Posts Tagged ‘growing’

Urban Survival: A Growing Trend in America

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

DISCLAIMER: This is a small clip of a Fox news report about urban survival (IOW the clip is not mine). Under the Fair Use Act I can post this clip and ppl can review and provide commentary and thoughts on the subject. The full story can be found on fox here… www.foxnews.com However I personally feel that someone or some agency that does not like this information might take it down (even tho you can find it elsewhere on youtube, heck you find lots of private personal profiles who post …

Growing Herbs At Home

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

We use over 100 different herbs in thousands of recipes from all over the world. Most people buy there herb’s from the supermarkets, think how much nicer your meals would taste with grow homegrown herbs After the early stages where the cuttings and seeds need a fair bit of attention herbs are very easy to look after with just a good supply of water required. You only need access to a window to be able to grow your own herbs, so whether you live on the tenth floor of a block of flats or have access to acres of land in the country you can grow your own herbs.

Herbs can easily be grown in a window box and indoors so if you have no access to a garden you can still grow your own herbs. When growing your herbs indoors all you require is a container that is easy to move and a little bit of knowledge into the specific herb you wish to produce.

The advantage of having a garden, big or small, is that you can obviously grow a lot more than you can in a widow sill or in a window box. When growing your herb garden you must be careful of the various weather elements, early and late frost can really affect certain herbs. Temperature is key when growing herbs, for example a cold summer can really affect growth~A cold summer can really affect the growth of your herbs so you will need to be careful of the temperature~The temperature is a key factor when growing herbs as a cold summer can really afferct growth~The growth rate of your herbs will be affected by cold summers so be careful witht he temperature~Herbs do not like cols summers and the growth rate will be affected by them so you will have to be careful with the temperature}~Temperature is key when growing herbs, for example a cold summer can really affect growth~Cold summer really affect the growth of herbs so be careful of the temperature~The temperature is a key factor when growing herbs as a cold summer can really afferct growth~The growth rate of your herbs will be affected by cold summers so be careful witht he temperature~Herbs do not like cols summers and the growth rate will be affecteb by them so you will have to be careful with the temprature}.

Around the world thyme, basil, rosemary,parsley and chives are the five mosed used herbs. All of these can be grown indoors as well as outdoors. These 5 herbs will add lots of flavour to various dishes as well as add colour and sometimes even a wonderful scent to your garden or window box. Basil plants will produce lilac and white flowers while rosemary and thyme give great ground coverage and have a lovely aroma.

Herbs are easy to grow, so why don’t you find out how to grow your favourite herb and have a go!!!

Growing your own herbs is not just a enjoyable pastime it will also improve your cooking and your homw

 

 

Hydroponic Tomato Growing From Planting to Eating

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009

HYDROPONIC TOMATO PLANTS VIDEO Coir

Hydroponics, which literally means, “working water,” is the growth of plant life without soil. The grower provides  the plants with all of the nutrients they would usually get from the soil, through water in its place. Hydroponics can  be used on a mass production scale, or it can without difficulty be scaled down for use by the home gardener as in a good way. If  you are new-found to hydroponic tomato growing possibly I would set off with lettuce which is a satisfactory point to  commence. Though, hydroponic tomato growing is a close second. The plants are not as simple to operate along with or as  forgiving to novice gardeners as lettuce.

You will need to prepare for starting your hydroponic garden by raising seedlings in a seed tray with a top. Dark, plastic containers  work best, for the reason that the gloom helps prevent algae from growing. If you can only locate a clear plastic container,  cover it with a dark plastic film or aluminum foil. In addition you will need a growing medium.

Tomato growers of distinctive regions make use of special growing medium such as peat-lite mix, promix, perlite or  rockwool slabs. FurthermoreThe Oasis root cube, is one example of a proprietary root cube, which can work well for tomato. Root cubes are pre-formed  growth medium, making them stress-free to carry out. They should possess a neutral pH and be designed for propagation. Of  course, you will additionally need your tomato seedlings. Two weeks in in advance of the planting, insert the seedlings in  the growth cubes, and hang on to them in a bowl of water.

Even while your seedlings are in water, you can get ready the lid of your container for planting. Take plastic planting  cones, plus trace their outlines on the lids. Four to six should fit, in an even way spaced on a 5 gallon cover; merely try  to not get too close by to the edge. Cut out the circles you have traced with the plastic planting cones, and  place in the cones into the holes.

At this time you can create your water nutrient suspension. This is the most crucial stride in hydroponic developing; keep in mind you have to supply via water all the nutrients plants would on average progress through the soil. There are scores of pre-mixed  hydroponics solutions on the marketplace, and one of these should be the center for your result. Meant for a 5-gallon drum,  take 2 teaspoons of the pre-mixed hydroponic nourishment (8-15-36 works well), 2 teaspoons of calcium nitrate,  and 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). Dissolve all of these ingredients, one at a time, in a cup of  water, and then add the water to the drum. As soon as you have added your nutrients, fill up the container to in the vicinity of the top  with water.

When your young plants have been growing in the hydroponic water for about three weeks, they will be ready to add to the planters.  To begin with, position your cover on the drum and secure it in place with duct tape. Next, rest the seedlings, in the  root cubes, into the plastic planting cones, which must by now be in the holes you prepared in your drum lid.  Hydroponic tomato growing wants masses of sunshine; around identical amounts of direct and indirect sunlight works  best.

You will have to to keep an eye on the foliage for any starting pest infections such as insects or worms. If you do set eyes on insects, you must eradicate them by hand. Pesticides are used in hydroponic tomato growing by some persons, nevertheless they are not recommended for growth projects on such a small dimension such as this. Additionally, maintain an eye on the water in the drum,  make certain the plants are taking water, plus make sure the water level is not getting too low.

Inside 4 to 5 weeks, you should have developed tomato plants to the stage at which they are begining to set their first tomatoes, a not many weeks soon after they will be geared up to make a choice. To pick, simply grasp the truss and twist the ripe  tomatoes until they break off near to the top of the tomato itself.

Do not let your tomato plant to continue growing evermore, squeeze out the growth bud following say the fourth truss and as it does grow up secure it to a tomato stick. Depending on variety you should vary the number of trusses.

Once your hydroponic tomato growing has produced a bursting harvest plus all of the trussess have ripended it is time to clean up and fire up the cycle of growth and gathering over again. Despite the fact that a few kinds of hydroponic growth mediums can be recycled, root cubes ought to not be used more than once.

GROW A VICTORY GARDEN with HEIRLOOM SEEDS

Monday, October 6th, 2008

During WW I and WW II, Americans were encouraged to grow Victory Gardens to help support the war effort. Perhaps now is the time to renew that practice.  Previously, people were asked to grow their own produce, so more of the commercially grown produce was available for the relief effort overseas.  Those unable to grow their own were forced to use rationing coupons.  The new war on terrorism is different from previous wars, and no one is predicting the American public will need to endure food rationing, as previously done the first two world wars.  But, America still needs the support of the people, and our economy needs to keep functioning in order to lessen the effects of the war on the home front.  By growing your own Victory Gardens, you can save money.  That money can then be used to help support the war effort, either by donating it to charity or spending it to help our sagging economy.  Why not start planting the seeds for tomorrow’s future…. plan your Victory Garden today!

To get things started, a $10.00 donation will be made to the
American Red Cross for every Victory Garden sold!

The Victory Gardens package includes:

  • BEANS (6 varieties): Black Turtle, Bush Blue Lake, Commodore, Fordhook Lima, Old Homestead Pole and Pencil Pod Black Wax
  • BEETS ( 2 varieties): Chiogga and Early Wonder
  • BROCCOLI (1 variety): De Cicco
  • BRUSSELS SPROUT (1 variety): Long Island Improved
  • CABBAGE (2 varieties): Early Jersey Wakefield and Red Danish
  • CARROTS (2 varieties): Amsterdam Minicor and Autumn King
  • CAULIFLOWER (1 variety): Early Snowball
  • CELERY (1 variety): Golden Self Blanching
  • COLLARD (1 variety): Georgia
  • CORN ( 1 variety): Golden Bantam
  • CUCUMBER (2 varieties): National Pickling and Tendergreen Burpless
  • EGGPLANT (1 variety): Black Beauty
  • GOURD (1 variety): Ornamental Small Mix
  • KALE (1 variety): Dwarf Blue Curled
  • KOHLRABI (1 variety): Early White Vienna
  • LEEK (1 variety): American Flag
  • LETTUCE (5 varieties): Black Seeded Simpson, Buttercrunch, Freckles Romaine, Gourmet Salad Blend, and Mesculin Mix
  • MELONS (2 varieties): Jenny Lind and Sweet Passion
  • MUSTARD GREENS (1 variety): Southern Giant Curled
  • OKRA (1 variety): Clemson Spineless
  • ONION, BUNCHING (1 variety): Evergreen White Bunching
  • PARSNIP (1 variety): Hollow Crown
  • PEPPERS (4 varieties): California Wonder, California Wonder Gold, Jalapeno and Long Red Cayenne
  • PEAS (3 varieties): Early Frosty, Mammoth Melting Sugar and Sugar Daddy
  • PUMPKINS (1 variety): New England Pie
  • RUTABAGA (1 variety): American Purple Top
  • RADISH (2 varieties): Easter Egg and Crimson Giant
  • SPINACH (2 varieties): Bloomsdale Long Standing and New Zealand
  • SQUASH, SUMMER (4 varieties): Dark Green Zucchini, Golden Zucchini, White Patty Pan and Yellow Crookneck
  • SQUASH, WINTER (2 varieties): Butternut and Spaghetti
  • SWISS CHARD (2 varieties): Lucullus and Ruby Red
  • SOUTHERN PEA (1 variety): California Black-Eyed
  • TOMATO (6 varieties): Besser, Big Red, Giant Beefsteak, Homestead 24, Pink Brandywine and Roma
  • TURNIPS (1 variety): Purple Top White Globe
  • WATERMELON (1 varieties): Sugar Baby
  • HERBS (10 varieties): Basil, Chives, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Summer Savory and Thyme

Victory Gardens at Heirloom Seeds

Non Hybrid, Heirloom, Open Pollination, seeds for survival food growing

Monday, October 6th, 2008

Here are some the US sources for Non-Hybrid ( Heirloom ) seeds thanks to Hero4Hire4 and .

Can I use seeds from my local store for long term storage?

Not recommended. The seed supplied in most garden shops and grocery stores are selected and sold for only this current year’s planting. In fact, Agricultural regulations require all seed packages to show date of season packed to protect the consumer from purchasing outdated seed. Storing outdated seed is not a wise preparedness strategy. The germination (ability to sprout and grow) decreases over time and is greatly impacted by moisture content of the seed and temperature of storage. Research shows that long term storage seeds need to be precisely dried to their scientific optimal moisture content to maintain their germination and guarantee seed viability. The two most critical factors for long term storage is temperature (heat decreases germination and  cooked seed will not grow) and moisture (too wet starts the germination process or rots the seed, yet without the necessary moisture the growth process can not begin.)

What are Non-Hybrid seeds?

Non-Hybrid seeds are open-pollinating seeds that grow and reproduce true to variety. Our ancestors used these type of seeds for generations as they were very reliable and productive. Modern agricultural methods have produced hybrid or cross pollinated varieties of seeds. When these specialized seeds are collected and replanted, they do not reproduce true to variety and are sometimes sterile. 100% Non Hybrid seeds  allow the self reliant gardener the opportunity to collect seed from his mature plants and save for next season. This process becomes a perpetual garden and becomes your life-time supply of garden seed. Think of the money you can save by buying seed just once.

What are Hybrid Seeds?

Hybrid seeds have been genetically altered or cross-pollinated to resist certain types of plant diseases or produce a more attractive uniform looking fruit. The major drawback to hybrid seeds is the need to purchase new fresh seed every year since the altered plants cannot reproduce seed that is true to the parent plant or the fruit of the hybrid variety may be totally sterile, not reproducing any plant whatsoever. To use an analogy, many hybrid seeds are like crossing a horse with a donkey. You get a mule which is sterile and can’t reproduce more mules.

1) Green People

http://www.greenpeople.org/seeds.htm

2) Seeds of Change

http://www.seedsofchange.com/

3) Organica Seed

http://www.organicaseed.com/

4) Heirloom Seeds

http://www.heirloomseeds.com/

5) The Ark Institute

http://www.arkinstitute.com/

6) The Natural Gardening Company

http://www.naturalgardening.com/shop/index.php3

7) Territorial Seed Company

http://www.territorialseed.com/

Seeds of Change

http://www.seedsofchange.com/

9) Seed Savers Exchange

http://www.seedsavers.org/

10) Seeds Trust

http://www.seedstrust.com/

11) CCOF Organic Certification Trade Association

http://www.ccof.org/link_organic_seed.php

12) Suppliers of Organic Seeds – USA

http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/organic_seeds.htm

13) NexTag source list Heirloom Seeds

http://www.nextag.com/heirloom-veget…ed/search-html

14) Hobby Farms

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/farm-industry-news/heirloom-
tomato-seeds.aspx

15) Old House Web List of Heirloom Seed sources.

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/suppliers…_Plants_.shtml

16) High Mowing Organic Seeds

http://highmowingseeds.com/

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