How to attract earthworms to your garden.
Having earthworms in your garden benefits your plants and improves the soil. They are also known as farmer’s friends as they help to plough the soil thereby loosening the soil and helping plants to penetrate their roots into it. Earthworm manure also called as worm castings is a great fertiliser for plants. They contain loads of minerals like nitrates, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and calcium that help in plant growth. Worm castings contain lots of beneficial microbes that help build soil fertility. Find out how to attract earthworms to the garden. Compost Worms are the ones that help in turning biodegradable waste to organic matter, by turning them into worm castings.…
How to make Vermicompost at home from kitchen waste.
Vermicomposting is the process of using worms that feed on organic matter and produce worm castings that can be used on plants. It is an easy process and you can get good compost for your plants when it is done in the right manner. Find out how to make vermicompost at home. Benefits of using vermicompost It is necessary to know the right kind of worms needed to make vermicompost. There are a variety of earthworms but the worms for composting are the red wrigglers and Eisenia fetida. These worms feed on kitchen scraps and organic waste to produce worm castings. Earthworms have a huge appetite and they eat a…
How to grow cosmos in containers or pots
Cosmos is a herbaceous annual plant that is native to Mexico. There are 30 different varieties of cosmos. Cosmos comes in several colours like pink, white, yellow, orange and red. It grows up to 6 feet tall. There are also shorter varieties and they can grow up to 4 feet. Some of them include Cosmic red cosmos, Cosmos yellow and Cosmos bipinnatus pink. These beautiful flowers require less maintenance. They also help to attract bees and other pollinators. The shorter varieties of cosmos can be grown in pots. Growing conditions for cosmos The best time to grow this flower is during the summer season. Cosmos is drought tolerant and does…
How to get rid of mealy bugs on your plants.
If you find tiny white insects sticking to your plant, you must get rid of them immediately. These insects are called mealybugs and they feed on the plant leaves causing them to turn yellow. If nothing is done to control these pests, they can multiply in large numbers. Each female is capable of laying up to 500 eggs. These insects can drain the life out of your plants. They share a symbiotic relationship with ants. Ants protect mealy bugs from predators in exchange for the honeydew mealybugs secrete. It is best to get rid of these pests when they are less in number. Here is how to get rid of…
How to grow radish from seeds in Containers.
Radish is a root vegetable that is consumed all over the world. It contains lots of antioxidants and minerals such as calcium and potassium. There are several varieties of radish, most varieties can be harvested within 4 weeks. Daikon or winter radish takes about 6 to 7 weeks to mature. This vegetable germinates soon and it is easy to plant radish especially if you are a beginner. Growing conditions for radish Radish is a cool weather crop. Planting radish during summers when the temperatures are high can result in bolting. The best time to plant radish is during Spring and Fall. The optimum temperature needed is between 18°C-29° C (64°F-…
How to grow eggplant in a pot.
Eggplant or brinjal is a vegetable that belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is related to other vegetables like potato, tomato and chilly. Eggplant is a tropical perennial that can grow up to 4 feet. Although eggplant has fewer nutrients it contains average levels of manganese and consuming eggplant can have certain health benefits. Growing conditions for eggplant Eggplant is easy to grow in tropical and subtropical regions. It grows well in hot weather conditions. It needs lots of space to grow so choose a big container to grow them. A container that is at least 12 to 14 inches deep and wide is needed to grow this vegetable. The…
How to Grow Fava Beans from seeds in Containers
Fava beans or Broad beans is a flowering plant that belongs to the bean family Fabaceae. Fava beans are legumes, and they help fix nitrogen in the soil. So, It is also grown as a cover crop. Broad beans contain high levels of essential nutrients and minerals like Manganese, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Iron. Here is how to grow Fava beans in your garden. Growing Conditions for fava beans Fava beans are grown during the Spring and summer seasons. The germination temperature is 20°C to 30 °C (68°F – 86°F). It can grow in soil that is fertile and well-drained. How to grow fava beans from seeds in containers Pests and…
How to grow soybeans in pots
Soybeans or Soya-beans are legumes grown for their nutritious bean. It is native to East Asia and a lot of products can be made from these beans. Some of the products include Milk, Tofu, Soy sauce and Bean paste. Soybeans are high in proteins, vitamins and minerals. Soybeans are not frost-tolerant, they should be grown during the warm summer months. The optimum temperature needed for Soybeans to grow is between21° C to 25°C (70°F to 77°F). Soybeans help to fix nitrogen in the soil and are grown as cover crops. They are also grown as companion plants. How to grow soybeans in pots Pests and Diseases Some of the pests…
How to grow vinca from seeds in pots
Vinca or Periwinkle Madagascar is an annual flowering plant that is native to Europe and Southwest Asia. Vincas are subshrubs that grow up to 12 inches. These flowers come in colours like pink, red, white, purple and magenta. Vinca flowers are generally grown as ornamental plants and they help to attract pollinators. There are two main species Vinca Major and Vinca Minor. Since vincas spread in the ground they are grown as ground covers. Vincas grow best in sandy loam soil. They can be grown in containers too. Vincas are drought-tolerant and they grow well during the mid spring and summer season. They can tolerate temperatures between 24° C to…
The eight layers of a food forest
A food forest is a food production system that mimics natural woodland ecosystems. It is also called as forest gardening. Woodlands have trees and shrubs however in food forests trees and shrubs are replaced with fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. These can be consumed by humans. Forest gardening has been practised by indigenous people for a very long time. Unlike modern agriculture that has had disastrous effects over a long period of time, food forests are more sustainable. Eight layers of a food forest 1. Canopy Layer Trees that are 9 metres tall are grown in this layer. Lots of fruit and nut trees like jamun, almonds, walnuts, and mango…
