Thursday, November 26, 2009
Herb Garden Plants - Coriander, Silantro or Dhania - Schizophrenia reigns
Appearance:
These entire herb garden plants make a decorative addition to any herb border - they may also be cultivated in pots quite successfully and will reach a height of 45 cms (1.5 ft). The lower leaves are fan-like (similar to flat-leafed parsley), upper leaves are filigreed and the tiny flowers in high summer are a pinkish mauve.
Description:
Coriander has developed into 2 distinct categories - the seeds and the leaves. Despite the seeds being cultivated and used for over 3000 years, the leaves were virtually unknown in the West as a culinary entity up until the mid 20th century; coriander leaves are now reputed to be in the top 5 most popular herbs worldwide. Once seldom listed as herb garden plants in information brochures, fresh coriander has come into it's own at last.
Known variously as silantro (or cilantro), coriander or dhania - depending on your country of residence - the leaves of coriander have taken the world by storm. Before the seed ripens these herb garden plants can be distinctly odorous, but on maturity the rich aroma develops.
Usage:
For the best flavour, seed should be freshly ground shortly before use. In Indian cooking the seed is roasted before being ground for use and the leaves are used either in a curry or as a garnish - or even both. Seeds are often added to a potpourri mix.
History:
The rounded beige seeds of coriander are best known as a flavouring for pickles and curries in both Europe and America. But in India and the Far East green coriander seed - or the fresh foliage - accounts for one of the distinctive curry flavours. The foliage part of these herbgarden plants is happily becoming a must-have item in western supermarkets.
A native of southern Europe and the Middle East, coriander used to be popular herb garden plants in England up to Tudor times. The early settlers in America included coriander seed among the beloved items they took to the New World, as did the Spaniards in Mexico. Today, coriander enjoys a wide popularity. However, among certain groups it still has mythical associations - the Chinese believe it to be endowed with the power of immortality and Jews include it in the bitter herbs prepared for the Feast of Passover.
Cultivation:
Coriander grows best in a dry atmosphere - in fact it is difficult to grow in damp or humid areas, and needs a good dry summer at the very least if a reasonable crop is to be obtained. Choose a sunny place and sow seed in situ once all danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, sow into decorative containers and continue to cultivate as a container plant on an apartment balcony, sunny patio or yard. The stems are weak - either add a stake or give it a companion to lean against. Coriander makes a good Winter crop, depending on local climate. Where I live, a dry warm Winter gives good results and we indulge in many hot curries with coriander garnishing.
Harvesting:
Sprigs can be frozen or preserved in salt and oil; fresh leaf coriander does not dry successfully. The best flavour is obtained by using leaves soon after picking.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Herb Garden Plants - Basil, Sweet Basil
Appearance:
Sweet basil herb garden plants bear tiny, white, purple-tinged flowers in midsummer and produce juicy aromatic leaves. A healthy plant reaches about 30 cms (1 ft) in height with good foliage. 'Dark Opal' has a gingery aroma, and when used shredded in salads adds a decorative air and exotic flavor.
Description:
Tender herb garden plants, several types are in cultivation. The large leaved, common or sweet basil, Ocimum barilicum, is the plant to choose for the kitchen with its strong, spicy, clove-like aroma. Dwarf or bush basil, O. mimimum, is hardier but has a weaker flavor.
Usage:
Companion plant to tomatoes, peppers and squashes and essential in a classic Italian tomato sauce accompanying pasta.
History:
An ancient plant from the Pacific Islands which reached England via Asia and Europe in the sixteenth century, and was taken by early settlers to America as essential herb garden plants.
Cultivation:
In zones with a cold winter, sow basil in early to mid-spring in boxes or in frames, or later out of doors after all danger of frost has passed. Start the seedlings off in an environment with good protection and temperature until they can be hardened off and planted out safely.
In warmer zones, sow directly into beds - thereafter thin out to about 20 cms (8 ins) apart or transplant. Basil seedlings transplant easily. A plant can be potted up and kept indoors to maintain a fresh supply of leaves until late fall, or be grown indoors in a spot affording at least five hours of sunshine daily. Good patio or window-box herb garden plants which enjoy a sunny outdoor environment.
Do not plant near Rue, Basil and Rue seem to repel one another.
Other uses:
As a fixative in potpourri's, used in bowls or bunches to repel insects indoors. (Bruise leaves occasionally ) Basil is both an antiseptic and tonic as well as being beneficial when rubbed on the temple for a headache.
Harvesting:
Leaves are best picked young. Mine seem to do better the more often I pick leaves off. Because I employ rotational planting I have fresh leaves from late spring to late autumn (fall) - and we use plenty. Bush basil can be kept in a pot in the kitchen for gathering almost at will. Although not quite as flavorful, it is still wonderfully aromatic.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Herb Garden Plants - Dill
Appearance:
Most herb garden information texts describe dill as being herb garden plants with plumes of finely cut blue-green leaves and lemon yellow flowers with flattish heads in mid summer. Although this varies slightly from plant to plant, this is an accurate enough description for dill as a whole. It grows to about 90 cms (3 ft) in height.
Usage:
Leaves and seeds both contain a mild sedative, although the flavours are dissimilar. Dill water was a remedy for squalling babies 100 years ago and dill is the sweet tasting ingredient in gripe water. Its primary culinary use is as an addition to pickled cucumbers and gherkins - known in America as dill pickles. Dill vinegar is another popular condiment, made by soaking half a cup of dill seed in a litre of malt vinegar for three to four hours, then straining off the liquid and bottling.
History:
A native of the Mediterranean countries and Russia.
Cultivation:
These rather delicate herb garden plants have hollow stalks which become top heavy in bloom and may be knocked over by strong wind, making it best to find a sheltered spot for dill cultivation. Sow seeds in a sunny spot, thin seedlings out to 20 cms (8 ins) apart. Grow in place if possible as dill will often bolt into flower prematurely when transplanted. Current herb garden information says to sow dill in Spring when the ground warms up and follow with staggered sowings fortnightly throughout the summer to ensure a regular supply of fresh leaves. Where winters are very mild seed can be sown in the autumn (fall) to overwinter and provide a good early crop the following spring. Don't sow near fennel - the two plants tend to cross-pollinate and the resultant seeds lose flavour. The wispy foliage may be cut about 6 to 7 weeks after sowing and the seed collected when fully ripe.
Harvesting:
To get the richest flavour from these herb garden plants, harvest the leaves just before the plant flowers. Small sprigs wrapped in foil and sealed will keep for several weeks in the freezer. Alternatively, chop the leaves, add a little water and freeze in ice cubes.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Irrigating your Backyard Vineyard
Typical average rainfall where I live (Auburn, CA) is about 30 inches per year. For the average backyard vineyard, that is all the water needed. Does that mean you don’t need to water in addition to the rainfall? Well, yes it is pretty much just that. If the owners of home vineyards have a common fault, it is over watering. Each vine needs roughly 100 gallons of water each year. Here is how the math works out. I have 100 vines in an area of approximately 5000 Sq. Ft. or 720,000 Sq. Inches. The formula is: Area in Sq. In. X rainfall in inches = cubic inches. Cubic inches / 231 (cubic inches per gallon) = gallons. So… 720,000 X 30 = 21,600,000 / 231 = 93,506 gallons for the entire 5000 Sq. Ft. If we then divide the 93,506 by the 100 vines we get 935. THAT IS 935 GALLONS OF WATER PER VINE! If each vine only needs about 100 gallons to survive, why do we ever need to irrigate? If you don’t want to do the math you can go to: http://www.virtualsecrets.com/annual-rainfall-water-calculator.html and use their calculator.
Let’s try to pin this down a bit. Obviously, each vine will not benefit equally from all rainfall, let’s just look at an area around each vine that is equal to 5 feet by 5 feet. We will assume this is the area from which each vine will benefit from rainwater. So that is 25 sq. ft. per vine. Since we know at 30 inches of rainfall annually each foot will get 18.6 gallons of rainwater. That is then 465 gallons per vine. If the annual rainfall were to fall substantially below the average, we would still be in pretty good shape, water wise.
So, why do we water at all? Well, some people don’t, and often have very favorable results as far as the crop is concerned. I do irrigate some. Let me explain. The first thing to be recognized is that watering is for the vines, not for the fruit. Let me say that again because it’s very important. Watering is for the vines, not for the fruit. If fact, watering with fruit on the vines can at times be detrimental to the fruit. Should you irrigate heavily after veraison it can pump the berries full of water lessening their quality and possibly splitting the berries.
Because Auburn is so hot in the summer, I do irrigate to be sure the vines have enough water. When irrigating, you must "deep water" and only do it infrequently. Watering small amounts and frequently will cause the root system to stay a lot closer to the surface that you want it. Roots need to be trained to reach very deep for water.
I water once when the temperature has reached 100 degrees and stayed at 100 degrees or more for three days. I put 20 gallons centered between the vines over a 10-hour period. I look to do this again just prior to veraison. Then NO MORE water until after harvest. Within just a few days after harvest you need to again give the vines a good drink of water. I use the same method I described above. Now my vines will get no more water until Mother Nature takes over in the late fall or winter.
You need to consider and make small adjustments for any slopes you may have and your type of soil (absorbency). Stay somewhere close to this watering routine and schedule and you should be very pleased with the quality of your harvest, and resultant wine
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tips On Choosing Your Shed By Tony Shaw
After making the choice to purchase a building, it is important to consider shed plans. These plans are specifically for determining what features and layouts you will want in your new building. There are a variety of options to select from to customize your structure to fit your specific needs and activities. Do you want a cozy cottage look or an industrial all purpose look to the building? Do you want a single floor or multi-floor structure? What type of foundation do you want to use? These are some of the questions that need to be answered when determining what shed plans are best for you.
Many companies offer display models of their buildings with design options available. Whether you plan to store lawn mowers, bicycles or antiques in the structures it is nice to have one that is tailored to your specific tastes and needs. These buildings will be around for a very long time! When purchasing a pre-built building be sure to ask the company about the shed plans that are available for the particular model that has been selected.
Other uses for designs are to build from scratch structures for the yard. These too can be for storing tools, equipment or even extra furniture. Other people choose to make the buildings into workshops or one room residential rentals. There are literally hundreds of designs to select from when building from scratch or from a kit to tailor to your specific desires.
Some shed plans design the building to look like a cottage, small log building or even playhouse for the kids. You can select the square footage, roofing material, structure material, door style, window options, flower box attachments and even a small porch or deck for the building! There are some designs with over hangs and even a fireplace feature. There are small buildings, two-story buildings and split level structures. When selecting a design have in mind the purpose and function of the building.
Selecting shed plans does not have to destroy your budget. There are many different plans available to cater to your needs that are affordable. Some companies offer free designs or even custom design a structure for you if you purchase the building material and supplies from them. Check with your supply dealer and find out if this an option for your area. It saves a great deal of money and time. Creative builders can purchase several designs and combine features to create a completely unique building for their needs.
Shed plans are important to custom designing and tailoring your building structures and features to your needs. If you are pre-purchasing a building the company may have variations of the model for you to select from. For those building their sheds remember the function of the shed and landscaping design where the building will be placed in choosing the right shed plans.
BuyaShed specialize in sheds garages, carports, farm sheds, garden sheds, storage sheds, workshops and much more and we deliver FREE to 100 local depots Australia wide.
Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=161521&ca=Gardening
Monday, November 2, 2009
Relaxing In A Houston Hammock By Ann Marier
There are many ways that you might choose to relax at your home. We all know that relaxing is an important part of getting through our lives in a sane manner. You have to have some time every day to relax, and having a Houston hammock on your property is a great way to do so.
Benefits
There are many benefits to having a Houston hammock at your home. First of all, they are extremely easy to set up and to use. You can tie them around just about anything, and if you don’t have trees, you can buy a base for your Houston hammock to hang it from.
This means that no matter what your yard looks like, you can install and use a Houston hammock. They are great for relaxing in, because they are made in a patented way that means easier in and outs for you.
You can find yourself much more easily able to climb in and out of the hammock, and the way that the Houston hammock makes it much harder for you to fall out of the hammock itself. This means that not only are you going to be better able to enjoy your Houston hammock, it is also going to be much safer for your family.
There are many other benefits to having a Houston hammock. First of all, if you don’t have room in your home or in your yard for a full fledged hammock, the Houston hammocks come in different sizes. You can also get a hammock chair or other kinds of Houston hammocks so that you can use your hammock just about anywhere you are able to enjoy it.
Remember that just by having a hammock, you are going to get the chance to be even more relaxed and at peace with your world. Try to use your hammock a little bit each day, and allow yourself the luxury of being able to shut off the world, if even just for a few minutes. It is a great way to unwind.
This is a most fantastic part of being able to have your own home and reap the benefits of having your own yard. You can put a hammock into it and be fully able to enjoy what you have in your own yard. A Houston hammock is a great way to be able to enjoy your own space.
Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=161327&ca=Gardening
Play Sets Can Sell Your Home
Who doesn't remember the hours we spent as a child flying high on swings, hanging from monkey bars, zooming down a slide or digging through a sandbox. For families with young children, having a play set in the back yard will not only keep the kids within sight, but will be the perfect meeting place for their friends.
With so many options on the market for designing and building a playground area, parents must be diligent about looking for hazards. In recent years, the media was filled with stories about toys and play sets made in China that had lead paint finishes. Thankfully, those products were pulled from the store shelves. So what is the best way to keep kids occupied, other than painting windows on a cardboard box (which is good for several hours of temporary distraction)?
Play sets will vary depending on the size of the yards, but whether it is a single swing, a deluxe fort or a zip line from tall trees, there is something for everyone.
Ready-made kits:
There are numerous kits available through every department store or home improvement retailer in the country. Online purchases also offer a wide variety of units with add-on features to please any pint-sized outdoor adventurer. These are primarily do-it-yourself projects to assemble, but with all of the additional features available, the sky's the limit when it comes to having the best back yard on the block.
Modern options include:
Fort modules: two-storey structures can have a built-in sandbox below the upper fort area. Slides, ladders and stairs make easy entry and exits.
Rock walls: rock climbing centers have been a huge hit with kids of all ages for years. From vertical ladders to handholds that can be attached to walls, the options are endless.
Crawl tubes: these connectors allow children to crawl from one deck to another with multiple structures built to add more fun.
Tarps: multi-colored weather covers can be added to fort structures to keep the sun or rain off children as they play.
Safety:
It is up to parents to construct a play area that is safe for their children and other young ones joining the fun. Here are some tips to make sure everyone has a good time:
1. Make the landing soft. Building a play area on sand, asphalt or other hard surfaces will make the result of falls off equipment unpleasant. Try wood mulch or even the new granules made from recycled tires.
2. Install vertical slats for railings close together so little heads will not get stuck.
3. Use caution during hot weather. Plastic sections of playground equipment can get extremely hot and may cause burns to skin.
Indoor playgrounds:
When the weather turns, children can still have a great adventure park in their own basement, space permitting, of course. Just as the outdoor play sets offer, these indoor versions have various modules that can be used alone or combined to make a play center that will provide hours of fun for children.
Why You Need a Riding Lawnmower
Once you do have a riding lawnmower, it is very likely that you will not want to be without one again. By using a riding lawnmower, it can significantly make your job a much easier one that you can do in a shorter period of time. This is a great reason for you to have a riding lawnmower.
The advantages of actually owning a riding lawnmower include much less work for the homeowner. If you have a riding lawnmower, you can get your lawn mowed in a much shorter period of time. This is one of the best things about owning a riding lawnmower.
Also, you will be able to not have to work nearly as hard if you have a riding lawnmower. This is yet another huge advantage of owning a riding lawnmower. You will be able to get the lawn mowed without a exerting a low of physical energy. This is by far one of the biggest advantages to owning a riding lawnmower.
If you hate yard work, but love to keep your lawn looking its best, you will want to be sure you take the time to get a riding lawnmower, because they can really make your job much easier when it comes to getting all your yard work done as soon as you can.
Different benefits of Joining CCMA
There are number of benefits of joining Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association. With negligible registration fees CCMA arranges production workshops to continuously educating our members about Masonry facilities. Members have opportunity to have table-top exhibits, whenever CCMA arranges workshops. In addition, Design professionals, building officials or contractors can register themselves with us. Once you become a member, you can contribute in developmental programs and can serve on committees. According to your interests, you can participate in safety production, marketing, masonry education or technical things in the committees. CCMA website provides different links to these members. Moreover, you can provide link to your company’s website, as well. However, it is not included in your registration fees; it will charge you a small amount to give link to your website.
After paying the registration fees, you can roster listings. If you are facing any problems in concrete masonry design or construction, we provide you technical support. CCMA is best place to increase your networking, as we have comprehensive list of architects, designers and engineer. For educational purposes, we provide a list of reputed colleges and universities in South Carolina that will help you to increase your knowledge of masonry. We offer discounted design literature and audiovisual on loan. The best advantage is, it will offer you Cost Estimator computer program. You will build CAD computer programs in $25.00 only which is half as retail cost. If you are in residential builder industry, then our discounted builder manual will help you a lot in your professional life as it provides great tips for building residential houses.
If you are a residential owner, you will get home owner packets for free of cost. This manual includes energy conservation, shapes and sizes, structural data along with specifications at a very minimal cost. There are three levels for new memberships. You will find detailed information on our website regarding which type of membership is best for you according to your needs and taste. Apart from that, if you have any questions you can contact CCMA by E-mail or by toll free number specified on website.
