Gardens Blog

The word “pepper” refers to members of the genus Capsicum and makes us think at two flavors: sweet and hot. Originally from Central and South America, pepper was spread worldwide by Spanish and Portuguese sailors. The pepper is found in every kitchen around the world, from Mexico to Thailand, from Congo to India, and in Hungary in Tunisia.
The pepper has special requirements on the heat, humidity and light. Require more heat, slow down and then ceased growth at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. Low humidity and lack of light especially when the temperature is raised cause that flowers not be fruitful. Being very pretentious concerning the level of moist during vegetation will be applied 9-10 watering . At first, in the first 2 weeks after planting, when the pepper is little you don’t have to water the plant so the ground don’t become cold, as the weather warms, the number of water systems increases, also it must increase the amount of water in a watering.

With less deep roots, requires a good soil loose, sloppy in the fall and a good fertilizer . Production of peppers can be spread over most of the year as an early production , early summer and autumn. During the cold periods peppers must be sowed under protection – in warm seedbeds , solarium. For fall production, in order to obtain seedlings, seeding is done between March 15 to April 15, in the warm seedbed. The sowing is done in rows at a distance of 5-6 cm and 5 cm at a time. When is sowed in the garden should be removed from the seedbeds with a lot of mud around the roots

For summer and fall crops, peppers are planted at the end of May and early June, after leading up to harvest crops sown early spring. In cold springs, if they delay the vegetation, they must be covered with a protective foil. Planting distance is 40 cm between rows and 30 cm at a time.
Care of the peppers.
The care consists in refine the land and the destruction of weeds, and for raising soil and ventilation. Apply 9-10 watering along the length of vegetation whenever necessary. Don’t wet the peppers within the first 14 days after planting. Apply additional weight gain. The harvesting is done when the peppers reached maturity.
Benefits.
Due to the high vitamin and mineral, chili pepper is known for its beneficial effects on the human body, such as cardio-vascular system and optical system, and are also important for maintaining overall health and hygiene.

Sweet peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C and A, which together two powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. These are the main perpetrators in the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries and this leads to atherosclerosis, heart disease, nervous system, diabetes, joint pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis. Are rich in fiber, which help lower cholesterol and prevent colon cancer, vitamin C and beta-carotene that are beneficial against cataracts.
Treat digestive problems .Pepper tincture facilitate digestion, protects the stomach lining and promotes the elimination of intestinal gas .You can take one half teaspoon of prepared tincture diluted in a bit of water three times a day.
Slows aging .A pepper a day take away the free radicals, helps the body to be immunized and banishes the tiredness .In addition is believed that stimulates the release of endorphins, the so called ‘hormone of happiness “.

For early culture sow spring salad garden between August 20 to September 10. For crops in late spring, early summer, lettuce is sown in February-March. For autumn sowing culture is in early August. Sowing is done in layers of 1-1.5 m which is 5-6 rows of lettuce grown at 20-25 cm distance, at a depth of 1.5-2 cm and 2-3 cm in spring and autumn. 1000 square meters are necessary to seed 200-300 gr. Protect the salad from early frost with foil tunnels. Grown through seedlings the , lettuce grows bigger. It have to be sowed in mid March,in semi warm seedbeds or in a solar. When the seedlings have 5-6 leaves should be planted in the garden. Distance of planting seedlings is 20 cm between rows and 15 cm at a time. After planting the seedlings wet them.

Care
If the sowing was made during autumn is good to settle a layer of dried leaves straw or manure to protect the culture from the winter frost. The culture should be weed out in the spring. Harvesting lettuce starts in April and continues into May and June, depending on the type of culture.

Benefits
Garden green salad (lettuce) is present almost all year, because it can be grown in greenhouses, but it is one of the first vegetables that appear in spring and which by its content, can replace heavy and lacking in vitamins nutrition during the winter.

Scientific name Lactic sativa, lettuce stimulates appetite, reinvigorates and cleanse the body of accumulated toxins. It also contributed to fighting the deficit of hemoglobin and mineral salts from the body. Wealth of mineral salts .Besides carbohydrates (sugars) salad contains many mineral salts, essential in metabolic incentives: salts of calcium, phosphorus, iodine, iron, copper, arsenic, and that vitamins, especially vitamin C, then A, B, D and E. Besides these substances, lettuce contains estrogen hormones component, with aphrodisiac effect (increase sexual appetite ). Because of vitamin C lettuce increases resistance to infection and viruses and fight anemia.

Abundant content of mucilage has a special role in regulating digestion and bowel, which are interested in those who suffer from constipation, as a laxative. Other beneficial effects of lettuce are hypoglycemic one , the drainage of the liver, diuretic, with indication in edema, the appearance of a normal menstrual cycle. Salad is also indicated for some disorders of the heart area, such as tachycardia and cardiac neuroses, etc.. Because of some substances high in hormones substances with, lettuce is a natural sedative – consumed in the evening help to reduce daily stress – and, moreover, has the capacity to induce physiological sleep.

To create your own vegetable garden is not difficult. You have to think of space, dimensions, soil type and vegetables which you want to have them in the new garden.
When the cold season is coming it is indicated to cover the ground and test the PH. Find everything you need in the stores and gardening. After you follow the instructions, the ground will be prepared to provide healthy vegetables. Even if pH testing indicate that there is no need to add soil fertilizer you can add some organic fertilizer because it takes time to decompose and so it must be replaced.
Check the soil moisture content to keep its structure at an optimal level. Make a plan for how do you want your new garden to look, where to be located, if it is part of the shade or in a sunny area , which would develop better crops of vegetables, etc.. Consider all the details necessary to have a garden just as you dreamed.

Make sure that when planting the seeds, they cannot come into direct contact with fertilizer. Maintaining a garden requires extra work from you, especially when problems arise concerning insects or other pests.
Seedlings should be vigorous, healthy, with dark green leaves and strong roots. Planting period depends on the species. At planting, the soil around the roots are well plant so that no gaps remain in the dry outside air to penetrate. If land has been gained, it is good to put 300-400 g of manor in the nest, mixing it with earth.
Planting depth it is important, if it is too deep, plant growth will be hampered by lack of air, and if the planting is too on the surface, the seedlings will dry out. Watering is done according to the requirements that crop.

Vegetables that grow more frequent in transplants are: tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, which have higher requirements in regards of heat and requires a longer period of vegetation until it is harvested. Through seedling are grown also less demanding plants , such as: cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, to obtain early productions. May also be grown leeks, water onion, celery, cucumber, and squash, all the same purpose.
Making seedbeds implies to have the following materials: fresh unfermented manure, land for shelter (the “celery”), wooden heels, glazing, matting. Manure is used for heating (constituting a warm shelter).
The best is fresh horse manure, it is quickly entering into fermentation and provides the greatest heat. It can be used fresh cattle manure, were shown to interfere with horse manure.
The advantages of using manure are numerous, including: low cost, requires no special installations and after it was used can be employed to produce additional fertilizer.
Sowing can be done to shelter in rows or as uniform spreading. Over the seeds you can sprinkle a layer of 1-2 cm thick of manure. You can easy puddle the earth and moisturize it with a watering can with a fine sieve with warm water. Seedlings can be planted in boxes, in pots or plastic cups, failing wooden heels. The bottom of the boxes have to have some little holes that permit water excess to flow. You can set a layer of sand of 1 cm thick, then put the mixture of land. Sowing is done in rows at 4-5 cm distance. The boxes can be kept in a heated room and sit near the window after sunrise, to have light. When seedlings have reached the optimum period, are planted in the garden. Pricking to vegetables in pots is applied to the plants that supports hard transplanting in the garden ( cucumbers, zucchini), so that they can be planted in the garden with the soil, without their roots being affected .
Care of the seedlings until they rise, is made in a shelter covered with glass and matting. Once the plants begin to appear, remove mats for light penetration. Shelter will take air over the day, even when is cooler, suddenly raising the glass and leaving it in place immediately. And during the heats, will have to be airing more often.
If the soil tends to dry the seedbed is slightly wet with warm water. There should be neither too much moisture because plants grow too much, they get sick and fall. If this happens, it is the better to ventilate the seedbed and to rip the sick plants.
Hardening seedlings is done in order that they get used to the harshest weather conditions when planting them in the field. For this, with 10-15 days before planting you have to raise the windows, at first only during the day, and then over night. You don’t have to water the plants too much . Planting the seedlings will be considering through the specific periods of each vegetable, considering the characteristics of that crop.

Preparing the culture is a very important aspect for obtaining good and healthy vegetables, and must follow three steps: preparation of the soil, the seeds and the fertilizer.
The soil on which plants will be grown must be rich in nourishing substances, with groundwater in at least 1 m from the surface and protected from flooding. It is advisable to find land near a water source for wetting. If the place is straight or slightly tilted to the south irrigation will be easier. The land chosen for the crop is good to be sunny, protected from winds or storms (bordered by a skirt of trees). It is preferable that the land be easily accessible (close to roads, roads), to help with transport. The land have to be ploughed from fall at a depth of 25-30 cm. In the spring, after it is dried, the ground must to be worked with a rake not to form crust. In one part of the garden will reserve a place for crops that remain in place for several years. Spatial land consists in the execution of irrigation ditches.
The division of land parcels shall be considered by way of watering vegetables on those parcels, as well as requirements related to the development of vegetables (light, shelter, etc.).. For early crops can be made lowered or high layers of 10-20 cm and separated by paths 1-1,3 m wide with a width of 30 cm.

It is recommended not to grow the same plant 2 years in a row on the same spot as next year’s production will be much smaller and more low quality, mainly due to multiplication of diseases and pests, specific to that crop. It is good for a vegetable to be grown on the same plot again after 2-4 years. Very great importance is the land fall fertilization (fertilization base), ensuring the need for food for the next 2-3 cultures . Fertilizing the land is made along with the fall plowing, spreading manure very uniformly .
The seeds:
To obtain large vegetable production and the quality to be better you can use seed in certain conditions, like :
- Vegetable variety to be indicated for the specific soil and chosen land.
- Period of vegetation of the culture (varieties early summer, late, etc..).
- Germination quality of the seeds and their age.

It is good that you get the seeds from authorized manufacturers or specific stores. Of great importance is the seed treatment against diseases and pests. Seeds purchased from manufacturers are already treated in this respect.
Fertilization of the land is better to make using only organic fertilizer because it is healthier for your customers and for amateurs of vegetables that will appreciate this. The soil rich in nutritious substances will give a higher production and vegetables will be more palatable and better quality. Therefore vegetable garden must be fertilized every year.

Composting organic waste from your household waste reduces pollution, reduces the cost of fertilization on the soil and sanitation Nature converts organic residues into humus in a few years. Man may get a much shorter time with a comparable quality which is the compost.
The vegetables produce more if they are grown in rich soil, so you should apply fertilizer in your garden. The organic fertilizers that can be used in your vegetable garden are:
Rotten manure
Usually, this fertilizer is applied in autumn, with digging the land. Sow from late spring crops, well rotten manure may be given in early spring too. How much is used? If crops are on land that will squirt, 4-5 kg of waste is spread on each square. If crop requires no wetting, then are sufficient 2 kg per square meter. Manure is so good to be used in cucumbers, eggplant, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, .
Organic waste
With minimal self-imposed discipline, every household could get compost, humus that is so nourishing like the one in the forest. The first condition for achieving the composting process is selective collection of garbage in your household. This involves collecting plant and animal remains separated from other garbage. Also, some basic knowledge is strictly necessary, and consultation, to require from a specialist. Compost recipe includes three basic ingredients: brown – dead leaves, twigs and dry branches, “Green – grass cut, plant debris, pieces of fruit, water. Also, grinding all the ingredients is very important, and placing them in alternating layers, “brown” and “green”, of comparable thickness, forming a 1 cubic stack directly on the ground. In order to alleviate the salinity, in the composition will be added manure. Once a week, the components have to be mixed, so to replace the wet material dried. The rest of the time, the stack may be covered with a plastic sheet. After one to two months you can obtain compost, but before use as fertilizer in the garden, allow to rest one to two weeks.
The muck
You can obtain well rotten manure in 2-3 year. It is used in smaller quantities (1-2 kg / m). It can be used at the nest of the plant (tomatoes, potatoes) or at sowing (the cucumbers, melons, ).

Poultry litter
It is a fertilizer richer in nutrients comparing the manure. The most appropriate use of this fertilizer is in the form of solution, applied during the vegetation period of the plant. Just days before the general use , the powdered garbage it have to be mix with water, one part of manure and two parts water. The day you want to treat the plants add water treatment plant at a rate of 1: 10 if used for tomatoes, kale, onion and 1: 20 if used for cucumber, carrots, leeks. For one plant you can 0,3-0,5 liters of solution.
Ash
Gather ash wood, straw, maize stalks, etc.. Attention! Do not use coal ash in soil because it contains substances harmful to plants. You can use it especially for cabbage, eggplants, cucumbers, potatoes. You can give about 15-29 g of ash, preferably mixed with manure for every nest.

The garden should be the place where the owner of a house feels like he is in a oasis of peace and pleasure. Living may become more enjoyable for those who are able to arrange their patch of ground in front of the house, so that even a visitor will observe the garden and will be surprised. A beautiful garden is what keeps a smack of wild, who doesn’t have massive interventions concerning the fitting or furniture. To make a good choice of pieces of furniture, you need to think clearly what you need.
First you have to decide if you need folding furniture , to be sheltered in the house or garage during the winter, or wood furniture or even cement, which remains outside in the garden, throughout the year. If you want the furniture to be a permanent part of the garden, then it is advisable to buy massive wooden furniture weather weatherproof, aluminum, iron treated so it doesn’t rot or, ideally, cement. Of course, they are more expensive, but are considered good investments, because they are heavier fabricate materials, sustainable, and they could represent a good and cheaper investment on long term.

Choosing the garden furniture, especially the “material” it is very important. Determine which type of material will highlight the lawn or garden and select the one that best suits your garden which give a balanced appearance. Wood is the best of all because it is easy, it has an esthetically aspect , is comfortable, but require care. Choose a type of solid wood, strong, possibly with a tropical origin, that is the nature of a high content of oil in composition, such as wood veneer, iroko or Courbaril

A cheaper variant than wood furniture is PVC.
It is a fashionable material, but also very resistant . Thus, PVC can be used easily to build turrets window boxes, little benches , garden chairs and tables. In contrast, PVC furniture requires more attention because they are easily scratched and the scratches cannot be removed. Spots on plastic furniture can be easily removed with a detergent. If they persist, and if you want to give your furniture a new face, you can use a special paint for plastic that you can buy from any DIY store.

Wrought iron furniture
For a unique design, you can use iron furniture. It looks best if done manually by a craftsman, so have a unique look. The disadvantage of wrought iron is that its price is more high, and when it rains it is hard to move and difficult to protect against rust. To avoid this inconvenience it would be better to use a treatment that works. There are paints that have these characteristics and is very important to be used as directed.

Zen is a term now often used (perhaps too often) in the culture of the West. The Japanese pronunciation of a Chinese word derived from Sanskrit, indicating consciousness following the meditative concentration. in a simplistic sense, one might say that Zen means meditation. The objective of this philosophy is reaching the stage of enlightenment (satori) that springs from the highest level of consciousness. Zen doctrine was developed by various Buddhist schools which appeared first in China (from the VII century) and then in Japan (XII century). The period of Zen (Chan in Chinese) has entered the West just a little time, fascinating the intellectuals, led by the famous philosopher Carl Jung.
A Japanese garden is to represent the universe and its elements: fire – in the form of flashlights (columns) of stone or iron, earth – in the form of stone and water, air, plants and animals in their natural forms. Japanese gardens are divided into two types: dry garden (without water) and those with lake, although the “dry” water exists in the form of small ponds or fountains.

The Alley of the garden, called in Japanese ROJI , is not only a functional item and is not only the entrance of the garden. It is a philosophical alley that separates the viewer, step by step, from the hectic and exhausting world of which he came. The stones of the alley are placed in a careful way and lead to irregularities more often indirectly, to hidden or obscure areas. The places where the path turns in one direction or another are popular and the visitor is tempted to stop and is, they represent, at another level the meditation periods of life .

The stones form in general the framework or the support structure of a Japanese garden and should be viewed as they were always there. Rugged stones suggests the mountain area and river stones, with fine and rounded surfaces are used in river beds or along riverbanks. The effect of the landscape elements are symbolic rather than realistic. For example, there is usually a lake or river island in the middle of the garden, which is the “island of eternal life” or Nirvana – a quiet place, outside time and space. It can be represented by a turtle-shaped stone or a tree, symbols of longevity and a prosperous life. The stones which form an island are picked with a lot of attention, becoming the fulcrum for Zen meditation. Number of stones should not be even, because Japanese culture, general, avoid symmetry. The stones should be arranged according to their sensitivity, helping to remove the one that reflects the anxiety and daily stress. Should be well polished in nature, devoid of corners and arranged in such a way as to be viewed from any angle of the garden, positioned in the asymmetric groups.

The most famous Zen garden is one of Ryoan-ji, the temple in Kyoto , the work of an anonymous author. Garden, called “Garden of Toranko-watashi” is a composition of 15 stones / isles placed in a large white sand surrounded by a wall of clay

In March it is the time to be more preoccupied of your house garden if you want that during summer to spoil among flowers and greenery. The work that you can do now are many and very important in the coming months but for the autumn harvest.

Soil preparation is a cutting action. Before planting it with flowers, grass or trees should be stripped of leaves, wood frozen dead bulbs, roots of weeds, rocks or other debris. And because the frost has left its mark on his land needs to be dug and airy.

If you have a hedge in the garden now is the time to clean it very well and to cut it. Fruit trees, trees, shrubs and roses need the same treatment. On the other hand, if you want to plant fruit trees, shrubs or conifers, first month of spring is the most suitable.

Do not forget the lawn. Care or sowing it is necessary in March. To renew the grass mown it when it exceeds 5 cm and fertilizes the land. Even if the soil is still cold you can choose a hot day to plant seeds of different varieties of vegetables or flowers. Apply fertilizer on existing plants but also over open land.
Trees and shrubs have also special care needs . Besides fruit trees (the weather is too hot to be able to be cut safely, because they put thriving), you can adjust any tree found in the garden. First, make sure that you clean the dried branches – will be useful for a pruning knife height (it is actually a special Top Handle, modified so that it can be operated from the ground). Then remove branches that load too much crown and not allow the sun to reach the trunk. In the same way proceed with shrubs (Exceptions are also bushes that bloom early spring – you will recognize the buds that are ready to bloom).

Regarding the cultivation of flowers, an unwritten rule of gardening says the signal is given for the new season of Forsythia bush, whose prosperity is the starting point for cultivating new generations of plants. But until the right time, you can go to greenhouses, flowers and shrubs you choose and keep them in the house, in the interim containers.
Ornamental stones .Put natural stones for decoration around the flowers. Build with their boards of different shapes and sizes. It is advisable to do this before starting to plant other flowers or shrubs. You can find the stones on the banks of a river near your home or on the seashore, if you stay near it. After you complete the “restricted” plants of spring is better to watch what space you have left in the garden. Think about how many species of flowers and shrubs you want to plant and divides the garden section .

Get rid of weeds. Weeds grow very fast and don’t need to the weather to be warm for this. Clean the weeds that have grown around spring plants which they have already start to rise(snowdrops, brand, hyacinths, tulips, etc.). Also, while you dig don’t forget to pick weeds that have grown and throw them from those places. If you leave them in the ground , they will grow again because they are very resistant.
Get back to light ornamental garden statuettes, in case you’ve kept them over the winter to the shelter. If you do not have statues or other decorative garden ornaments you can buy at stores or you can order them online.

Located in the west of the Palace of Versailles, gardens with an area of 800 hectares, were built by Andre Le Notre. In addition carefully tended lawns, the flower beds, and sculptures is another factor that contributed to the uniqueness of Versailles Garden but also the fountains built since the time of Lois XIV. In 1979 together with the Palace of Versailles the Gardens were included in the UNESCO World Heritage. The Gardens receive approximately 6 million of annual visitor, being one of the most visited tourist attractions in France.
The best approach to a visit is made following the sides of the castle or the cardinal points. In the east there is a terrace formed by basins of water which seems to extend in front of the castle. This part of the garden was changed several times before receiving final form in 1685. A part of sculpture went to Charles Le Brun as each pool was decorated with 4 statues symbolizing rivers and rivers of France. Besides these statues were added 4 nymphs. Staircase leading to the Latonia basin is framed by 6 statues, Day, Evening, air, sun, water and spring.

The Gardens centered in the south of the palace can be seen perfectly from the huge terrace. At the foot of the terrace stretches a huge fountain called Latonia fountain, whose construction was inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphosis. A central statue embodies the Latonia and her children and was initially placed facing the palace, now geared towards the Grand Canal. The basin is surrounded by 6 urchin exit at the half of the water and another 24 placed on the platform on the lawn. Steps leading to the royal Alley is flanked by 18 statues, each 9 on each side. Called green carpet of grass strips in the middle because it is 335m long and 40m wide. At the end of royal alley is the basin of Apollo and its clear lead plated statue. The statue was made by Tuby between 1668 and 1670 by Le Brun’s sketches.

Gardens themselves, meaning plenty of greenery and different species of plants are in the north. And this theme is found throughout the basin water dragon whose water jet reaches 27m high and the basin of Neptune. The latter was astonishing by the 89 water effects achieved with the hydraulic system. All four statues are grouped, as are highlighted four seasons, four continents, four temperaments etc.. There is a central alley flanked by a large shrubbery. Near it is situated the Grotto of Tethys and a pyramid which is the equivalent of Latonia Basin. The Pyramid was made by Girardon after a drawing of Le Brun, and its construction lasted 3-4 years. It is made of marble floors supported by Triton and dolphins in the lead. An interesting place is the so-called bath of nymphs. It is decorated with bas-reliefs made by Girardon, Le Hongre and Le Gros .