How to Grow Currants

Figs are tolerant of many soil types but do especially well in moist but well-drained clay soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. For fruit in the second year, buy trees 3 to 4 feet tall.

Plant them in the winter or early spring, being careful that the roots do not dry out during the planting operation. Cut off all but three or four of the best-placed branches; these should be 6 to 12 inches apart, face in different directions and form angles greater than 45 degrees with the trunk. Cut them back to 6 to 8 inches.

The fruit itself is unusual in that the edible part we call the fig is not the true fruit but a fleshy receptacle whose inner walls are lined with tiny seeds; these are the true fruit.

Each fall or winter thereafter cut back to ground level all canes over three years of age, and remove all but six to eight new canes.

In the Southeast and along the Gulf Coast west to Texas, recommended varieties are Brown Turkey, also called Black Spanish and San Piero; Brunswick, also called Magnolia; Celeste, also called Blue Celeste; and Texas Everbearing. In California the best home-garden varieties are Brown Turkey; Mission; Brunswick; Genoa, also called White Genoa; and Kadota. In the Northwest a recommended variety is Lattarula, also called White Italian. All produce their edible parts-the so-called fruit-without pollination and so can be planted alone.

Harvest currants when they are firm and their color is developed but before they become fully ripe; they then have the highest pectin content and are best for jam making. To pick them, grasp the stems at the tops of the cluster, twist the clusters off, then strip the berries from the clusters. To propagate new plants, set 8- to 10-inch pieces of one-year- old stems directly into the ground in the fall, burying all but two buds on each cutting.

How to Grow Pumpkins

To prepare seed potatoes for planting, first slice off and discard the end of each potato on which there is a cluster of eyes-little depressions from which sprouts will rise (other eyes are scattered, not clustered, over the rest of the potato). Then cut the potatoes into blocks about the size of small eggs.

Each block should weigh 1 to 2 ounces and contain one to three eyes. Spread the pieces out in a single layer in a well- ventilated and well-lighted place for four or five days before planting. To minimize loss from rot, dust the pieces with captan.

In most of the U.S. and southern Canada, where frost is expected in winter, early varieties are Early Gem, Irish Cobbler and Norgold Russet; late varieties are Katandin, Kennebec and the most famous potato for baking, Russet Burbank, sometimes called Idaho or Idaho Baker. In frost-free regions only one crop is grown each year; good varieties are Irish Cobbler and Russet Burbank. Twenty-five feet of row yields 25 to 50 pounds of potatoes at one harvesting.

Put into each hole a bushel of compost or well-rotted cow manure, then return the soil, forming a mound about 4 inches high. Plant four to six seeds 1 inch deep in a circle on top of each hill. When seedlings appear, cut off all but one or two of the strongest plants.

Harvest young potatoes whenever the tubers are large enough to be worth digging up-usually about the time blossoms appear, seven to eight weeks after planting. Do not dig up entire plants-instead, dig carefully around the plants and remove some of the larger tubers, leaving the smaller ones to continue to grow.

Potatoes for winter storage should be dug two to three weeks after the tops have died to the ground. Dig potatoes in dry weather, and take care not to bruise the skin. Dry potatoes for winter storage for two to three hours, then store them in a cool dark place, preferably at 40 to 45, to keep them from turning green and developing an unpleasant flavor. Before cooking, cut out all eyes and any greenish or spoiled parts. Potato tops, sprouts and green sections contain the poisonous substance solanine.

Growing Melons

Cantaloupe, also called muskmelon (Cucumis melo reticulatus); casaba, Crenshaw, Persian and honeydew melons (C. melo inodorus); watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris). Though melons are thought of as fruits, they are treated like vegetables in the garden. They grow on vines that creep along the ground for 6 to 10 feet or more and are usually planted in clumps on mounds, or hills, of soil.

Melons can be grown successfully in regions where minimum night temperatures average no lower than 55 and minimum daytime temperatures are no lower than 80 throughout the growing seasons. The length of the growing seasons, from the time the seeds are sown until the plants are harvested, is listed for each recommended variety. Because long growing seasons are required for most casaba, Crenshaw, Persian and honeydew melons, all but a few of the varieties that are listed in these categories are generally grown only in the southwestern, south-central and southern parts of the U.S.

Most cantaloupes have orange flesh, but some have lime-green flesh even when ripe. Some excellent varieties are Burpee’s Fordhook Gem, green flesh, and Burpee Hybrid, orange flesh, both 82 days; Delicious 51, orange flesh, 86 days; and Mainerock Hybrid, orange flesh, 75 days. Two hills of cantaloupe yield a harvest of about eight fruit over a period of three weeks.

Transplant seedlings started indoors two to a hill. When sowing seeds directly outdoors, plant six to eight seeds on top of each hill in a circle about 12 inches across; set the seeds about 1/2 inch deep. When the seedlings appear, cut off all but the two best. To protect seedlings from hard rain, insects and late frosts, and provide warmth to speed growth, cover them with translucent wax-paper caps available for that purpose from garden supply stores. Fertilize every two weeks, scattering about 1/3 cup of 5-10-5 fertilizer around each hill.

When the seedlings become 1 inch tall, cut off all but the strongest in each group. Fertilize twice-when the plants are 8 to 12 inches tall and again just as they begin to blossom; scatter a 12-inch band of 5-10-5 fertilizer around each plant at the rate of 5 ounces to every 10 feet of row. Okra begins to produce pods about 60 days after seeds are sown.

Cantaloupes should be picked at what is called the “slip” stage, when a slight pressure at the point where the stem joins the melon causes the melon to slip off the vine. All other melons are still firmly attached to their vines at harvesttime, so other yardsticks must be used: casaba and honeydew melons are ripe when the skin turns yellow; Crenshaw and Persian melons when they develop a fruity scent; watermelons when a rap on the fruit creates a dull rather than a sharp sound. Fruits that start to grow after midsummer will not have time to mature and should be removed; this thinning will direct nourishment toward fruits that are developing. Unused melon seeds keep for about five years.

Orchid Temperatures

Orchids are shade-loving plants, and while they are growing they need the equivalent of the dappled sunlight they would receive growing in the tree canopy of their natural home. Too much light during the summer will harm the plants by turning the foliage a light green-yellow.

A useful piece of equipment is a maximum/minimum thermometer, or even several, which can be placed close to the orchids and the temperatures noted. In a greenhouse, it becomes difficult to grow orchids from these three ranges together in one place. What suits one group will not suit another, and you will find that inevitably some orchids will suffer from being too cold or too warm. An ideal situation is to divide a greenhouse into two or three sections, depending upon which orchids you wish to grow.

Insufficient light, on the other hand, will create dark green leaves that can become over-extended and limp. The aim should be to give your orchids just enough light to produce a good mid-green, healthy foliage and pseudo bulbs that will develop flower spikes at the right time.

After flowering and before the new growth starts, Calanthe pseudobulbs can be taken out of their pot and left to dry until the new growth is seen.

The summer daytime maximum should not exceed 30C (86F), which is a comfortable temperature for the orchids. Above this, the plants will inevitably become stressed, and growth will slow down and may even come to a stop. Overheating can be difficult to prevent in a greenhouse and needs to be controlled by sufficient ventilation, shading and damping down.

Moving the orchids to a lighter area winter may be the answer, provided their temperature requirements are the same. Alternatively, electric light using horticultural fluorescent tubes above the orchids, may be the answer. However, this system requires a considerable financial outlay to be satisfactory. It grows well in colder climates and is used is northern North America with success.

The intermediate orchids, which include the showy cattleyas and the handsome, shade-loving paphiopedilums, require a winter night-time temperature that is 3C (5F) higher, giving a minimum of 13C (55F) at night. Wherever possible, there should be a higher temperature by day, but this should not exceed 310 C (86F). Again, temperatures on either side of these recommendations bill cause the plants considerable stress, and over a prolonged period can cause their eventual demise.

At this time, the glass should be cleaned of any paint shading or green algae to ensure that the orchids receive all the available light. This will also add considerably to the temperature on sunny days, thus saving on the artificial heating.

Stress Relief – The Best Herbs for Anxiety

Herbs have been used for centuries in the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. Even today’s anxiety prescription medication often contains an herbal component. That’s because these anxiety herbs have well known abilities to strengthen our body’s response to stress and also to promote relaxation and calm.

One of the main benefits to herbal treatments for anxiety is the cost. Herbal treatments are almost always much less expensive than prescription drugs. But the benefits don’t end there. The best herbs for anxiety will also have fewer and less severe side effects as well, making them safer to use. For instance, they’re nonaddictive.

Keep in mind that any anxiety herbs definitely do have side effects. For that reason, you should be careful when introducing any new herb or supplement into your body. Take the time to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before you begin any new regimen.

Valerian

Valerian has long been known as primarily an aid to deep, restful sleep. However it’s calming effects can be used during the day as well. Small doses during the day can help control the nervous, anxious feelings you can get when faced with today’s stressors.

Kava

Kava was first used in the South Pacific islands where it grows easily and abundantly. There it was cultivated into a relaxing beverage used in nearly every household. From there, it made its way to Europe and the West where it is used as an effective treatment for anxiety and insomnia.

St. John’s Wort

One of the oldest anxiety herbs known to man, St. John’s Wort has been used for over 2000 years. While it’s quite effective at reducing small to moderate anxiety, it also comes with more pronounced side effects than other herbal remedies. In particular, it can interfere with other drugs that you might be taking, so you need to exercise more care when using this herb.

Passion Flower

Passion Flower is so named because early pilgrims to the new world thought it resembled the crown of thorns and the nails on the cross of Christ. When it was first cultivated it was found to assist with digestion. Later, its natural sedative effects were discovered. Today, it is an effective calming herb.

Wrapping Up

These herbs for anxiety have been around a long time. Their properties are well known and they’re readily available in most health food stores. You can find them in liquid form, capsules, or as teas. So you have a lot of choices to pick from. Keep in mind that you may have to try more than one or two to find out what works best for you.

I personally find the teas to be the easiest to use. They’re easy to make and I enjoy a cup of tea after dinner; it’s part of a little pre-sleep routine I use to ease away the stress of the day. But you may find capsules or extracts more convenient for you. In any case, if you’re looking for some help managing your stress and anxiety, these best herbs for anxiety can give you some amazing results.

Landscaping and Shaping – Landscape Gardening

A well maintained, attractive garden is well known to add value to a property so it goes without saying that landscaping your garden will have a similar effect.

Although there are some very skilled gardeners out there, usually landscaping would be the area where specialist contractors step in. Hopefully bringing there years of experience to your garden project but all the expensive equipment and machinery that is required to do the job, along with their inevitable discounts at gardening retailers.

What features might you include in your newly fashioned garden?

Water features or water landscaping is probably one of the most obvious and popular choices, whether it be fountains or ponds or even artificial streams. It is clear for these features that a certain amount of excavation will be required, something that in most cases is best left to professionals.

Gates and arches are also very popular features in a well designed and landscaped garden. Most landscapers also consider fencing as part of their repertoire. There is much to consider in the design to get the balance of your garden just right and to ensure it extracts every ounce of its potential. Why not liaise with a landscaping expert to discuss all the possibilities?

Every garden is different but especially here in the United Kingdom, usually the predominant colour is green. Trees, shrubs and lawns for that matter form such a large part in British gardens and the planting and arranging of these trees and shrubs is yet another vital ingredient in the landscapers arsenal.

Concrete patios or block paving weaving in and out of lawns and foliage, winding through shrubs and trees leading to a garden bench beside a fish filled pond.

We have already seen how advice from your landscape gardener or expert can prove to be the making or breaking of the success of your garden. Another such area of importance is ground suitability. You may have grand ideas about certain trees, plants and shrubs you would like to see flourish in your garden but if the soil isnt compatible then you may end up disappointed.

Quality landscaping professionals should be able to show you examples or a portfolio of their work to date. Where do you get your own ideas from? Well unless you have your plans already, magazines, books and even online searches can assist you in making your choices for that dream garden.

It is only when you have your ideas and plans in place and have discussed them with your chosen landscaping company that you can assess the cost and most efficient ways of achieving your gardening goals.

Some Choice Ways To Utilize An Indoor Nursery Kit

So, you’ve decided to grow nursery plants indoors, but don’t wish to carry out all the hassle of making your interior greenhouse from scratch. Never fear. An extensive diversity of inside greenhouse kits are purchasable from supermarkets, garden supply depots and on-line retailers.

Types of Indoor Greenhouse Kits

Inside greenhouse kits go from a miniature herb garden that you can maintain on your desktop to a kit able to turn your basement’s shelving unit into a conservatory. There is no basic list of size categories and terms like “portable nursery”, “mini indoor greenhouse”, “small-scale nursery” and “orchid nursery” can have a mixture of meanings reckoning on the preferences of the supplier. It is easiest to figure out how much space you need and then seek to locate a kit to match it. Probabilities are, somebody will make one in just your size!

What’s In The Box?

The exact contents of an inside nursery kit vary, but ordinarily the following will be included:

A base: this can range from a flowerpot-type structure in the smaller kits to a set of up to four shelving units in the bigger ones. Planting mix or peat: some kits, well-known as aquaculture kits, do without this and permit the nurseryman to raise plants in substances such as coconut fiber, sand, gravel or a liquid food solution instead. A cover, ordinarily made of the selfsame type of glazing stuff encountered in full-size nurseries. Lighting materials: given the absence of sunshine in a standard interior greenhouse, special fluorescent lamps are necessitated to furnish the light and warmth that would normally be provided by the sun. Watering kit, ordinarily comprising of a sprayer mechanism, timer and reservoir for water or nutritive solution.

Basements: They’re Not Simply For Wastrel Kids Any More

If you’re feeling very determined, you could change a piece of your basement into an indoor glasshouse. Hydroponic kits work particularly good for this purpose, as they render all the light, water and nourishment needed to produce tropical and semitropical plants in what is in all probability the coolest, dimmest space in your house. You can purchase a cover for an existing shelving unit that will hold in warmth and moisture for your floras, or you can purchase the shelving as part of a kit, with the identical elements as in the kits listed above. You will want to commit particular attention to the ventilating system and air circulation in your cellar to hold back the raised humidness from decomposing your wooden beams and joints. Also, make sure you consult any family members who use the cellar, to make sure they are fine with it becoming a hothouse in there!

Distressed Cabinet Doors: Tips to Achieve This Antiquing Effect

Distressing is one of several faux painting techniques used to create a worn and weathered finish. The distressed effect on wooden items endows them with an antique or ’shabby chic’ look that is essential in a variety of dcor schemes, from antique elegance to the informal rustic style. Distressing is an effective way to age doors on bedroom, kitchen and other cabinets to produced a textured and less bland appearance.

Distressing Techniques

As well as faux painting techniques, there are other ways to simulate the wear that older furnishings characteristically display. Giving a door a bit of a hammering or gouging with a chisel creates age-related damage, but faux painting is a gentler way of creating an all-over aged effect.

The appearance of age is based on simulating patina. Texture is created when the original color of the wood shows through the faux patination. On top of a base coat another color is applied. Scraping through the wet topcoat to reveal the color beneath creates an impression of depth and hence age. Dragging or combing are two techniques for removing the top layer of wet paint, with different implements producing different textures. Applying paint with a fine brush can also create the effect, but is a more demanding way to achieve the distressed look.

Any contrasting color combination can be used to create the appearance of depth. Brown and gray is another possibility. More usually, it is used as part of an antique natural wood finish, with a rich dark brown topcoat masquerading as the patina of the decades or centuries, covering lighter wood beneath.

Distressing With Wax:

Instead of scraping off areas of the second layer of paint before it dries, wax (typically beeswax) is applied in streaks, stripes or patches. When it has set, the paint topcoat is applied. Though it will cover the wax, when sanded both paint and wax are removed, exposing the base coat. You have considerable control over the finished effect, depending on the grade of sandpaper and how heavily or lightly you sand it.

Ageing with Crackle Glaze :

Crackle glaze is a special kind of paint that is meant to crack and peel as it dries, giving the effect of varnish peeling with age. The crackle glaze is painted on top of the base coat and the topcoat is painted on top of the crackle glaze. You need to use latex paint for this technique, since oil paints will not crackle properly.

Pickling :

Your cabinet door may not be particularly ugly and may even have an attractive wood grain that you don’t want to conceal with paint. With pickling you can create contrast and texture without covering up the original wood. All you do is paint your door in the contrasting color of your choice and wipe off paint while it is still wet.

Distressing techniques are not difficult to master and treating cabinet doors can be a solution to coordinating your dcor and achieving a unified style.

Placing Your Outdoor Lights In The Proper Location

If you do not plan your lighting carefully, it can make or break your landscape. The entire reason for having outdoor lighting is for two purposes:

1.) To improve the value of your garden 2.) To create a certain ambiance in your garden

In more cases than not, you will find your backyard garden decorated with lighting in one of two ways. The first, is an all purpose lighting, with the main function of lighting up the space for use during the night.

The second type of lighting is used with great effort for adding an ambiance or mood to your garden. This king of special purpose lighting, can be witnessed around rock gardens, fountains or being a large tree for lighting and shadowing effects.

One of the main advantages of landscape lighting is not just for lighting, but also to use the shadows cast around artificial or natural objects. There are unlimited chances for a splendid show of lighting effects you can use in your garden. You can use a Japanese garden lamp carved in stone along the path to create a lovely effect for a small budget.

Landscape lighting needs to be planned during the initial design stage. When you want to create a landscape plan for your garden, it is important to note the position of lighting in your plans so that electric wiring can be run underground prior to starting any pathway or lawn construction.

Another important aspect in the field of landscape lighting is the use of solar powered landscape lights. Just as the name suggests, these lights use direct sunlight and convert it into electricity and store it in a batter for later use.

In the early stages of development, these lights used to be powered by a battery made of lead and acid, now this form has been replaced by a nickel-cadmium battery which allows for longer storage and better performance.

The light bulb has now been replaced by an LED light. It used to be a standard incandescent bulb, but this consumed more electricity and has a short life span. If you are planning to use these types in your garden, you must plan their position first, this is to ensure they receive the direct sunlight required for usage.

You should not position these landscaping lights in a place where shadows will fall on trees even where shadows on the house will fall. Look for the areas that get direct sunlight and this will ensure maximum usage of every outdoor light that you will use.

You can cater to the problem of special solar landscape lighting, there are other types available which the solar cell and battery are located away from the light fixture. This means you can put them in a location where they will get direct sunlight exposure. This means wiring will have to be run from the solar cell or battery and to the fixture in your garden. You will gain from planning this at the design stage, which will save you time and length of wiring, which also saves you money.

Greenhouse Gardening Has Lots of Benefits

Greenhouse gardening is a pastime that has numerous benefits. You can reap many of the same advantages as traditional outdoor gardening. However, there are some distinct benefits as well as differences.

Greenhouse gardening is very similar to outdoor gardening with a few exceptions. Controlling the greenhouse temperature is an important consideration. You must also diligently tend to the plants. Of course, it doesn’t rain in a greenhouse. Therefore, you must make sure your plants get the appropriate amount of water for their survival.

With a greenhouse, it’s possible to grow plants in cold seasons or climates. You can use your indoor greenhouse as a storage facility for certain types of plants over the winter. During the winter, you can plant seeds and watch them grow into seedlings that can be planted in the ground come the spring. Many people with a greenhouse are able to enjoy fresh vegetables and flowers throughout the cold winter months.

Greenhouse gardening is not only useful for growing vegetables. As well, it’s perfect for decorative flowers and plants. Greenhouses are well suited to store parent plants that will be useful next spring. They can provide protection to your plants from the elements, including potentially damaging wind and rain. Most seedlings need shelter from the elements at their young age and a greenhouse is one of the most sheltered places a plant can be.

A greenhouse also means that you’ll have an ongoing supply of plants throughout the year. You can propagate and cultivate new varieties of plants that may appeal to you. When you do your gardening in a greenhouse, you don’t have to worry about the weather conditions. The controlled atmosphere and climate in a greenhouse makes it ideal for fragile plants not used to cold weather.

It’s important that you place your garden greenhouse in a suitable location. Exposure to the sun is one of the most important things necessary for successful greenhouse gardening. This is critical to the wellbeing of the plants you are planning to grow in your greenhouse. Also keep in mind any buildings and trees that are located close to the greenhouse. Do they cast shadows on the greenhouse or will growing trees eventually do so?

In order to reduce the heat created by the sun’s rays, you must pay attention to proper ventilation. You should place a thermometer in a shaded area within the greenhouse. You need to continually keep an eye on the temperature, particularly when it’s warm and sunny outside. You may need to ventilate the greenhouse when necessary to avoid wilting of your plants due to excessive heat.

Greenhouse gardening is not only productive, it’s also relaxing. Gardening has been shown to help ease stress and improve health. It can also result in tasty or beautiful harvests that will bring you much pleasure.

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