Claude Thompson – Page 55

Gardening expert shares 95p household item ‘better’ for killing weeds than pulling | Express.co.uk

Chloe Dobinson, Lifestyle Reporter

12:00, Tue, Apr 30, 2024 | UPDATED: 12:00, Tue, Apr 30, 2024

It is time to get out into the garden again (Image: Getty)

It is that time of year again when spring is here and start to get ready for gardening outdoors.

While for many of us, it is a joy to do there are a few pesky jobs that we would rather avoid doing. One of those tasks is getting rid of weeds.

However, one woman has shared their gardening advice for getting rid of the weeds without having to dig them out by hand.

Even better it only costs 95p and may already be a household item that you already own.

Suzie Briggs posted on the Facebook page Gardening Hints and Tips and said: “I’ve seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing.

Even better it is a household item that we all own (Image: Getty)

“I have a gravel covered drive and can’t seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths.

“Would they work on the drive or is there something better?

“There are no other plants in the vicinity and it’s not like I would be planting anything on the drive in future.”

Gardening tips: Four homemade hacks to kill garden weeds

Gardening enthusiasts took to the page to share their own advice with one ingredient being another great way of getting rid of weeds. While many have been raving about the use of white vinegar it seems like washing powder is the solution.

One person wrote: “I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water.”

Another commented: “I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me.”

A third said: “Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly.”

How does washing powder kill weeds?

It turns out that one of the main ingredients in washing powder is boron. This is a toxic chemical to plants which can cause them to wither and die, according to Ideal Home.

The chemicals in the washing powder strip the weeds of the natural oils which helps protect the leaves of the plant.

As soon as the protective coating is damaged, the weeds are more likely to come under threat against boron and kill them off instantly.

Will you be the washing powder method a go?

Best Summer Loving Vegetable Plants for Your Kitchen Garden

As the scorching heat of summer sets in, many gardeners find themselves struggling to maintain a healthy vegetable garden. However, there’s no need to despair. By selecting the right plants, you can ensure a bountiful harvest even during the hottest months of the year. Here are seven heat-tolerant vegetable plants that thrive in high temperatures and even flourish in hot conditions:

1. Okra:

Okra, also known as Lady Finger or Bhindi, is a favorite in many summer gardens because of its ability to flourish in warm and humid weather. This heat-loving plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Okra’s big leaves and sturdy stems let it to withstand the summer’s heat without withering. Plus, any garden is made more beautiful by its vivid yellow blooms.

It grows best in enriched soil with a pH of 6.5-7, spaced 7-8 inches apart, and requires 5-6 hours of sunlight daily. Regular morning watering is key, with the first harvest typically ready 45-50 days after planting. For detailed guidance, a comprehensive growing manual awaits aspiring Okra gardeners.

Okra plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil (Photo Source: Pexels)

2. Tomato:

Tomatoes thrive under the warmth of the sun, making them an excellent addition to any garden. In fact, tomatoes require plenty of sunlight to produce sweet and juicy fruits. For best results, choose heat-tolerant tomato varieties like “Vaishali” and “Sun Gold”. Cherry tomatoes stand out due to their exceptional heat tolerance for a successful harvest during the summer months, make sure to provide adequate water and support for your plants.

For successful tomato growth at home, ensure the soil pH is 6-6.8, space seeds 3-4 inches apart, provide 5-6 hours of sunlight daily, water minimally during germination, and increase water as plants grow. Expect the first harvest 65-70 days after transplanting, which typically occurs 6-8 weeks after indoor sowing.

Cherry tomatoes, due to their exceptional heat tolerance, are harvested during the summer months. (Photo Source: Pixabay)

3. Ginger:

Adding ginger to your vegetable garden brings both culinary delight and health benefits. Thriving in warm weather, ginger prefers well-drained, loamy soil with indirect sunlight. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Harvest ginger rhizomes selectively approximately 8-10 months after planting. With proper care, ginger enhances garden diversity and provides fresh spice for culinary and medicinal use.

Ginger enhances garden diversity and provides fresh spice for culinary and medicinal use. (Photo Source: Pixabay)

4. Yard Long Beans:

Yard long beans, also known as asparagus beans or snake beans, are a heat-loving alternative to traditional bush beans. Rich in protein, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A, these slim pods not only facilitate weight loss but also possess properties that restrain the increase of cancer cells in the body.

These quick-growing vines grow up to 18-inch-long. For successful growth, yard long beans require optimal conditions: well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, direct sunlight for 5 to 6 hours daily, adequate watering, and harvest the beans regularly to encourage continuous production.

Yard long beans, also known as asparagus beans or snake beans, are a heat-loving plants.

5. Basil:

Basil is not just a cooking herb; it’s also heat-tolerant plant and perfect for cultivation at home during hot months. With its fragrant leaves and soft flowers, basil adds flavor and aroma to summer dishes.

To ensure a successful basil harvest at home, remember to provide optimal growing conditions. This includes planting basil in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained loamy soil with a slightly acidic pH, spacing seeds appropriately, maintaining soil moisture, and harvesting the leaves approximately 30-35 days after sowing. Pinch off the flower buds to encourage healthiergrowth and prolong the harvest. Regular harvesting will also prevent the plants from becoming woody.

Basil, heat-tolerant plant and perfect for cultivation at home during hot months.(Photo Source: Pexels)

6. Brinjals (Eggplant):

Brinjals, or eggplants, thrive in hot climates and can withstand temperatures above 75°F (24°C), making them an excellent addition to your home garden during the summer months. Besides their culinary uses, incorporating eggplants into your garden can offer health benefits. These benefits include reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

To grow brinjals at home successfully, remember these key points: These heat-loving vegetables require full sun and well-drained soil to flourish. Varieties like “Black Beauty” are particularly well-suited for summer cultivation. Regular watering and mulching can help conserve moisture and keep the plants healthy during hot spells.

Incorporating eggplants into your garden can offer health benefits. (Photo Source: Unsplash)

7.Chillies (Peppers):

Whether you prefer sweet bell peppers or spicy chili peppers, you’re in luck – both types thrive in hot weather. Not only do they add depth to our dishes, but they also elevate them to new levels of deliciousness. You can improve your culinary experience by growing heat-tolerant chili plants at home, providing freshness to every dish.

Growing chillies at home requires attention to soil conditions, sunlight exposure, germination, transplantation, and watering. Peppers require plenty of sunlight and warmth to produce fruits. Choose varieties suited to your taste and heat preference. Mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Sweet bell peppers or spicy chili peppers, both types thrive in hot weather. (Photo Source: Pexels)

8. Amaranthus:

Amaranthus, also known as amaranth or callaloo, is a nutritious leafy green that thrives in hot, sunny conditions. It is an excellent choice for individuals adhering to a gluten-free diet due to its high protein content and easy digestibility. This heat-tolerant plant is not only edible but also decorative, with its vibrant leaves and striking flowers.

To grow Amaranthus at home successfully, remember these key points: Plant amaranthus in a sunny spot with fertile soil, and water regularly to keep the plants hydrated. Harvest the tender young leaves for use in salads, stir-fries, or soups.

With the right selection of heat-tolerant vegetable plants, you can enjoy a productive garden even during the hottest months of the year. Whether you’re growing okra, tomatoes, brinjals, basil, chillies, yard long beans, or amaranthus, be sure to provide ample sunlight, water, and care to ensure a successful harvest. With a little effort and attention, your summer garden can thrive despite the heat. Happy gardening!

First published on: 30 Apr 2024, 14:38 IST

Source: krishijagran.com

April 30, 2024

–

Barslund Judd<juddbars@msu.edu> & Lindsey Kerr<kerrlind@msu.edu>, MSU Extension. Original version (2012) by Joy Landis, MSU Integrated Pest Management Program (retired).

Did you know that you can create a beautiful landscape in your yard with plants that are well adapted to your soil and climate? By carefully selecting plants that are native to Michigan, you can:

Grow thrifty plants adapted to use available rainfall.
Rebuild the soil in your garden.
Filter runoff before it reaches local waterways.
Create habitat for local wildlife.
Enjoy a beautiful, resilient landscape.
Save time, energy, and money.

Bee on Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower). Photo: Lindsey K. Kerr, MSU Extension

Getting Smart Around Your Home

Home landscaping and flower garden designs can easily include native grasses and sedges, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and trees. (Perennials are plants that come back every year.) Native plants offer home gardeners a variety of sizes, flower colors, and bloom times. Native ground covers can be ideal choices if you want to cut back on the amount of turf in your yard.

A blended native and non-native garden planting that is designed to provide wildlife habitat. Photo: Lindsey K. Kerr, MSU Extension

If you’re not sure where to start with selecting native plants, visit the “Getting Started” page on MSU Extension’s Native Plants and Ecosystem Services site (nativeplants.msu.edu). The “Plant Facts” section of the website includes profiles with pictures and notes from MSU researchers about how attractive the plant is to pollinators and to natural enemies that help control pests.

Then explore the Regional Plant Lists for native plant recommendations specific to Michigan’s southern Lower Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula, and Upper Peninsula.

Each regional list includes handy tables for:

Wildflowers
Ferns
Trees, shrubs, and vines
Grasses, sedges, and rushes

The tables cover the native plants’ common and scientific name, flower color, average height, sun needs, and moisture needs.

Before you plant anything in your garden or landscape, MSU Extension recommends that you have the soil in the area you want to plant tested, then repeat the soil test every three years. See the MSU Soil Test page (https://homesoiltest.msu.edu/) for information on how to have your soil tested.

With your soil test results in hand, plant suppliers can help you choose plants that are the best fit for your garden conditions. Many nurseries feature native plants in their inventory. Some plant producers specialize in seeds and plants that are grown in Michigan and are Michigan genotypes.

A tiger swallowtail butterfly feeds on nectar from native plants. Photo: Mark Bugnaski Photography & the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership

What Is a Plant Genotype?

Generally speaking, an organism’s genotype is its individual genetic makeup. When gardeners and landscapers use the term plant genotype, they are referring to a highly localized population of plants that are specific to an area and may have genetic characteristics that make them well suited to a particular setting. Local plant genotypes are more likely to survive and thrive than plant genotypes imported from a different region. For example, a red maple (Acer rubrum) seedling from a Florida nursery may grow well if transplanted to a yard in Florida, but may not do well if it is transplanted to a yard in Michigan.

Using Native Plants to Support Wildlife

If you have a soft spot for wildlife—and many of us in Michigan do—choose plants for your landscape that appeal to the insects, birds, and other wildlife you want to help support. Planting native plants in your landscape provides food for the wildlife species that are part of the local food web.

For example, in the spring, many adult birds feed their nestlings insects. By the fall, the young adults will be eating seeds and berries. Leaving seeds and stems standing in your garden over the winter will provide an inviting habitat for birds—not to mention for native bees, pollinators, other insects, and other invertebrates.

Remember that applying any pesticide, including organic products, can harm wildlife populations. Insecticides can kill bees, beneficial insects, and other pollinators. The risk is increased when plants are in bloom.

To learn more about supporting pollinators, visit the Michigan Pollinator Initiative (pollinators.msu.edu) or the MSU Extension Pollinators and Pollination page (www.canr.msu.edu/pollination).

Native plants blooming along a lakeshore. Photo: Mark Bugnaski Photography & the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership

Smart Gardening for Shorelands

According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the state has over 36,000 miles of streams and more than 11,000 lakes and ponds. It’s important to remember that our storm drains, streets, and waterways are all interconnected and that runoff from streets and storm drains can pollute waterways.

Even if you don’t live on or close to a body of water, using native plants can reduce erosion and runoff while providing habitat for birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and other wildlife.

For information about suitable plantings near and along bodies of water, visit the MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams (https://www.canr.msu.edu/cls).

For more information on a wide variety of Smart Gardening articles, visit www.migarden.msu.edu or call the MSU Extension Lawn & Garden hotline at 888-678-3464.

This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2021-70006-35450] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.

Source: canr.msu.edu

”If you are a person who is more affluent and can afford these services yourself, we are happy to come consult with you if you are unsure where to start when it comes to putting your garden in. However, we are focused and prioritized under-resourced households, ” said Danielle Strom – the founder of Blocks in Bloom Corning.

Source: weny.com

Vertical farms look hi-tech and sophisticated, but the premise is simple – plants are grown without soil, with their roots in a solution containing nutrients. This innovative approach to agriculture is growing in global market value and expected to reach US$23.23 billion (£18.55 billion) by 2029.

Typically, this soilless cultivation happens in huge greenhouses or warehouses, with plants stacked high on rows and rows of shelves. Parameters such as lighting, temperature and humidity can be controlled by computer systems, so vertical farming is sometimes called controlled environment agriculture.

There are three types of vertical farming. In hydroponics, plant roots are held in a liquid nutrient solution. In aeroponics, roots are exposed to the air and a nutrient-rich mist or spray is applied to the roots. In aquaponics, nutrients from fish farm waste replace some or all of the chemical fertilisers being delivered to plants through hydroponics.

There’s huge scope to produce a lot of food using these methods of cultivation but there are four key myths about vertical farming that need to be dispelled:

1. Vertical farms will dominate

Some people may worry that vertical farming puts traditional field cultivation at risk, but this could not be further from the truth. At present, it’s only profitable for a limited range of small, fast-growing and high-value plants such as lettuce and leafy greens to be grown in this way.

Vertical farming costs are expected to fall due to economies of scale and standardisation of processes, so a wider range of crops could be grown. But there is an ethical issue to consider: just because something can be grown in this way doesn’t mean it should be. Vertical farming of grain crops, such as wheat, is technically possible but requires so much energy that it’s not cost effective.

Whilst vertical farming uses land efficiently – through stacking, it fits in more crops per unit area – it cannot compete with the sheer scale of food production required globally. It’s a complementary mode of food production, which can increase food production and resilience within UK supply chains. Growing more lettuce on vertical farms reduces the need to import salads from abroad, cuts food miles and decreases reliance on overseas field production which may be vulnerable to droughts.

Currently, only a small range of crops are grown in vertical farms, including microherbs and salad leaves.
CC7/Shutterstock

Vertical farms can support traditional agriculture by providing space to develop new crop varieties or grow the nursery phase of young trees and crops which are later planted out into fields. By freeing up substantial areas of land, vertical farming offers space for other food production, bioenergy plans or reforestation and restoration of ecosystems. It can enhance conventional farming, but won’t ever totally replace it.

2. Vertical farming will feed everyone

Although this is a nice idea, it’s not currently a reality. Most vertically grown crops are sold at a premium. Simple economics means that because the product costs more to make, it must be sold for a higher price. Vertical farms have high capital expenditure because of the infrastructure required: climate-controlled growth rooms, soilless systems, lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation. They are energy intensive, even if run on renewables such as solar. Their operational expenditure is also high because of the energy costs of running the systems and because more highly skilled workers are needed.

Some researchers suggest that city-based vertical farms can help address nutritional food deserts. This could be true, as they produce food close to consumers, but to scale this up, costs must come down. The innovative Robin Hood business model – charging wealthier people more and giving discounts to less fortunate people for the same product – could provide equitable access to everyone in urban areas.

3. Vertical farming isn’t sustainable

This argument typically derives from the fact that vertical farms require electricity to run. They do, but a decarbonised grid running on 100% renewables makes this point moot. Many commercial vertical farms already source their electricity from renewable energy providers. Conventional field production of crops also has associated emissions, through the use of diesel tractors and so on.

In some ways vertical farming can be more sustainable than field production. It is a closed-loop recirculating system which means water and fertiliser is reused many times. There is no effluent run off into the environment, unlike farming – whereby if it rains, any excess agricultural chemicals run off the crops and end up in the soil, groundwater or rivers.

Many of the UK’s leafy greens are currently grown abroad in water-stressed areas and they require irrigation that exacerbates any water shortages. Field agriculture uses vast amounts of herbicides (weedkillers) and pesticides (chemicals that kill insect pests). The controlled environment of vertical farms reduces or eliminates the need for these synthetic chemicals. If pests become an issue in vertical farms, natural predators such as ladybirds can be introduced to kill aphids.

4. Vertical farming isn’t natural

Naturalness is subjective. Vertical farming essentially uses technology to mimic process and environments that exist in nature. It does not manipulate or defy natural processes.

Vertical farming hinges on cultivating plants without soil.
SukjaiStock/Shutterstock

In field cultivation, crops grow in soil and use the Sun for photosynthesis. They access nutrients from both the soil and fertilisers. In vertical farming, LED lights mimic sunlight, and can even be programmed to improve light ratios and help the plants grow faster with higher levels of nutrition. The fertilisers used are composed of the exact same elements as those used in the field.

Vertical farming won’t save the world or feed the poor. But it is a complementary method of producing food closer to end users, with more control and a higher land use efficiency. It can build systemic resilience within our food system because vertical farm yields won’t be vulnerable to extreme weather events due to climate change. It can enhance local food security that might otherwise be at risk from increased political unrest abroad.

Vertical farming is currently limited in the crops that it can produce economically, but by incorporating these technologies into the transition to more regenerative and nature-based farming practices, it could have wider environmental benefits.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 30,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

Source: theconversation.com

“There may be plenty of empty greenhouses, but you can’t just start anywhere at the end of another grower’s lane.” That’s what Jim Smits from Moestuin Westland, one of the companies offering vegetable gardens under glass in Westland, told AD. The initiative in an old half-hectare greenhouse in ‘s-Gravenzande started last summer.

In the newspaper, Jim points out that good accessibility is important, as well as parking facilities, and it’s very convenient that the greenhouse is located next to Carlton Garden Center. They have ‘all the plants you need’.

Jim, who had been toying with the idea for a while, follows a grower who has retired. Moestuin Westland is one of six locations in Westland where glasshouse vegetable gardeners can go. Moestuin Eigen Spijs was the first in 2019. The concept is also catching on outside the region, with projects in Almere, Houten, Horst, and Dalfsen, among others.

The local political party Westland Verstandig applauds the idea. The party has submitted a motion calling for a ‘generous policy’ on a temporary exemption from a horticultural destination for the use of greenhouses as vegetable gardens. This motion will be discussed next month.

Westland Verstandig has also recently repeatedly called for an investigation into the status of the greenhouses in Westland. Is all the (outdated) acreage really still needed, the party of Peter Duijsens wonders.

A glimpse inside the greenhouse at Moestuin Westland

Source: hortidaily.com