Monthly Archives: September 2022

Basic Essentials of Houseplant Care

Posted in Food/home improvement/business, Home Improvement/Interior Design by

Perhaps the most crucial factor regarding the care of a houseplant is that they are dependent on you for food and water (like a pet!) because they’re confined to containers.

Containers

Fortunately, there’s no “right” or “wrong” container; you can spend a small fortune on a fancy one or spend nothing at all, just using cartons or even butter dishes. In between, there’s practically an endless variety of containers, whether for indoors or out, for a flat surface, or as a hanging decorative basket.

Here are a few essentials: 

Clay pots are the most common and traditional.

Glazed pots are very decorative and adapt well to any type of décor.

Plastic pots are very lightweight; they’re less expensive than clay, with a variety of sizes and colors.

Wood Boxes or Containers-If they’re made of redwood or cypress (resists rot), these look good and can last a long time. Commercial products can rust quickly, however. If time allows or if affordable, you can have wood boxes and containers custom-designed and built.

Baskets are not strong containers; they’ll need to be lined with plastic or light soil. Hanging baskets can be made out of all the previous materials, plus wire or reeds, string, or yarn.

Light

Plants vary in the needed amount of light required, but most will grow well in four basic categories:

Sunny areas will get at least 5 hours of direct sunlight in winter. Windows facing southeast, south, or southwest are the best options.

Semi-sunny places get 2-5 hours of sun daily in winter. East or west windows are the best options.

Semi-shady locations offer bright, open light, but little or no direct sunlight.

Shady places don’t receive sunlight but do offer enough light to cast a shadow.
Whatever part of the world you live in will also affect how much light you’ll get.

Local industries can also impact light, as well as trees and bushes (They reduce light, but for shade-loving plants in a southern, western, or eastern window, it’s a good option).

A white house reflects light. 

Clean windows will provide more light, but window screens will reduce it by 30 percent.

Day length also affects light and determines when certain plants bloom.

Artificial light will provide optimal lighting year-round.

Air and Temperature

Frequent misting is a good option.

Most plants will grow between 65-75 degrees F (give or take a little below or above).

Watering

Just test by simply checking with your fingers. If the soil feels like dry powder, water. If you get water or mud, leave it alone. 

The amount of watering needed will always vary, depending not only on the plant but also on the seasons and the sizes and shapes of the containers.

For more info, visit http://www.ourhouseplants.com and http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com.

Shopping at the Farmers’ Market

Posted in American food, Food/home improvement/business, Uncategorized by

Ripe fruits and vegetables will feel heavy for their size, have deep, even coloring, and will “give” slightly to pressure.

Pass up any bruised and blemished items; also avoid excessively overgrown ones-while they may look impressive, these products will typically have a mushy texture and watered-down flavor.

Check out the entire bin; many fruits and veggies (like peaches, tomatoes, and apples) release ethylene gas as they ripen. Produce past its prime should be removed as soon as possible, to ensure that the surrounding fruits and vegetables are also not affected (hopefully by a conscientious market vendor).

Since practically all of the produce sold in farmers’ markets is locally grown, it’s picked at a riper stage than the produce sold in the supermarket. Therefore, buy only what you will use within the next three days if possible.

Buying Organic

Organic produce abounds at farmers’ markets. But they can be on the pricey side. Is it all worth it?

Here’s some info to help you decide:

Organic food is more expensive for two reasons: 1. These crops are more vulnerable to garden pests, creating a greater risk of loss to farmers. 2. Demand is low.

But with that being said, the rising popularity of organics helps to bring the price down. And buying in season (which you’ll be doing at a farmers’ market) can reduce the cost.

Most organic produce at a farmers’ market will be fresher than the supermarket stuff because organic comes from local farms. But organic markets with a low turnover may be selling you produce that’s days old. So don’t just rely on the term “organic” as an instant indicator of freshness; instead, touch and smell the produce. If it’s fresh, it will “give” to gentle pressure and have a hand-picked aroma.

Organic produce is healthier because they’re grown without pesticides.

Here’s a list of recommended products to buy organic (according to the USDA, these fruits and veggies consistently contain the most pesticide residue):

Apples

Apricots

Bell peppers

Cantaloupe

Celery

Cherries

Cucumbers

Grapes

Green beans

Peaches

Pears

Spinach

And you can save money buying the following non-organic or “as is“:

Bananas

Blueberries

Broccoli

Carrots

Kiwifruit

Nectarines

Oranges

Papaya

Peas

Potatoes

Raspberries

Watermelon

Looking for a farmers’ market near you? Go to ams.usda.gov (Agricultural Marketing Services).