How To Preserve Vegetables With a Vacuum Sealer
September 20, 2011 by Kat Dennis
Filed under Gardening, Vegetables, Videos
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It’s finally harvest time, and some of us are producing more food than we could possibly eat all at once! Don’t fear, you can keep your veggies fresh for over 6 months by vacuum sealing them! In this video, Patti walks you through the process of sealing up your produce air-tight to store in the freezer all winter long.
Find out more at www.gardengirltv.com and www.urbansustainableliving.com!
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Container Vegetable Gardening Part 3
July 28, 2011 by Phil Faustini
Filed under Vegetables
The main advantage in container vegetable gardening is that it can be done in the comfort and cozy ambiance of your home. A few people may be averse to do any outdoor work because they do not want to be subject to harsh weather conditions.
Most importantly, you must decide the right space inside your home for undertaking container vegetable gardening. Though you can shift the containers when there is a need, it is better not to shift them very frequently. So, you should choose such a space that may not be required for other purposes. Another very important point is that the space should have enough sunlight and ventilation without which the process of photosynthesis cannot take place properly and hence, growth of the plants will not be to the desired extent.
Once you decide the space, you should decide on the right type of containers. You must have an idea of which plants you wish to grow because certain plants require a larger area. This makes the tasks of buying just one size container to suit all your vegetables or plants nearly impossible. A few plants may require more space and hence, depending upon the choice of the plants, you must buy your containers.
Then, you must have the seeds for the plants you have chosen to grow. These seeds can be purchased from the stores or you can also germinate them at the convenience of your home. But, the pots or containers in which you try to germinate these seeds should get enough sunlight and ventilation. You must also provide these seeds with nutrient-rich compounds. After about a period of 4 to 8 weeks, these plants will grow new leaves and this is the time for transplanting them to the containers you bought for them. This should be done carefully because the plants are nascent and delicate. If you can afford, you can buy peat and peat moss containers that are meant for seed germination from your local retailer.
You should fertilize these seeds and young plants with the fertilizer you purchase from the local store. This solution is very good for seeds and young transplants and will nourish them very well. You should not use this solution in the initial stage itself. Only when the seeds start growing, you should use this solution. In the initial stages, you should apply only tap water till the seeds start germinating.
The plants that are transplanted must be given appropriate attention so that your endeavor of container vegetable gardening is successful.
Thank You to all of our gardener friends and we really appreciate your support. Please contact us anytime with any questions,
The Watch Us Grow Team
Phil Faustini, Grandson of Stephen Follett, creator of “Watch Us Grow”. In the 1940′s Stephen Follett developed this unique Plant Food.After many years of trials and experiments on all types of plants and crops. 1952 was the year “Watch Us Grow” was made available to the public. Since then the positive testimonials have poured in from all over the world, from professional to novice growers “Watch Us Grow” has made believers out of them all. Go to http://www.AllPurposePlantFood.com try some for yourself and see why the gardening world is so excited about “Watch Us Grow”
Author: Phil Faustini
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Unix inter-process communication (IPC)
Container Vegetable Gardening Part 2
July 28, 2011 by Phil Faustini
Filed under Vegetables
Previously, when people were suggested that they could do gardening inside their homes, they were taking this suggestion with a pinch of salt. But, now, this concept is a proven one because there are thousands, if not millions, of people who do this container vegetable gardening and reap immense benefits. Due to the extraordinary “vertical” growth that has been triggered by construction of condos and apartments, this type of gardening is gaining more and more popularity.
But, for doing this container vegetable gardening, you need the required tools, seeds, etc. apart from having the right type of containers. You should acquire sufficient basic knowledge of this so that your gardening experience will be easy and also you will find it useful.
The main benefit of this gardening is that it is highly flexible. There is no prescribed size of containers. You can even use containers that you already have available. But, planning is very important to do this gardening. Otherwise, instead of being an enjoyable hobby, it may turn out to be an arduous task.
You should first choose the right space inside your house. The space should have enough ventilation and sunlight because plants will not grow well if these two aspects are not taken care of.
Procuring the right containers is another important aspect you should focus on. You cannot have the same type of container for all the plants. Certain plants may require a broad space because their roots may spread widely. A few other plants may require vines to grow. These aspects should be taken into account while procuring your containers.
You can grow green onions, herbs and parsley in containers. Eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and a host of other plants can also be grown in container vegetable gardening. But, you should study the nature of the plant and its needs before you embark upon growing them in your garden.
You can buy the seeds from the local retailer or can germinate them at your home. Germinating the seeds at home is a great experience. They can be germinated in containers like a pot, baking pan or any shallow vessel. You do not need a perfect container for doing this. The only point you should ensure is to have a nutrient-rich compound so that germination takes place as desired. You should have enough sunlight for the seeds to germinate. Once they germinate and the plants sprout, you can transplant them to your containers.
Thank You to all of our gardener friends and we really appreciate your support. Please contact us anytime with any questions,
The Watch Us Grow Team
Phil Faustini, Grandson of Stephen Follett, creator of “Watch Us Grow” In the 1940′s Stephen Follett developed this unique Plant Food. After many years of trials and experiments on all types of plants and crops. 1952 was the year “Watch Us Grow” was made available to the public. Since then the positive testimonials have poured in from all over the world, from professional to novice growers “Watch Us Grow” has made believers out of them all. Go to http://AllPurposePlantFood.com try some for yourself and see why the gardening world is so excited about “Watch Us Grow”
Author: Phil Faustini
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Solar panel, solar power
Container Vegetable Gardening
July 22, 2011 by Kat Dennis
Filed under Vegetables
Container vegetable gardening is a great concept that will help people to do gardening even if they have a space constraint in their houses. Especially, those who live in apartments and condos will definitely find this concept highly useful. The best thing about this gardening is that you can have this garden anywhere inside your home. The only point you should ensure is to have a good ventilation and sunlight in the place you choose. The place should also be comfortable to work in.
You should buy the containers of the right size so as to fit the space you choose. The containers that are already available with you can also be used. There are no hard and fast rules about the sizes of the containers. They should be of the right size to accommodate the plants you choose to grow in your container vegetable garden. The point that is being emphasized here is that the roots of the plants should be able to grow. The containers should not be very heavy because you may like to move them when there is a need. Drainage holes should be there along the sides slightly above the bottom. For improving the drainage, you should put a 1 inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the containers.
The greatest advantage in container vegetable gardening is that the usual hassles that are associated with out-door gardening such as unfavorable weather conditions, soil-borne disease, and poor soil conditions are either not there or can easily be avoided in this.
The plants that can be grown in such containers are eggplant, green onions, beans, etc. You can also grow peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and squash. Those who have tried this type of gardening have succeeded in growing even cucumbers and pole beans. The only thing these plants need is a little extra care and a little more space because they need vines for their growth.
You should understand that synthetic soil is very good for this type of gardening because this soil is quite light and drains well. This synthetic soil is also capable of holding moisture and nutrients. The composition of this soil is compounds that include wood chips, sawdust, vermiculite, peat moss or perlite.
If you want to get this synthetic soil, you can get it from the local retailer who sells gardening items or you can make this mixture yourself. Superphosphate, horticultural grade vermiculite, limestone, peat moss and garden fertilizer are mixed in the right proportions to make this synthetic soil mixture.
In short, if you do your container vegetable gardening properly, you will not only enjoy the experience but you will be able to grow useful plants also.
Thank You to all of our gardener friends and we really appreciate your support. Please contact us anytime with any questions,
The Watch Us Grow Team
Phil Faustini, Grandson of Stephen Follett, creator of “Watch Us Grow”. In the 1940′s Stephen Follett developed this unique Plant Food. After many years of trials and experiments on all types of plants and crops. 1952 was the year “Watch Us Grow” was made available to the public. Since then the positive testimonials have poured in from all over the world, from professional to novice growers “Watch Us Grow” has made believers out of them all. Go to http://www.allpurposeplantfood.com and try some for yourself to see why the gardening world is so excited about “Watch Us Grow”
Author: Phil Faustini
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital economy, mobile technology
One of the Top Tomato Gardening Tips – Master Your Tomato Watering!
July 3, 2011 by Kat Dennis
Filed under Guest Blogger, Vegetables
It is really pretty simple, you need to keep your tomatoes watered. It is one of the most important things you can do. All of the tomato gardening tips you will ever read will tell you the same thing. If you do not use proper tomato watering, your juicy tomatoes will not be quite what you hoped for. You may run into some problems growing tomatoes, but you can avoid the ones that deal with poor watering practices.
Here Is Some General Tomato Watering Advice:
Tomato gardening tips about water are pretty simple and pretty universal. Tomatoes need about one gallon of water each and every day. Their root systems are vast and many are close to the top of the soil. Even though the soil may be moist down deep, the surface area, where lots of the roots are, dries out quickly. The roots need to pull the moisture from the soil and up to the growing tomatoes so they can get nice and juicy.
Your tomato watering will work in several ways. If there has been a heavy rain, you can go a few days without watering, while the soil dries out. You do not want over watered tomato plants either! If you have a sprinkler, one long soaking session will also be good for a few days. Some even will leave it on over night to mimic a rain. Most of the time though, you need to go out each day and water, using the hose and the nozzle set to the “soaker” setting. A hint: Fill up a bucket to the gallon level, and make note of how long it takes. That is how long you need to hold the hose around each plant each time you water.
Tomato Watering Morning, Noon or Night?
The time of day makes a huge difference when watering your tomatoes. There are two problems growing tomatoes that are directly related to the time of day your garden is watered. The first is burning the leaves and instant evaporation. When you water on a hot sunny afternoon, the sun will burn the leaves. More importantly, the water evaporates before it settles deep into the ground. The second issue is fungus. This happens when the plants get watered, but the leaves do not have a chance to dry. So watering at night will run the this risk of fungus forming.
It is pretty much agreed by most gardening experts that early morning is the best time to water. It is one of the tomato gardening tips that makes sense, as you have the whole rest of the morning to let the water soak in and dry the leaves. Cloudy days provide many more options. You can try to water in that period of time between sunset and dark, it will give the leaves enough time to dry, and the water soaked in before dark.
The bottom line is that you should have few problems growing tomatoes if you follow a common sense tomato watering schedule. Water first thing in the morning, water every day and keep the soil moist. Mulch is a big help with this but never should replace the need for frequent watering. With all the tomato gardening tips you can find, and a good watering plan, you should have lots of juicy tomatoes to use throughout the summer.
In addition to watering regularly we know that everyone can use some extra help and advice with tomato gardening tips and ideas. Whether you are growing tomatoes from seed or with a plant use all the help you can to get nice and juicy tomatoes.
Author: Sue Gnagy Fegan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
News of Solar Power and Alternative Engery
How to Grow a ‘Skyscraper’ Garden
April 18, 2011 by Kat Dennis
Filed under Garden Tips, Vegetables
How to Grow a ‘Skyscraper’ Garden
By Chef Janie Pendleton
As an organic and gluten-free chef, I need the freshest and safest
ingredients. As an avid gardener, I found a way to achieve these two goals through
vertical gardening.
But first, we need ask ourselves, why grow fruits and vegetables vertically?
The answer is a simple one. If you have limited space or want to grow a
spectacular and bountiful wall, pull fewer weeds, have less pests and nibblers,
want a longer growing season, and desire a healthier crop, vertical gardening can
be the right choice for you.
Vertical gardening adds a beautiful third dimension to your space and allows
smaller plants, like lettuce or kale, more room to grow. It also serves as a wind
barrier for more delicate plantings, like peppers.
Vertical gardening adds a wind buffer to your space and adds a shading
screen for those less sun and wind-tolerant plantings.
A vertical garden can last for years with proper maintenance and can be
a big money saver in so many ways. Let’s look at few.
First, we know what a fresh organically grown vegetable can cost at the
market. Too much, and a bumper crop means more savings over the winter
months.
Second, a vertical garden uses far less water and organic fertilizers.
In fact, if done right, you won’t need fertilizer. My friend, Anna, had
chickens and found that by laying the fertilized straw down over her garden bed in
the fall, she had all the fertilizer that she needed come spring.
Thirdly, a vertical garden uses less space, therefore less mulch and compost
mix.
Mulching the garden beds will lessen weeds and keep the soil moist, using
less water.
Fourth, by growing vines vertically, you can stop vines from choking out
your other plants, saving you both time and money.
Lastly, vertical gardening stops the fruit from lying on the ground and
getting dirty or spoiled. This helps to stop the hungry slugs as well.
By owning a vertical garden, you can achieve more produce, less waste, be
greener and enjoy colorful fruit and veggies that are just waiting to be picked all
summer long; a colorful bounty that will make you the envy of your neighborhood.
Where to Plant a ‘Skyscraper’ Trellis:
Growing vertically takes up very little room and can be built on the side of
a garage, barn, or even fence row. You can even build one in the city, up high on a
rooftop patio. No more worries of hauling large amounts of dirt up small elevators.
What better concept is there?
If planting your trellis in an open plot, be sure and plant your vertical garden
on the north edge of your garden. This is for optimal sun and shade.
How to build a ‘Skyscraper’ Garden:
First, I measured my area. I then cut a 1” copper pipe 10’ long for the top
bar. I then used six tent stakes for the bottom anchors and 5-7” square nylon
netting for the vines. Cutting three 2” x 2” cedar boards 2’-3’’ long, I made simple
crossbar brackets. I then drilled a hole in the ends and screwed them to the side of
my small barn. Then threading the netting onto the pipe, I pushed the pipe ends
through the bracket holes.
Using set screws to keep the pipe in place, I tightened the bar to the
brackets. This design keeps the netting away from my barn wall by 2-feet and
gives me the distance I need to walk behind the net for spraying and harvesting.
Also, this keeps the vegetables, like tomatoes, from staining the barns white wall.
For planting, I set my trellis in 8” deep tilled soil that has been mixed
with composted manure, perlite and peat moss. I top the bed with mulch after planting.
What vegetables to grow in your ‘Skyscraper’ Garden:
Pumpkins (smaller kind) Melons Ivy Geranium
Summer quash Winter Squash Cucumber
Pole beans Gourds English Ivy
Peas Clematis Morning Glory
Tomatoes Wisteria Trumpet Vine
Honeysuckle Carolina Jasmine
Chef Janie Pendleton’s Bio:
Janie is a Historical Romance and Suspense War Novelist. She also has Celiac
Disease and ventured out to become a gluten-free chef. She has two cookbooks,
one published and the other due out in the fall of 2011. She is married to a full-
time active-duty soldier, who is retiring after 30 years of service. They have three
children and love to garden.
Chef Janie Pendleton’s Link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/janiebuilder
Novelist Janie Pendleton’s Link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Historical-Novelist-Janie-Pendleton
Tags: How to Grow a ‘Skyscraper’ Garden, rooftop patio, Vegetable, vertical garden
