Tuesday, July 29, 2014

10 Benefits of Using Baking Soda in The Garden!

Using baking soda in the garden might not be obvious for most people but the truth of the matter is that there are so many benefits that come with its use. If you are a house owner, then your probably know too well of the fact that baking soda plays a vital role when it comes to green cleaning in the houses where it has so many uses. However, the same also applies to the garden as well and there are so many benefits that come with it including:


Natural fungicide


When used in the garden, the baking soda works as an effective natural fungicide and this can benefit your garden in so many ways than you would probably imagine. To make a natural fungicide using the baking soda, just mix 4 tablespoonfuls of the baking soda with a gallon of water. The mixture should then be used on the roses having black spot fungus as well as vines and grapes when you start seeing the appearance of fruits.


Powdery mildew


You can also use the baking soda for powdery mildew where it also works incredibly well. For gardens that have high humidity, it is needless to say that powdery mildew can be one of the major causes of problems. As a gardener, you might realize that it affects so many plants while impatiens, zinnias, cucumbers and squash are very badly affected. To ensure that the baking soda is more effective, make sure that you mix it with dishwashing liquid and vegetable oil as well. Make sure that you use it on a weekly basis and avoid using it at a time when it is too sunny.



Garden Grime buster – cleaning your hands


After you are done gardening, just rib the baking soda on your wet hands and then rinse well and you will enjoy incredible benefits. It is of paramount importance that you clean your hands thoroughly after leaving the garden. Baking soda is very effective in eliminating the dirt completely and killing the bacteria that could cause diseases.


Rejuvenating your rose bushes


You can also rejuvenate rose bushes using baking soda in an incredibly simple way. You just need to mix together a tsp baking soda, add some clear ammonia and then a tsp Epsom salt which should then be mixed with some water. A gallon of the mixture should be enough for treating about four bushes of rose which have unfortunately lost their luster.



Weed killer


Killing and preventing weed is yet another incredible benefit of baking soda in your garden. This works in a rather simple way as you just need to pour full strength baking soda on to the cracks of your walkway or patio. This is capable of killing most of the small weeds sprouting and you can be sure than new ones won’t be growing there any time soon. Still on the same note, you can use baking soda for weed control at your garden and you can be sure of getting some incredible benefits by using it.


Killing cabbage worms


Cabbage worms can wreak havoc in your garden and it is essential that you come up with an effective way of controlling them. Fortunately, baking soda offers an effective solution of killing cabbage worms and getting your garden rid of these worms. You just need to meet baking soda with equal parts of flour and then dust plants like cabbage, kale and broccoli which cabbage worms find to be very attractive. After the worms eat leaves that have been mixed with the baking soda, they will die within a day and you can even repeat the process for a couple of times to enhance its effectiveness.


Sweeten your tomatoes


It might come as a surprise that you can use baking soda for sweetening your tomatoes but this is truly the truth of the matter. This can be done in an incredibly simple way as you just need to sprinkle the baking soda on the established plants and your tomatoes will start getting sweeter over time.


Killing crabgrass


You can also kill crabgrass in your garden easily by using baking soda. In this regard, you will need to wet your crab grass and then a heavy dust of the baking soda on top. After some few days, the crab grass is going to die. Do the sprinkling carefully to ensure that the surrounding grass is not touched by the baking soda as it will simply die.


Pest control


The use of baking soda for pest control is something that has been done by many gardeners for many years now. Baking soda is incredibly effective when it comes to controlling pests that are annoying you and you have every reason in the world why you shouldn’t hesitate to use it for controlling pests at your garden. In this regard, the baking soda should be sprinkled on the soil and it will deter away a wide range of pests such as rabbits, silver fish, roaches and ants. For slugs, put then right in the baking soda but avoid getting on your plants.


Testing soil PH


Testing the acidity or alkalinity of your garden soil is very important and you should then adjust it accordingly to suit the requirements of what you are planting in your garden. To do this, just wet the garden soil with some water and sprinkle the baking soda on top of the soil. When the baking soda start bubbling, this should tell you that the soil is acidic and its ph is below 5.


As you can see, baking soda has so many benefits when used in the garden and you certainly stand to benefit a lot from its usage. However, it is very important that you use the baking soda in a careful manner. Sprinkling your plants with baking soda should be avoided at all costs as it can burn and even kill the plants in your garden and then having negative effects in your garden.


Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of

Baking Soda, Banana Peels, Baby Oil, and Beyond: 1,715 Tips for a Better Home, Garden, and Life

  

Monday, July 28, 2014

Most Common Genetically Modified foods to avoid eating

These days, the publicity and ever growing interest in the concept of ‘going green’ has enhanced awareness among the masses to environmental issues that surround global warming. GMOs or genetically modified organisms are yet another key environmental issue which seems to have disappeared in the thin shadows of late.


What are genetically modified foods?


GMOs is used in reference to the act of taking genes from some organisms like viruses, bacterial or animals and then inserting them in other unrelated species. Genetically modified foods are the food products that contain GMOs or are derived from it. According to proponents of these foods, the benefits that come from genetically modified foods are many especially when it comes to boosting agricultural production which in turn helps in the fight against world hunger.



Taking genetically modified foods comes with their share of danger and their safety for human consumption has been questioned by many. If you are trying to avoid genetically modified foods, which you should, here are the common foods that you should watch out for and avoid like plaque:


Corn



The modification of corn has made it possible for scientists to even succeed in making its own insecticide. It has now been declared that genetically modified corn has been made available for human consumption in incredible amount. In a recent research, mice that fed with the genetically modified corn in lab showed to have fertility problems and smaller off springs for those who were fortunate enough to be fertile. Corn will be used as an ingredient in a wide range of foods such as corn flour, corn oil, corn starch, syrups, corn sweeteners e.t.c. There are many other products containing derivatives of genetically modified corn like corn chips, vitamin C supplements and tomato sauces among others.


Cotton


Genetically modified cotton has been designed in a way that it is able to resist pesticides. The reason why cotton is considered to be food is because the oil derived from cotton can be consumed. In recent times, introduction of genetically modified cotton in the Chinese agricultural world has led to the production of a chemical that is capable of killing cotton bollworm and thus significantly reducing incidences of pests in the cotton crops themselves as well as in other fields as well. Unfortunately, thousands of farmers especially from India suffered very severe rashes when they became exposed to BT cotton.


Soy


The genetic modification of soy has been done in efforts of producing a plant that can resist herbicides. Common soy products that you should avoid include tofu, soy flour, soybean oil, soy beverages and a wide range of other products which include baked products, pastries and even edible oil as well. In a recent study, hamsters that were fed with genetically modified soy were not able to have off springs not to mention that they also recorded a very high mortality rate.


Rice


South East Asia boasts of having rice as its staple food but genetically modified rice is something that you should avoid from eating. Rice has been modified to contain high levels of vitamin A. It has even been reported recently that rice varieties will be grown that contain human genes and this rice will be creating  human proteins that are needed for dealing with cases of infant diarrhea especially in the third world countries. Genetically modified rice poses some very serious environmental and health problems especially due to the fact that it has a tendency of causing allergic reactions that can harm people.


Papaya




Genetically modified papaya is now virus resistant and is now available commercially in most parts of the world. On the same note like its rice and corn counterparts, this papaya poses some serious health risks.


Tomatoes


Due to the perishable nature of tomatoes, these fruits have now been genetically modified to lengthen their shelf life. As such, genetically modified tomatoes do not get rotten easily and are thus able to remain for long without being degraded. A recent test was conducted for determining how safe genetically modified tomatoes were. In the study, the animal subjects that consumed genetically modified tomatoes died some few weeks later thus raising serious concerns on the healthy safety of consuming these tomatoes.


Rapeseed


This crop made headlines in Canada where it was actually renamed to canola as a way of differentiating it from the non- edible rapeseed. There are many food stuffs available on the market today that contain rapeseed which you should avoid such as the likes of rapeseed oil pr canola oil used for processing margarine and cooking oil. Genetically modified rapeseed is also being used for production of honey as well and many products containing significant amounts of rapeseed have been found to have some not so good health effects.


Peas


Genetically modified peas have been found to be a cause of immune responses in the mice subjects and researchers have also said that the same could be possible in humans as well. A gene derived from the kidney beans was then inserted in the peas which created a protein with a similar functioning as a pesticide.


Potatoes


When mice were fed with genetically modified potatoes in a recent research, their system was found to have toxins thus raising the dangers that come with consumption of GM potatoes. The health risks posed by genetically modified potatoes are immense and this gives you all the reasons why you should avoid eating these potatoes.


Considering the many researches that have been done regarding genetically modified foods and the findings reported; it is no doubt that genetically modified foods pose very serious threats to our health. The adverse health effects of genetically modified foods means that it is wise that you avoid these foods as they can wreak havoc on your health. The introduction of genetically modified in the food supply has led to a serious increase in food allergies and chronic diseases. It is better to be safe than sorry and avoiding these genetically modified foods is certainly the way to go.


GMO TOXIC TABLE - An Introduction to the GMO FOOD Disaster - A Crime Against Humanity

Genetically Modified Foods vs. Sustainability

The World According to Monsanto

The Unhealthy Truth: One Mother's Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America's Food Supply-- and What Every Family Can Do to Protect Itself

The Hundred-Year Lie: How to Protect Yourself from the Chemicals That Are Destroying Your Health

        

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Health Benefits of Drinking Tea

If you are not drinking tea, you could be missing a lot of health benefits that you can’t get from anywhere else. Tea has awesome effects on your health and avoiding a cup of tea in the morning or in the course of the day is something that shouldn't be near your thoughts. However, you should be careful to ensure that you are drinking real tea which is derived from Camellia sinensis. The four varieties of teas that you should make a point of drinking are green, white, oolong and black tea. Technically, anything else is technically not tea and might deny you an opportunity of enjoying incredible health benefits such as:


  1. Tea contains antioxidants

To start with, tea contains antioxidants in rich amounts. In the same way that Rust- Oleum paint prevents your furniture from rusting, the antioxidants found in tea do a great job of protecting your body from the negative effects pollution and ravages of aging. You can thus drink tea to supplement the antioxidants that you are getting from other sources.



  1. Tea contains less caffeine compared to coffee

Taking caffeine in large amounts is certainly not good as such for your health. In this regard, it is no wonder health experts usually advice that you take tea in place of coffee as the amount of caffeine contained in tea is quite less. The amount of caffeine in coffee is twice the amount found in tea. If you find that you get the jitters, headaches, indigestion or sleeping issues when you take coffee, it is advisable that you switch to tea and enjoy incredible health benefits.


  1. Reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack

Scientific researches have shown that drinking tea can help a lot in lowering your risk of deadly conditions such as stroke and heart attack. Stroke and heart attack are caused by unwanted blood clots which are caused by blood platelets and cholesterol. The benefit of drinking tea is that it keeps your arteries clog free and keeps your arteries smooth. In fact, a recent research showed that drinking tea lowers the risks of getting a fatal heart attack by even 70% and this certainly gives you even more reasons not to hesitate taking that cup of tea. As a non tea drinker, you can be sure that you are more vulnerable to heart attacks and stroke.



  1. Protecting your bones

Drinking tea also protects bones and this should inform you that adding milk to tea is not only what makes your bones strong. In a recent study that compared regular tea drinkers with the non drinkers, researchers found out that people who have been drinking for more than 10 years have the strongest bones. This remained the same even after adjustments were made for age, exercise, body weight and various other risk factors like smoking. It is suggested that the phytochemicals found in tea are the ones responsible for development of strong bones.


  1. Teeth benefits of tea

You might have heard that tea is bad for your teeth but this is not the case as it has been found that tea gives you that incredible sweet smile. What makes tea bad for your teeth is because of the sugar which is added in it but tea alone is very good for your dental health. This is because tea tends to contain tanning and fluoride which helps ensure that plaque is off your teeth completely. For this reason, you shouldn't hesitate to add unsweetened tea to your daily routine of checking your teeth which includes flossing and brushing for healthier gums and teeth.


  1. Tea boosts your metabolism

Nowadays, most people have been complaining of their metabolism being very slow and thus making it difficult for them to loose weight. Tea, particularly green tea has been found to boost the rate of metabolism in a remarkable weigh. A new study showed that drinking tea can make you burn between 70 and 80 more calories. To burn more calories, you will off course need to chip in other weight loss techniques such as walking as well.



  1. Tea boosts your immune system

The immune defenses are bolstered by drinking tea and this means that your body is in a better position to fight off infections. A recent research was carried out where volunteers drunk either coffee or tea for a period of four weeks. In their findings, the researchers found that tea drinkers recorded an improved immune system activity which meant that their bodies were better suited to fight off diseases and infections than the coffee drinkers.


  1. Cancer protections

Drinking tea can protect you against cancer thanks to the polyphenols found in tea. Tea contains antioxidants that have incredible cancer fighting effects. Even though research is still being carried out on exactly how tea helps fight cancer, it remains very clear that making tea one of your daily beverages is something that you really shouldn't hesitate to do. Tea fights off cancerous cells in the body thus helping improve your health wellness in an incredible way.


  1. Tea keeps you hydrated

For a long time, caffeinated beverages including tea have been said not to contribute to the daily fluid needs of people. The diuretic nature of caffeine means that drinking it will make you pee more and this drains away fluids from your body. But recent research has proved that caffeine doesn't matter as such and tea contributes greatly to our body’s daily fluid needs. Caffeine contained in tea can however be a problem when drink more than 5 cups at one time.


  1. Calorie free benefits of tea

The fact that tea is actually calorie free is also a great addition to its amazing health benefits. The only time that tea has calories is when milk or a sweetener is added. In this regard, tea can be said to help in weight loss. This makes tea one of the top choice when you need to take a calorie free, highly satisfying beverage.


Tea Forte Single Steeps Loose Tea Sampler

Tazo Assorted Tea Sampler, 24 Tea Bags

WISSOTZKY Magic Tea Box, 80-Count

Numi Organic Tea Flowering Gift Set in Handcrafted Mahogany Bamboo Chest: Glass Teapot & 6 Flowering Tea Blossoms

      

What to feed chickens to lay more eggs

Feeding your chickens appropriately is essential if you want them to lay good, large and strong eggs while being healthy at the same time. Generally speaking, chickens are omnivores just like man. You will need to keep in mind the fact that what chickens eat is different from what chickens must eat to produce better. But chickens will eat nearly everything ranging from spaghettis and even less exciting foods such as grass, vegetables, flowers and fruits. They also eat seeds and grains and even bugs which they find on them. However, if egg production is the main reason why you rear eggs and you want more and more eggs, you will need to know about chicken feeds that boost egg production as detailed here below:


Layers pellets


Since your chickens are layers, the market is home to some very good layers pellets that you can feed your chickens and be amazed at their increased egg production. Layers pellets work pretty well and you will be thrilled at how they can boost the egg production of your chicken. Another must have in this group is poultry corn but still, avoid feeding more of it than you to do to layers pellets. Make sure that these feeds are available in their feeding trough on a daily basis not only to produce more eggs but also to ensure that the eggs are hard enough to minimize any likelihood of breakages.


Grit is good


Some people worry that they are feeding their chickens too much grit but the truth of the matter is that there is really nothing that you should worry about here. Most people who have reared chickens for many years for ages will tell you that there is nothing wrong with grit. You can be assured of more, hard eggs which are exactly what you want.


More corn is necessary


It is essential that you provide your chickens with more corn, together with the layers pellets and grit. In fact, corn is very essential if your hens are producing relatively soft eggs. Hens which live on the grass are able to dig the ground all day and get nearly everything that they want. You might see new layers laying some abnormal eggs that have odd shapes, soft eggs or double yolks but you really have nothing to worry about as they will be normal after some time. You will be amazed at how increases the production of eggs by your chickens.


Consider leftovers


It is also a good idea that you consider feeding your eggs some mos leftovers if you want to see their egg production increase. There is a wide range of leftovers that you can give your chickens such as pasta, potatoes, stale bread and beans and you will be amazed to see that they will even lay more eggs than you would probably imagine. However, even though chickens are omnivorous as highlighted here above, avoid feeding them meat as this will only have a counter effect on their egg production.


Give your chickens mealworms


Most chicken layers don’t understand how mealworms can help their girls lay more eggs. However, the truth of the matter is that feeding your chickens mealworms can significantly increase their food production. Chickens also like to eat mealworms especially when given to them as a treat, that kind that is available for reptiles. Another favorite for chickens is dried mealworms that you have for the wild garden birds. If you take your chickens outside, you will be amazed at how they tirelessly hunt for worms on the ground as they know that they are very good for their health. 



Commercial chicken laying pellets are the best


While there are so many things that you can feed your chickens to lay more eggs, the best of them would be the commercially produced pellets for egg laying chickens. You will find them being sold in many stores that sell animal feeds and they are the best to buy if you want to increase the egg production of your eggs. These pellets are well designed to suit the dietary needs of today’s productive chickens. Creating and laying an egg on a daily basis is very depleting for the chicken. As such, these pellets are formulated with the right proportions of minerals, protein and energy needed by the chickens.


It is essential that you consider having much of your chicken’s diet comprising of these pellets as they are very nutritional for the hens. Ensure that your chickens are able to access the pellets the entire day, and that they go to sleep with their crops being full. Keep in mind the fact that a chicken creates an egg in more than 25 hours. This means that even when your chicken is sleeping, a lot is going on in her body as far as building that egg you are really waiting for in the morning is concerned. The materials which the chicken uses to create the egg are derived from the digested food and she can’t create an egg when her digestive tract has nothing. For this reason, allow your chicken to eat as much pellets as he wants right from morning to sundown.


While the commercial feeds usually contain calcium in large amounts, it is also important that you provide the minerals from another source as well. Even though it is undeniable that commercial feeds do your chicken a lot of good, remember that they are not the only thing which you should be feeding your chickens.


Table scraps


Table scraps is something that most chickens really appreciate and you should consider feeding them to your chickens if you want them to lay more eggs. The good thing with chickens is that they will eat nearly anything ranging from stale toast to coffee grinds and soggy green beans. Sometimes, what chickens eat all depends on their personal preference but always remember that some feeds are much better and more nutritious than others


join our forum for more information : http://www.chickensraising.com





Rachael Ray Stoneware 12-Cup Sittin' Pretty Egg Tray, Red

Organic, Naturally Free Layer Chicken Feed, 25lbs

Home Grown 16% Layer Pellets for Poultry 9.75lbs

Organic Layer Pellets, 50 Lbs

      

Friday, July 25, 2014

Complete Guide to Container Gardening

No matter how small your porch or patio is, you can still change it into a beautiful garden of flowers or a crop of some of the best vegetables grown in containers. Some of the containers which you can use for this purpose include wooden barrels, planter boxes, large flower pots and even hanging baskets. As a container gardener, your imagination is your only limitation. Gardening in containers makes a lot of sense for people with little garden space but still want to engage in some gardening too.


Containers also make an ideal choice where the balcony is the only place you have to grow your flowers or crops. A wide range of plants are incredibly happy when being grown in containers such as basil, thyme, chives and many other herbs. You can set them in a convenient spot may be just outside your kitchen door and you can rest assured that you will have an incredibly beautiful garden. Container plants add versatility as well to your garden, whether it is small or large. The containers create a focal point in your garden and add instant color that makes your garden incredibly lovely.


Choosing your gardening containers


When you decide to do gardening in containers, you will realize that planters and pots come in a vast range of shapes, sizes, styles and materials. Still, it is also possible for you to modify the containers you use on a daily basis like barrels or bowls to be planters.


The first thing worthy consideration is the size of the containers. It is of paramount importance that you always keep in mind the fact that growing plants in relatively large containers is quite easier than in small ones. This is because of the fact that large containers are able to hold more soil that can stay moist for quite a long time and is less vulnerable to temperature fluctuations. Using small hanging containers means that they will dry out incredibly especially during the hot summer months. This might mean that you need to keep watering your plants now and then which might be just tiresome and stressful to keep up with.


Still, you will also need to really consider the kind of plant that you will be growing in each container. A number of factors are going to determine how deep and large your container should be for the plant to grow and thrive well. Most importantly, make sure that you pay consideration to the shape and size of the root system of the plant in order to choose the most ideal type of container for it to be grown in. how big the room you have will also determine the maximum size as well as the weight of the container you decide to use for your gardening. The gardener also needs to determine what they will be using for supporting the plant as well as if they intend to move it or not.



Drainage


No matter which container you decide to use for your gardening needs, you should understand the fact that an essential aspect that your containers should have is drainage holes. If the container doesn't have drainage holes, the soil will simply become waterlogged which will mark the onset of the death of your plants. However, you don’t have to make large holes as such but should be considerably large in a way that the excess water will be able to drain out of the container. You can drill some holes all by yourself and everything will certainly be good to go. Containers that don’t have holes can serve as a cachepot and for hiding or covering a plain pot.


Materials


There are different types of materials used for making gardening containers and each one of them comes with its share of advantages and disadvantages. Terra- cotta or clay containers are for example loved by many as they are very attractive. However, these containers are also easily breakable and thawing and freezing can damage them easily. Cast concrete containers and long lasting not to mention that they are available in a wide range of great sizes and styles. Regardless of what the prevailing weather at your place is, you can leave these containers out all day long. But due to their heaviness, they are not an ideal choice to use in balconies as moving them can prove to be quite problematic. There are many other types of containers that you can use for gardening and you just need to analyze what each of them has to offer you.



Growing mixture


The growing mixture should be one that drains rapidly but is still able to retain enough moisture for keeping the roots moist evenly. For the topping soil of your containers, make use of compost. Sand can be added as well depending on the specific requirements of the plant. After you have added soil in the container, make sure that you leave a two inch space between your container’s top and the soil.


Sunlight


Just like the normal garden, your container garden also needs direct sunlight as well, at least 5 hours per day. This will help in photosynthesis which is very important for both leafy cabbages and root crops alike. Fruiting vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes must have plenty of sun to grow. Regardless of the plant you have planted in the containers, just make sure that you place the container in an area where it receives direct sunlight.


Fertilizer


Considering the rapid draining of water by the potting mixes, this means that the fertilizer is going to be quickly washed out. As you water. If you are using lighter mixes, you will need to fertilize your soil more frequently than heavier mixes. Liquid fertilizer should be diluted for the best results to be achieved.



Water


Water is an essential aspect of growing plants in containers. When the gardening containers are placed in a location that is exposed, moisture will be lost more quickly. Watering your plants on a daily basis especially during hot and dry weather is advised.


Container Gardening: 250 Design Ideas & Step-by-Step Techniques

The Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible: How to Grow a Bounty of Food in Pots, Tubs, and Other Containers

McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Edible Flowers

Smart Pots 10-Gallon Smart Pot Soft-Sided Container, Black

Container Gardening for All Seasons: Enjoy Year-Round Color with 101 Designs

        

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Tips To Get Rid Of a Tree Stump

Tree stumps can be very unsightly especially when they are in your compound. Fortunately, a number of options exist on how to get rid of the stump. It is essential that you identify the best method for dealing with the root system of the tree stump. Here are some few tips on how to go about it.

  1. Dig out the tree stump

Muscle power can be used for those who are not fitness challenged and this method is virtuous and cheap.  Use a pick and spade to dig out the soil around the stump. Using a narrow spade is advisable as it will be able to get right in between the roots. Next, sue a bucksaw to cut small roots but for the larger roots, a chainsaw will really help a lot. Before you start cutting the roots, use a pressure washer to blast the roots and knock off rocks and dirt from it. This will help you save your chain and ensure that the projectiles do not smash you windows.

Tips To Get Rid Of A Tree Stump

Remember that the roots’ underside also needs to be scrubbed as well. Pull the cut roots out and continue until you are sure that you have cut all the roots. Using some basic physics will help a lot as well. Since a long lever will multiply the force, this means that you will be able to move a big stump if you use a log and fulcrum. Having a jack will even help you gain leverage as well and you can place it under the stump. But ensure that you don’t cut the stump while the jack is under tension as the backlash can be very dangerous.

  1. Induce rot

You can induce rotting of the tree stump which despite being a slow process, it is one of the easiest, especially if you don’t have the muscles to spare for digging out the tree stump. If a stump has been cut closely, it will eventually rot away. Nevertheless, you can encourage fungal growth to speed up the process. However, you should be very patient as this might take some time for the stump to get rotten away. The process starts by drilling some deep holes at the top of your tree stump with a spade bit.

tree-stump-173091_1280

After you are done drilling, pour in nitrogen- rich fertilizer on top and then fill the drilled homes up with water. With an ideal fertilizer, the rotting will be quicker than you would probably expect. Then, the tree stump needs to be covered with dirt or mulch and ensure that it stays damp at all times. You also need to keep in mind the fact that rotting a stump out comes with its share of risk as well. This is because unfriendly fungi can take hold and may jeopardize the health of other trees nearby. There are many commercial tree stump removal products available on the market that you can use. However, these chemicals can also be used in the explosives and you will really need to give a good explanation as to what you expect to do with it. After the treatment, ensure that you burn the stump out, clear the place and add some garden soil.

  1. Grind out the tree stump

The final option that you can use to get rid of a tree stump is grinding it out. However, remember that this can be a noisy and risky process but it is very fast. If you don’t have a stump grinder, rent one for grinding the stump. If the tree stump is quite big, you should consider using a big self propelled machine. You also need to be careful when grinding especially if the ground is uneven or sloping.

stump-412207_1280

Sometimes, it would be better that you considering hiring a pro just to be sure that everything is done properly. A pro will do a great job and ensure that the tree stump is gone incredibly fast without having to expose yourself to any kind of risk. You just need to determine which methods works best for the tree stump in question. Finally, always wear protective equipment just to be sure that your safety is enhanced.

Tree Stump Remover

How to Grow Onions from Seed

Most gardeners start to grow onions from sets. These small and immature onion bulbs are preferred by many as growing them is incredibly easy. However, if you want to expand your variety horizons, you will understand that onion sets offer limited choices and turning to seeds is the best thing you can do.

Growing onions from seeds allows you to pick from a wide variety and find those that suit your own needs like the desire for late season keepers or early season sweet onions. The colors range greatly from pure white to dashing purple and many yellow shades. Sizes and shapes vary a lot too. Here is a simple guide on how to grow onions from seeds and be a successful gardener.

  1. Start off with fresh onion seeds

It is possible to keep onion seeds for over two years provided they are stored in a cool and dry place and in a seed storage box that is well monitored. However,
it is advisable that you grow your onions from fresh first year seeds as they germinate best. The rate of germination falls considerably with the aging of the seeds. Planting fresh seeds assures you the highest germination.

organic-14525_640

  1. Provide your seeds with bottom heat

We all know that heat is essential for germination to take place and providing some will boost the germination and yields of your onion seeds. By availing this heat, your onion seeds are going to germinate very quickly. For fast germination, provide your onion seeds with a temperature ranging between 20 and 25 oC and drop the temperatures lightly at night. It is also advisable that you enclose your newly onion seeded containers in plastic bags so as to maintain moisture and also provide bottom heat as well. By doing so, you will be thrilled to know that your onion seeds will start germination within the first week.

  1. Clip off the seed husks

Once the germination has occurred, you will realize that your indoor grown seedlings perform very poorly when it comes to getting pulled from the seed. In the long run, the small end will pull out of soil and the black remains weigh them down. You can do some rescue on your onions by simply snipping the loop by half and then pulling the small end out and then discarding it.

  1. Provide under lights

It is advisable you remember that when you are growing onions from seed, you will need to provide them with bright supplemental light. Using a 2 bulb fluorescent fixture will do amazingly well and you can keep the light on your onions for a period of twelve hours in a day and they will do amazingly well. Position the light within 2.5 cm or 1 inch of the onions. Make sure that you also trim your onions back everyday to about 7 cm tall and this will help ensure that they don’t fall over. Using scissors is advisable and will ensure that a clean cut is achieved.

onions-61262_1280

  1. Know when to transplant your onions


When your onion seeds have grown, it is essential that you know the best time of transplanting them. Experts always advise that transplanting should be done upon the appearance of the third leaf. So once you confirm that your onion seedlings have three leaves, transplant them into containers gently which are about 10 cm deep. You should know that your onion seedlings will grow more rapidly if you provide them with sufficient space for their vertical root to grow unlike those that are confined to the shallower quarters. Even though containers that are made from milk carton bottoms or the large paper cups might not be as pretty as such, they are nevertheless the best you can use for holding lots of your adolescent onion seedlings.

  1. Trimming of the leaves

The seedling leaves will also need to be trimmed off after sometime. Once you have transplanted your seedlings, the onions shed off the seedling leaves and you should snip and remove it as a way of ensuring that your containers stay tidy. It is important you know that your onion seedlings are going to respond well to transplanting when they make a strong upright growth. You should keep this trimmed back to at least 12 cm high.

onion-341654_640

  1. Providing light is essential

For your onions to continue growing healthily and quickly, it is essential that you provide them with maximum light. Sunny days provide the best light to your onions and it is essential that you move your adolescent onions outdoors anytime there is warm sun. You will however need to shield them off from the wind and use plastic covered tunnels or a cold frame and they will truly love it.

  1. Protect from chilling

After sometime, you will need to be providing your onion seedlings with sunlight on 24/7 basis. At night, the temperatures should be over 8 degrees Celsius. Avoid exposing your onion seedlings to temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius as this can lead to the bolting of the onions instead of producing big bulbs.

  1. Use fertilizer/ rich compost

The roots of onion seedlings are mainly concentrated just blow their bulbs and this is something that you will need to keep in mind when you are preparing your planting bed. Here, it is a good idea that you make some deep planting trenches which you should line with composted organic fertilizer and rich compost. This technique is known as banding fertilizer and aims at placing the nutrients where the onions can utilize them in the best way possible.

leek-field-694211_1280

 

Keep in mind that onion seedlings are heavy feeders and besides the initial feeding that you provide at planting time, using fertilizer and side manure dressing is something that you should consider doing. Onions also need to be provided with adequate potassium otherwise their necks are going to thicken and their bulbs won’t be storing well. Ease up fertilizer and water to encourage dormancy as the onions continue maturing.

 

Pelleted Seeds Onion Bridger D2545PA (Yellow) 100 Seeds by David’s Garden Seeds

Botanical Interest – Onion Bunching Italian Red Heirloom Seeds 1 Gram

Organic Heirloom Seeds Non-gmo Non-hybrid

    

Most Common Genetically Modified foods to avoid eating

These days, the publicity and ever growing interest in the concept of ‘going green’ has enhanced awareness among the masses to environmental issues that surround global warming. GMOs or genetically modified organisms are yet another key environmental issue which seems to have disappeared in the thin shadows of late.

What are genetically modified foods?

GMOs is used in reference to the act of taking genes from some organisms like viruses, bacterial or animals and then inserting them in other unrelated species. Genetically modified foods are the food products that contain GMOs or are derived from it. According to proponents of these foods, the benefits that come from genetically modified foods are many especially when it comes to boosting agricultural production which in turn helps in the fight against world hunger.

Taking genetically modified foods comes with their share of danger and their safety for human consumption has been questioned by many. If you are trying to avoid genetically modified foods, which you should, here are the common foods that you should watch out for and avoid like plaque:

Corn

 

The modification of corn has made it possible for scientists to even succeed in making its own insecticide. It has now been declared that genetically modified corn has been made available for human consumption in incredible amount. In a recent research, mice that fed with the genetically modified corn in lab showed to have fertility problems and smaller off springs for those who were fortunate enough to be fertile. Corn will be used as an ingredient in a wide range of foods such as corn flour, corn oil, corn starch, syrups, corn sweeteners e.t.c. There are many other products containing derivatives of genetically modified corn like corn chips, vitamin C supplements and tomato sauces among others.

Cotton

Genetically modified cotton has been designed in a way that it is able to resist pesticides. The reason why cotton is considered to be food is because the oil derived from cotton can be consumed. In recent times, introduction of genetically modified cotton in the Chinese agricultural world has led to the production of a chemical that is capable of killing cotton bollworm and thus significantly reducing incidences of pests in the cotton crops themselves as well as in other fields as well. Unfortunately, thousands of farmers especially from India suffered very severe rashes when they became exposed to BT cotton.

Soy

The genetic modification of soy has been done in efforts of producing a plant that can resist herbicides. Common soy products that you should avoid include tofu, soy flour, soybean oil, soy beverages and a wide range of other products which include baked products, pastries and even edible oil as well. In a recent study, hamsters that were fed with genetically modified soy were not able to have off springs not to mention that they also recorded a very high mortality rate.

Rice

South East Asia boasts of having rice as its staple food but genetically modified rice is something that you should avoid from eating. Rice has been modified to contain high levels of vitamin A. It has even been reported recently that rice varieties will be grown that contain human genes and this rice will be creating  human proteins that are needed for dealing with cases of infant diarrhea especially in the third world countries. Genetically modified rice poses some very serious environmental and health problems especially due to the fact that it has a tendency of causing allergic reactions that can harm people.

Papaya

Genetically modified papaya is now virus resistant and is now available commercially in most parts of the world. On the same note like its rice and corn counterparts, this papaya poses some serious health risks.

Tomatoes

Due to the perishable nature of tomatoes, these fruits have now been genetically modified to lengthen their shelf life. As such, genetically modified tomatoes do not get rotten easily and are thus able to remain for long without being degraded. A recent test was conducted for determining how safe genetically modified tomatoes were. In the study, the animal subjects that consumed genetically modified tomatoes died some few weeks later thus raising serious concerns on the healthy safety of consuming these tomatoes.

Rapeseed

This crop made headlines in Canada where it was actually renamed to canola as a way of differentiating it from the non- edible rapeseed. There are many food stuffs available on the market today that contain rapeseed which you should avoid such as the likes of rapeseed oil pr canola oil used for processing margarine and cooking oil. Genetically modified rapeseed is also being used for production of honey as well and many products containing significant amounts of rapeseed have been found to have some not so good health effects.

Peas

Genetically modified peas have been found to be a cause of immune responses in the mice subjects and researchers have also said that the same could be possible in humans as well. A gene derived from the kidney beans was then inserted in the peas which created a protein with a similar functioning as a pesticide.

Potatoes

When mice were fed with genetically modified potatoes in a recent research, their system was found to have toxins thus raising the dangers that come with consumption of GM potatoes. The health risks posed by genetically modified potatoes are immense and this gives you all the reasons why you should avoid eating these potatoes.

Considering the many researches that have been done regarding genetically modified foods and the findings reported; it is no doubt that genetically modified foods pose very serious threats to our health. The adverse health effects of genetically modified foods means that it is wise that you avoid these foods as they can wreak havoc on your health. The introduction of genetically modified in the food supply has led to a serious increase in food allergies and chronic diseases. It is better to be safe than sorry and avoiding these genetically modified foods is certainly the way to go.

 

GMO TOXIC TABLE – An Introduction to the GMO FOOD Disaster – A Crime Against Humanity

Genetically Modified Foods vs. Sustainability

The World According to Monsanto

The Unhealthy Truth: One Mother’s Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America’s Food Supply– and What Every Family Can Do to Protect Itself

The Hundred-Year Lie: How to Protect Yourself from the Chemicals That Are Destroying Your Health