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How To Plant Tulips

Flowers & Plants

AboutYard

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November 29, 2023

Tulips are stiff-stemmed flowers with colorful petals that occur between early spring and early summer. Tulips are a type of flower that is native to the slopes of the Himalayas and eastern Turkey. This type of plants grow in those areas where there is a dry and warm summer and cold winters.

They are flowers that are simple to grow, although, if you want to know how to plant tulips, in this article you can receive all the information you may need for it.

Tulips belong to the lily family, there are approximately 5,000 species worldwide, divided into 15 sections depending on the characteristics of each flower. Its flowers can be single or double, appearing in different forms. Before starting to plant one of these flowers you must choose the type that interests you, as well as its flowering time and the place where you are going to plant it.

Keep in mind that there is a wide variety of sizes and colors, although these mainly vary between yellow and reddish tones.

Care for planting tulips

With the beginning of the first there are many flowers that offer great beauty for the garden, one of them being tulips, which can be seen in all gardens, parks and florists. However, like any other flower, they need a series of general care, such as the following:

It must be paid annually to promote its growth.
After flowering they should be cut.
Before removing its golden foliage, it should be allowed to last for about 6 weeks after the flowering has died.
Use cold, fresh water to water them. You should water them at least once a week and when the soil is dry.
Place tulips in places where they are properly protected from strong winds.
They should be fertilized in autumn and early spring.

Instructions for planting Tulips

First you should proceed to buy tulip bulbs, which you can find in any garden store or nursery. Try to look for bulbs that are firm to the touch and do not present any type of defect such as stains, cuts or molds. Choose the bulbs based on the desired variety of tulips.
Choose when you want to plant the bulbs of the tulips, being suitable that you plant them at the end of autumn, before the first frosts of winter begin to arrive. During the winter they will be in a dormant phase before they begin to grow and bloom during the spring. The perfect time for planting will depend on the climate of the area in which you are.
Next you must choose an area to plant tulips in your garden. To do this you must select a place where there is a sufficient amount of sunlight. The bulbs should be planted leaving a space of about 10 centimeters between them, so select a place with appropriate dimensions for it.
Once you have decided the place where you are going to plant, you must start preparing the land. To do this, dig the earth to a depth of about 20-25 centimeters. Remember that these flowers require good drainage.
When you have the soil ready it is time to plant the bulbs of the tulips. As we have already told you must plant them at a depth of about 20 cm from their base. The larger the bulb, the deeper the hole should be dug.
If you have already planted them, you reach another important step, which is to protect your plants from their possible enemies, including the rode ores. If in your area there are problems of mice or other rodents you should place some type of repellent, such as cat litter, gravel or holly leaves, which you can place inside each hole in which you plant a bulb.
From that moment you should water the area with plenty of water and do not water the bulbs again until the leaves of the plant begin to grow. The first watering should be abundant.
To finish the process, you must cover the tulip bed with straw to keep the soil cool.

Beyond planting them directly in your garden you should keep in mind that you can plant and grow tulips in pots, following a process similar to the previous one but adapted to this space.

What do you need to plant Tulips?

Tulip seeds.
Earth.
Water.
Light.

Tips for planting Tulips

You must sow the Tulip bulbs in autumn, that is, between the months of September and December.
Look for planting to take place in areas where there is good drainage.
Choose a place where you can receive full morning or afternoon sunlight, because if they are in the shade they will not grow well.
Plant the bulbs in groups of ten if you are placing them as an edge in a space of your garden, leaving at least 10 centimeters of separation between each of them.
Do not water excessively, as this could end up causing the appearance of fungi and diseases that lead to rotting of the bulbs.
They are a type of plants that do not like excessive moisture, so the soil must be well drained.
You should not sow them near Daffodils. These affect the life of the tulip, as they emit a substance that causes them to wither.

How To Plant Poppies

Flowers & Plants

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November 29, 2023

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Poppies are wild plants that always welcome us in spring.

The heat begins, the good weather and if you look, the fields begin to fill with these red flowers. In late spring and before summer, many fields are filled with red flowers.

There is one thing to keep in mind. While it is true that they grow wild, do not confuse it, with being a strong flower. We explain it. They are very delicate flowers. In the same way, they are not flowers that give joy to everyone. For example, farmers are not too happy to see how these flowers reproduce in their fields because they proliferate and end everything.

Nor is all that glitters gold… Unfortunately, its permanence once the flower is rather little.

It will depend on a little more or a little less, but generally, it does not usually last more than a couple of weeks. And be careful when cutting them, preparing bouquets or taking them by hand, because it is already known that they stain a lot. So much so, that it dyes the hand and clothes. And no, poppies don’t smell. They are very pretty and striking, but they have no aroma.

Instructions for planting poppies

If you have a garden, a terrace, a balcony or an area where you want to show off some striking flowers and give them the sun, poppies can be a great alternative.
It is not very common to know, but there are several types of poppies. Poppies are usually believed to be those little red flowers that come out in the fields. And yes, it’s true. But there are other varieties with other particularities.
We can find oriental poppies or Californian poppies.
The differences between the two: oriental poppies can measure up to one and a half meters high and can be found in the typical red tone and also in pink. California poppies grow even with a colder temperature and adapt more easily.
When planting poppies at home using seeds, it is very important to know where they are going to be planted. Since it is not the same, in a large parterre, then doing it in a pot or in the garden.
We tell you the big differences depending on where you want to plant it (do not forget if you want them to bloom and not rot or die).

If you have decided to plant the poppies in the garden (either in the garden itself, in a large parterre, etc.), what you will need at least: soil, a fertilizer, sand and poppy seeds.
As for fertilizer, it is not essential. But if you want to make sure that all the seeds will come out and put up with you, if it is recommended.
Regarding the land, it is basic. You need soil to plant the seeds. In general, they do not need specific land. And sand is not essential. It is recommended because it helps to compact with the soil and seeds. But if you do not have it or want to buy them, it is not necessary.
At the time you decide to plant the poppy seeds you must have the earth moved. That is, move it so that it is not fully compacted. It needs to be aired. Next, there are two options (which will depend on whether you use sand or not).
If you decide to pour sand on it, then, on the layer of earth, throw a thin layer of sand. And then water the land a little. When they are wet, layer the poppy seeds. Now, pour a thin layer of sand back over the seeds, and water again. Eye, you just need it to be wet, not soaked. If it gets too wet, there is a risk of drowning.
The other option (equally valid to plant poppies in your house), is the following: once the soil is moved, moisten it a little (not soaked). Throw it now, a layer with poppy seeds. Pour a little water on them again.
An important fact is that the soil should always be moist. Not soaked, because it would be counterproductive and would end up not flowering the seeds and rotting.
Now, if you prefer to wear the poppies in a pot and have them as ornamentation, you have to keep in mind that the type of pot you use is very important. Do not take it to foolishness, in fact, many times the problem that a plant dies, burns, does not grow or rots is precisely because of the material of the pot. The least recommended are those made of plastic. The reason? Being plastic, with the heat and the sun, the temperature warms up a lot and the earth and the plant burns. You have to be much more careful with irrigation. On the other hand, the most advisable are those that are made of clay. They preserve the temperature much better and do not burn the plant.
Poppies need the sun. In fact, that’s why you see them so beautiful in fields where precisely, the sun gives them daily. If you have them in pots and the sun does not give them much, you should place them daily to catch a little sun so that they do not wither. If you have planted the seeds in a sunny area, you will have no problem seeing them beautiful.
For you to see the poppies germinate (although it is not an exact science because many factors influence) it will usually take between a week and a month.
When you start to see the poppies bloom you also have to keep in mind that they do not usually last long… They are very fragile and delicate.
Be very careful with watering when you already have the poppies. If you pour water on the flowers, you will wither them and kill them. Its beautiful leaves will be very ugly and spoiled. So just wet the soil.
If you want to cut the flowers you must do it very carefully. Above all, with its leaves. It’s beautiful and showy red flowers stain a lot and, in addition, if you stain your clothes, it is practically impossible, that the stain disappears.
It is a pity that the flowers of poppies last so short. Since you will only see that they are flowering for a few weeks, little more. It’s not because you’re taking care of them badly or they’re missing any nutrients… Poppies are like that.
A trick so that once you have the poppies, you do not have to buy more seeds, is to take advantage of the seeds of your own plant. Take them and sow them. Do the process as you did it the first time. This way you will always have poppies in your garden and you will not have to spend anything on buying seeds again.

What do you need to plant poppies?

Poppy seeds.
Land to be able to plant the seeds.
A pot if you want to plant it in a pot. Preferably, it is made of a clay material.
Sand. It is not essential, but it is advisable.
Fertilizer. Although it is not essential, it is advisable.
Water.

Tips for planting poppies

These beautiful flowers that begin to invade the fields in late spring with their reddish tones are an admiration for flower lovers, painters, photographers … But not so much, for many peasants and farmers who see how many of their plantations are spoiled precisely because of poppies.

In fact, it is a plant that pests quite easily. Therefore, even if you are trying to plant poppies in your garden, be careful that it does not explode at ease and start to plague the whole ground. Since as soon as you do, you can continue to do it for life.

How To Plant Plants in The Garden

Flowers & Plants

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November 29, 2023

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When planting seeds, not only do you need the most basic and obvious things, but it is also very important to know when and how to do it. Surely, if you have planted seeds, you will not always have turned out as you had thought, right? Or they rot, they don’t finish growing, they grow and fall and they don’t finish flowering, etc. It is necessary to take into account a multitude of elements that are the basis to bring the flowering of the seeds to a successful port.

Knowing the basics before starting with the planting of the seeds you will avoid problems later and by the way, you will save both money and your time.

Instructions for planting plants in the garden

Seeds are the basis for a plant to be born. The life of your new plant. There are many options to get it. From the outset, the simplest: buy the seeds. You will find the seeds in garden stores, florists, nurseries, gardeners and supermarkets …
Another option, take the seeds yourself. This will depend on whether it is from another plant and / or flower, or you do it with vegetables (we will tell you later).
Be that as it may, the seeds in general (of whatever type, if bought or taken from your own vegetable), it will be vital, that you give it a good care. It is necessary for the seeds to be stimulated and grow. If it does not grow and develop well, it will never leave even the vegetable, fruit, plant, etc. Therefore, the before, during and after is very important.
It will be necessary to take into account how much water you administer very careful not to water it and that it dries up and dies) and the same, if you abuse and there is excess. It will rot or drown and fail to grow. Die.
You should also take into consideration what kind of seed it is. Because such a fruit or vegetable is not the same, nor one flower or another. Therefore, always, you have to find out what you are going to plant.
Something basic and vital for the sowing to go correctly and not end up giving you a dislike is to know what you want to plant and of course, when it is the right time to plant. This is very important. The reason? Each plant and/or vegetable has its own season. There are those that come out in winter, others in spring, in summer and those that you can take advantage of now, which are in autumn (we talk about Spain).
Some examples of the vegetables that can be planted for this month and those that come (we repeat, taking into account that we are in Spain) would be the following: artichokes, onions, celery, radishes, broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, etc. Practically, almost all green leafy vegetables.
It is very important to keep some control and carry out a good sowing if you do not have the basic knowledge, simply, with the fact of observation. Go controlling how the land is, you will see if it needs moisture, water it or not. If you need more or less light, the vital nutrients for it to sow ends up flowering and ripening.
Another important detail, be very careful and always remove weeds. It is quite common that, with the soil of planting, different weeds appear. Don’t let them grow. As soon as you see them, tear them off. If you let them, they can end up killing your crop.
The same, very important, with the possible bad bugs, conches, snails, ants, flies, aphids … and miscellaneous pests. Attack the problem as soon as possible. To leave it or not look at it well, you can take the fearsome scare of starting to see the flowering of your crop and from one day to the next, not seeing anything because the plague has finished everything.
Other tricks so that it does not cost you so much to take care of your plants is to try as much as possible, place the plants together according to your needs. We explain it better. For example, plants that need a lot of sun and little water (to give an example) as may be the case of cacti. And you put in the same place, plants that need a lot of moisture or abundant irrigation but that do not withstand the sun too well because they burn.
You may like the combination of them together, but it will cost you a lot to maintain and almost certainly, the combination ends up going wrong and either one of them rots or the others die. Therefore, with this we want to warn that it is very important to anticipate and foresee which plants you will place together.
If at the time of placing the plants are delicate seeds, the most advisable thing is to plant in a seedbed. They are more delicate plants and a soil with specific fertilizer must be placed (they carry the soil and the substrate all together). Always after doing the planting, pour a little water to water it. But be careful not to moisten excessively so that it does not choke and rot. Observe daily to verify that they have the necessary water.

What do you need to plant plants in the garden?

Seeds.
Earth.
Fertilizer.
Water.
A place to plant to plant. Garden, land, pot, planter, greenhouse, etc.

Tips for planting plants in the garden

Not all seeds are always suitable or in good condition for planting. In fact, if you keep them for a long time or they are not well preserved, they spoil. This can ruin the plantation, because they will not grow or spoil the other planting. Therefore, we tell you this trick if you have doubts when saving seeds and you do not know if they are damaged or if you can plant them. You need a glass of water, fill it with half the water and pour the seeds into it. Stir it with a spoon. Now look at the seeds. If they float it means that they are not very good and it is better to get rid of them.

When you do the planting of your plants above all remember the essential steps so that everything flows well and do not take unpleasant surprises. Remember the place where you are going to plant them, that the land is suitable. Previously, clean the area, remove weeds and things that may hinder, aerate the land, add fertilizer, take into account light (direct or indirect), irrigation, etc. And of course, space. If you gather many plants very close together, without respecting the space, they will not finish growing well and it is possible that they die or remain small. They need several centimeters of space so that they can take the roots well and expand. It also depends a lot on the type of plant you are going to plant (keep it in mind).

To make plants grow faster, a greenhouse can be used. To do this, the plants are placed inside the greenhouse and with the heat, the time will be reduced quite a bit. Therefore, also be careful with the summer and times of great heat and strong sun. When the plants are enclosed, the heat increases much more and they suffer from more heat and therefore, the water evaporates earlier.

In favor you will also have that you can take care of any adversity both rain, hail, mud rain, cold, wind … Being between plastics, covered, you will avoid all these problems. You can change the plants of place as soon as the planting has done its job and you have the flowering. Then, you can make sure that you can already make the change and transfer it to where you like the most in your garden or planters.

How To Plant Lettuce

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November 29, 2023

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Knowing how to plant lettuce is very advisable for all those people who want to start growing a garden, since it is one of the crops that can be harvested more quickly, in addition to being one of the easiest to grow.

In addition, being a plant that grows quickly, this makes it seem less diseases and pests, which encourages agricultural enthusiasts to enter fully into this world. This plant is usually grown for human consumption, there are different varieties of lettuce, being also a plant that can be consumed throughout the year.

Lettuce is one of the vegetables that has a lower number of calories and has many phyto-nutrients, vitamins A, B, C and K, antioxidants and minerals such as iron or potassium. It is very beneficial for the body for being a diuretic, improving vascular health or for helping kidney problems, among others.

It is a vegetable consumed all over the world, being the most common in the form of fresh salad, although there are many other ways to enjoy it.

Main enemies of lettuce

Lettuces have as main enemies:

Slugs and snails. It can be solved with a manual collection or installation of beer traps.
Fungi. They appear due to an excess of humidity. It can be corrected by removing the affected areas.
Aphids: It occurs when there is an excess of nitrogen. Nettle slurry can be used as a preventive measure or plant insecticides for direct control.
Birds: The remedy to protect yourself from birds is to cover the plants with a mesh.
Excess moisture and dryness: Both are two problems that can negatively affect lettuce, so you should look for a balance in watering.

Lettuce varieties

There are more than 200 varieties of lettuce, the best known being the following:

Roman: It is the most common. As it does not form a very consistent bud, it must be tied when there are about 15 days left to be harvested. This plant is grown in summer.
Oak leaf: This is a cut variety and is usually grown in autumn and winter.
Wonder: It is a variety that adapts to high temperatures and is cut.
Tudela buds: This variety creates small buds and withstands low temperatures.

Instructions for planting lettuce

If you want to know how to plant lettuce you must follow these steps:

First of all, you must be clear about the place where you want to plant your lettuce. You have to keep in mind that it is a plant that adapts to most climates, although it is always preferable to opt for places with not very high temperatures. In the event that your climate is like this you should provide them with some shade.
Once you have decided where you are going to place the lettuce in your garden you must take care of the preparation of the soil. For this you must look for a land that is rich in very decomposed organic matter and also rich in humus. For this you can resort to the use of soils in which other vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, tomatoes or peppers have already been grown. In addition, you should look for a soil that has the ability to retain moisture in an adequate way.
Subscription. In the case of lettuce, it is a plant that does not need a soil that is very fertilized, being sufficient with the remains of previous crops. However, in the event that your garden has poor soil, you can resort to the use of very decomposed compost. To do this you must add around 3 kilograms per square meter. During the development of lettuce will be added 1.5 kg.
Once you start with the process of planting lettuce itself, you must start by making two lines and burying several seeds about 2 cm deep. You should leave between them a distance of about 30 cm.
Once you have done the above, you just have to take care of your lettuce. To do this you must provide the water he needs. They are a plant that requires a large amount of water, especially when buds are formed. The perfect irrigation system is drip. Lettuces need a soil that is moist so it should be watered daily and in small quantities.
In addition to watering, be sure to protect them from their enemies and remove weeds.

Depending on the variety of lettuce chosen, you can be ready for harvest around 2 months from planting. The planting of lettuce is simple, being important to provide adequate irrigation, that the land is rich in humus and avoid possible predators.

What do you need to plant lettuce?

Lettuce
Sun
Water
Fertilized land

Tips for planting Lettuce

If you tie the leaves of the lettuce, it facilitates the bleaching of them, which makes them more tender.
For its care you must remove the old or sick leaves that the lettuce may present.
Lettuce can be planted with other plants such as cabbage, cucumber, strawberry, radish or carrot.
You can cover your plants with grovel to avoid pests and maintain the temperature during the winter.
To obtain the seed you must leave at least 20 lettuces of the same variety. In case you use different varieties, the pollen will be crossed and the seed will be a mixture of these varieties.
In the direct seeding method, it is advisable to mix lettuce, arugula and mustard.

How To Plant Geraniums

Flowers & Plants

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November 29, 2023

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Geraniums are perfect plants to decorate our balconies or terraces as they withstand high temperatures very well and are very easy to care for. In addition, the great color of its flowers manages to brighten the appearance of our houses and buildings.

If you want to start planting geraniums and do not know how to keep reading since throughout this article, we will explain in detail the procedure that you must carry out. You will discover that planting geraniums is a very fun and simple activity so … what are you waiting for to start?

What do you need to plant geraniums?

Seeds or cuttings of geraniums
Earth
Fertilizer
Pots

Instructions for planting geraniums

Before starting to plant you must take into account a number of aspects. The first one is really important and has to do with the time of year in which you must carry out the planting. You should plan the event carefully that it takes place after the frost season. If you plant during the winter, you will most likely get nothing more than wasting time and effort. Geraniums withstand high temperatures very well but frost suits them quite well. When the plants are adult and strong, they can withstand a fairly cold weather, but the same does not happen when they are weakened or in the process of growing. You should also remember that the flowering of geraniums occurs in summer, so the ideal is that you plant them in spring. However, you can also plant them during the summer or autumn, although if you do it during this last season you must take special care that this happens at least three months before the frost begins.
Another important point to keep in mind when planting geraniums is to choose a good place. Really this point does not have any importance if you decide to use a pot, since you can move it easily but, without a doubt, it will be of vital importance if you decide to plant them in your garden. In case you have decided on the second option you should choose a very bright place, since geraniums need a lot of light. Remember that they can withstand very high temperatures, but if you live in a very hot climate you should opt for a place where during the hottest hours, they can receive some shade. You should never select a place in the shade because they will not grow healthy and you will have very few flowers, looking sad and downcast.
In case you decide to use a pot make sure it is the right one. You must take into account the size and material. It is advisable that you opt for a clay pot, as that will allow the plant to enjoy good drainage. That’s important since geraniums have a tendency to rot if their roots get waterlogged. As for the size I cannot offer you a standard measurement since that will depend on the species of geranium you decide to plant. There are more than 240 varieties and each of them has different colors and sizes. If you select a large variety, you should be sure that your pot will be able to offer the space it needs throughout its growth. I recommend that you inform yourself of the type of species you are going to plant and that you consider the final size that your geraniums can reach. Another option is that you use a medium-sized pot and with the passage of time, as the plant grows, you change it. In addition, transplanting your plants every one or two years is always a good idea since the change of soil favors their health.
Once you have selected the place where you will plant your geraniums you must prepare the soil. The soil must be loose, very well oxygenated and for this you can remove it with the help of a gardening palette. It must also have a neutral pH and be rich in organic matter and to make sure this is the best thing you can do is place a layer of fertilizer. If you are going to plant in your garden you must make sure that it has a good drainage system and that the water will not flood. Remember that this point is fundamental so that geraniums do not contract diseases or rot their roots.

Then you must make small holes in which later you will place the seeds or cuttings of geraniums. You can do them with a finger or with the help of a stick. The pits should have a minimum separation that allows the geraniums to grow without disturbing each other. Again, the separation will depend on the variety of geranium you have decided to plant. Do not worry too much about the depth of them, with about three centimeters will be more than enough.
Place the seeds or cuttings in the hole. If you would be interested in planting cuttings but do not know how you will like to know that it is something very simple. You simply need to select a series of healthy stems from your geraniums. The length of each stem should be about ten centimeters. Choose the youngest and strongest since the older ones take longer to take root. It is also not recommended that you select the paler ones. You need to cut them with a fairly sharp tool so that they do not spoil or fray. Cut two or three stems for each pot so that you can guarantee to achieve at least one of them. Before planting them, leave them a few days immersed in water to release roots. When you are going to introduce the cuttings into the earth, make a small cut in one of the nodes closest to the base. As you can see, obtaining geranium cuttings is a very simple operation and a good and economical alternative to buying the seeds.
Cover the hole with soil and water. Do not use too much water as you would drown them, you should only spray the earth with a small amount of water so that it is a little wet. If you have used cuttings, make sure that the water does not fall directly on them and focus on the base of the stem.

Tips for planting geraniums

As you may have seen through a careful reading of the previous steps, planting geraniums is a very simple and fairly fast procedure. It is a very strong and resistant plant so you should not take too many precautions. However, it is a good idea to cover the pot for the first few days with a clear plastic. This will allow light to enter and maintain optimal humidity levels. If you have planted outdoors, it will also offer you protection against birds and insects.
Finally, it is advisable to plant flowers during the period of action of the full moon or in the crescent quarter. The action of the moon during these phases helps further vegetation growth.
Learn more about plants and flowers in our category dedicated to them.

How To Make Organic Fertilizer

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November 29, 2023

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Plants are also living beings. In fact, thanks to them life on earth is possible, since they play a fundamental role in the cycle of respiration, where human beings take the oxygen, they generate and give off carbon dioxide, which they take to produce oxygen and so the cycle repeats infinitely.

Therefore, environmentalists always recommend planting a tree, since deforestation has caused the planet to suffer great consequences.

However, some people go further and not only plant a tree, but also strive to have a beautiful garden, which brings them great benefits. For example, it allows them to enjoy their beauty, makes it possible for them to exercise a little, helps them release the burdens of stress, etc.

Of course, having a pretty garden is not something that can magically happen overnight. To do this, you need to invest time, effort, energy and resources. For that reason, there are those who may feel a little self-conscious. But the truth is that you can resort to different means to take care of it.

As you know, every garden deserves to be given a plus of energy with a good fertilizer. You no longer have to worry about investing extra money in buying it, now you can learn to do it yourself from home, without the need for chemicals or other substances.

Now you have the possibility to make your own organic fertilizer. But what if you have no idea how to do it or where to start? In such a case, you don’t have to worry. Through this post, I will introduce you to different ways to make your own organic fertilizer. This is a very simple task, but it will do a lot of good for the plants in your garden.

Instructions for making organic fertilizer

The term organic fertilizer is very general. It covers any material of animal or plant origin that is used in order to provide nutrients and make soils more fertile. In summary, we can say that organic fertilizer is a substance made with vegetable or animal residues or waste and that makes the land better and more suitable for plants.

However, some may fall into the error of believing that it is just about mixing any amount and variety of waste with soil and then throwing it to the ground, when the truth is that, if not prepared properly, they could end up being harmful to plants.

To properly prepare the organic fertilizer, you must follow the following instructions to the letter:

Take a small container, about a meter deep, and make holes in its surface. Depending on how large your garden is or what its characteristics are, you may need to use a medium container or a large container.
Then, place 4 or 5 fingers of soil or more inside it, depending on the size of your container.
Then you must add the organic waste. For example, banana skins, egg shells, coffee grounds, wood ash, etc. It is important that these wastes are not from any animal products, with the exception of eggshells.
Then, you must cover everything with more soil.
Every two weeks, approximately, stir the soil very well with the help of a shovel. Try to bring the remains that are below to the surface and, vice versa. This step is very important to achieve our homemade fertilizer.
After a few weeks, fruit flies, worms and other insects begin to appear, indicating that decomposition is occurring.
When the earth turns black and has a lumpy appearance, we will be sure that the matter has already decomposed in its entirety. This will be the precise moment for you to apply it in the garden.

The smell of fertilizer should be similar to that of wet earth. Its elaboration process takes two months, approximately, in case you have started to do it in summer, since the heat accelerates the decomposition process. However, if you started doing it in winter, then the process will last for about 5 months.

When you are going to apply it, be sure to spread it very well around the roots of your plants. You can do this with the help of a rake or some other similar instrument. But what do you need to do it?

What do you need to make organic fertilizer?

To make your own organic fertilizer you will need one or more of these elements:

Manure. This is considered as one of the best fertilizers for the soil. While it is true that there is the possibility of buying it in garden stores, if you have animals at home, such as chickens, goats or rabbits, you can take advantage of their waste. It should be noted that rabbit droppings are one of those that contain the highest nitrogen content and can therefore be added directly to the soil. On the other hand, the others must previously go through a composting process.
Banana skins. Bananas are rich in potassium, which is of great benefit to our plants. Especially, for its flowering.
Eggshells. They are of great benefit since, in addition to providing calcium carbonate, they serve as a pest repellent. To use them, crush them well and then add them to a homemade fertilizer. You can also put them in the sun, crush them into powder and spread it on the base of the plants.
The coffee grounds. Since they provide a large amount of nitrogen, you can use it to make fertilizer or mix it directly into the soil.
Human urine. Urine urea is high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is a sterile product, as long as it comes from a body that is healthy. The recommendation is to dilute some urine in water and then add that mixture to your home fertilizer. After that, it will be ready to use.
Vinegar. Vinegar has acetic acid, which is very beneficial for plants that deserve the soil to be acidic. To use it, you just have to dissolve the vinegar in a little water to water directly to the plants that deserve it.

Other materials that will serve as fertilizer are grass, worm humus, ash from the fireplace or campfires, etc. But what else should you take into account?

Tips for making organic fertilizer

Although it is true that you will have to invest a little time in the preparation of the fertilizer, in reality it is not about loss, but rather about profit. I say this because fertilizer brings great benefits to the land. For example:

Improves its features. That is, the nutrients it contains, its acidity and its ability to retain water. For this reason, organic fertilizer is ideal for recovering soils that have been heavily exploited. However, the most noticeable effect is long-term.
Resistance to diseases and pests. Since nutrients are responsible for strengthening microscopic organisms, soil and plants become more resistant to attack by different types of pests.
It is 100% sustainable. The elaboration of this type of fertilizer involves the use of substances and wastes that, otherwise, would end up in the trash can. Therefore, this is an ecological way to strengthen the plants you have in your garden, yard or

As you have been able to realize, the process of making organic fertilizer is very simple. In addition, it brings great benefits for everyone, for plants, the soil, the planet and your pocket.

So, what are you waiting for to implement this technique and start preparing your own organic fertilizer at home? Remember that there are many types. You can choose the one of your preferences, taking into account the waste that you can best take advantage of to give them a new opportunity for use.

How To Make Flower Arrangements

Flowers & Plants

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November 29, 2023

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Floral arrangements are a fundamental part of the decoration, whether domestic or other spaces, such as offices, meeting rooms, conference venues, restaurants, wedding halls or funerals – these are already traditional sites in which flowers occupy a central position.

The flowers bring beauty, harmony and luminosity and are a very aesthetic touch that give the point where they are placed a feeling of comfort and vitality. What a floral arrangement does is to combine several flowers and plants so that the positive effect of them is multiplied and diffused thanks to a wise presentation of that floral arrangement.

It can be a simple bouquet of several fresh flowers in a vase that you change every day, or it can be something more complex and prepared, that although it has a very natural appearance, and there is the key to this art, only have use for a few hours in a celebration or event in particular.

It is an art that comes from ancient times and in which oriental peoples such as the Japanese have excelled, raising it to admirable levels of subtlety and balance. It is about knowing the different flowers, their characteristics, and not only their colors, cultivating the aesthetic sense and letting creativity develop.

And there are also several techniques and tricks that will be very useful for you to learn how to make flower arrangements, and we are going to comment on several of them.

A basic floral arrangement

To make a basic floral arrangement, such as a vase with flowers together, for a centerpiece, for example, gather two or three different bouquets, a filling of green leaves, and cut the stems of the flowers so that they are one and a half times the length of the vase or vessel that will contain them. Also remove the leaves from the bottom of the stems.

It would be good if you got a square mouth vase, because it will facilitate the preparation of this arrangement. The reason for this suggestion is that the first thing you should do is create a grid based on strips of adhesive tape or transparent zeal, putting several horizontally and others crossing these vertically, and for this it will be more comfortable if you use a square vase.

The first thing you are going to do is put the green base, with branches of green leaves only, in the outermost holes of the grid, forming an abundant framework around the center of the vase.

Then, in the central hollow place the flower that we want to stand out the most, trying to make it a larger flower than the others or more striking, which will be the dominant flower. Then, we put the rest of the secondary flowers around the dominant flower, using the rest of the free holes in the adhesive tape grid.

Finally, in the holes that have been left free of the grid, introduce other filling flowers, less showy or smaller, that complement the secondary flowers and the dominant one, and finish with a touch of green with some branch of leaves different from the base and that is almost as high as the dominant flower. You will notice that the result, although the process is simple, is spectacular. Your creativity will be the key when choosing the different flowers, you use in this composite vase. And it will only remain the decision of where you prefer to have this magnificent basic floral arrangement in sight.

The reason

But apart from a vase, there are many other ways and ways to create floral arrangements, such as a centerpiece, heart or double ring shape, pendants to put vertically on walls and walls, both indoors and outdoors, etc.

For all of them, there are some general tips to take into account as a previous step and that will guide you to have a panoramic notion of how to create a floral arrangement depending on its location or motif.

First of all, it is important that you are clear about the reason that causes the realization of a specific floral arrangement. It always has a destination or an objective, whether generic, such as decorating a corner of the house, or a celebration or an event that deserves to be accompanied by a floral arrangement. It can be a wedding, a birthday, an anniversary, a special meal…

The colors

One of the things you should think about first, in addition to the reason or destination that your floral arrangement will have, is the colors. Choose them carefully, depending on the environment in which they will be found, if you want them to stand out and attract the eye or if you prefer them to be on a more discreet and less relevant plane. The usual thing is that you handle three or four colors, although you can also opt for a single color, if you look for a striking focus, such as red flowers, and give them a small contrast with green leaves, which will always give a touch of naturalness.

You can choose the colors using complementary or contrasting tones, or all in a range of shades of the same coloration, or simply using your favorite colors, those that you like more and that will make you feel more comfortable with the final floral arrangement, although it is better not to forget the reason for it if it is something to decorate an event or event in which other people will participate.

The design

When building your flower arrangement, design is important. Think that a floral arrangement is something that combines all kinds of flowers and plants, as well as ornamental elements such as branches, bamboo sticks or stones, to achieve an effect of plant beauty, and that in many cases it is intended to be used only for a few hours, a day or a weekend, as an ephemeral decoration.

That is why it is a good idea that you make a sketch on paper, with the general lines of your arrangement, noting the flowers and plants to use, and the general structure it will have. It can be horizontal, in a wide, low basket, or vertical, as in vases or pitchers, or simply with long stems that will rise above its base.

The container

The floral arrangements are presented in some type of container or container, such as a vase, a basket, a glass fountain, a wooden bowl or even in bamboo stalks. But you can use your imagination to recycle any type of container, especially if it is made of a material related to nature, that is, ceramics, stone, wood, glass, metal … from a zinc bucket to a hemp gate, a burlap sack or a wooden fruit box. Play with the colors and textures of the materials of the containers, and remember that they do not have to be the main focus of attention, but that this will be the floral arrangement.

The floral oasis

The floral oasis is another very common part when preparing floral arrangements, because it is the base where to hold the flowers. It consists of a green artificial foam sponge or failing that you can use a sponge with a side of green, synthetic scourer, used to wash the dishes by hand. These sponges are usually very small, so they will only serve for a minimal base arrangement, but you can find other sizes or go directly to the specific base that is sold for flower arrangements.

This sponge is placed at the base of the container, be it a horizontal basket or a square or round glass bowl, or a vase. It can be glued with some glue to the floor of the container so that it does not move.

On this sponge the stems of the flowers and plants that are used will be nailed. They can be placed around it to decorate or hide several flat and round pebbles, shells, crushed cork, sawdust, sand, etc …

Placement

Once the sponge is placed, attach the walls of the container with adhesive tape, as explained at the beginning of this article, forming a grid. If the design you have thought of is circular, follow the indications that were given there. But if you have devised another type of design, such as, for example, in groups next to each other, then follow that direction, placing the flowers you want to arrange.

First, the leaves or foliage, ferns, branches or small flowers next to the inner edges of the container, and then the main flowers or plants, to finish with other plants or flowers that you want to stand out less. You can play with the length of the stems and the location of fresh flowers and dried leaves or branches, the colors and species of flowers used.

You can also use artificial flowers, or paint parts of the flowers. You can even simulate dew or raindrops by diluting silicone or white beeswax in a sprinkler and spraying the petals. With all these tips you will achieve a great floral arrangement on every occasion you need.

How To Make a Garden

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November 29, 2023

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The elaboration of a garden is synonymous with health for our lives of health. Its main meaning is to eat healthy without chemicals and preservatives, being natural and organic. It equals greater longevity in our lives here on earth. It also gives us a permanent supply of food, a symbol of an alternative option for our survival. The garden helps us to awaken in our life’s nutritional habits and new healthier styles. And the possibility of also improving our economic income, individual, such as family income.

It also strengthens and stimulates bonds between family members; Improving union and communication. When making a garden, you take advantage of the spaces in places: Urban, extra urban and non-urban; with the selection of recycled materials to give it an adequate use in the elaboration of the garden. The acquisition of wisdom or knowledge that we absorb, makes us improve our knowledge of our great-grandparents and grandparents for future generations in formation of each region of the world.

But before knowing how to make a garden you must first know some things so that you take it into account.

What is the Huerta?

It is an extension of land of 1.20 m x 1 m as minimum and maximum dimensions, measures 10,000 m² hectares. Where their main crop is legumes and vegetables, they are much larger than orchards with much less trees and more vegetables. In most parts of the world all the land is used for pulses, vegetables and vegetables.

Types of Gardens

Soil gardens: This is a bit lucky or takes a little time for all the effort to bear fruit since the land you want to be used may have already been used recently and that the nutrients, they had will no longer be more effective but still gives the same result but with a little more time
Pot gardens: This is seen a lot in urban cities because the land will not be the same as it was before becoming urban so pots are used with the soil transplanted from another place to be able to make the garden.
Cultivation tables: Cultivation tables are orchards that are built inside tables, which have a certain height if you want the plants to be located at a higher height from the ground.
Traditional agriculture gardens: this as the name suggests is to do it traditionally without having to use special tools such as chemical fertilizers, insecticide, among others.
Orchards with agroecological techniques: They are ecological gardens in which only natural techniques are used within the cultivation process, without having to use any product such as organic and synthetic.

Now let’s continue with the procedures to make your own garden.

You may also want to read “How and When to Plant Roses.”

Steps to create the garden

For the elaboration of a garden, you need certain characteristics.

Location of the chosen land has to be clear in the aerial area where sunlight is not covering the place where you want between 8 to 10 hours of the day.
Water for irrigation you have to have a rainwater storage pond and have your water supplies all year round.
Having or elaborating a place where we can throw away the waste of the preparation of a meal or salad. By putting water, air and temperature to decompose, this constitutes a rich source of vitamins and nutrients for crops to prepare the land chosen for planting.

Characteristics of a garden to be productive

The association of crops: It is to choose the crops that benefit each other, that do not fight for the absorption of nutrients in the soil.
Crop rotation: An area of land where it was planted last year this year should be cultivated in another area that is already prepared with fertilizer. Not every year you have to plant in the same place because the quality and efficiency will drop significantly.
The use of fertilizers is essential: Preparing the ground guarantees success in crops and optimal growth in legumes and vegetables.

Note: A fertile soil must have: Air, water, minerals and organic matter. It is important to restore the amount of organic matter in the soil, the area chosen for the garden.

Now that you can make a garden you can lead your healthier life and make the most of it. Having a good diet and vitamins in your life and that of your family. Without having to buy foods that have chemicals that damage your body in the long term as time goes by, you can also try selling your crops to increase both the income and production of your crops making it more nutritious and increasing its quality.

How To Make a Chicken Coop

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November 29, 2023

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A chicken coop is a place perfectly enabled for chickens to live, which can be raised to lay eggs and enjoy them in a respectful way with the inhabitants.

It may be that for some reason you have gotten some chickens to raise, either by inheritance, by gifts or that you have simply decided to buy them. A hen obviously cannot get into the house; therefore, you need to build a chicken coop perfectly equipped for this task.

The bad thing is that if it is the first time you are dealing with farm animals, you may not know very well how to build a chicken coop, since it is not something that we are precisely taught in school.

A chicken coop should have everything necessary for raising hens, that is, a place for them to eat, a cage so that they do not escape, enough space for them to live well and must be placed stably in your garden or farm, to prevent them from falling.

It must also be composed of more or less resistant materials, since otherwise it will fall to nothing that rains, snow or there is some meteorological catastrophe. The good news is that it is not too expensive to build a homemade chicken coop and not too laborious, because with basic DIY knowledge, anyone can build their own chicken coop in an easy and fast way.

From doncomos.com and its home section, we will teach you step by step how to build your own place of raising hens, so you can start raising your own hens in a healthy and natural way.

What do you need to make a chicken coop?

A place to build a chicken coop, such as a farm or a garden.
Hens.
A latch.
Straw.
A chain mail for the cage.
Knowledge of architecture or hiring an architect.
Wood.
Screws and drill.
Basic knowledge of DIY.

Instructions for making a chicken coop

Design of the plans of the chicken coop:
When designing the plans, several things must be taken into account. The first thing is that we must take into account the number of hens we have, since it is not the same to make a chicken coop for two hens than to do it for 28 hens, therefore, it is the first thing we must take into account. Then you have to put in the chicken coop everything necessary for the hens to be healthy, such as an area with straw for eggs, a place enabled for food, windows to ventilate and some cleaning system in which we can clean the chicken coop perfectly. Once we have the plan designed (better by an architect), bounded and is a realistic design, we can start building.
Building the chicken coop:
Once we have it designed, it is time to start building our chicken coop, which must be perfectly adapted to what we have put on the plan. Normally the walls and roof are built simply with wood, as if it were a closet, so take the wooden planks, drill and screws and get to work. The roof must be made triangular, so that rainwater filters, we can use tiles but with wood it will be more than enough. Inside we are going to build the areas enabled for the hens, separating the chicken coop into sections, one for the nests and another for the food. If you have many hens, divide the zones into partitions, one for each hen. Also try to make some kind of door so that the hens can enter and leave (with latch if you do not want them to leave when they do not want them to leave) and some adapted place so that you can enter to clean.
Extra areas:
If you have space in the garden, you can enable a cage next to the chicken coop, so that the hens go out to take the air and do not escape. There you can enable an area to feed the chickens and to run around. You can also make some kind of extra decoration for your chicken coop, such as putting a part with sheet metal so that it does not get cold, or painting it to make it more beautiful.

Tips for making a chicken coop

Buy a chicken coop: If you are not good with DIY or have tried tutorials like this and have not been able to with them, do not despair, because for a relatively cheap price, you can buy a chicken coop already built, which will be ready for use without having to do anything more than transport it. The price is higher than that of the chicken coop that you can make yourself, however, you are also guaranteeing that everything will go well and that there is no accident. I recommend buying a chicken coop to those who do not want to risk doing the DIY work wrong.

How To Kill a Tree

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November 29, 2023

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For different reasons you may find yourself in the need to remove a tree that is located on your property. These can be very diverse; from that it seems too invasive to that it affects you visually to see part of your garden or the street or simply that you want to use the space to plant another tree or other purposes.

If you want to know how to kill a tree you should keep in mind that you can do it yourself and without having to resort to a professional in the sector, which will make it more expensive. Next, we are going to talk about different ways you have to be able to remove it once you have killed it.

You must bear in mind that in order to kill a tree completely it is not enough to cut it down, but a layer of herbicide must be applied so that it can really end its life.

Instructions for killing a tree

If you want to know how to kill a tree you must bear in mind that you have different methods that we are going to indicate below, and that can help you to finish with it definitively.

Ringing the tree

First of all, you must remove the loose bark. In this method the tree is killed since it is left without receiving the flow of sap from the roots to the crown. For this you can resort to the use of herbicides or not, although these make the process is carried out in a faster way. However, it is possible to do so without herbicides. To do this you must remove the bark that is loose in order to reach the trunk more easily, removing the bark within a band-shaped area, with a width of 10-12 cm.
Then you must make cuts in the trunk, being able to carry it out with different shapes. For this you can use a chainsaw, an axe or even a wooden chisel.
Then you must make a cut around the entire circumference of the tree. This cut should have a depth in the wood based on the thickness of the tree. The depth will vary depending on the trees and their thickness. You should try to make the band as level as possible.
The next step is to make another cut around the circumference of the tree. You must make another band for this process to be effective, and you must create a band that is about 5-10 cm from the first band, making cuts of a similar depth.
Apply herbicide if you decide to use it. To do this you must apply it in the cuts you have made to the tree. Do it in a time of 5 to 10 minutes after making them.
Wait. To finish you just have to wait. They can take about 6 weeks to die if you use herbicides, while in the event that you decide to do without it, the process may take several months.

Macheting and spraying method

Another method is as follows:

Use a hand axe and take care of making precise cuts in the tree, which you will later cover with herbicide.
First of all, you need to mix the herbicide in a sprayer.
Then take the axe and make a cut down on the trunk about 5 centimeters long. The depth of the cut must be sufficient to be able to reach the clearest sapwood and to be able to apply the herbicide in a more effective way.
Then you must spray with herbicide in the cut, removing the head of the axe after making the cut without separating it completely from the trunk. Make it stay on the edge of the cut and proceed to spray the herbicide on the top side of the axe so that it drains until it reaches the deepest area of the cut.
Later you must make other cuts. Depending on the herbicide you use you will have to make a number of cuts, being usual that it is necessary to make several cuts separated from each other with a separation of between 2.5 and 7.5 cm.
Then apply herbicide to each of these cuts and wait for the tree to die completely.

Remove the tree and then treat the stump

The third method you have at your disposal is as follows:

First you must mix the herbicide, placing it in a sprayer before starting with the cutting of the tree.
Then you must take a chainsaw or similar and cut down the tree. In the event that it is of a very large size it is advisable that you ask a professional to carry out the cut.
Once you have cut down the tree you should cover the top of the trunk with a layer of herbicide.
When it is applied you must wait for the tree to die.

What do you need to kill a tree?

Axe, chainsaw or wooden chisel (depending on the method).
Herbicide (if you decide to apply it – it is necessary in some methods).
Safety protection to avoid risks and accidents.

Tips for killing a tree

Always wear eye protection (glasses) and hand protection (gloves) to protect yourself against the possible risks of cutting trees.