Monday, October 31, 2016

Crop Rotation & How to Do it Successfully to Have a Productive Vegetable Garden

Crop Rotation & How to Do it Successfully to Have a Productive Vegetable Garden


If you want to have a successful and most productive VEGETABLE garden, do crop rotation. Learn everything you need to know about it.


What is crop rotation? Crop rotation is the practice of dedicating a single spot in the garden or patch of land to only one type or family of vegetable or crop for a certain time period. Specifically, members of one plant family must never be planted in that same spot or area more than once in a period of four years.


DO YOU KNOW CROP ROTATION BOOSTS THE YIELD, PREVENT SOIL-BORNE DISEASES AND WEEDS, AND IMPROVES SOIL CONDITION?


This is done for two reasons. First, this helps prevent the spread of soil-borne diseases and pests; second, doing so allows soil nutrients to be replenished and used properly. 


1. Disease Prevention


Garden insects and pests have a tendency of feeding on plants that are related to each other. For example, let’s say cabbage-eating insects have laid their eggs on the soil before death. If cabbage or another vegetable from the same family will be planted in that exact spot, those eggs will hatch and start feeding on the new plants, thus continuing the cycle. The same applies to soil-borne diseases like bacteria and fungi, and so by planting a different type of plant, you prevent pests and disease from re-emerging in the garden.


2. Prevent Soil Nutrient Depletion


Crop rotation can also help in preventing the depletion of soil nutrients. Crops grow when they absorb sufficient amounts of the following nutrients: phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. If plants from the same family are grown on the same patch of soil, expect more of those nutrients to be absorbed. As long as the same plants are raised on that section of the garden, those same nutrients will be absorbed, and eventually, they will be depleted.


For this reason, it’s usually recommended that soil-builders (like beans) and light feeders (like onions) are planted once those heavy nutrient absorbers are harvested. Below are details of different plant families and what crops to plant after them.


The Major Plant Families and When These Should Be Planted


Onion Family – Light feeders, must be planted after the soil enrichers or heavy absorbers


Cabbage Family – Heavy absorbers, should be planted after legumes. Once these have been harvested, you have three options: let the planting area be fallow for one season, plant a cover crop next, or add compost to your garden.


Lettuce Family –Like the above, they are heavy nitrogen feeders. These must be followed with legumes.


Beet Family – They also require lots of nutrients. Legumes must follow any member of this plant family.


Grass Family – Follow these plants with any tomato family member.


Bean Family –These are soil-building crops. You can plant these before or after planting any member of the other plant families.


Tomato Family – Considered heavy feeders. Must be planted after grass family members. Legumes must follow these plants.


Squash Family –Heavy absorbers of nutrients. These must be planted after grass family members and should be followed with legumes.


Carrot Family –Light to Medium Absorbers. Plants in this category can follow members of any other plant group. You can let your garden sit for one season or you can follow these with onions or legumes.


With a few patches of soil, a highly reliable water tank for rainwater storage, and the above plan, you can start growing vegetables in your own home SUCCESSFULLY.


This is not just a money-saving endeavor, this is also a great way to help save the planet. Start your own vegetable garden now!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

25 - How To Grow Peas From Seeds October 2016 (URDU/HINDI)

24 - How To Grow Bell Pepper (Green) From Seed October 2016 (URDU/HINDI)

How to Start a Balcony Kitchen Garden

How to Start a Balcony Kitchen Garden


Instead of having a dull and deserted balcony, use it to create a Balcony Kitchen Garden where you can grow fresh organic food.


Instead of having a dull and deserted balcony where you usually keep your trash or old, unused items; chairs with faded color, brooms or vacuum cleaner you can use it to create a tiny balcony KITCHEN garden. Which, when the time come will reward you with the HARVEST of aromatic herbs, fresh and organic vegetables, and juicy plump fruits with great flavor that you can never get from store bought edibles!


Time, effort and planning are required


You’ll need to dedicate some time from your busy urban life to look after the plants you’ve chosen to grow. Since you’re not growing a real garden– 15 minutes a day would be enough for the most basic tasks like watering, pinching, pruning, and deadheading the fading flowers.


Minimal effort and the maximum result– for this you’ll need to be consistent! The right amount of watering, avoiding both the overwatering and underwatering, fertilizing plants on time, pruning, transplanting must be done as per scheduled.


Planning is the most crucial part here. You have limited space and that’s the real challenge– How to utilize every inch of space and improve the productivity of crops. Also, choosing the right kind of plants and varieties according to your climate is required.


Take help of vertical gardening to create space


Opt for vertical gardening ideas and you’ll be able to double up the planting space. Not only the simple pots, on your balcony– install railing planters, wall planters, add some stack planters and hang a few hanging baskets to create space. Grow more climbers, vines, and plants that grow vertically. You can also place plant stand like one in the picture above or else DIY a ladder shelf or planter which will provide you more area to arrange your pots.


A few basic requirements and tips before you start


These are really basic needs and you might already know about them. For example, use a soilless potting medium as this is light, doesn’t thwart the drainage, and permeable. Take a look at the direction and amount of sunlight you receive in your balcony. For a kitchen garden, it should receive at least 6-7 hours of direct sunlight. However, if you live in tropics most of the plants will thrive in fewer hours of sunlight too. Always apply organic fertilizers and use large pots instead of smaller ones for the plants like tomatoes, peppers, and lemon tree.


Start with herbs


If you’re new to edible gardening, start with herbs! They are the easiest plants to grow and you can grow them anywhere (unless they are not receiving a few hours of sunlight). Choose your favorite herbs according to the growing conditions and climate. Sow the seeds or bought a few plants from your nearby nursery. Chive, mint, thyme, basil, oregano, parsley, cilantro, whichever you like. 


Growing fruits is possible too


Not only the herbs and vegetables, growing fruit trees in containers is possible, even in a limited space like a balcony! Lemon tree, strawberries, apple, pomegranate or watermelon if you like. The list of the fruiting plants and trees is big. 


Vegetables you can grow


You can grow almost any vegetable plant on your balcony kitchen garden (if growing conditions are appropriate). For bigger plants like zucchini, tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers or other fruit vegetables like peppers, okras, and beans– choose pots that are large and at least 30-40 cm deep. Herbs, leafy vegetables, salad greens, radishes, and carrots can be planted in wide shallow pots that are 15 to 20 cm deep. Cherry tomatoes, green onions, spinach, beans, and lettuces can be very productive there as they don’t need a lot of space.

23 - How To Grow Cherry Okra From Seed October 2016 (URDU/HINDI)

21 - How To Grow Cherry Tomatoes (Purple Fruit) From Seed October 2016 (...

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Unbelievable Hydrogen Peroxide Uses In Garden You Should Know

Unbelievable Hydrogen Peroxide Uses In Garden You Should Know


Is it possible? Are there Hydrogen Peroxide Uses in the garden? Well, yes, it can be useful! Read on to find out how.


How & Why Hydrogen Peroxide is So Useful


Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has an extra oxygen atom than Water (H2O), this extra oxygen atom breaks down and the molecule of water releases from this separately. It is this extra oxygen atom that makes the hydrogen peroxide so useful. The Hydrogen peroxide is used in cleaning, bleaching, sterilizing, as a disinfectant etc. but it can also be used in horticulture. In simple words, Hydrogen Peroxide acts as an oxygen supplement for plants (beneficial if used in low strength). It works by releasing oxygen and also aerates the soil.


Hydrogen Peroxide Uses


1. Hydrogen Peroxide Uses Against Root Rot


Overwatering causes the shortage of Oxygen at the root zone. If you overwater the plant, the water fills the air spaces in soil and the plant’s roots suffocate due to the lack of air and they begin to die after 24 hours. To save such a plant from this problem, water it thoroughly with 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed in 1 quart of water. The extra oxygen in the hydrogen peroxide provides the roots their much-needed oxygen to survive. After this, don’t water the plant until top 1 or 2 inches of soil dries out well.


2. Using Hydrogen for Faster Seed Germination


You can use hydrogen peroxide to help seeds germinate more quickly. Hydrogen peroxide softens the coat of seeds and kills any pathogen present on seed coat thus increase the germination rate and help the seed germinate faster. Soak your seeds in a 3% hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes. Rinse the seeds several times with water before planting and plant them as usual.


3. Hydrogen Peroxide for Mold and Mildew


Hydrogen peroxide has an oxidizing property that is fatal for mold and mildew. Mix a liter of water with 10 tablespoons of 3 to 6% hydrogen peroxide depending on the level of infection. Spray this solution on plants daily until the fungus disappears.


4. Hydrogen Peroxide as a Fertilizer


Use hydrogen peroxide to help strengthen the root system of your plants. Hydrogen peroxide has one extra oxygen molecule (than water) that helps plant’s roots to absorb nutritions from soil more effectively, you can use this formula occasionally to boost the growth– Mix about 1 teaspoon of 3% Hydrogen peroxide with 1 gallon of water.


Caveat: Make sure that you do not use more concentrated hydrogen peroxide as it can kill plants. 3% strength is the most familiar concentration and usually recommended.


5. To Keep Pests Away


The hydrogen peroxide can be used as a pesticide. Spraying the plant thoroughly with 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed in the equal amount of water kills the pests and their eggs. The hydrogen peroxide also kills the bacteria that develop on fruits and vegetables.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Recommended Soil pH for Growing Garden Fruits and Vegetables

Recommended Soil pH
for Growing Garden Fruits and Vegetables

Different types of vegetable plants require varying degrees of soil acidity.

Basically soil pH is a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil, and the type of soil that you have.
Generally, soils in moist climates tend to be acid and those in dry climates are alkaline.

A soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acid soil and one with a pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline. The soil must be adjusted to suit the plant which will occupy that area if it is not already within that plants requirement range.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Dealing with Plant Pests Organically

Dealing with Plant Pests Organically


The three most useful ways that I have found to deal with plant pests organically are:


1.good ol' soap spray
2. fish emulsion
3. neem oil


These may not work on every bug you may encounter, but they work on most of them. Neem oil is a fascinating substance that works in a number of different ways on pests, mostly by interrupting their reproductive cycle.


Soap Spray


1 bulb garlic
1 onion
1 Tablespoon cayenne powder
1 Tablespoon liquid dish soap
1 quart water


Soap spray works pretty well on soft-bodied insects like aphids.

Vegetable Gardening Funnies

Vegetable Gardening Funnies


The Tomato Garden


An old gentleman lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:


Dear Vincent,
I am feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.
Love, Papa


A few days later he received a letter from his son.


Dear Papa,
Don't dig up that garden.That's where the bodies are buried.
Love, Vinnie


At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son.


Dear Papa,
Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances. 
Love you, Vinnie

13 - How To Grow Hibuscus Plant From Cutting October 2016(URDU/HINDI)

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Vegetable Gardening Tips

1) Start small.


The first of my vegetable gardening tips is that if you're just starting out, start small and care for a few plants really well. Gardening takes time, and the bigger the garden, the more time. Grow one or two tomato plants, half a dozen lettuces, a small patch of carrots - but keep them weed free, properly staked and harvested, and learn to make a mean batch of compost. This will give you much more satisfaction than a big rototilled area that has more weeds than you can control come August, and which will become a chore. Expand next year.


2) Compost, compost, compost.


Consider compost your #1 crop. It is the crop that you grow for your plants. It is what feeds them and keeps them healthy, pest free, and ultimately health-giving and nutritious for you. Of all the vegetable gardening tips, this one will probably make more difference to your success than any other. Composting is not just a good idea or an alternate way of disposing of kitchen waste, it is really necessary for a successful, healthy garden.


3) Plant close to the house.


Nothing makes a garden happier than the gardener's shadow. When you plant close to the house, the garden becomes part of the household. You'll find yourself pulling a weed here or there while taking out the trash, notice the tomato leaves starting to curl while you're walking up the driveway, or that your lettuces are wilting as you let the cat out. I learned this vegetable gardening tip the hard way. Walking right past the garden everyday lets you can tend to and correct problems in little doses throughout the week, rather than as a big chore saved up for Saturday. Check in daily - make a relationship with your garden. It will feed you more than food.


4) Pick a spot that gets at least 8 hours of sun.


Most vegetables require 8 hours of sun per day to grow to maturity and produce well over the course of summer. If you don't have a spot that gets that much sun, there are still a lot of things you can grow, like lettuce, Swiss chard, beans, or broccoli. But ALL vegetables are going to need at least 4 or 5 hours of full sun. If you have only deep shade, try container vegetable gardening with some cherry tomatoes or hot peppers in whatever little sunny spot you do have.


5) Stay on top of the weeds.


Kind of a "Well, duh", but nip-them-in-the-bud is the rule of thumb here. Weeds won't seem like much of problem at first, and then one day, you'll be walking by your garden and won't be able to see what you planted! Weeds will sneak up on you, and the old saying "One year of weeds, seven years of seeds" is really true. Weeds steal nutrients, light and water from your plants, and no matter what, don't let your weeds go to seed.


6) Did I mention compost?


Yes, it Is that important. So there are really only 11 vegetable gardening tips, but this one gets listed twice because it is so very important, and so often overlooked. It can be a fun project to make your own homemade compost bin - but the black plastic ones work okay too - and set up a composting operation. Have a leaf pile handy so you can mix your heavy kitchen scraps with leaves as you slowly build up your compost pile.


7) Plant what you most like to eat.


It's really fun to look through the seed catalogs at the eggplants that actually look like eggs or the Romanesco broccolis that look like fractal screensavers, but if you're just starting out, grow stuff you know you love to eat. Tomatoes, basil, lettuces, beans and carrots are hard to beat. For you fresh corn-on-the-cob lovers, know that corn needs to be grown in a pretty large patch in order to pollinate well and produce full ears. Save it for your second or third year of gardening.


8) Try one new thing every year.


After you have chosen your staple crops, try growing one fun thing. If you love it, add it to your repertoire, if you don't, you had fun and learned something. Try out rainbow carrots, purple potatoes, or those little eggplants that actually look like eggs.


9) Respect the recommended plant spacings.


Vegetable gardening tips grow out of vegetable gardening errors. It's very easy (even for experienced gardeners!) when transplanting baby tomato plants from the garden center or when sowing broccoli seeds to want to plant them too close together. You have all that bare soil, and they just don't look that big. That little tomato may get to be five feet across and six feet high, so pay attention. Pay close attention to correct planting depth, too.


10) Allow yourself to feel the joy of watching things grow.


No matter how many wrinkles I get, I never tire of watching seeds sprout up out of the ground. That joy fuels the desire to nurture my plants, provide them with everything they need, and consciously participate in the cycle of life. It a Love thing. Let yourself be a kid and feel the wonder.


11) Enjoy the process.


Slow down. Don't start gardening by being focused on the harvest. Whether you're in school, at work, at the dinner table or in bed, if you're too focused on the end point you'll end up missing a lot. Nurture the garden and become a careful observer of nature in the process. It will feed your soul as well as your body.


12) Read about soil.


Soil is not bits of dead rock. It is an extremely diverse and miraculous living ecosystem upon which all life on planet Earth depends (Well, okay...there are a few ecosystems at the bottom of the ocean that are powered by hydrogen sulfide vents). But how does a voluptuous, bursting-with-flavor, one-pound beefsteak tomato develop from a tiny seed? Water, carbon dioxide, and minerals that are recycled and made plant-ready by our living soil. What we see above ground is a reflection of what is below ground, and our own health is a reflection of our soil's health.

Saturday, October 8, 2016

17 Best Flowering Houseplants

17 Best Flowering Houseplants


Check out this list of best flowering houseplants! They can add a bright touch to your home, growing them is similar to other indoor plants.


1. Begonia


Although begonias are considered as outdoor plants, there are many plants from begonia genus that makes great flowering houseplants. Most of them are easy to grow and good for beginners. Wax Begonia, Rieger Begonia, and Angel-Wing Begonia are among the best and most popular houseplants.


2. Bromeliads


Its colorful foliage and long lasting flowers can beautify any interior. It thrives easily without much care and the best thing is that you can grow this houseplant in low light conditions too.


3. African violet


African violets are easy to grow flowering plants that can be grown indoors for their beautiful flowers and foliage, they prefer warm climate rather than cold. Keep these plant in a spot where they receive filtered sun.


4. Scented Geranium


Scented geraniums with fragrant leaves and bright colorful flowers become incredible houseplants. However, growing geranium indoors is not as easy as other flowering houseplants we have here in this list. It requires a south or west facing window that receives ample sun and moderate watering.


5. Poinsettia


Growing poinsettias in your home can add a bright touch to your interior. Its multi colored bracts look more colorful than its flowers. This tropical plant requires, light, warmth and protection from drafts to thrive indoors.


6. Peace Lily


If you want to grow a low-care plant, grow peace lily. Inside your home, it can live without water for days. Peace lily’s beautiful white flowers flourish in low lighting conditions. It also removes the toxins from the air.


7. Lipstick Plant


Although not commonly grown as a houseplant, lipstick plant can be grown indoors. It requires constantly warm temperature and humid surrounding to grow and thrive. 


8. Jasmine


Many jasmine varieties can be grown indoors. If you keep this most fragrant vine in a bright spot where it receives some hours of direct sunlight daily, it’ll grow. The selection of jasmine varieties you want to plant indoors depends on the climate you live in. For colder regions, Jasminum polyanthum is the one you can try, whereas in tropics most of the plants from this species will grow.


9. Impatiens


Impatiens are beautiful shade loving annuals but in optimum conditions, you can grow them year-round as a houseplant. Maintain room temperature above 50-55 F and place the pot in a spot that receives bright indirect sun all day long, it would be better if you can provide 1-2 hours of direct sunlight too.


10. Kalanchoe


Kalanchoe is a tropical succulent, plants of this genus grows best outdoors in warm climates. However, it can be grown indoors. This flowering succulent comes in a variety of colors and has low watering needs. You can keep it near a window where it can receive a few hours of sun in order to bloom.


11. Oxalis or Purple Leaf Shamrock


This beautiful flowering houseplant can adorn your house with showy purple foliage and white or pink flowers. Place it at a bright spot for abundant blooms and allow the soil to dry out between watering spells.


12. Cape Primrose


Cape Primrose or “Streptocarpus x hybridus” is a relative of the African violet. If you keep the soil lightly moist and give it bright, indirect sun year-round, it will bloom continuously. Also, there are many new hybrid varieties available with bigger flowers, longer blooming time, and more compact foliage.


13. Christmas Cactus


Christmas cactus is an old-fashioned favorite houseplant of many. When it blooms it creates a warm atmosphere. Red, pink, white or orange: The lovely flowers can quickly brighten up any interior. If maintained well, it can even bloom again from one year to another for years.


14. Crown of Thorns


The Crown of Thorns becomes an exceptional houseplant due to its continuous blooms and low watering needs. If you can provide a sunny window where the plant can be placed, it will grow happily. Available in so many colors, the plant prefers loamy succulent soil and warm temperature.


15. Black Eyed Susan Vine


Black-eyed Susan vine can be grown indoors. Depending on your climate, this annual or perennial flowering plant can add a dramatic appeal to your rooms. Keep it near a window, where it receives a lot of sun.


16. Purple Heart or Inch Plant (Wandering Jew)


A cluster of purple, lance-shaped leaves makes purple heart an impressive houseplant with or without its pink flowers. This beautiful trailing indoor plant can be grown in small colorful pots or hanging baskets and can be used as a table accent. Keep your purple heart (Tradescantia pallida) plant in a spot where it will receive 2-3 hours of sun for a healthy plant.


17. Orchids


Orchids are different from other houseplants. Unlike ferns, philodendrons, palms and Swedish ivy, orchids do not grow in soil. Putting an orchid in soil is actually one of the best ways to kill it.

11 - How To Grow Gladiolus Flower From Bulb October 2016 (URDU/HINDI)

Thursday, October 6, 2016

What to Feed Birds in the Balcony Garden

What to Feed Birds in the Balcony Garden


Want to attract birds on your small urban dwelling? Well, it’ll be easy if you know what to feed birds in the balcony garden.


It gives great pleasure to get the birds visit and frolic about your balcony, this brings a bit of nature and wild life in your small space.


The most popular birds on the bird table are sparrows, chickadees, titmouse, tit, greenfinch, blue jay, house sparrow, bulbul and tree sparrow. However, doves, wood pigeons, rock pigeons, herring gulls, crows and magpie also share the feedings. In this way, these large birds displace some of the feeble and smaller birds, but this can be avoided if you do as directed in this article.


1. Is Birds Feeding Allowed in your Area?


Before you start feeding, you should check the rules in your area. 


2. What are you Feeding?


If you want to be visited by small birds such as tits and sparrows, so it’s a good idea to serve them oil seeds such as sunflower seeds, nut kernels and hemp seed.


The little birds need lot of calories, both during the breeding season and during the winter. It is popular to feed bread, crackers and cereals too but it attracts mostly the larger birds that are not so popular on the balcony.


The little chickadees and sparrows are perfectly alright to eat those things. If you feed with corn, then you are almost certain to attract pigeons, which can cause problems in the long term.


Apples are good for blackbirds and other thrushes, but they are less likely to fly up on a balcony in search of food.


3. Do not Overfeed


It may be tempting to put extra food out to help a whole lot of birds. Unfortunately, it is a plan that can easily be disrupted by the mayhem of so many birds, so there is clear potential of spread of disease among birds.


4. Choose the Best Feeding Place


You can attract as many birds on the balcony where feed is freely available in an open space. Little birds are always wary of predators, it is important to provide them the visibility from where they can see large birds.


If you live near large trees, dense shrubs or other places where the birds can escape to safety, then your feeding place will certainly attract more visitors in diversity.


5. Birdfeeder vs. Bowls and Feeding Trays


A feeder shields the feed, so that the only small birds that have access to it can feed from it.


On the other hand, if you use a serving plate or bowl, all the birds will come to feed.


With feeder you will typically experience less waste of feed and less mess on the balcony. At the same time you’ll attract more of the little birds when they can have their meals without any interruption from crows and pigeons.


Whichever option you choose, keep feeding space wide and easy to clean.


6. Keep clean


Remove scattered and leftover ‘feed leftovers’ from furniture and balcony floor once a week and wash the feeder of once a month.


Birds can be carriers of germs, which at worst can be transmitted to humans. Therefore, it is important that you remember to wash your hands thoroughly each time you have been in contact with bird droppings.


If you live near the tall trees where birds can seek refuge, you are lucky, you’ll have lot of chirruping small beings on your balcony even if you live on the 5th or 6th floor, but for this you’ll require regular feeding for longer periods.