Apr 24, 2020

How to grow Coriander in balcony - The Indian way

Coriander is an aromatic herb used in cuisines to dress salads and adds a flavor to the dishes. Coriander is a popular herb used in daily Indian cooking from garnishing buttermilk to dressing Biriyani 's.

Garnishing with coriander leaves aids in digestion and prevents infections. Coriander is also rich in fiber, phosphorous, magnesium, vitamins. Coriander is used in a variety of dishes like Coriander chutney or hummus, Coriander rice, Coriander juice, coriander pulao.
How to grow coriander from seeds

Apr 23, 2020

How to make a DIY Miniature Terrarium at home - Easy Home Decor Project

Interested in experimenting with the plant caretaker in you but lack sufficient space at your home, then Terrariums are for you!!

Terrariums are fun to make and can spice the elements at your home. Then fit in almost anywhere from the Tabletop to the Dining table. You can also add your characteristics to the terrarium by creating a fairy theme or a garden theme.
Come on let's make. By the end of this blog, you will learn how to create your terrarium.

I created a mini-open Terrarium with a Tiger Balm 30g Jar. I have been saving this jar for some time now. And now it has been put to the right use.


Minature terrarium

Things you will need

  • Garden soil
  • Compost
  • Stones 
  • Plants 
  • Paper 
  • Glass Jar or container (Any glass or mason jar would do )

How to Make a Miniature version of a Terrarium

Step 1: Cover the bottom layer of the Jar with small stones or pebbles. I have used aquarium white stones in my project. Placing the stones would store the excess water in your terrarium (acts as drainage). And it protects your plants from rotting.
pebbles for terrarium

Step 2: Cut a small piece of paper or newspaper according to the size of your container and place it above the stones. This layer would obstruct the soil from entering the stones and create a more beautiful look.

Step 3: Add Garden soil to your terrarium.

Step 4: Add compost to the terrarium as it would add nutrition to the terrarium. I have not mixed the potting soil and the compost to create different layers in the terrarium. You can mix them if you like.
Fill up the Potting mix and compost to one-half of the jar.

Step 5: Add plants to your terrarium. I have added Sedum Angelia golden to the terrarium as it has shallow roots. I have not seen many growing Sedums in terrariums. It has now been almost 7 to 8 days since I set up this terrarium. I find no major issues and the plants look fresh and the plants have fixed themselves to the soil which is a good sign.
Minature terrarium
You can add any humid-loving plants like mosses and ferns. Take your time to research and add plants in your terrarium.
Well-known plants that work in the terrarium are Mosses, Ferns

Step 6: Add small pebbles to the top layer to create a beautiful look.
Try these terrariums they are simple and straightforward to make.

Also, check out the DIY planter project with a plastic bottle 

Happy Gardening

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Apr 20, 2020

Gardening terms every beginner must know


    Annuals

    Plants that complete their life cycle within one year (Plants start from seeds, produce seeds and die)

    Biennials 

    The plant that completes its life cycle in two years. Most of the biennials do not flower until the second year.

    Cover crop

    Cover crops are plants that are planted not to harvest but to manage soil erosion, soil fertility. These plants are grown to suppress weeds, control pests.
    Example: Growing clover fixes Nitrogen in the soil

    Crop rotation

    Growing different varieties of crops in different seasons to increase the yield, increase soil fertility, reduce soil erosion.
    Example: Crops can be rotated between corn (reduce the Nitrogen content in the soil) and Soybeans (Deposits Nitrogen in the soil)By this combination the contents, the nutrient value of the soil is replenished.

    Cuttings

    Plant cuttings are a part of the plant when grown in proper conditions (like moist soil) develops roots, leaves and begins to grow as an independent plant.

    Damping-off

    Caused by pathogens that kill or weaken the seedlings before or after they germinate. This condition is mostly due to the moist and wet conditions of the soil. To avoid damping-off do not overwater your seedlings.

    Deadheading

    Removing the dried out flowers (spent flowers) from your plants to encourage new growth is called Deadheading. The spent flowers are removed as they take a lot of energy from the plant. In other words, removing the flowers before they are turned into seeds.

    Deciduous
    Deciduous means falling off at maturity or shedding their leaves. Plants that shed their leaves at the end of the growing season.


    Direct sowing

    Growing the seeds directly in the garden or into the pots rather than growing them indoors is called Direct sowing.
    Examples: Seeds of Peas, Carrots can be directly sowed.

    Dormant

    Plants exhibit no growth or very little growth during the dormant period. It might look like the plant has dried out - probably the plant is in its dormant phase.

    Evergreen 

    Evergreen plants are those that remain green throughout the retain. These plants manage to retain their foliage even during the winter season.

    Frost hardy

    Plants that can survive frost are called as Frost hardy. These plants can survive in frost and snow.
    Example: Hedera Helix Ivy, Rosemary

    Hardwood cuttings

    Cuttings taken from deciduous plants to propagate and grow them into an independent plant. Evergreen plants can also be propagated from hardwood cuttings. The Hardwood cuttings are normally sturdy.

    Hardening off

    Exposing the plants or seedlings grown indoors to outdoors gradually is called as Harden off. This is very important as exposing the plants directly to the garden may create stress to the plant and die. If the plants are not hardened off they may die due to sudden shock of environmental factors such as bright sunlight, wind, rain.


    Herbaceous cuttings

    Cuttings taken from non-woody cuttings. The success rate of growing Herbaceous cutting is fairly high.
    Example: Coleus can be propagated through Herbaceous cuttings

    Indoor sowing or Undercover

    Sowing the seeds indoors in a protected environment is called as Indoor sowing. Sowing the seeds indoors has great benefits as they can be protected from various threats like sunlight, wind. The chances of the seedlings surviving indoors is high. After this process the seedlings are hardened off before planting them outdoors. This process is also termed as "Sow undercover".

    Invasive

    Plants that are dominant and aggressively spread into the whole area causing a negative effect.
    Example: Weeds (take up the entire nutrient content from the soil)

    Leggy

    An unhealthy plant that is tall with fewer leaves and flowers are termed as leggy plants. These plants look unhealthy and may be a result of low sunlight, space, nutrients.

    Mulch

    Mulch is material spread throughout the soil to retain soil moisture, fertility, suppressing weeds. Mulch can be made of grass clippings, compost, leaves.

    Native plants

    Plants that have evolved or developed naturally in a given geological area are called as Native plants. Native plants grow well in the native geological area. Though the concept of the native plants is a debatable topic as we may not know the validity of the plant is native or migrated.

    Node

    A node is a place where the leaves, flower, branches emerges. When propagating the cuttings the node is the point where the root emerges.

    Perennials

    Plants that live and bloom for more than two years are called Perennials. Example: Most of the trees come under Perennials

    Pollinators

    Pollinators are animals that cause fertilization in plants that causes the plants to make fruits or seeds. Birds or bees are attracted due to the sugar or honey present in the flowers. The transfer of pollen grain in the same plant and different species leads to fertilization.
    Example: Bees, Butterflies, Birds


    Pricking

    Seedlings grown in seed trays needs to move out as they need a larger space to grow a healthy root system. Pricking essentially means transplanting the plant without disturbing the roots and transferring them into a larger pot when the true set of leaves are grown.

    Pruning

    Removing the selective branches, twigs to give a definite structure to the plants and thereby encouraging the growth.
    Example: Pruning the dead branches or pruning the Jade to achieve a Bonsai.

    Repotting

    Potting the overgrown plant into a larger plant is called Repotting.

    Seedling

    A young tender plant sprouting from the seed is called as seedlings. Seedlings are generally grown undercover in seed trays and later are transplanted outdoors.
    Self seedling

    Semi ripe cuttings

    Cuttings obtained from partially mature wood after the growing season. The cuttings are reasonably sturdy.

    Softwood cuttings

    Cuttings are taken when they are still tender and soft as they have not matured yet. These cuttings are not sturdy and can be easily bent.

    Transplanting

    Moving the plants from one location to another is called Transplanting.
    Example: Seedlings are transplanted from seed trays to a pot

    True leaves
    True leaves are formed after the development of cotyledons(first set of leaves) These look like the mini version of mature leaves.

    Happy Gardening!

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    Apr 7, 2020

    Incredible Gardening ideas during Lockdown


    The Corona pandemic has created an imbalance and tension in the society. Let's hope for a better tomorrow and create a positive vibe everywhere.

    We are spending most of the time at our home, why not utilize it for a better tomorrow?
    Here I am starting to share a few easy plant projects you can start at your apartment, indoor or outdoor garden with all the vegetable scraps available at home. This is not just a mere entertaining activity like watching Netflix or Prime but putting our efforts into something more productive.

      1)Make Compost Bins for your Home

      The artistry of making compost at home has amazed me. I intended to give it a start as the vegetable waste getting piled up in my kitchen bin was huge. This would give me nutritious compost to my plants for free. We are establishing a tiny step to bring in a healthy environment.

      The process is quite easy to understand 75% kitchen waste and 25% dry waste goes into the compost along with garden soil and 2 handfuls of compost to initiate the microbial action.3 spoonful of curd or buttermilk can also be added to speed up the process. But mastering the process requires time and getting the Green Brown proportion right.

      Compost Bin ideas

      2)Start Preparing seeds for your Garden

      This is the right time to prepare your seeds for sowing. Readily available seeds from the market can be used or you can collect seeds from the fresh vegetables and give it a try. This is a great time for Vegetable Garden hobbyist this is a great time to your Indoor or Apartment Vegetable Garden.
      Seedlings can be grown in a seedling tray or any available plastic containers. Another great idea is to start seeds in a tissue paper eg: Tomato seeds, chili pepper seeds easily grow in tissue papers.
      start prepare your seedlings
      The below mentioned are best to start in April.
      • Spring onion
      • Bell pepper
      • Tomatoes
      • Eggplant

      3)Growing Herbs in your Kitchen counter

      Herbs like coriander, mint, Spring onion used in daily cooking can be a great addition to your Kitchen Garden. Herbs can be a great start for beginners as growing them would not be tedious.

      Growing herbs in Kitchen counter

              1. Cilantro/Coriander

      Coriander is the annual herb used in cooking. Mostly used parts are fresh leaves and coriander seeds. Cilantro plays a major role in Indian cooking. It is also known as a good appetizer.

      How to Grow

      Crush the coriander seeds mildly using a motor and pestle or any hammer-like object. The outer layer of the seeds is thick and breaking them can help the seeds sprout faster.
      Once the leaves are crushed place them in a container leaving and cover with soil partially.
      The cotyledons or the first leaves would come along in a few days.

      Please find the entire guide to grow Cilantro faster here

      If by any chance the above process doesn't seem to work, try soaking the coriander seeds in water for one to two hours.

              2. Mint

      Mint or commonly called as Pudina in India is an important element known for its flavor and aids in digestion. Mint can be easily propagated from cuttings.
      Take few stout stalks of mint and remove the bottom-most leaves. Stick the mint into the soil ensure there are at least 2 to 3 nodes.
      .

      Grow Pudina,Mint at home

      You can also scan the entire guide to Grow and Care Pudina here

              3. Microgreens

      Microgreens are greens packed with nutrients used to dress salads, toppings. The microgreens can be easily grown indoors all year long or hydroponically. The best thing about growing Microgreens is you need not wait for months to harvest. It can be harvested within a span of two to three weeks after establishing.
      Microgreens can be harvested once they have grown a few inches developing true leaves.
      Grow Microgreens


      Happy Gardening!

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