Blog posts of '2017' 'September'

Cucumbers are easy to grow outside in the garden even if they tend to produce thick skins when grown outside. This plant is often grown because it has so many health benefits. It can be used to make squashes, and the vegetable is to be used in any salad.

VARIETIES/TYPES OF CUCUMBER

1.      Normal Cucumbers

This is the normal cucumber that is most commonly cultivated. It is a large, dark green variety. Since it’s the most common type of cucumber, it is relatively inexpensive and available all year-round. It tastes best during the summer months.

2.      Kirby or Pickling Cucumber

Pickling cucumbers are a small variety of cucumber which is widely used in pickles. They are crisp and firm in nature as they need to retain their crispness properties after being used for pickling. Their crisp nature also makes them taste great when eaten fresh. Pickling cucumbers tend to be seedless as well.

Other varieties of cucumbers include greenhouse cucumber, Orange cucumbers, and Japanese cucumber.

GROWING CUCUMBER

The first thing you have to do when growing cucumber is to decide whether you want to plant it in containers/pots or in the soil. But before you decide on that, you have to make your soil suitable for planting cucumber and how do you go about this?

Loamy soil is the ideal soil for planting cucumbers. Make sure you enrich the soil with organic matter and manure so that the plant gets the kind of nutrients that are needed for growth. Also, you have to remove the weeds from the soil each time they sprout out to ensure healthy growth of the plant.

Sand gives drainage and also prevents a hard layer forming on the surface. If you have river sand in your yard, make sure it is replaced with garden soil. Composts hold and absorb moisture which is very important for growing cucumbers. Home-made compost should be used as it is less expensive. Though wood ash isn’t a necessity; yet, it helps to improve the quality of the soil. Just make sure not to use ash from charcoal, briquettes or anthracites. Also, make sure that you don’t burn any plastic in the fire.

HOW TO START

Cucumbers grow as bushes or vine and the bush variety grow well in containers. Start by choosing the seed variety that is suitable for growing in the soil or in containers. Bush varieties will never overgrow the containers. Every seed you buy usually has information about which method of growing is suitable for it.

Make sure you consider the size of your pots/containers before you choose. You can opt for a larger pot/container that will allow for more water and one that will allow the roots to penetrate deeper in search for more nutrients and moisture.

If you choose to plant cucumber seeds directly into the soil; make sure to plant your seed 2.5 centimeters deep and 30 - 40 centimeters between plants. They should be planted in rows 90 centimeters apart.

Make sure you put the container/pot in an area where the plant can get sufficient amount of sunlight. It is also important to water the plant thrice a week; add enough water to ensure the soil is moist.

AVOID OVERCROWDING AFTER GERMINATION

In order to avoid overcrowding after germination, it is important to thin out the seedlings. This can be done by cutting out the weakest seedlings, leaving only the two strongest. Do not attempt to pull them out; make sure you use a pair of scissors to avoid disturbing the roots of the strongest ones.

HARVESTING

When it is about 50 - 60 days after plating, the cucumber will be ready to be harvested. Only harvest when the cucumber skin is dark green in color. You can remove the cucumber by simply twisting it from the plant.

THINGS TO NOTE WHEN PLANTING CUCUMBER

1.      Cucumbers Need Warm Weather For Planting

Extreme weather, either cold or hot can disrupt the growth of cucumber. If you are planting cucumber outdoor, make sure it is only after all danger of frost has passed. Cucumbers are easily affected by diseases and they can easily fall prey to insects. So, it is important to keep an eye on your veggie while you grow them.

2.      Sunlight

To have a good harvest with healthy plants, make sure your veggie get plenty of sunshine. Most veggies need approximately 6 – 8 hours of sunlight daily.

3.      Watering

Container/pot plants tend to absorb more heat, meaning they need to take in more water than soil-based plants. It is essential that you water your container cucumber plants frequently to prevent them from drying up. Placing your containers to have easy access to water points will make it more convenient for frequent watering.

Growing Cucumbers in Containers Come With Certain Benefits

Benefits include:

It is easier to control the weeds in containers than in a garden

It is easier to move the containers as needed so that they can get sufficient sunlight daily which is needed for good growth

CUCUMBER BENEFITS

1.      Fights Cancer

One of the important benefits of eating cucumber or drinking cucumber water is that it contains cucurbitacins which help in fighting cancer. This will kill cancerous cells and prevent their expansion. Sufficient intake of cucumber also reduces chances of developing urinary cancer.

2.      Gives a Youthful look

Due to their antioxidant properties, cucumbers help your body fight free radicals. By doing this, they slow down the aging process and enhances your body’s ability to fight disease.

Other benefits of cucumber include:

Weight loss, promotes healthy bones, treatment of blood pressure, and much more.

SEED BUYING TIPS

There are different seeds for garden cucumber varieties available. Make sure the seeds are viable and grow well, free of disease or insects. Also, ensure the root neck is completely green.

Lifespan: All varieties of cucumber are annuals.

Season: All through the summer and early fall.

Difficulty Possibility: There is nothing to worry about, in as much as you can provide a suitable growing environment for the plant.

No human-made thing ever can beat the beauty of nature. Having expensive benches and the umbrellas in the garden are just incomplete till the time you add some beautiful flowers to bloom an elegant touch and soothing effect to the eyes. The glory of the fresh flowers is just magnificent as they not only give peace to your soul but also take you close to the ecosystem by attracting a variety of butterflies and birds. Spending a few minutes in the garden full of colorful flowers and the hummingbirds has all the powers to distress the mind while giving a fresh start to the day.

Indeed, we all love to see natural beauty around and once in a lifetime we all must have tried for growing some flowers in the home garden or the fencing area. Many people complain that either the flower plants don't grow well or they die quickly in a month's period killing their excitement of witnessing the bunchy garden with natural colors. In this piece of content, we are going to reveal the top 10 easy to grow flower plants for beginners that you can grow without putting much of your effort and time, and inevitably you will not require pro gardening skills to make them grow.

1. Sunflowers
No one is unknown with the attractive looks of this flower. Sunflowers are super easy to grow, and even the kids can have their separate plants to beautify the garden area. Markedly, ‘Mongolian Giant’ grows up to 14 feet tall with no hard effort. All you need is to put some seeds of this flower plant in the sunny, sheltered space and then enjoy watching them grow day by day. It tolerates most soil types and attracts a lot of bees, butterflies, and birds around. You don’t need to worry if you skip watering them as most of the varieties are heat and drought tolerant.

2. Sweet Peas
The more you pick, the more you get from the sweet peas. These flowers have ultimate fragrance and are super easy to handle. They can be grown best on sunny grounds with plenty of water. All you will need is a supportive fence to give way to spread these climbers and form their dense hub. Usually, they grow as high up to 8 feet and prefer a moist base for fullness.

3. Nigella
Growing nigella is just like magic. You can only spread the nigella seeds in the bare soil and let it rise all by itself. It has jewel-like blue color flowers with delicate and ferny leaves that look simply astonishing and soul-satisfying. It gives you no worry to plan for the next season; it automatically settles its seeds for the following year.

4. Aquilegia
These are plants which can tolerate almost any weather condition and comes back year after year by themselves. If you are a real nature lover, go for this fabulous plant and enjoy growing them in sunny or semi-shade location. Thanks to the remarkable peculiarity, these pretty flowers come in every possible color combination to soothe your eyes.

5. Eschscholzia
If you are the one who is not a fan of watering the plants, eschscholzia will go entirely with you. These multicolor plants grow well even in the poor, dry soil and full sun conditions. Just scatter them in the garden and enjoy the once forgotten corners filled beautifully with the colors of nature. Each year they settle their seeds for the further growth, so you will not need to worry about the next plantation too.

6. Nasturtium
Another category of plants that even small children can grow is Nasturtium. They grow well with almost no effort and can cover the significant patch of your garden with their rapid spread. They fall in the category of edible annual flowers, so you can also use them for salad and enjoy the peppery taste. Available in the shades of yellow, orange, red and cream, they take an average height of 8-10 feet and stand well with the support of trellis or walls.

7. Marigold
It’s one of the most famous variety of flower that doesn't make you wait for a long time in showing its ultimate colors. Marigold grows fast and suits every spot, little or big, for spreading the ultimate shades of gold, red, yellow and mixed. An additional benefit this beautiful flower plant provide is repelling the mosquitoes. You can spread its seed in almost any season to enjoy the fully mature 6-36 inches tall marigold plant within a gap of few weeks.

8. Hardy Geranium
These small plants of 3-24 inches demand a low maintenance. You can use them to decorate your garden beds, window boxes, containers and hanging baskets. If planting them, get ready to see different birds chirping in your garden as they attract a lot of them. They are water lovers but hate it when over-flow.

9. Pansy
Best known for their cheery faces, pansies are hard to resist. These garden favorites are super easy to grow from both seeds and pansy plug plants. With the average height of about 9 inches, Pansy is a large-flowered plant that flourishes well in moderate regions. These plants like through water once in a week and love mild sunshine for their robust stand.

10. Fuchsias
They are best loved for adding elegance to containers and hanging baskets. Available in almost every color and shape, Fuchsias are best suited for professional and ambitious display. With the average height of 1-8 feet, these flower plants attract a lot of hummingbirds.

Many times, weather change completely transforms the look of your home garden making it go dull and tenuous. Flowers add a different grace to your garden but unfortunately, those who blossom well in winters, dry down in the summers. Nature sometimes acts evil however it also provides the alternates to cope with the situation. If you are a real garden lover who just can't live starting the day with the colorful flowers and chirping birds, you really don't need to lose hope. Don't worry if you see summers coming as we have the solution for you. Here we have listed the top 10 summer bedding plants which will again make your surrounding as dense and fill your mood with the colors of happiness.

1.      Begonia

Suitable for beds, hanging baskets, borders, and window boxes, Begonias are renowned for their large, flamboyant blooms. They come in almost every color shade and are among the most versatile summer bedding plants. Although their ability to face the sun is enormous, you can also keep them in the semi-shaded areas. They usually take their average height ranging from 20-24 inches and can handle the dry weather situations very easily.

2.      Sweet Peas

Just scatter their seeds in the bare soil and let them grow beautifully up to 6 feet. Sweet peas grow excellently in summers and need limited water to attain their full-growth. These climbers need trellis or net for their support and mesmerize anyone with their light fragrance. They survive well in the sun and can also be grown in the semi-shaded regions. If you are looking for covering the borders and the beds, try for dwarf sweet peas and allow them to form a fabulous ground cover with their thick leaves and flowers.

3.      Busy Lizzie

Try the Busy Lizzie for a healthy, vigorous display and get the tension of hot weather out of your mind. Elegant flowers of this plant produce the remarkable beauty in the color shades of pink, red, purple and white. They are well known for their characteristics of an extended flowering period and are best suited for filling out the beds and borders. They grow flawlessly in the summers and spread rapidly to fill the charm.

4.      Geranium

These sun-loving, sturdy plants are ideal for dry conditions and hot weathers. They can grow well almost in any pattern and are the best fit for obelisks, hanging baskets, beds, borders, and patio containers. Primarily available in contrast shades of pink, red and white, geranium plants are also available in the marvelous shades of rich burgundy, apricot, and lilac. With almost negligible subsistence and attention, these plants take their average height ranging from 5 inches (dwarf) to 2 feet (tall).

5.      Antirrhinum

Much known for their well-shaped flower spikes and comparatively long flowering period, Antirrhinums have fascinating flowers with the resemblance to the dragon face that open up when laterally squeezed. These plants are available in the broad range of vibrant and strong colors that grow pretty well in the dry and warm season. Children love to play with them but beware, keep an eye as these nectar-filled bedding plants attract bees and bumble bees around.

6.      Lobelia

The flowers of lobelia are lovely climbers that efficiently form the waterfall-like pattern with their magical colors. They grow pretty well in baskets and love to spread freely in all directions. With their capability to bloom any summer bedding scheme, lobelia come in the bright shades of blue, purple and white. Considerably, they thrive best in the sunlight and can save you liters of water.

7.      Petunia

Popular for their large-diameter flowers, petunias are hard to resist. They grow in the wide range of bright colors having the different patterns, stripes, and picotees. With the amazing ability to tolerate harsh conditions and super dry weather, they survive even if your water them once in a week. They love to face the sun directly and need at least five hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis.

8.      Rudbeckia

Also known as the Annual rudbeckias or the coneflowers, they are most cheerful and robust garden bedding plants for the months of July to October. With the color combinations of yellow, orange and little red, they look so live and surprising that you can't control yourself touching them. Rudbeckia 'Toto', the compact varieties are best suited for beds and patio containers while Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy,' the tall ones perform correctly when planted on borders or between perennials and shrubs. Not only they look excellent in the garden, but you can also take them to an indoor vase to decorate your living room.

9.      Californian Poppy

You just can't beat the vibrant colors of Californian poppy. Traditionally they were orange, but the recent breeding has blessed the flower lovers with the new shades of yellows, reds, pinks, and apricot. Simply scatter their seeds over the dry soil patches in the full sun conditions and enjoy them making their own way year after year. They experience every season and adjust themselves accordingly               

  10.      Cosmos

They are from the family of sunflowers who love to stand in the heat and admire to grow with almost no efforts. Cosmos is one of the fabulous summer beddings available in the shades of white, red and pink; but if you love to see them in yellow, orange and red combinations, go for its next ultimate variety of Cosmos sulphureus. The nectar-full flowers of this plant attract a variety of bees and insects forming a local ecosystem in your area with a bunch of birds chirping for its beauty.

Winter is the best phase considered for growing some of the major plants. As it's the season where one has to take minimum concerns regarding the soil dryness, water level, and erosions, experienced gardeners take full advantage of the dropped temperature and try their hands for getting some of the significant harvests. While the overall aura of the winters turns dull and calm, it feels really nice to grow some of the colorful flowers in the garden area to add a glow to the surroundings.

Note that, plants those who grow well in summers do not necessarily bloom well in winters. People often complain they face difficulty in sustaining their plants during the cool waves, but it's not primarily about the gardening skills or the subsistence, it's something that revolves around the breed or the variety. Winder bedding plants have distinct features to cope with the climate, and they flourish really well in their season. Here is the list of Top 10 Winter Bedding Plants that you should try this season to get the exceptional results-

1.      Pansies

The blooming period of Pansies is much longer than any of the other winter bedding plants. All the way from autumn and passing its colors to spring, these cheery face flowers provide an elegant look to containers, window boxes, hanging baskets, beds, and borders. If taken with care, they grow well almost in any season spreading their vibrant colors of blue, purple, white, yellow, red and orange. Plant the pansies in the sunny or partially shaded position and get ready to see the children playing around with their 9 inch little companions for hours.

2.      Violas

Just like the Pansies, Viola plants grow flowers in abundance and can add beauty to any of the display. Many of these plants have a delightful sweet fragrance which makes them a perfect buddy for the hanging baskets. Being the perfect-winter-bloomers, violas are available in a range of colors and have around 500- 600 species. Gardeners often refer them as ornamental flowers and love to grow them in the beds, borders and window boxes.

3.      Primrose

One of the favorite garden bedding plants, Primrose adds sparks to the surrounding with its beauty and sweet fragrance. Modern breedings of this plant have blessed the flower lovers with the range of colors, sizes, and shades, making it difficult to choose between any two. These plants love dry soil for their seeds and relish to grow with less water and moisture. With amazing handcrafted like flowers, Primroses take the average height of 6 inches to 3 feet on maturity.

4.      Polyanthus

Bright and compact, Polyanthus are versatile winter plants suitable for any area or patch. They glow equally well in borders, window boxes, containers, beds, and pots and usually have short, sturdy stems. Well known for their dense coverage, the taller varieties take an average height of 1 foot and grow really well in the winters.

5.      Wallflower

Even in the poorest of soils, Wallflower plants grow miraculously well and cover the window boxes, containers, and beds with their long-lasting, soul-satisfying display. Available in the shades of orange, yellow, pink, purple and blue they are significantly drought-tolerant but need water regularly until grown.

6.      Sweet William

These deliciously fragrant plants grow on a stiff, upright stem and are superb for cutting and shaping. Sweet William loves to face the full sun and prefers loose, rich soil that drains easily. Their size is the best fit for pots and containers, but they can also be tried at vertical planter and windowsill to add a different charm.

7.      Stock

Passing their way from the mid-spring to the mid-summer, Stock is the renowned winter bedding plant. These upright, neat biennials produce ruffled, large and heavily fragrant spikes. Available in a wide range of pastel colors, flowers of this amazing plant bloom well in winters and spread the sweet fragrance to an open distance. Stock takes the maximum height of 10 inches, but some of the tall varieties cross 2 feet easily.

8.      Bellis

Bellis is famous for growing masses of quilled, round blooms in the shades of red, white and pink. One of the finest varieties, 'Pomponette' matures itself as a real eye-catchy natural beauty with off-white flowers and pink petal tips. Investing in this plant is the real value for money as it grows beautifully and needs a minimum of resources. With the stem height of 3-5 inches, these pompom-like flowers are the perfect companion for winters.

9.      Forget-me-not

These self-seed plants go perfectly with their name. Once they are planted in the garden, no further worries ever exist for planning their next season. With the traditional colors of blue, Forget-me-not plants do come in the newer shades of pink and white. Gifted with the perfectibility of spreading freely, these plants fit well in beds, border, containers, pots, and window boxes and take an average height of 1 foot to 2 feet.

     10.     Cyclamen coum

Cyclamen coum is the true winter bedding plant that eliminates the dullness of winter with its bright color and shade. They grow flawlessly in the chilling temperatures and effectively splash the colors of pink in the surroundings. Well-drained soil and the nearby grass are the two true comrades for this plant that supports its growth and allow it to mature at a steady pace. Not only the flowers, but the leaves of Cyclamen coum are also equally beautiful that vary in the shapes of 'round' and 'heart' among the different varieties.

Growing fruits and vegetables in pots/containers are becoming more popular with home gardeners. This method of growing crops in a limited space is cost effective and requires less work than the conventional method of gardening. Pots planted with a variety of plants add an attractive appearance to your yard while providing a healthy crop for you and your household to enjoy. Imagine the pleasures you get from watching what you plant grow and then come into fulfillment.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE POTS FOR GROWING CROPS?

You should know that crops grown in containers/pots are more restricted than those grown in the soil. Therefore, it is essential that you make use of good quality compost that retains water. Drainage is also very important, so you will need to create plenty of drainage holes in your pot. Covering the bottom with broken shards of pots will ensure proper drainage.

Now we have prepared our pots, you only need to start with one or two plants. Let us consider the top 10 crops that will grow well in pots.

1.      Zucchini

This plant will thrive productively in pots. It is particularly a very productive summer plant that is low on calories and high in potassium manganese and other essential nutrients.

2.      Beans

Beans is another top crops that thrives and flourishes in pots. Mind you, the variety of beans you are planting will determine the supporting structure. for pole beans, you will need some sort of supporting structure as they are climbing plants. Beans of any variety can be grown in small space pots because they are one of the most productive plants in the garden, i.e. they produce maximum return on your planting space. Throughout the summer, it is advisable to make several successive planting, each around three weeks apart.

3.      Capsicums – Bell Peppers

Bell peppers can also be successfully grown in pots. In frost free areas, these plants act as perennials.

4.      Radishes

Radishes are a great source of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and folic acid. They take just 4-5 weeks to fully develop and are one of the easiest veggies to grow, making them an ideal plant for beginners. Radishes thrive best in a damp and colder climate. They require minimal efforts in maintenance, meaning you don’t have to stress yourself a lot.

5.      Chillies

They are easy to grow in a pot and are very productive as well.

6.      Lettuce

Lettuce is a common plant for container gardening. The loose leaf variety e.g. Oak leaf or Buttercrunch, which can be harvested on a regular basis, is even more popular. Lettuce grows best in cool spring temperatures, so planting it early in the year is a great idea. Young plants are available in nurseries for the first 30 – 35 days before the average last frost date. They should be planted in a pot when they are about 6 to 8 inches deep. Since lettuce doesn’t require a lot of space, they can be planted in any shaped pot. After transplanting lettuce, make sure you set the pots in an area that is partly shaded where they will receive part sun throughout the day.

7.      Carrots

There are many varieties to choose from. Marion or Resistafly are the two most recommended varieties of carrot to be planted in a pot. Resistafly, as the name suggests, has good resistance to carrot fly. Marion has very tender roots and is suitable for all year round growing. Mind you, all other varieties can be successfully grown in garden planters.

Another benefit of planting carrots in a pot/container is that carrots can be easily distorted by large clumps of soil or even stones when grown in the ground. This can act as obstructions for the plant. In addition, carrots are prone to attack by carrot fly, but using a pot of about 2 feet above ground level will help terminate their existence since carrot fly can’t travel up to such 2 feet high.

8.      Onions

Growing onions from seed may take a long time. It is best for you to grow small bulbs or onion sets as they grow easily especially with the soil is filled with compost. Onions are very rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. They also add a decent touch of flavor to salads and sauces.

9.      Tomatoes

Amongst the most popular plants grown in a home vegetable garden, tomato is up there. Like other plants, there are a lot of varieties to choose from, depending on where you intend planting them. They are very rich in essential nutrients such as potassium, niacin, Vitamins A, C, and E, and other antioxidants. Tomatoes are not difficult to grown. Since they love heat and sufficient moisture, they should be planted where the sun shines brightest.

1.                         Herbs

Herbs do well in pots because it restricts their growth. They should be placed close to the kitchen door for easy access when you are cooking. The aroma from basil and curry can be very helpful when cooking your chicken.

BENEFITS OF POT GARDENING

Pots/containers can easily be moved around the garden. This is essential when you want them to be exposed to maximum sunlight or when they need protection from heavy downpour. They can be moved closer to the kitchen for easy access, the sitting room for beautification and so on.

Different varieties can be grown together as well. They create some very attractive settings when vegetables are mixed with beautiful flowers. Let’s say you combine marigolds and salad leaves, imagine the beauty it’ll add to your space.

Pot gardening is a great way to get your kids involved in growing plants. They get to learn about how plants grow from seedlings to the point of maturity. This gives them the basic understanding of how to grow crops and also how the ecosystem works naturally. No one knows where this knowledge will take them to in the nearest future. It is also a great time to relate to your kids as well.