Minerals Ideas, Tips & Guides

Header image: Down House: the home (and garden) of Charles Darwin. Credit: <a href=«https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/kent-england-october-25-2015-history-667797409?src=» http:>Shutterstock

The lotus is a remarkable plant. I’m referring to Nelumbo nucifera, which is native to Asia and sacred to both buddhists and Hindus. (It’s related to the American lotus, N. lutea, but not to the lotus that appears in ancient Egyptian images – that’s Nymphaea lotus. Plants in the Nymphaea genus are more commonly referred to as waterlillies in the UK.)

We’ve got a while yet before we get to the eagerly awaited and short-lived British asparagus season. This year it falls after the equally eagerly awaited and short-lived, but far less healthy, Easter Egg season. You can expect British asparagus to be in season from the end of April through until June. I planted some wild asparagus from crowns three years ago, and cultivated asparagus plants two ago, and so this year I’m hoping we can harvest our first home-grown spears!

Curious about Zucchini vs. Cucumber? Let’s embark on a journey to explore the fascinating differences between these green vegetables.

Functional foods are topping the health trend charts these days. And while you may have heard of the term before, perhaps just assuming that they were good for your health, what are they really, and where can you find them? Here's all the information you need in order to add more fortified foods to your diet.

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Ever wonder, “Can Bearded Dragons Eat Purple Cabbage?” Learn if purple cabbage is good for your scaly friends and the possible advantages and disadvantages of adding it to their diet.

Sweet Potato Flowers are not only beautiful to look at, but also offer many uses! Let’s have a look at them in detail!

Using Aloe Vera as a Rooting Hormone has many advantages and gives a head start to a plant’s growth. Find out all the details on how to use it here!

Most columbine plants are cool season, spring blooming plants with unique flowers. Rising high above the lobed green to gray green foliage are spikes of flowers, usually facing down with elongated narrow spurs reaching behind. However, there are some varieties that face outward or upwards, do not have spurs, or have double flowers. Available in many colors, columbine plants are ideal for shady wooded areas, but some do well as rock garden plants. The erect, dried brown seed heads are comprised of five capsules that burst open to reveal many dark black small seeds. This plant self-seeds and crosses with other columbine plants. Although a short-lived perennial, the self-sowing make it appear that the plants last for years in the garden. Columbine flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and hawk moths. The plant is deer resistant and toxic for humans, dogs, and cats if ingested.

Introducing plants into your home or office can create a more positive energy flow. Certain plants have the ability to purify the air, while others provide a sense of well-being, peace, and even stress relief. Eliminating negative energy is an important step in regaining health and happiness. These plants will promote positive energy that will benefit you and those around you!

Identify and Control 13 Common Chrysanthemum Pests

Your bathroom is probably one of the spaces in your home you clean the most regularly; it’s important to do a deep clean at least once a month, and you should disinfect the toilet, wipe down the sink and counters, and scrub your bathroom floor about once a week.

How you manage garden pests and diseases is a personal choice, and there are many management philosophies. Two of the most common methodologies are integrated pest management (IPM) and organic pest management. IPM was developed in the 1970s as a response to conventional gardening practices that relied heavily on pesticides. In contrast to those practices, IPM promoted sanitation, the use of disease- and pest-resistant plant varieties, and monitoring pest populations.

Strulch is an organic mulch made from straw with embedded minerals. I made use of a lot of Strulch this spring and it has done a good job in several ways most visibly on the plants grown in pots.

Leaf miners are the larvae of moths, beetles, maggots, flies or caterpillars that have hatched between the upper and lower epidermis of a leaf. They then burrow there way out eating part of the leaf and leaving a trail.

Vermiculite is a natural mineral ore that has been heat treated to expand into a light, spongy worm like, inert substance.  Vermiculite is made from mica whereas perlite, a similar gardeners aid is a type of highly porous volcanic glass.

We all love this nutrient-rich fruit that is packed with potassium and many other vitamins and minerals. But the saddest fact is they have a short shelf life. The day you buy them, they are fresh and firm, and pretty soon, they turn brown and floppy. How to avoid this? How to keep them fresh and flavorful? This article has the answers.

Want to know How Do Peanuts Grow? Let’s explore the ins and outs of how to cultivate these wonder nuts – from planting to harvesting!

If you’re well-versed in TikTok food trends—cottage cheese, rat snacks, or boozy pineapple spears, anyone?—you may already know about the recent sushi-related food trend that influencers are trying their hand at: the sushi bake. This riff on the super popular Japanese dish is quick and easy to prepare, making the flavors of sushi much more accessible from home.

When most of us have a hankering for nuts, we tend to look no further than the pantry. It’s totally normal for nuts to be stored in the dark corners of our cupboards, with many taking residence there for what can turn into many months (especially if you shop in bulk). But did you know the pantry is actually not the best place to house nuts and seeds?

If you’re keen on health trends, you might be hearing the buzz around maca root. If you haven’t, though, don’t fret: You won’t be seeing maca next to the other root vegetables in your local produce section, despite its many benefits. So, what is maca root, and how does it impact us? Where can you find it, and is it worth seeking out? Read on for everything you need to know.

If you are thinking aboutUsing Apple Cider Vinegar for Pests, then we will guide you with all the tips and tricks to make the best use of it!

Did you Avocados are one of those nutrient dense foods that provide nearly 20 vitamins and minerals with relatively few calories. Archaeologists have found evidence of avocado consumption going back almost 10,000 years in central Mexico. Researchers believe that humans began cultivating avocados about 5,000 years ago. Mesoamerican tribes like the Inca, the Olmec and the Maya grew domesticated avocado trees. AvoSeedo wedsite

Moms and dads are busy people, and some may wonder if it is worth the time it takes to make homemade baby food over the convenience of buying store-bought baby food. There are considerations to make with this decision. Is my baby old enough and ready for solid food? Will my baby show any allergic reaction to a newly introduced fruit or vegetable? What are the food safety concerns with making my baby food? Below are a few ideas to help with your decision.

September marks the beginning of National Whole Grains Month, which places all our favorite comfort foods such as pasta, bread, cereals, and popcorn on the pedestal they so lovingly deserve. Consuming whole grain versions of these foods contributes to a healthy diet as whole grains provide abundant nutrients in the form of dietary fiber, quality carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends making half your grain choices whole grains because they provide more nutrients than refined grains.

You may be home quarantining or working from home; however, that does not necessarily mean you desire to cook three meals a day with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. August is National Sandwich Month, and sandwiches can be a delicious, nutrient-rich, and quick meal to help save time in the kitchen.

Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris) is a colorful and easy-to-grow leafy green. It is the same species as beet, but without the swollen root, and shares the same earthy flavor.

The physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil work together to make it a complex, dynamic, and living substance. The role of organic matter in soil health is vital. Soil organic matter facilitates the interactions between the soil properties.

Including more whole foods in your diet, such as fruits and vegetables, can keep your body healthy and functioning at its best. Fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals necessary for your body’s health and maintenance. People who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are also likely to have reduced risks for some chronic diseases.

Aeration is a cultural practice that does not need to be done often but can provide immense benefits for your lawn.

Summertime is upon us, and here in South Carolina, that means garden-fresh tomatoes, sweet corn, and watermelon until our bellies ache. However, if we haven’t planned a vegetable garden like THIS, where can we find all of this delicious produce? During the summer season, farmers markets can be found sprouting up throughout the state, where shoppers can buy in-season, nutritious produce while supporting local farmers. To help make the most out of your next farmers market trip, explore the following tips:

By now, everyone involved with gardening or growing plants has heard the term “soil health” thrown around. What is soil health, and why is it important?

Leaf color change is one of the most iconic events that define the fall season. In a matter of days, the green color gives way to bright yellow, orange, and red hues. The appearance of these colors not only increases the beauty of our forests but also helps the growth of our orchards and backyard trees. These fall colors are created by pigments such as ß-carotene, anthocyanin, or lutein. Some may wonder, “why would trees spend energy in creating these pigments right when they are about to drop their leaves?” The answer is that the strategy is not about spending but saving for the next season.

First off, Happy National Nutrition Month! Every year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics hosts National Nutrition Month and offers education on nutrition and making better food choices. Each year has a theme, and since National Nutrition Month is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the theme is “Fuel for the Future.” Looking into the future, we want to eat with each phase of life in mind and incorporate ways to help protect the environment.

It’s no secret that bathrooms are a hub for germs and bacteria in our homes, which is why we spend extra time and care ensuring that they are clean on a regular basis. But despite our best efforts, there are a few areas that are commonly overlooked, according to cleaning experts. Here are seven areas of your bathroom you’re probably forgetting to clean.