Medicinal plants you can have in your house

Hello Everyone

Today we will talk about the plant which we can grow in our house for home remedies for may disease or common problems.We will talk about very few common plants which you can easily identify and get it easily.This topic is whole way of treatment called ayurveda.

List of plants are

Aloe Vera
Tulsi
Sweet Basil
Neem
Papaya leaves
Bael
Mint
Giloy
Hibiscus
Harsingar

Aloe Vera

also known as ‘Ghritkumari’ in Hindi, ‘Kalabanda’ in Telugu, ‘Katralai’ in Tamil, ‘Kumari’ in Malayalam, ‘Lolisara’ in Kannada, ‘Koraphada’ in Marathi, and ‘Ghrtakumari’ in Bengali

• Aloe Vera Juice helps in constipation ,improves digestion and immune system.
• Can be used as moisturizer on skin and hair scalp.
• Helpful on skin rashes or ,irritation,burns and cuts and helpful in stopping bleeding.
• Lowers the risk of cancer

Tulsi

It is a holy plant .Many people worship this plant .It purifies air.

• It helps in curing cough and cold.
• It helps in curing respiratory [problem and fever.
• It helps in reducing the pain caused by measles, chicken pox, and small pox.
•  A mixture of basil leaves juice and coconut oil can be applied on cuts and wounds to give relief.
•  Chewing a basil leaf or applying the juice of basil leaves on the area stung or bitten by an insect also helps relieve the pain as well as draw the venom out.
• It reduces cholesterol and blood sugar level.

Sweet Basil 
Is also known as "Marua" or "Marjoram"

• It helps in cough and cold
• it helps in sinusitis
• it helps in menstural problem

Neem

• Neem leaves have anti-bacterial properties which is why it works wonders on infections, burns and any kind of skin problems. It destroys the bacteria that causes infections.

•  For eye trouble boil some neem leaves, let the water cool completely and then use it to wash your eyes. This will help any kind of irritation, tiredness or redness.

• Turmeric combined with a paste of neem leaves can also be used for itching, eczema, ring worms and some mild skin diseases.
• Crush some neem leaves and take them with a glass of water to increase your immunity.
• Take some neem oil and rub it into the scalp, leave it in for a while and wash. Neem oil can strengthen your hair, prevent hair fall,grey hairs and treat dandruff.
• You can use neem oil as mosquito repellent.

Rest of the plants we will discuss in next time.

 

Summer Vegetable garden

Hello Everyone

Previously we talked about Summer flowers.We can have vegetable gardens.Vegetables you can grow in summer are as follows

Pumpkin
Bitter gourd
Ladyfinger
Ridge gourd
Bottle gourd
Colocassi
Capsicum
Onion
Tomato
Brinjal
Cucumber 
Zucchini
French Beans
Snake Gourd
Amranth Leaves(chawli Bhaji)

You can buy seeds or you can get from your kitchen.

How to Grow Vegetables

It will take around 1 1/2 to 2 months to start giving vegetables.

Summer Garden

Hello everyone
Today we will talk about the rest flowers which I listed in previous blogs which are as below.

• Roses
• Hibiscus
• Portulaca
• Aster
• Daisy
• Calendula

Roses

use larger containers with a minimum depth of 30-45cm (12-18in).Roses love sunshine and should receive sun for at least half the day.In container plants can be potted up any time between October and march.Better before march.Soil should be well drained and rich with compost and organic manure.roses needs lots of water but not over watered. pruning and hoeing helps a lot in plant growth and blooming.

Hibiscus

Cannot  tolerate frost and freeze.If its too cold keep it inside. Loves full sun.Soil should be fertilized and well drained.In very hot summer the soil should always be moist not soggy.Flowering may slow down in mid summer heat.

Portulaca

When planting the portulaca seeds, it is not necessary to cover the seed at all and, if covered, only very lightly as they need the sun to sprout and grow. Portulaca flowers tolerate many kinds of soil but prefer sandy, well-drained soil and love the full sunlight. These plants are excellent for high heat and drought tolerance, and will seed and spread themselves very well. When they are watered, just a light watering will do, as their root is very shallow.

Aster 

Very easy to grow not much care required. Deadheading is required for more blooms.It blooms in late summer,Loves full sun.

Calendula

Too much calendula care can result in stunted or slow growth of calendula plants. Poor to average, well draining soil and only occasional watering after plants are established is the secret to growing  calendula plants. Deadheading is required for more blooms.

Next time we will talk about vegetable garden

How and when to start summer garden

Hello Everyone

Now summers are on the way .So this is the perfect time to start your summer garden.In north India when chill winter is gone and winter is decreasing day by day generally in month of February and march you can start your summer garden.

 You can have 

• Flower Garden

• Vegetable garden

Flower Garden

It is time for us to discover what’s perfect for the over 30 degree weather. The summer season spreads from March to May with monsoon season beginning in June. Even though gardens require comparatively more nurturing and care during summers, the variety of flowers that bloom in this particular season make it worth the effort.

• Sunflowers

Sunflowers grow best in locations with direct sun (6 to 8 hours per day); they prefer long, hot summers to flower well.
Sunflowers have long tap roots which need to stretch out so the plants prefer well-dug, loose, well-draining soil.
Sunflowers are heavy feeders so the soil needs to be nutrient-rich with organic matter or composted (aged) manure. Or, work in a slow release granular fertilizer 8 inches deep into your soil.A light application of fertilizer mixed in at planting time will encourage strong root growth to protect them from blowing over in the wind.Tall species and cultivars require support. Bamboo stakes are a good choice for any plant that has a strong, single stem and needs support for a short period of time.

• Lilies
• Zinnia

• Zinnias are grown from seed; they grow very quickly in the right conditions. Zinnias do not like to be transplanted.
• Full sun is essential with a minimum daylight temperature of 60 degrees F.
• If soil is amended with compost, the flowers will grow more quickly.
• Sow seeds ¼-inch deep.
• Deadhead to prolong flowering.
• Maintain moderate soil moisture and fertilize lightly.
• Zinnias will die with the first frost.

• Pansy

1. You can start pansy seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before you plan on transplanting them.
2. Plant seeds in late winter for early spring and summer flowering, or plant seeds in the summer for winter flowering.
3. Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. 
4. Pansies like sun and cooler temperatures.
5. Space the plants about 7 to 12 inches apart. They will spread about 9 to 12 inches and grow to be about 6 to 9 inches tall.
6. Remember to water your pansies regularly.
7. One of the most common reasons pansies fail is because they are not watered enough, so if your pansies are not doing well, try watering them more.
8. You can use a general, all-purpose fertilizer around your pansies to help them grow.
9. Remove faded/dead flowers to prolong blooming and encourage more flowers to grow.

Marigold

• Marigold requires mild climate for luxuriant growth and flowering.
• The optimum temperature range for its profuse growth is 18-20°C.
• Temperatures above 35°C restrict the growth of the plants, which leads to reduction in flower size and number.
• In severe winter, plants and flowers are damaged by frost.
• Marigold can be grown in a wide range of soils, as it is adapted in different soil types.

• Lotus.
• Roses
• Hibiscus
• Portulaca
• Aster
• Daisy
• Calendula

Summer flowers


Rest flowers we will talk next time.

Beautify your home with Hanging Baskets

Hello Everyone

When you have space problem you can fulfill the desires of planting plants by hanging them on wall or roofs in a basket or similar container which can be suspended from a building by a small rope or chain and in which decorative flowering plants are grown,which is called hanging baskets.But there is limitation all plants cannot be planted in baskets ,still lots of variety can be planted in hanging baskets.

Different types of basket

Coco fiber pot in wire Basket

Wire Basket

Plastic Basket

Coco liner Basket

You can create vertical gardens also.You can use your waste for making different types of planters.

Vertical Garden

Glass planters

Coco liner Basket

The sheets of brown coconut fiber mold to the container, which is usually a basket made from wire. The natural fibers in coir allow for extra drainage and air circulation for the plants, but they'll also need extra water. Coconut fiber pot is also available which we can use alone or with wire basket.


Wire Basket

In wire we need to give base. Base can be of coco liner or moss grass, Moss grass gives less absorption to water.


Plastic Basket

It is same as we plant in containers.

Line the basket. Lining a basket helps to keep the soil in place and reduces the need for watering; it also neatens the appearance of the basket. The best lining for a hanging basket is sphagnum moss. This works especially well with hanging baskets that are wire based. Another lining that can be substituted for sphagnum moss is polythene; be sure to punch some holes in the base of this lining to allow the water to seep through and ensure good drainage.

How to plant in basket

The potting mix or compost  used  for basket should be of a good quality  for hanging baskets. Add a slow-release fertilizer and mix well before filling the basket.

Plant  selection for basket

Flowering Plants

• Petunia
• Portualca
• Salvia
• Verbena
• Begonia
• Geranium
• Baby's Breath
• Fuchsia
• Nasturtium
• Pansies
• Polyanthus

View Flowers

• Parsley
• Basil
• Mint
• Sage
• Chamomile
• thyme
• coriander
• Boston fern
• Asparagus
• Philodendron and Spider Plant
• Ivy

Problems

Hanging baskets rely most on the gardener to ensure they don’t dry out. However, poor flowering can be remedied by trying the following:

• Ensure the baskets stays moist but not soggy
• Feed once a week with a liquid fertiliser

Winter hanging baskets do greatly benefit from a sheltered, sunny spot. If the position is exposed, consider giving the basket some protection in the coldest weather. Use either a layer of fleece, or sit the basket on a bucket in a cool greenhouse for just the worst days

Watch out for common pests such as aphids, slugs, snails and vine weevil. Diseases that may be troublesome include powdery mildew, pelargonium  rust , fuchsia rust and impatiens downy mildew.

How to make your own terrarium

Hello Everyone

Generally we have problem of space. To solve this problem we can create our own terrarium and beautify our house and fulfill the wish planting foliage,mosses,ferns,orchids,succulents and many more.

Terrarium

A terrarium is a collection of small plants growing in a transparent, sealed or unsealed container. A terrarium is a closed environment, and can actually be used to illustrate how an ecosystem works. Inside a terrarium’s walls, many different natural processes may be observed: photosynthesis, respiration, and the water cycle. The water in the terrarium is constantly recycled, passing from liquid form to gas and back again. As the moisture in the air condenses on the glass walls, it returns to the soil and is absorbed by the plant's roots.

 Requirement for Terrarium

• Clear glass or plastic container
•  Small stones
•  Activated charcoal (from aquarium or orchid supply store)
•  Sphagnum moss (optional)
•  Potting soil
•  Plants Decorative objects (optional)
•  Plants

 Choosing your container -Terrariums come in many different and creative shapes and sizes. Most terrariums are made from a clear glass jar with a wide mouth.You can start with your old pickle or jam jars. However, a plastic 2-L bottle can also be used by cutting it in half, and sliding the top half over the bottom half to cover. It is important to consider that the wider the opening of your container, the easier it will be to place the plants. 

Choosing plants  Foliage plants are preferred to flowering ones .To get better result select the plants that have slow growth and do not have tendency to spread.Terrariums are made with small mosses, lichens and ferns. However, there are several other types of plants that can be used, depending on the size of the terrarium, including begonias, miniature violets, coleuses, pilea (baby tears),species of maranta , fitonia , peperomia and others. Plants need not be purchased, but can be collected from your yard and neighborhood. 

Procedure 

 1. Place a thin layer (approx. 1 inch) of small stones in the bottom of the terrarium to help drainage.
 2. Place a thin layer (approx. 1/2 inch) of activated charcoal over the stones. This acts as a filtration substrate and keeps the water cleaner.
 3. Place a thin layer of sphagnum moss or a fine screen over the charcoal to act as a barrier to prevent settling of the soil. (Optional) 
4. Place a layer of potting soil approximately 2” deep.
 5. Make small holes for roots and carefully plant your plants in the soil.
 6. Finishing touches – add ornaments or decorations to give your terrarium a special theme. (Optional) 
 7. Lightly mist with water, approximately 10 sprays to the soil and sides of the jars.
 8. Close container tightly with lid or cover.

 Caring for your Terrarium

The two most important factors you must consider when caring for your terrarium are sunlight and water.
 Sunlight: Place your terrarium in a bright area with indirect sunlight, such as a windowsill. Because the terrarium is a closed system, it can get too hot if it is in direct sun and the plants may burn.

 Water: A properly maintained terrarium can go for weeks or months without needing water. As the terrarium heats up, water will be pulled up from the rocks and soil to the top of the container where it will form a mist and then drip back down to water the plants. You should be able to see some mist on the sides of the container as well as some fog inside; however, if the sides are constantly wet, and there is so much condensation that you cannot see your plants, then you will need to open the top of the container temporarily to allow it to dry.

 Pruning: Plants may need to be pruned to keep them small enough to fit the container. You can do this with a pair of scissors.

 Fertilizer: You should not add any fertilizer to your terrarium. The goal is to keep the plants very small, so you do not want to encourage rapid growth. The plants will get the nutrients they need from the soil.

Succulent terrarium

Tools

Cacti Terrarium

I hope this will help you to make your own terrarium.
Please ask any queries if you have. 

When sow vegetables monthly calendar

Hello everyone

Today we will talk about vegetables,in which month which vegetable to be sown.
Vegetable garden should be located from north to south, and plant taller plants on the north end of the garden, medium growing plants in the middle, and shorter plants on the south end of the garden. 

Plant vegetables together that mutually benefit each other for better tasting and higher yields.Companion vegetable plants help to deter pests, which helps to decrease the amount of pesticides and effort it takes to keep your garden pest free.

Plant Companions

 Asparagus   basil, parsley, pot marigold, tomatoes

 Beets           bush beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese                                    cabbage, garlic, kale, Kohlrabi, lettuce, onions

 Broccoli       beets, celery, cucumbers, dill, garlic, hyssop, lettuce, mint, nasturtium, onions,                        potatoes, rosemary, sage, spinach,Swiss chard 

Brussels       Sprouts beets, celery, cucumbers, dill, garlic, hyssop, lettuce, mint, nasturtium,                      onions, potatoes, rosemary, sage, spinach, Swiss chard

Bush Beans    beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery,                                   Chinese cabbage, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, peas,                              potatoes, radishes, strawberries,Swiss chard 

 Cabbage        beets, celery, cucumbers, dill, garlic, hyssop, lettuce, mint, nasturtium,                                    onions, potatoes,rosemary, sage, spinach, Swiss chard

 Carrots         beans, chives, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, radishes, rosemary, sage,                               tomatoes Cauliflower   beets, celery, cucumbers, dill, garlic, hyssop, lettuce,                          mint, nasturtium, onions, potatoes,rosemary, sage, spinach, Swiss chard

 Celery          beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage,                              chives, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, nasturtium, tomatoes

 Corn              beans, cucumbers, melons, parsley, peas, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, white                         geranium

 Cucumber     beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage,                            corn, kale,kohlrabi, marigold, nasturtium, oregano, peas, radishes, tomatoes

 Eggplant        beans, marigold, peppers Kale beets, celery, cucumbers, dill, garlic, hyssop,                           lettuce, mint, nasturtium, onions, potatoes, rosemary, sage, spinach, Swiss                               chard

 Kohlrabi       beets, celery, cucumbers, dill, garlic, hyssop, lettuce, mint, nasturtium, onions,                      potatoes, rosemary, sage, spinach, Swiss chard

Lettuce        beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, Chinese                                cabbage, chives, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, onions, radishes, strawberries

 Melons         corn, marigold, nasturtium, oregano, pumpkin, radishes, squash Onions beets,                       broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chamomile, cauliflower, carrots, Chinese                       cabbage, kale,kohlrabi, lettuce, peppers, strawberries, summer savory, Swiss                       chard, tomatoes

 Parsley       asparagus, corn, tomatoes

 Peas           beans, carrots, chives, corn, cucumbers, mint, radishes, turnip

 Peppers     carrots, eggplants, onions, tomato 

 Radishes    beans, carrots, chervil, cucumbers, lettuce, melons, nasturtium, peas ,Spinach,                      Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, kale, kohlrabi,                                 strawberries

                   

Vegetable Sowing Chart

Sowing Seasons

Month	North India	South India
JANUARY	Brinjal	Lettuce,Spinach, Gourds, Melons, Radish, Carrot, Onion, Tomato,Okra,Brinjal, Bean
FEBRUARY	Applegourd, Bittergourd, Bottle gourd, Cucumber, French Beans, Okra, Sponge, Gourd, Watermelon, Spinach	Same as January
MARCH	Same as February	Amaranthus, Coriander, Gourds, Beans, Melons, Spinach, Okra
APRIL	Capsicum	Onion, Amaranthus, Coriander, Gourds, Okra, Tomato, Chilli
MAY	Onion, Pepper, Brinjal	Okra, Onion, Chilli
JUNE	All gourds, Brinjal, Cucumber, Cauliflower (Early), Okra, Onion,Sem,Tomato,Pepper	Gourds, Almost all vegetables
JULY	All gourds, Cucumber, Okra, Sem, Tomato	Same as June
AUGUST	Carrot, Cauliflower, Radish, Tomato	Carrot, Cauliflower, Beans, Beet
SEPTEMBER	Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Peas, Radish, Tomato, Lettuce	Cauliflower, Cucumber, Onion,Peas,Spinach
OCTOBER	Beet, Brinjal, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Peas, Radish, Spinach, Turnip	Brinjal, Cabbage,Capsicum,Cucumber, Beans,Peas, Spinach, Turnip, Watermelon
NOVEMBER	Turnip, Tomato, Radish, Pepper, Peas, Beet	Beet, Eggplant, Cabbage, Carrot, Beans, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Turnip
DECEMBER	Tomato	Lettuce, Pumpkin, Watermelon, Muskmelon, Ash gourd, Ridge gourd, Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Cucumber, Chilly, Cabbage,

How to grow vegetables


How to sow seeds
How to prepare pot

When to sow seeds of flowers

Hello everyone 

Today we will talk about the time when to sow the seeds of different  flowers.

Annual Flowers 

Sowing month from December to March

Ageratum

Salvia

                                                            

Alyssum

Vinca

Amranthus

Petunia

coleus

impatiens

January to April

celosia

cosmos

marigold

zinnia

phlox

aster

February to March

baby's breath

bachelor's button

dasies

moonflower

morningglory

sunflower

sweetpea

geranium

pansy

phlox

 Common Perennials list

• Achillea 
• Black Eyed Susan 
• Blanket Flower 
• Butter y Flower 
• Candytuft 
• Cone flower 
• Coreopsis 
• Dahlia 
• Daisies 
• Delpinium 
• Dianthus 
• Foxglove 
• Geraniums 
• Hosta 
• Hollyhock 
• Lupine 
• Penstemon 
• Phlox 
• Poppy 
• Primrose 
• Rudbeckia 
• Tansy 
• Viola

Sow them with well drained soil with lot of sun.

Winter Bloming Plants
Annual flowering Plants

How to prepare pot

Next time we will talk about vegetables