gutters. These rain gutters of small cactus can then be mounted on the side of home,near a window or on a balcony.

Garden of Lorene Edwards Forkner, Seattle, WA