Lettuce: crop, soil and irrigation

The cultivation of the lettuce crop is perhaps the most storied in humanity. It is believed that the Egyptians were the first to cultivate more than 2500 years. Today, long time later it is still a favorite crop because the lettuce is one of the foods used daily.

Although lettuce can be cooked, you usually eat the lettuce fresh and raw. It is a fresh food that is used primarily in summer and is a crop very easy to make at home. What ideas and suggestions you have in mind when growing lettuce?

Being of short roots, the lettuce does not require a soil very deep. It grows in a wide variety of soils and need warm temperatures to develop successfully. Very high temperatures prevent germination. Lettuce needs to be marked differences in temperature between day and night, 15 to 20 degrees during the day and less than 10 degrees at night. This temperature difference helps the growing of lettuce to develop optimally.

The lettuce crop tolerant to low temperatures that high in the summer so be careful that they do not glean as if temperatures exceed 25 degrees can certainly glean, leading to very bitter leaves.

The lettuce does not tolerate drought, even though this last bit. Excessive moisture is also a problem. Ideally the moisture percentage is 50%. That is why it is more advisable to cultivate lettuce outdoors where there is less moisture in winter patio where humidity is very concentrated.

The irrigation is also important to keep the soil moist but remember not to be excessive. The best system of irrigation in this case is drip because it maintains the balanced moisture levels. The irrigation will do more damage to the crop of lettuce is the hose as the sun will burn the leaves of lettuce that are wet with water.

Ideally, the lettuce crop is developed in full light in the sun. Sunlight is highly recommended for this crop to develop normally.

Also planted in the ground, can be grown in pots also with the same care that a plantation on the floor. Always remove weeds that may grow around.

With these practical ideas in mind, it's time to grow lettuce, a food with many benefits.

Chicory crop, soil, irrigation and harvesting

The chicory is ideal for salads when you are on a diet or simply want to improve the quality of your food. It is more bitter than lettuce and cabbage but has incredible benefits for the body.

Whenever you can, it is best to grow your own food you eat and the chicory is no exception; so we give you some ideas and suggestions for the cultivation of chicory.

First, note that is not the same plant chicory for domestic use to industrial use. Care may vary although the requirements for the crop to grow are very similar.

Relative to the ground, there are not many specific requirements, however as the chicory root is a plant it is best that the soil is deep for the root garment well. The soil may be alkaline or slightly acid and chicory will tolerate, however can not withstand excessive moisture so that soils where puddles of water are not the most convenient.

This is a plant that withstands drought but of course not so excessive. You have to water it regularly and remove weeds that may form around. It is not necessary to fertilize the soil periodically as it is resistant to many types of soil provided they are deep.

The Chicory can live up to two years and if the care with diligence may last a little longer. This plant is cold care. During the summer he will be convenient to water it more regularly especially if what is sought is to harvest the leaves of this, which are used for salads.

If the objective of growing chicory is to use the root, so it is necessary to regulate mowing blades so that the leaf development is not so fast.

The chicory plant is very resistant to wind, low temperatures and drought. The best place to plant it where there is sun but can tolerate very well shaded areas. The best type of irrigation for the cultivation of chicory is because you need to drip water moderately and not resist moisture or ponding water.

When can be collected chicory plant? In autumn the whole plant can be harvested along with the root. If you want only the leaves, these should be collected in summer and allow to dry the leaves in a dry place, preferably in glass containers. Once dry, they are ready to eat.

Ideas for designing a Mediterranean garden

A Mediterranean garden is one that is adapted to soil and Mediterranean climate characterized by hot days, winters not as strong, some drought period and plants with a very strong aroma. It is not the same as a xeriscape which optimizes water use to a minimum, rather it is a garden adapted to the Mediterranean climate. Spain, Italy, Greece, Morocco are among the countries taking the lead in Mediterranean gardens because in these places this climate prevails.

It is true that this type of garden design is to live in a Mediterranean climate or at least a lot like this climate. What characterized the Mediterranean garden and What species can be planted in this kind of garden?

The most important elements of a Mediterranean garden are lush trees and flowers and plants brightly colored and very aromatic. It is also common to create some space where there are rock gardens herbs such as Lavender, Rosemary and Thyme. The aroma and color are two essential elements of a Mediterranean garden.

What kind of trees can be planted in a Mediterranean garden? The pines are ideal for this type of garden. They are also typical of such gardens Palms, olive and fig trees. Besides having a beautiful appearance with a delicious aroma. Ideally, leafy shade are to have a strictly Mediterranean style.

The species of plants can be grown in a Mediterranean garden are carnations, lilies, jasmine, oleander and others. These plants are summer, easy to maintain and do not need as much water as other species. Remember to plant species must be resistant to heat and direct sunlight, since that is the main characteristic of the Mediterranean climate.

Mediterranean gardens are colorful and attractive so it is good to include items such as brightly colored pots, mosaic paths with attractive designs. If you design a space with pebbles can paint the stones of different colors or with colors that blend with the rest of the garden or house such as doors, windows and even the tiles.

Given these two premises of the Mediterranean garden: colors and delicious aromas more suggestions on what to plant species may be, the rest is left to his ingenuity and imagination. Make every effort to design a Mediterranean garden and have the most original garden throughout the area.

How to design a xeriscape

A xeriscape gardening is a concept born in the 70s in United States. Gardens where it is not used much water and hence are planted species that do not require water. The prefix "Xero" meaning "dry" and said the United States is born as a result of severe drought that hit the area in the 70's.

This idea of ​​garden scattered around various parts of the world, especially in dry climates and desert and now has reached places where water is abundant but is presented as a kind of innovative and original garden.

The xeriscape needs a quarter of what you need a conventional garden so water conservation is widely significant. Furthermore, this type of garden has an ecological and advocating a reduced use of machinery, fuel and other typical processes of maintaining a garden.

What to consider in designing a xeriscape?

Most important is the design of the grouping of plants. Species should be grouped depending on the amount of water they need. You can not put a plant that needs plenty of water along with one that does not need much. Then divide your garden into three: the area of low water, where they would plant low water consumption, half the area of consumption and high consumption. Or to further reduce water consumption can be made ​​only two zones: the low power consumption and a half.

In the xeriscape plan should some types of trees that function as shadows for certain types of plant and thus to guard against just because of this direct action on the plants can dehydrate. Once you have your xeriscape design according to the size and surface of the need to start working the soil.

You should measure the pH and raise or lower according to measurement results. In addition, you must verify that the soil has the nutrients so that it may be necessary to use certain types of fertilizer. Also check the salinity of soil and plant species to withstand this type of soil. To improve soil xeriscape hidroretentores is useful to have products that are placed on the ground and absorb rain water leaving the wet ground longer.

What species can be used for planting in the xeriscape?

To cite just a few, Palms, Tamariscos, Ligustrines, climbing plants, Aloe Vera, Acacias in the case of trees, among others.

The xeriscape is a very interesting alternative and your home and it will be very original.

Cultivation of sage: ideas and care tips

Salvia belongs to the family of aromatic herbs, in fact you could say that is the Queen of the plant aromatic. The Romans called it sacred or holy grass. If you enjoy growing plants and plants used to flavor dishes, you should not ignore the culture of Salvia.

Here are some ideas and suggestions for successfully cultivate sage and will last you a long time. They can grow along with other herbs which will give a beautiful fragrance to your garden or patio. You can also grow them in pots, but these should be large and wide to take root. About 30 inches is sufficient.

If your goal is to plant and Salvia on the floor, this plant is very adaptable to any type of soil. However, being a Mediterranean plant usually live well on dry, calcareous, well exposed to nature.

You Salvia plant in rows 20 inches apart from a cutting or plant from another. And rows must be about 70 centimeters from each other. You can take care of the land where the sage is growing weed. You can use chemical weed control without vestments to ruin the planting of Salvia. The Dicamba or bentazon are some of these chemicals that can be used without fear. It is also important to fertilize the soil with manure to provide potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus in abundance for the Salvia grow better and stronger. If the winter is severe, while harvesting sage can add more nitrogen to relieve the earth of the scourge of the bad season.

Irrigation should not be too abundant, should be light but frequent and must be exposed to light but is better than just not give directly. If you put the pot inside better be near a window where between bright and if you place it on garden and patio or better which is under half shade so the sun does not harm the Salvia.

If the sage is grown inside and insects approach usually sufficient watering and water remove these bugs. However if this fails you can try passing a sponge or cotton soaked in alcohol. This will make the water the plant, water to remove insects from your sage.

Follow these tips and you can enjoy the excellent properties of Salvia.