Plant Cultures » Plant Cultures http://www.plantcultures.org.uk Living Green Thu, 19 Sep 2019 15:53:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Prepare for Outdoor Growing Season http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/prepare-for-outdoor-growing-season/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/prepare-for-outdoor-growing-season/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2015 23:24:00 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=9859 Outdoor garden grows can produce many fruitful benefits. If you have the space for an outdoor garden, then it makes sense to consider one to meet your needs. Outdoor grows are necessary for people who plan to produce greater amounts of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. More space is required in order to account for the size of the plants. However, growing outdoors requires preparation. Simply putting the seeds in the ground and hoping for the best will set you up for failure. Issues such as plant protection, growing processes, water consumption, and location are all important to consider.

A major aspect to growing outdoor gardens is to prepare the chosen area. The area of your choice must receive direct sunlight for a majority of the daylight hours. This is critical if you hope to produce plenty of fruit. Once the area is chosen, you must consider whether or not it is a high traffic area. Young kids who play in the yard might have the potential to damage the plants if they are located near their play area. The same can be said for pets as well. Proper water drainage is another important issue. If the location is in a low-lying area, then the plants might have the potential to drown or wash away during heavy rain storms.

Fencing is important to prevent predators from harming the young plants. Burrowing animals like rabbits are able to dig underneath fences to get to the plants. The fence base must be buried at least 1-3 feet under the ground to prevent this from happening. If you hope to protect the plants from deer, then you must also consider the height of the fence. Other tactics are used to ward off predators by scaring them away. Similar to a scare crow, a cut-out of a dog or a person can ward off these animals. Birds-of-prey, such as owls and hawks ward off rabbits. Deterrent cut-outs like these can work wonders.

Although outdoor plants have the potential to produce the most fruits and vegetables, you must start them indoors if you are growing them from seed. Many people make the mistake of placing seed outdoors, and then they wonder why the plants are not growing. Often, the seeds are washed away by rain. In other instances, birds eat the seed before it has time to germinate. The best option is to germinate the seeds indoors, within a dark place. Seeds should be placed between damp paper towels in order to ensure that they sprout roots.

Once the seeds have sprouted, you must use a process of transplanting before they are moved outside. As the plants grow, they need to be moved to steadily larger cups and pots to account for root space. During this process, careful fertilization monitoring is essential so that the young plants do not start to burn. If you follow the right process for an outdoor growing season, then your garden will become successful.

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Advantages to Indoor Plant Grows http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/advantages-to-indoor-plant-grows/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/advantages-to-indoor-plant-grows/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2015 23:22:15 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=9857 If you choose to grow your own herbs and vegetables, then you need to decide where to start your garden. The decision to grow them indoors or outdoors, depends on a number of factors. Many people choose to start growing herbs and plants outdoors because they need the space. Larger plants, such as corn or watermelons, need space in order to thrive. However, smaller herbs and plants are often grown indoors. Indoor grows require proper lighting and ventilation, but they are the best choice for people who wish to control their growing environments.

Control over the growing environment is the number one reason why people choose this method over outdoor grows. For example, lighting can be controlled according to the needs of your specific plant. Timers are placed on lighting systems to maximize plant growing potential. The same type of control is exerted over watering and fertilization. A water schedule prevents the plants from drowning or washing away. When plants are grown outside, they are exposed to the elements, and a huge downpour could kill the plants. Issues relating disease and nutrition can be diagnosed much easier with indoor grows as well.

Another positive aspect of indoor grows, is that they are protected from predators. All outdoor gardens, regardless of whether they are primarily herb or vegetable gardens, succumb to some form of predation at some point. Some of the most docile animals become enemies to young plants because they savor the plants during their early stages of life. Deer and rabbits wreak havoc on young plants. They eat the small chutes before they get a chance to flourish. Plant-eating insects like caterpillars cause problems as well, so moving your grow indoors is a great option.

The level of control that you get to experience with an indoor grow is valuable. You can choose the size of your plants according to several variables. For starters, you can choose the size of pot for your plants, according to how large you would like them to become. This should be based upon the amount of room you have within your indoor grow room. Additionally, and indoor environment allows you to cross-pollinate to create new hybrids of vegetables and herbs. Most growers experience the most success with cross-pollinating tomatoes and peppers. Some of the most popular tomato plants have exotic colors and sizes due to cross-pollination tactics.

Perhaps most importantly, you can conduct indoor grows during any time of the year. This means that people who enjoy growing their own plants can do so in the winter months as well. This is important, especially if home growing is the primary way for you to get your fruits and vegetables. An indoor grow can take place right within the home, or within a greenhouse. Young plants will not be exposed to potential frost damage, or to intense heat caused by the sun. Consider these factors, and you will have the potential to create an excellent home garden right within your home.

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Potential Herbal Vaping Health Benefits http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/potential-herbal-vaping-health-benefits/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/potential-herbal-vaping-health-benefits/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2015 23:20:31 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=9854 Vaping is a term used to describe a relatively new alternative to smoking cigarettes. Vape pens and other devices are used to turn e-liquids into vapors which are inhaled by the user. Most of these liquids come with different nicotine level options. This allows smokers to stop using tobacco so that they can turn to a healthier alternative. Although the act of vaping has not been around long enough for researchers to achieve long-term health effects, the fact remains that they are a better alternative to tobacco. Tobacco has the potential to cause cancer, but the e-liquids that are used do not contain carcinogens or tar. As vaping increases in popularity, there is a growing demand for new e-liquids. Some of these might have potential health benefits, due to their herbal properties.

Some e-liquid companies are turning to natural compounds. Organic compounds found in plants, could have health benefits. Many plants produce what is called “terpenes.” These are natural hydrocarbons, and most people respond positively to them. Most of the people who use e-liquids which contain terpenes, report that they experience less anxiety, and they tend to relax more. Plants which contain a stronger aromatic odor tend to have terpenes. E-liquid and vape pen manufacturers are infusing the liquids with herbs and plants that contain them in order to provide an enjoyable experience for the user.

Specifically, certain herbs that are used in herbal e cigarette liquid can help to soothe health issues. Peppermint, for example, is known to soothe the respiratory tract. It also acts as an antihistamine to treat severe allergies. Additionally, eucalyptus works to open the airways, and to provide a soothing effect when the throat and lungs become irritated by allergens. Spearmint oil opens the nasal passages, and it also serves to break down mucus when someone becomes sick.

Ginko bilboa, rosemary oil, rosewood oil, and valerian root, all have have benefits to people who use them in e-liquids. According to http://www.eliquidhealth.com/, these herbal substances work to balance emotions, reduce stress, and to induce a much better sense of relaxation. Manufacturers recognize that although e-liquids and vaping are better choices than tobacco, they can also provide some health benefits. Consider the consequences of tobacco use, such as bad breath, rotting teeth, and respiratory problems. Herbal e-liquids do not cause these problems, and they actually work to help correct them.

Perhaps most importantly, vaping is widely viewed as a healthier alternative for people who are asthmatic. People who have asthma have a tough time quitting cigarettes, regardless of how it hurts their health. Asthmatics who switch to vaping can eliminate tar. Thus helps to reduce the symptoms of asthma. Since e-liquids contain different levels of nicotine, they are ideal for people who wish to quit smoking altogether. An asthmatic person might start with e-liquids which contain the most nicotine possible, and then gradually reduce the amount of nicotine they need, until they do not need it at all.

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Care for Plants When You’re Away http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/care-for-plants-when-youre-away/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/care-for-plants-when-youre-away/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:12:41 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=27 Herb plants live for a long time if they are taken care of in the right way. That said, there are times in all of our lives when we are not present to take care of our gardens. Vacations, emergencies, or other trips prevent us from being home to keep them alive and healthy. If you have an indoor edible garden, then make sure that your lights are on a timer. Set the timer to replicate the hours of the sun. This will keep them from drying out too much, and they will continue to produce while you are away.

Outdoor gardens benefit from irrigation systems. This is certainly true during the hot summer months. One method involves simply inserting a piece of PVC plastic piping into the ground in strategically marked areas of the garden. Fill the piping with water, almost to the top. The ground beneath your plants will become saturated with water, and as the plants use the water, the water level in the pipes will slowly go down. This is a great do-it-yourself irrigation system which does not over water your plants while you are away.

If you do need someone to come over to take care of your plants, then you need to leave very clear instructions regarding what to do. If they get certain amounts of fertilizers, then it is best to go ahead and pre-mix the fertlizer to prevent any confusion from happening. Leave specific instructions regarding watering and feeding times. Make sure to provide instructions for when the plants start to show signs of stress. Choose a reliable person who has experience taking care of plants, and you will thank yourself over time. As long as you prepare, you do not have to worry about your home garden while you are away.

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Growing Herbs from Seed http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/growing-herbs-from-seed/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/growing-herbs-from-seed/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:12:11 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=25 Herb gardens are great for people who love to cook all of their own meals. They allow you to simply pull what you need directly from the plant once you are ready to use it. Most herb gardens are grown from seeds, and you must take care to go through the right steps in order to ensure success. For example, all seeds must go through a germination period. Some gardeners choose to moisten damp paper towels with the seeds wrapped inside. Then they are stored in a dark and warm place. The seeds usually sprout roots within 24-48 hours.

Once the seeds have been germinated, you need to transfer them to soil. Once you do, they will show young sprouts or shoots. This is when your herb garden is most vulnerable. Take care when watering the sprouts so that you do not wash them our or drown them. Lightly mist them with a spray bottle to make sure that they get all of the moisture that they need. Additionally, you need to make sure that they do not get too much sunlight during the early stages of life. Care for your sprouts the way you would care for anything else that is fragile.

Consult online guides and grow books so that you understand when to transfer your new plants to larger pots. If you wait too long to do so, they might become what is called, “root-bound.” This condition is characterized by the roots becoming entangled. They often cut one another off, and this does not allow water or nutrients to reach the plants. When you do transfer them, take care not to touch the tender roots with your bare hands. Handle them with care, and they will grow up to produce plenty of herbs.

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Protect Outdoor Plants from Predators http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/protect-outdoor-plants-from-predators/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/protect-outdoor-plants-from-predators/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:11:38 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=23 Growing your own food is a great opportunity to help you to appreciate all that nature has to offer. It is a great experience for those who understand the trials ahead. There is more to growing herbs and other usable plants than meets the eye. You must take steps to protect the plants from predators if you choose to grow them outside. Predators come in many forms, such as insects and animals. Here are some of the best ways to protect your outdoor garden from pests that might want to destroy it.

Rabbits are ravenous for small seedlings and shoots. They can wreak havoc on a young garden before it even has a chance to bear fruit. You will know if rabbits are in your garden when you notice your plants no longer have leaves or stems. Put a fence which goes underground to keep rabbits out. It is important that it goes underground because rabbits can dig as well. However, deer love to eat plants from gardens too, and fencing does not always keep them out because they can jump. Having a dog outside will keep deer from entering.

Some birds settle into gardens and destroy the plants inside them. If you want to prevent this from happening, then simply erect a coyote or dog decoy. This decoy will scare them away for sure. Owl decoys are equally effective. Smaller birds and rabbits are naturally afraid of owls and the danger that they pose. Putting this type of decoy out will ward them off.

Perhaps the best option, however, is to simply build or buy a greenhouse for your plants. A greenhouse is a great choice because it not only protects the plants from predators, but it also protects them from the elements of nature, such as high wind or heavy rain. There are many different do-it-yourself greenhouse build videos on YouTube. It is possible to make a smaller ones to meet your needs within the confines of your own backyard. Protect your edible plants from predators so that you can enjoy them.

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Composting Options for Home Grows http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/composting-options-for-home-grows/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/composting-options-for-home-grows/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:11:05 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=21 Home edible plant grows are becoming increasingly popular among the health-conscious crowds. As more people become sickened by pesticides and other harmful substances on the foods that they eat, they turn to growing their own harvest and even making their own herbal e cigarettes. However, if you want to have a successful home grow, then you need to practice composting. Composting involves creating fertililzer for the plants that you will grow. Regardless of whether you choose to grow vegetables, fruits, or herbs, you need to make sure that they get the most nutrients possible.

Choose an area in your back yard which is away from the main house or living areas. Compost piles can smell bad, so this is important. Discard old banana peels, lettuce, carrot tops, or other natural garbage into the pile. Some people even compost old newspaper. Once you start the compost pile it will steadily degrade into a nutrient-rich soil. This is ideal for making your plants grow tall and healthy. Use a rake to pile it up in one area. You might want to buils a small fence around it to keep animals from getting into the pile as well.

Grass clippings are a great form of compost. Some mulching mowers cut the grass into pices which are far too small to harvest. Choose a mower which has a bagger on the back of it. All you have to do is empty the contents of the mower onto your compost heap. The grass clippings will degrade into usable nutrient-rich compost over a few weeks of time. This also prevents you from having to bag it up to place it at the curb for removal.

Do you ever get sick of having to rake tons of leaves in the fall months? If so, try moving them to your compost heap. Raking and bagging leaves is tedious work, so you make it easier on yourself by using a leaf blower to move them to the compost. leaves turn into usable topsoil quickly. They rot and turn into a substance which can be used for any indoor or outdoor edible plant garden.

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Usable Food Plants http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/usable-food-plants/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/usable-food-plants/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:10:32 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=19 Once you have decided to start your own garden, you need to make sure that it will be worth the trouble. Veterans who grow their own food and herb plants rely on years of experience to help them to be successful time and again. They learn from their mistakes, and they keep a journal of what works, and what does not work. This is a great way to make sure that future grows go exactly as planned. Anyone who decides to grow at home needs to make sure that the plants they choose are actually usable. Here are some great choices.

Okra is a vegetable which grows well outside. However, this plant needs plenty of space in which to thrive. Okra is popular because it can be prepared in many ways. Some people pan fry it, while others bake it. Perhaps the best aspect of okra though, is that it can be frozen and used at a later date. This means that extra supplies of it will not go to waste. The same can be said for green beans. They grow on vines, and a surplus of green beans is never a bad thing if you want to freeze some to have during the winter months when they cannot grow.

Tomatoes can be preserved in jars. This allows them to be used as seasonings or for other popular food dishes. Peppers are used for many different foods, such as for spices, or as a main ingredient. You can combine these two edible plants together to create your own salsa combinations. imagine how much healthier it would be to make your own salsa instead of buying it at he store. It will have far less sodium, and you can add any ingredients you like to make it stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Some herbs like sage, basil, and mint, are excellent to use as spices or garnishments. If you choose to grow basil, then you can use it to make your own spaghetti sauce. Even if you do not use it for spaghetti sauce, you can add it to a variety of other Italian food dishes. Look for authentic Italian herb seeds online if you wish to make a great dish that emulates the real thing straight from Italy. Consider how rewarding it will be to be able to pick your own herbs from the plants that you grew.

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Choose Fertilizer Wisely http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/choose-fertilizer-wisely/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/choose-fertilizer-wisely/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:09:55 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=17 When it comes to growing your own food and herbs, you must be aware of the best methods for getting the best results. Nobody wants to spend time growing something that does not produce. This is why it is so important to choose a quality fertilizer to meet your needs. Fertilizers come in two basic forms; organic and synthetic. Synthetic choices are those created in a lab, while organic choices are produced by other plants and animals. For example, Miracle Grow is a popular synthetic choice because it produces great results.

Fox Farm fertilizers are some of the most popular in the world. This company makes both synthetic and organic fertilizers, but it is known for its organic options. Check out their website and you will see the many different options that they provide. For example, they have a bat guano mixture which is great for a variety of herbs and other edible plants. They also sell packs which are used together to help plants to grow at various stages of their lives. Consult one of their experts to determine which one of their products is the right one for you to choose for your given growing needs.

One of the best batural fertilizers is worm castings. Worm castings are produced as worms make their way through the soil. Some people add earth worms to their gardens for this reason. The castings are rich in nutrients that plants need, such as magnesium and calcium. In addition to providing castings, earth worms also serve to aerate the soil as they move through it. Many different popular fertilizer companies have worm casting mixtures that you can apply to your soil to make your plants grow tall and healthy. This type of fertilization is great for herbs such as sage and rosemary.

Mulch and manure are great fertilizers. Manure which is produced by horses and cows is the best choice. The main problem, however, is that it stinks, so it is really only suitable for outdoor edible plant gardens. If you do decide to add it, you will see an immediate difference. Mulch, otherwise known as compost, is derived from dead leaves and plant matter. It essentially turns into a nutrient-rich soil over time. Create a compost pile in your backyard, and add to the pile throughout the year so that you have plenty of it once the growing season arrives.

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Choosing Pots for Herbs http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/choosing-pots-for-herbs/ http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/choosing-pots-for-herbs/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2014 00:09:14 +0000 http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/?p=15 One of the most rewarding things you can do is grow your own plants for consumption or spicing purposes. However, you must prepare the right way if you want to be successful. Your choice of pot will ultimately determine how well your plants do, especially when it comes to indoor growing options. Pots come in a variety of shapes and sizes to house many different types of the best plant choices. The key is to research your preferred plants before buying the supplies that you need. Here is what you need to consider.

Taller, deeper pots, are well-suited for plants which grow taller. Plants like tomatoes need plenty of root space. The same can be said for larger varities of herbal plants as well. Root space matters because you do not want to stunt your plants’ growth. This might lead them to die, or to produce fruit of a lesser quality. Choose a small and shallow pot for smaller herbs like sage. bush-like herbs only need limited root space, and buying pots which are too big might actually cause them to grow slower.

If you plan to grow indoors, then you really need to take your amount of space into account. Choose pots which are shaped so that many can fit into one area easily. This allows you to space your plants apart without taking up tons of room in the process. Hexagonal or rectangular pots are the best shapes for quality space utilization. Standard round pots often leave space between one another. You also need to consider how much space each plant will take up when fully mature. If they have larger branches, then you need to account for this fact.

Choose pots which have plenty of drainage holes. Some pots come with drainage pans as well. If yours do not, then you will need to make one. So, why is it important to have holes in your pot? Holes allow excess ater to drain from the bottom of the pots so that your plants do not drown. When you grow inside they are not affected nearly as much by the environment. Holes in the bottom of your pots will make up for human error when you over water or feed the plants you choose to grow inside.

Your choice of pot will dictate the success or failure of your growing venture. Some people choose to grow their plants as seedlings in smaller pots. These plants are then transferred to larger pots once they are big enough. You can avoid this hassle if you choose to grow them in one large pot from seed to finish. Make your pot choice wisely before you decide to grow.

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