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ATastyBellPepper
2023年11月14日
Introduction
If you have limited space or lack a traditional garden area, container gardening is a fantastic solution for growing plants. Whether you have a small balcony, patio, or even a windowsill, you can create a vibrant and thriving garden by growing plants in pots and containers. In this article, we will explore tips and techniques for successful container gardening in small spaces.
1. Choosing the Right Containers
- Size matters: Select containers that are appropriate for the size of the plants you want to grow. Ensure they have enough depth and width to accommodate the root systems of your plants. Consider using a mix of sizes to create visual interest.
- Drainage is crucial: Choose containers with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and root rot. If your containers don't have drainage holes, you can drill them yourself or place a layer of gravel at the bottom to improve drainage.
- Material options: Containers can be made from various materials, including terracotta, plastic, wood, or ceramic. Each material has its pros and cons, so consider factors like durability, insulation, and aesthetics when selecting containers.
2. Selecting the Right Plants
- Consider your space and sunlight: Assess the amount of sunlight your space receives throughout the day. Choose plants that are suitable for the available light conditions. Some plants thrive in full sun, while others prefer partial shade or shade.
- Opt for compact and dwarf varieties: Look for plants that have a compact growth habit or are specifically bred for container gardening. This ensures they won't outgrow their containers and will fit well in small spaces.
- Mix it up: Experiment with a mix of plants to create texture, color, and visual interest in your container garden. Combine tall, medium, and trailing plants to create a layered and lush look.
3. Soil and Watering
- Quality potting mix: Use a high-quality potting mix that is well-draining and rich in organic matter. Avoid using garden soil, as it can be too heavy and may contain pests or diseases.
- Watering: Container plants generally require more frequent watering than those in the ground. Check the moisture level of the soil regularly and water when the top inch feels dry. Ensure you water thoroughly until water drains out of the bottom of the container.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or wood chips, on the soil surface. Mulching helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature in containers.
4. Care and Maintenance
- Fertilizing: Container plants benefit from regular feeding. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer or slow-release granules according to the instructions on the packaging. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can lead to nutrient burn or excessive growth.
- Pruning and deadheading: Regularly prune your plants to maintain their shape and encourage bushier growth. Remove spent flowers or foliage to redirect energy towards new growth and flowering.
- Pest control: Monitor your plants for pests and take appropriate measures to control them. Use organic pest control methods like insecticidal soaps, neem oil, or companion planting techniques to deter pests. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of disease and address any issues promptly.
5. Creative Use of Space
- Vertical gardening: Utilize vertical space by hanging pots, using wall-mounted planters, or incorporating trellises or climbing plants. This allows you to maximize your space and add a vertical dimension to your container garden.
- Edible container gardening: Grow herbs, vegetables, or fruits in containers for a fresh and delicious harvest. Compact varieties like cherry tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, or strawberries work well in containers.
- Grouping and arrangement: Arrange your containers in an aesthetically pleasing manner, considering color combinations, plant heights, and textures. Grouping plants together can create a visually appealing display and maximize space utilization.
Conclusion
Container gardening is a versatile and rewarding way to grow plants in small spaces. By choosing the right containers, selecting suitable plants, providing proper soil and watering, and maintaining your container garden, you can create a thriving and beautiful oasis. Get creative with your space, experiment with different plant combinations, and enjoy the satisfaction of growing plants in pots and containers. Happy gardening!
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ATastyBellPepper
2023年11月11日
Core Permaculture Principles
Permaculture is an innovative framework for creating sustainable ways of living and growing. It's guided by foundational principles like Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share, which focus on respecting the Earth, building community, and limiting consumption to what we need.
Observing and Interacting with Nature
The essence of permaculture is understanding the natural processes and ecosystems at work in your garden. Spend time observing the patterns of sunlight, wind, and water flow. This knowledge allows you to work with nature, rather than against it, in designing your garden layout.
Capturing and Storing Energy
In permaculture, capturing energy when it is abundant is key. This could mean collecting rainwater in barrels for irrigation, using solar chargers for garden tools, or planting deciduous trees for summer shade and winter sunlight.
Obtaining a Yield
Permaculture emphasizes productivity in all its forms. From growing food to creating habitats for beneficial insects, every element in a permaculture garden has a purpose. The goal is to create systems that are self-sustaining and self-replicating, providing abundance for humans and wildlife alike.
Applying Self-regulation and Accepting Feedback
A permaculture garden is about learning and adapting. Regularly assess and reflect on the garden's performance. If a plant or system isn't working as expected, be prepared to make changes. This principle helps create a resilient and flexible gardening approach.
Using Renewable Resources and Services
Permaculture gardens thrive on renewable resources. Composting garden and kitchen waste, using manual tools instead of gas-powered ones, and choosing plants that replenish the soil are all practices that reduce reliance on non-renewable resources.
Producing No Waste
In permaculture, waste is viewed as a resource out of place. Design your garden so that outputs from one process serve as inputs for another, mimicking the cyclical nature of ecosystems where there is no waste.
Designing from Patterns to Details
Start planning your garden with broad patterns—such as sun exposure, wind direction, and topography—then move to the details like plant selection and placement. This top-down approach ensures a cohesive and efficient design.
Integrating Rather Than Segregating
Permaculture gardens are diverse and integrated systems. Plant a mix of species that can support and enhance each other, such as nitrogen-fixing legumes that enrich the soil for neighboring plants.
Using Small and Slow Solutions
Permaculture values small, slow approaches that require minimal energy for maintenance and allow you to respond to changes. Start with a small garden plot and expand as you learn what works best for your space and needs.
Valuing Diversity
Biodiversity is a hallmark of permaculture. A variety of plants and animals creates a resilient ecosystem that can withstand pests, diseases, and climate extremes.
Using Edges and Valuing the Marginal
The edge, the area where two ecosystems meet, is the most productive part of any system. In your garden, maximize edge spaces—like where the lawn meets a pond—to take advantage of these highly productive areas.
Creatively Using and Responding to Change
Permaculture is dynamic, responding creatively to change. Whether it's a change in climate conditions or personal circumstances, the permaculture garden is designed to adapt and evolve over time.
Conclusion: Permaculture as a Way of Life
Permaculture is more than a set of gardening techniques; it's a sustainable living philosophy that can be applied to every part of our lives. By adopting permaculture principles, we can create gardens that provide for our needs while nurturing the environment.
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包瑞锦
2023年10月30日
Introduction
Investing is a powerful tool for growing wealth and achieving financial goals. However, understanding the different types of investments and building a diversified investment portfolio is crucial for minimizing risk and maximizing returns. In this article, we will explore various investment options and discuss how to build a well-rounded investment portfolio.
Stocks
Stocks represent ownership in a company. By purchasing stocks, you become a shareholder and have the potential to benefit from the company's growth and profits. Stocks offer the potential for high returns but also carry higher risks.
Bonds
Bonds are debt securities issued by governments, municipalities, or corporations to raise capital. When you invest in bonds, you are essentially lending money to the issuer in exchange for regular interest payments and the return of the principal amount at maturity. Bonds are generally considered lower risk compared to stocks.
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other assets. They are managed by professional fund managers. Investing in mutual funds provides instant diversification and is suitable for those who prefer a hands-off approach to investing.
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
ETFs are similar to mutual funds but trade on stock exchanges like individual stocks. They offer diversification and are passively managed to track specific market indexes. ETFs provide flexibility and can be bought or sold throughout the trading day at market prices.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
REITs allow investors to own shares in real estate properties or mortgages without directly owning the physical assets. They generate income through rental properties, commercial buildings, or mortgage interest payments. REITs provide exposure to the real estate market without the need for significant capital.
Commodities
Commodities include physical goods like gold, silver, oil, or agricultural products. Investing in commodities can provide diversification and act as a hedge against inflation. However, commodity prices can be volatile, making them riskier investments.
Building an Investment Portfolio
To build a well-rounded investment portfolio, consider the following steps:
- Determine your risk tolerance and investment goals.
- Diversify your investments across various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate, to spread risk.
- Allocate your investments based on your risk tolerance and time horizon.
- Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.
- Consider seeking professional advice if needed, especially for complex investment strategies or if you're unsure about your investment decisions.
Conclusion
Understanding different types of investments and building a diversified investment portfolio is essential for long-term financial success. By considering options like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, REITs, and commodities, and following the steps to build a portfolio, you can manage risk and maximize the potential for returns. Remember to regularly monitor and adjust your portfolio to stay on track with your financial goals.
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ATastyBellPepper
2023年10月30日
Introduction
Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a rewarding and sustainable way to have access to fresh and nutritious produce. Edible gardening allows you to have control over what you eat, save money on groceries, and enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own food. In this article, we will explore the basics of edible gardening and provide tips for successful cultivation.
1. Start with a Plan
Before you begin, consider the space you have available for gardening. Evaluate factors such as sunlight exposure, soil quality, and the amount of available water. Plan what fruits and vegetables you want to grow, taking into account your climate and the growing requirements of each plant.
2. Prepare the Soil
Good soil is essential for healthy plant growth. Prepare your soil by removing any weeds and loosening it with a garden fork or tiller. Amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to improve its fertility and drainage. Conduct a soil test to determine if any additional nutrients are needed.
3. Choose the Right Plants
Select plants that are suitable for your climate and growing conditions. Consider the space available, the amount of sunlight, and the water requirements of each plant. Start with easy-to-grow crops like tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, and zucchini. Consider planting a mix of annuals and perennials to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
4. Provide Adequate Watering
Water your edible garden regularly, aiming for consistent moisture levels. Most plants require about 1 inch of water per week. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot and other diseases. Consider using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the plant roots and minimize water waste.
5. Practice Proper Plant Spacing
Follow the recommended spacing guidelines for each plant to ensure proper air circulation and to prevent overcrowding. Overcrowded plants are more prone to diseases and pests. Proper spacing also allows each plant to access adequate sunlight and nutrients.
6. Control Pests and Diseases
Monitor your plants regularly for signs of pests and diseases. Inspect the leaves, stems, and fruits for any abnormalities. Use organic pest control methods whenever possible, such as handpicking pests, using insecticidal soaps or oils, or introducing beneficial insects. Remove any diseased plants or plant parts promptly to prevent the spread of diseases.
7. Harvest at the Right Time
Harvest your fruits and vegetables at their peak of ripeness. Each crop has its own signs of maturity, such as color, size, or firmness. Harvesting at the right time ensures the best flavor and nutritional value.
8. Rotate Crops
Practice crop rotation to prevent the buildup of pests and diseases in the soil. Avoid planting the same crop in the same location year after year. Rotate plants from different families to disrupt pests' life cycles and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Conclusion
Edible gardening is a rewarding and sustainable way to grow your own fruits and vegetables. By starting with a plan, preparing the soil, choosing the right plants, providing adequate watering, practicing proper plant spacing, controlling pests and diseases, harvesting at the right time, and rotating crops, you can successfully cultivate a thriving edible garden. Enjoy the benefits of fresh, nutritious produce right from your backyard, and take pride in your ability to sustainably feed yourself and your family.
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ATastyBellPepper
2023年10月29日
Introduction
Container gardening is a fantastic way to enjoy the benefits of gardening, even if you have limited space. Whether you live in an apartment or have a small backyard, growing plants in containers allows you to create a beautiful and productive garden. In this article, we will discuss some essential tips for successful container gardening in small spaces, which will inspire teenagers to embark on their gardening journey.
1. Choose the Right Containers
The first step to successful container gardening is choosing the right containers. Opt for containers that have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Additionally, consider the size of the container, ensuring it is appropriate for the plant's root system. Lightweight containers made of plastic or resin are ideal for balconies and small spaces where weight is a concern.
2. Select the Right Plants
When gardening in small spaces, it is crucial to choose plants that are suitable for container gardening. Select plants that have compact or dwarf varieties, as they require less space to grow. Herbs, salad greens, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and flowers like marigolds and petunias are excellent choices for container gardening.
3. Provide Adequate Drainage
Proper drainage is essential to prevent waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot. Ensure that your containers have drainage holes at the bottom. You can also place a layer of small stones or broken pottery pieces at the bottom of the container to facilitate drainage.
4. Use Quality Potting Soil
Investing in good quality potting soil is crucial for successful container gardening. Avoid using garden soil, as it tends to be too heavy and may not provide adequate drainage. Look for potting soil specifically formulated for container gardening, as it is lightweight, well-draining, and enriched with nutrients.
5. Water Regularly
Container plants typically require more frequent watering compared to plants grown in the ground. Check the moisture level of the soil regularly and water when the top inch feels dry. Be careful not to overwater, as it can lead to root rot. Consider using a watering can or a gentle spray nozzle to water the plants evenly.
6. Provide Adequate Sunlight
Most plants require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth. Place your containers in a location that receives adequate sunlight. If you have limited sunlight in your space, choose plants that can tolerate partial shade, such as leafy greens or herbs like parsley and mint.
7. Fertilize Regularly
Container plants rely on the nutrients present in the potting soil, which can deplete over time. Regularly fertilize your container plants with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for the appropriate dosage and frequency.
8. Prune and Deadhead
Pruning and deadheading are essential maintenance tasks for container plants. Regularly remove any dead or faded flowers to encourage new blooms. Pruning helps control the size and shape of the plant, promoting healthy growth. Use clean and sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant.
9. Protect from Pests
Pests can be a challenge in container gardening. Inspect your plants regularly for any signs of pests such as aphids or spider mites. If you notice any infestations, treat them promptly with organic pest control methods or insecticidal soap, which are safe for both plants and the environment.
10. Rotate and Refresh
To ensure the long-term success of your container garden, consider rotating your plants every season. This allows the soil to rejuvenate and prevents the buildup of pests and diseases. Additionally, refresh the potting soil every year to replenish nutrients and maintain soil health.
Conclusion
Container gardening in small spaces is a wonderful way for teenagers to experience the joy of gardening and beautify their surroundings. By choosing the right containers, selecting suitable plants, providing adequate drainage, and using quality potting soil, teenagers can create thriving container gardens. Regular watering, appropriate sunlight, fertilization, pruning, and pest control are essential for the plants' health and productivity. Remember to rotate and refresh your container garden to maintain soil health and prevent issues. With these tips, teenagers can enjoy the benefits of gardening in even the smallest of spaces.
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lrgarden
2022年07月26日
At the age of 22, I took my first vacation by myself. It wasn't something I'd really thought about or had a burning desire to do growing up going on mission trips with 30+ high school kids (who were probably fairly annoying). But it was my time abroad in London where I found inspiration.
In the past, the phrase "one is the loneliest number that you'll ever know" would gloomily loop in my thoughts whenever I considered traveling alone. But after meeting a young woman of similar age who like to travel alone and hearing her tales of amazing experiences and fascinating people, the record scratched and the music abruptly switched to the line, "I-n-d-e-p-e-n-d-e-n-t do you know what it mean?" Heyyy. Maybe I can pull this off.
I was welcomed into the world of solo travel, a fast expanding movement with women at the forefront, by that new mindset and that first trip to Italy.
If traveling is the greatest way to learn, then traveling alone is like taking an intense crash course.
Anyone in her 20s who is capable of traveling alone ought to do so. Along with the trinkets you'll collect along the road, you'll learn some essential life lessons.
1. When you travel alone, the most essential voice of all is amplified: your own.
What activities do you wish to engage in? What piques your interest? What would you want to eat, hear, or discover? What does your spirit need? How does your body feel?We too frequently allow other people's voices and opinions to overpower our own. Particularly as women, this may become our default operating system. Being openly egotistical while traveling alone is the ideal way to make room for spontaneity and the delightful element of surprise.
Knowing your own desires better enables you to identify and fight for your needs on a daily basis. When you can lovingly put yourself first, you'll be better able to look after the people you care about.
2. When you're by yourself, you quickly learn how to rely on yourself before turning to others for assistance
There is no better way to gain self-assurance than to get lost in a foreign country halfway across the globe at night on the wrong side of the city and then calmly plan your way back to where you belong. Not that I have any firsthand knowledge or anything...When traveling with others, it's simple to assume that they have the necessary information, such as maps and plans. But when you're the only one around, you quickly learn to rely on yourself before turning to others for help.
To be clear, I'm not advocating that you rely entirely on yourself. No, there are times when assistance is required, and it's important to have the humility to request it. But the key is to recognize the distinctions. When the only people in your immediate vicinity are strangers or hazy acquaintances, you are more likely to try to solve problems on your own, which is a learning experience.
Learn to start by looking inside since you likely already have the solution. That insight fosters a feeling of empowerment that permeates all facets of your life.
3. Look around you with an open mind and see what you can learn from the people and cultures there
When traveling with friends or a partner, it's simple to get preoccupied with the individual seated across from you and overlook the chance to engage in conversation with your fellow passengers.Traveling alone might sometimes be lonely. However, the scenario entirely changes if you choose to transform the early discomfort of self-sufficiency into an opportunity to connect with someone. Who knows, you could make a friend for life or just a trip companion. There is still a chance to learn something new and meet someone intriguing, even if the interaction ends there.
Even if you may never see one other again, knowing this does not imply the relationship was wasted; on the contrary. Enjoy your connection as it is at the time.
4. Give up on your restrictions
Our traveling partners are often our strongest supporters, encouraging us to try new things like the excursion, the strange mystery meal, or even jumping out of the aircraft. Although the final one is not my preferred experience, I am not familiar with your circumstances.While your fellow passengers could push you, they can also provide comfort. Perhaps you're keeping yourself from engaging in a particular experience because you think the other person won't like it. Perhaps you haven't questioned your hesitation because those around you haven't, and it may be supported by fear.
These issues become apparent when traveling alone. It also reveals how resilient and strong you really are. You have an exponential growth potential, and going it alone gives you the freedom to go lean into your limitations.
5. Purchase the pass. It might mark a turning point in your life
Every time you try to coordinate with more people, time or money will always be an issue. Although I've traveled with some wonderful people, I would still venture to say that the ideal travel companion does not exist. similar ones? Absolutely. But you are the ideal partner for yourself.It goes without saying that when you have a party of two, and even more so as your small group expands, your priorities change. But if you can, schedule some time just for you. It might only be a day trip. It's alright.
And perhaps you shouldn't, my single ladies who are searching for that special someone. The moment may have come. You don't want to look back and regret not traveling to the places or fulfilling your lifelong ambitions because you were preoccupied with waiting for other people to fit into your schedule.
Purchase the pass. You might miss out on a pivotal opportunity in your journey if someone else is unable to attend. Don't ponder the past. You can find out by going.
A solo trip isn't intended to be one size fits all, just like any other kind of travel. Perhaps you'd be more comfortable in a meetup group for lone travelers. You could also just take a few extra days to do your own thing if you have a travel companion who can accompany you on some of the journey.
My preferred method of solo travel is to visit friends who reside in amazing locations around the globe and discover their cities while they are at work. The best of both worlds: a solo trip with a dinner date every evening.
Whatever you choose, don't let the stereotype of what traveling alone looks like prevent you from taking the trip. Do your research, be sensible, safe, and aware that there are some places where women should never travel alone. But there are a ton more that will provide interesting and educational adventures.
Decide to go your own way and see what you can discover.
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lrgarden
2022年07月25日
It is simple to see why weight reduction is growing in popularity by the hour. Gyms are reopening all over the globe, and a substantial portion of the population has packed on several pounds to their waist. People are seeking for the best fitness plan to efficiently reduce weight now that most nations are loosening the limits on their residents.
It's advisable to keep in mind that the ideal approach to lose fat is to combine intensive activity, like gym training, running, or sports, with a good number of moderate, everyday motions, like walking, yoga, or climbing stairs, before getting into the specifics of which forms of exercise you should pick.
It will take more than four rigorous workout sessions and supplementary daily activity to get the same results as relying just on exercise without maintaining an active lifestyle.
The activities listed below should be a part of your weight-loss training regimen.
Step 1: Regular strolls
Try to walk 10,000 steps each day.Aim for 10,000 steps each day if you can spend time outside. Walking is a fantastic method to relax, manage stress, and avoid gaining too much weight.
Even though it may not seem significant, walking 10,000 steps a day might result in a 500 calorie burn. That's 3500 calories throughout the course of the week, or the same amount of calories as there are in one pound of fat.
Take an early stroll. While doing phone meetings, stroll. Walking after meals. You may listen to podcasts as you walk. Time spent walking doesn't have to be idle time.
Use nasal breathing as a bonus
When you go for walks, breathe through your nose while pressing your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Nasal breathing provides a ton of advantages, including greater oxygen extraction (which may result in increased energy), maintenance of a pH-balanced body via improved carbon dioxide breakdown, and less sympathetic nervous system nerve activity.The fight-or-flight response is the mechanism through which the sympathetic nervous system awakens the body. Cortisol levels rise when this is persistently high as a result of stressful times, which may impair your immune system, cause you to develop more fat than muscle. Short version: Nasal breathing lowers stress and enhances health.
Never undervalue the value of spending the most of the day on your feet in terms of accomplishing your weight loss objectives. Once you've developed a habit of taking daily steps, you can go on to the next crucial stage in attaining rapid weight loss: increasing your calorie burn using HIIT.
Step 2: HIIT training
Intense aerobic exercises like:-667-990 calories/hour from skipping rope
-Performing sprint intervals (639-946 calories/hour)
-Kickboxing burns 582–864 calories per hour.
-Intervals of cycling (568–841 calories/hour)
What features do all of these pursuits share? They are all examples of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Implementing certain HIIT components is a must if you want to use exercise to lose weight in the shortest amount of time possible.
HIIT Training: What Is It?
Short bursts of intensive activity are often interspersed with rest or lower-intensity exercise in HIIT programs. These exercises often combine weight training with aerobic exercise in fitness studios and online. Because they demand an intensity that cannot be maintained for more than a minute at a time, followed by recovery intervals that are two to three times as long as the sprint, sports like boxing and football include some HIIT components.Exercises of various kinds, such as running (running sprints), cycling (uphill bursts), rowing, swimming, and others, as well as normal gym training or bodyweight training, may all be adapted to the HIIT concept (just think of a set of burpees).
Given this, it should be rather obvious that HIIT, along with your required daily steps, should be one of the key components of any weight-loss program. To design the ideal exercise program for lasting weight loss, we must yet include one more component: lifting with increasing overload.
Step 3: Progressive Overload
In order to maintain improvements in muscle growth, strength, and endurance, this theory calls for continuously increasing the demands placed on the musculoskeletal system. Simply stated, you must consistently subject your muscles to more effort than they are used to if you want to develop larger and stronger. The most common way to do this is to raise the resistance, but there are other ways to do it as you'll see below.Your muscles will atrophy, losing size and strength, if the demands on the target muscle groups are not at least maintained or are even lessened.
A relatively basic yet essential idea called progressive overload serves as the cornerstone of effective resistance training.
The progressive-overload approach may be used in cardiovascular fitness programs to induce physiological changes that influence aerobic metabolism and the cardiorespiratory system, in addition to weightlifting to promote muscle development and strength.
Take a set of press-ups, for instance:
If you accomplish four sets of 10 press-ups during your first week of a new program, you may use the concept of progressive overload the following week by increasing the intensity of the press-up sets in the following ways:
1. Increase the number of repetitions (if you did 4 sets of 10 the previous week, you could do 4 sets of 11 repetitions the following week).
2. Boost the quantity of sets (doing 5 sets of 10 repetitions instead of four).
3. Reduce the time between sets (for example, if you rested 60 inches between sets the first week, rest 50 inches the next week).
4. Boost the load. To increase the influence of gravity during a set of press-ups, you may put a 2.5 kg plate to the top of your back, raise one leg off the ground, or place both feet on the sofa so that your torso is lowered toward the floor.
As you can see, progressive overload refers to increasing your effort level throughout a certain workout gradually. But why is this so crucial for losing weight?
The Effect of Afterburn
Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC, is another name for the afterburn effect, which simply refers to a higher rate of calorie burning after exercise.Exercise raises the muscles' need for oxygen (VO2), which oxidizes lipids and carbs to provide the energy needed for movement. The amount of oxygen that the human body needs varies according to how hard you work out.
Your body requires more oxygen than you can get through breathing during vigorous activity. The "oxygen debt" is the difference between the quantity of oxygen provided and the amount of oxygen needed by the muscles. The human body typically takes a few hours to "pay off" the oxygen debt, regain equilibrium, and "cool down." It uses up more than 10 liters of more oxygen during that period, increasing post-workout calorie burn.
Make sure you exercise properly by consistently applying some kind of progressive overload if you want to take advantage of the body's remarkable ability and reap the benefits of more calories expended.
The intensity of the exercise is one of the key elements determining the faster burning of calories after the workout, according to studies. The size and duration of EPOC increase with an increase in exercise intensity (progressive overload and, of course, HIIT). The least amount of calorie burning occurs after low-intensity physical activity. After hard training is over, the effects of combustion might last for up to ten hours.
In order to really optimize calorie consumption and, hence, weight reduction, each workout you do should get more intense each time you complete it. This includes any maximal intensity in short bursts (HIIT) exercises.
Step 4: Completing the Task
Here is a "ideal framework" you may use to build the best exercise program to help you lose weight, letting you choose the kind of exercise you love doing the most. Always keep in mind that the workout you will really do is the one that is ideal for you. As a result, it's just as crucial to choose a training method or activity that you really love as it is to walk 10,000 steps every day.Let's go on to the main point now that I've made it apparent.
Home Exercise
Consider a 4-week regimen as an example.Week 1
Seven days of 10–12,000 steps each day, with the possibility of catching the sunrise to regulate your circadian cycles and lower stressThree 40-minute fitness sessions: HIIT cardio for 10 minutes after 30 minutes of normal exercise
Week 2
Seven days of 12–15,000 steps each dayFour 45-minute workouts consisting of 35 minutes of conventional exercise and 10 minutes of HIIT cardio
Week 3
Seven days of 12–15,000 steps each day (30 minutes walking at a higher pace, almost to a mild sweaty point)Four 50-minute workouts consisting of 35 minutes of conventional exercise and 15 minutes of HIIT cardio
Week 4
7 days of 12–15,000 steps per day (40 minutes of faster walking, nearly to the point of light perspiration)Four 60-minute workouts consisting of 45 minutes of conventional exercise and 15 minutes of HIIT cardio
Gym Workout
Let's use gym training as an example and put this framework into practice. The daily activities remain the same as above, and the training is as follows:Week 1
Monday: 10 HIIT sprints on the treadmill for 10 minutes and 30 minutes of leg work.Wednesday: 10 minutes of HIIT sprints on the assault bike and 30 minutes of upper body work.
Friday: 10 minutes of HIIT burpees and 30 minutes of full-body exercise.
Week 2
Monday: 35 minutes of leg work and 10 minutes of HIIT sprints on the treadmillTuesday: 35 minutes of upper body work and 10 minutes of HIIT sprints on the assault cycle.
HIIT burpees for 10 minutes and 35 minutes of whole body exercise on Thursday and Saturday.
Similar to week 2, week 3 and week 4 include longer exercises.
The greatest results with weight training come from dividing your workouts into lower-body, upper-body, and full-body segments since the more muscles you utilize during a particular exercise, the more calories you burn. In order to give your muscles a breather and give them time to recuperate, you should think about alternating low-intensity days with high-intensity days if you decide to practice a sport like boxing, jogging, or cycling that uses the same set of muscles constantly.
Conclusion
The aforementioned framework seems to work best for the majority of individuals searching for a training regimen to lose weight and improve their overall fitness. However, no exercise program is "perfect" for everyone. Whatever regular activity you choose to engage in should be matched with a calorie deficit-producing diet.0
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atastybellpepper
2022年07月04日
Taking Care of and Growing Creeping Zinnia
Despite having the same popular name as real zinnias, creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) actually comes from a distinct plant genus (Zinnia spp.). Its name comes from the fact that the oval, pointed leaves strongly resemble those of zinnias. It is also similar to zinnia in another respect: It has a protracted blooming time and beautiful blooms with the same daisy-like form as all Asteraceae species. An upbeat annual with a spreading habit and a little 6-inch height, creeping zinnia is perfect for use as groundcover or as trailer plants in pots. The little yellow blossoms, which have been likened to sunflowers while being a smaller version, steal the show despite the lovely green foliage, which is distinctive in and of itself. Creeping zinnias are real annuals that die at the end of the growing season, but they are worthwhile to replant every year because of their profusion of blossoms and carefree character.
Mexican creeping zinnia, creeping zinnia, common names
Sanvitalia procumbens, a plant
Sanvitalia procumbens, Asteraceae, botanical name
Size at maturity: 4-6 inches tall and 12–18 inches broad Sun Exposure: Full to Part Sun
Well-drained soil with an acidic to barely alkaline pH of (5.5-7.5)
Summer Flower Color Yellow, orange Bloom Time
Zones of Hardiness 2–11 (true annual, grown in all USDA zones)
Originally from Central America (Mexico, Guatemala)
Care for Creeping Zinnia
If given enough water, creeping zinnias are very simple plants to grow in full sun or light shade in relatively rich soil. It does well in summertime settings and is resilient to extreme heat and humidity. While requiring regular irrigation, creeping zinnia cannot survive wet weather.
After the soil has completely warmed and the nighttime temperature is consistently over 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring, creeping zinnia is often planted from potted nursery plants. Completely loosen the soil, and if required, add organic additives like peat moss or compost. Plant with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil.
Since creeping zinnias may respond poorly to transplanting, many individuals, however, choose to direct sow seeds in the exact places where they want plants to grow. In the spring, as soon as the ground can be worked, direct-sown seeds are often planted.
Sunlight
Although creeping zinnia may thrive in full sun or light shade, direct sunlight for six to eight hours a day is necessary for it to blossom to its most capacity. These plants will normally do well in locations that only get four to six hours of light, but they won't produce the same profusion of blossoms.
Soil These plants may grow in a variety of soil types, from poor to moderately fertile, humus-rich environments. However, good soil drainage is necessary for creeping zinnia. Otherwise, its roots can become wet and decay.
Water
Although creeping zinnia adores the heat and can endure dry spells, this does not mean that it won't need frequent watering. Although it's necessary to prevent waterlogging, the plant enjoys continuously medium-moist soil conditions. For this reason, if cultivated in a container during periods of dry weather, you may need to water these plants once or twice daily. Aim for slightly aerated, wet soil that dries out between waterings but doesn't get too dry and crumbly.
Thermodynamics and Humidity
Creeping Zinnia will thrive in warm climates with heavy humidity. These plants, which are indigenous to Mexico and Guatemala in Central America, flourish as the temperature rises and do not wilt in hot weather. But if the average nighttime temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they only have a modest tolerance for chilly weather and will start to deteriorate and eventually die.
Fertilizer
Provide a healthy, prolifically flowering plant with at least moderately rich soil. Although creeping zinnia doesn't have particularly specific or large nutritional requirements, you may need to apply organic or a balanced conventional fertilizer if you grow it in less-than-ideal soil.
To boost the general development and health of the plant, creeping zinnia grown in pots or containers often benefit from a slow-release fertilizer or a periodic application of liquid fertilizer.
Creeping Zinnia species
There are more than a dozen identified cultivars of creeping zinnia, most of which have been developed to show minor variations in bloom size, color, or form. Take into account these suggestions:
Semi-double blooms of the orange and yellow "Sprite" variety with dark brown centers. Plants stand between 10 and 12 inches tall.
A prolific blooming, "Gold Braid" produces golden-yellow blooms with dark brown centers.
Flowers on the plant 'Irish Eyes' are orange-yellow with green centers. Plants stand just six inches tall.
'Mandarin Orange' has double, deep, rich orange blooms with dark brown center disks that resemble little sunflowers.
Pruning
To keep the plants looking tidy and to encourage continuing flowering, deadhead the spent blooms on a regular basis. To keep the plants neatly packed, you may trim back stems that grow too long.
Developing Creeping Zinnia
The rootball may be divided into distinct portions for replanting, stem clippings can be taken to root in a growth medium, or seeds can be harvested from the flower heads. Since the plant dislikes being transferred, it is often grown in commercial settings using seeds. But in order to grow new plants inside throughout the winter and preserve beloved species, home gardeners often adopt the stem-cutting approach. This is how you do it:
Use sharp pruners to take 6- to 8-inch stem cuttings from healthy, vigorously developing plants as the temperature starts to chill in the autumn. In addition to removing the leaves from the bottom 2 inches of each cutting, remove any blooms and blossom buds.
Plant the cutting in a 4-inch container filled with seed-starter mix or regular potting soil after dipping the cut end in rooting hormone.
The pot should be placed in a spot with strong, indirect light inside a transparent plastic bag that is loosely closed. Check the pot every few days, and if the potting soil starts to dry up, softly water it.
Every week or so, carefully pull on the stem to check for the emergence of roots. When you start to encounter resistance, the cutting has established roots.
Remove the pot from the plastic covering after a substantial network of roots has grown, and continue to cultivate it in a warm, sunny area. Up until spring, the plant may continue to develop inside. Once the overnight lows are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, plant it outside.
Creeping Zinnia Seed Growing Instructions
It's simple to start creeping zinnia from seed, but keep in mind that these plants don't usually take well to being moved. Instead of starting seeds in starter trays, think about direct seeding them where you want to develop them for the greatest outcomes. Despite the tiny size of the flower heads, collecting the seeds from individual wasted flowers may be a rather simple process. They may be sown in the spring and store well during the winter.
Don't bury these seeds since they need sunshine to develop. Instead, spread them out on the ground. As an alternative, softly tamper with the soil's surface or loosely cover the plants with peat moss. For the seeds to germinate, water them often and maintain the soil's moisture. For precise planting and care instructions, it is usually better to read the seed packaging guidelines.
About 10 weeks after the seeds are sowed, the plants will blossom. Many gardeners who want their gardens to blossom as soon as possible choose to start them inside two to three weeks before the anticipated last frost date.
Reseeding and Potting invasive zinnia
Creeping zinnia is a fantastic choice for container cultivation due to its modest growth rate and profusion of blossoms. All summer long, these plants will cover the container, window box, or other planter with tiny, lovely blossoms. Remember that these plants need appropriate drainage if you want to grow them effectively in pots. To prevent the roots from becoming too wet, choose an excellent loose and light potting mix.
Plants planted in containers often need more fertilizer than plants grown in gardens, mostly because regular watering rapidly removes nutrients from the potting soil. For creeping zinnias planted in pots, you may need to supply more fertilizer. If your plants are not flowering as profusely as you would like, time-released or granular fertilizer pellets or a balanced liquid solution will often provide the push they need.
Overwintering
At the conclusion of the growing season, these frost-sensitive plants are often merely pulled out and thrown away. Birds will show up to pick at the dried blooms for their edible seeds if they are left in situ, however.
Typical Pests & Plant Illnesses
There are no significant illnesses or pests to be concerned about with these hardy tiny plants. However, like nearly any other garden plant, creeping zinnia may sometimes have powdery mildew or small fungal leaf spots. By watering carefully at ground level rather than from above, you may reduce these issues.
How to Induce Blooming in Creeping Zinnia
To get beautiful blooms from creeping zinnias, make sure they have enough of water and sunlight—this is often all they need. Typically, these plants will bloom profusely from the start of the summer until the onset of the chilly autumn weather. In addition
Deadheading wasted flowers on a regular basis helps encourage new blooms.
Cut down long, lanky stems to encourage denser growth and more blooms.
Creeping zinnias grown in containers could benefit from additional feeding. However, excessive fertilizer usually results in long, lanky branches that don't produce as many blooms in garden plants that are already growing in adequately nutritious soil.
Typical Issues with Creeping Zinnia
Despite being mostly trouble-free, creeping zinnias may worry gardeners due to these signs:
Seedlings perish as soon as they are planted.
The roots of creeping zinnias should not be disturbed while transplanting them, even from potted nursery starts. Treating these plants delicately will help them survive transplanting into the garden since they often dislike being relocated. To get around this issue, some gardeners choose to direct-sow the seeds in the precise spots where they want the plants to develop.
Plants are now scarce
Creeping zinnias may produce long, lanky stems that are mostly barren except for the tips when grown in good soil or when fed a lot of fertilizer. In order to encourage new growth and make the plant fuller and bushier, these lanky stems may be forcefully pruned down to the plant's base.
FAQ
What are the best ways to employ creeping zinnia in a landscape?
In sunny border gardens, as well as in sunny rock gardens, creeping zinnias are often utilized as foreground bedding or edging plants. When they are spread out across vast, sunny regions, they may provide a vibrant seasonal ground cover. They work well in big mixed patio/deck container gardens as well as window boxes, hanging baskets, and hanging gardens.
In the garden, do creeping zinnias self-seed?
Yes, the small seeds often fall into the ground and take root if the flower heads are left on the plant. It is preferable to leave these volunteers alone so they can colonize since they are difficult to dig up and relocate. If you leave some flower heads in situ to release seed and generate volunteers the following spring, a tiny patch of creeping zinnias may be self-sustaining from year to year.
Exist any common zinnias with this creeping, trailing behavior?
Although some are fairly small, upright plants are the norm for regular zinnias. Try one of the cultivars of Zinnia augustifolea instead for a trailing habit that is comparable to that of the creeping zinnia (spreading zinnia). They will grow in a manner similar to creeping zinnias, but they give a far greater variety of bloom hues.
Despite having the same popular name as real zinnias, creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) actually comes from a distinct plant genus (Zinnia spp.). Its name comes from the fact that the oval, pointed leaves strongly resemble those of zinnias. It is also similar to zinnia in another respect: It has a protracted blooming time and beautiful blooms with the same daisy-like form as all Asteraceae species. An upbeat annual with a spreading habit and a little 6-inch height, creeping zinnia is perfect for use as groundcover or as trailer plants in pots. The little yellow blossoms, which have been likened to sunflowers while being a smaller version, steal the show despite the lovely green foliage, which is distinctive in and of itself. Creeping zinnias are real annuals that die at the end of the growing season, but they are worthwhile to replant every year because of their profusion of blossoms and carefree character.
Mexican creeping zinnia, creeping zinnia, common names
Sanvitalia procumbens, a plant
Sanvitalia procumbens, Asteraceae, botanical name
Size at maturity: 4-6 inches tall and 12–18 inches broad Sun Exposure: Full to Part Sun
Well-drained soil with an acidic to barely alkaline pH of (5.5-7.5)
Summer Flower Color Yellow, orange Bloom Time
Zones of Hardiness 2–11 (true annual, grown in all USDA zones)
Originally from Central America (Mexico, Guatemala)
Care for Creeping Zinnia
If given enough water, creeping zinnias are very simple plants to grow in full sun or light shade in relatively rich soil. It does well in summertime settings and is resilient to extreme heat and humidity. While requiring regular irrigation, creeping zinnia cannot survive wet weather.
After the soil has completely warmed and the nighttime temperature is consistently over 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring, creeping zinnia is often planted from potted nursery plants. Completely loosen the soil, and if required, add organic additives like peat moss or compost. Plant with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil.
Since creeping zinnias may respond poorly to transplanting, many individuals, however, choose to direct sow seeds in the exact places where they want plants to grow. In the spring, as soon as the ground can be worked, direct-sown seeds are often planted.
Sunlight
Although creeping zinnia may thrive in full sun or light shade, direct sunlight for six to eight hours a day is necessary for it to blossom to its most capacity. These plants will normally do well in locations that only get four to six hours of light, but they won't produce the same profusion of blossoms.
Soil These plants may grow in a variety of soil types, from poor to moderately fertile, humus-rich environments. However, good soil drainage is necessary for creeping zinnia. Otherwise, its roots can become wet and decay.
Water
Although creeping zinnia adores the heat and can endure dry spells, this does not mean that it won't need frequent watering. Although it's necessary to prevent waterlogging, the plant enjoys continuously medium-moist soil conditions. For this reason, if cultivated in a container during periods of dry weather, you may need to water these plants once or twice daily. Aim for slightly aerated, wet soil that dries out between waterings but doesn't get too dry and crumbly.
Thermodynamics and Humidity
Creeping Zinnia will thrive in warm climates with heavy humidity. These plants, which are indigenous to Mexico and Guatemala in Central America, flourish as the temperature rises and do not wilt in hot weather. But if the average nighttime temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they only have a modest tolerance for chilly weather and will start to deteriorate and eventually die.
Fertilizer
Provide a healthy, prolifically flowering plant with at least moderately rich soil. Although creeping zinnia doesn't have particularly specific or large nutritional requirements, you may need to apply organic or a balanced conventional fertilizer if you grow it in less-than-ideal soil.
To boost the general development and health of the plant, creeping zinnia grown in pots or containers often benefit from a slow-release fertilizer or a periodic application of liquid fertilizer.
Creeping Zinnia species
There are more than a dozen identified cultivars of creeping zinnia, most of which have been developed to show minor variations in bloom size, color, or form. Take into account these suggestions:
Semi-double blooms of the orange and yellow "Sprite" variety with dark brown centers. Plants stand between 10 and 12 inches tall.
A prolific blooming, "Gold Braid" produces golden-yellow blooms with dark brown centers.
Flowers on the plant 'Irish Eyes' are orange-yellow with green centers. Plants stand just six inches tall.
'Mandarin Orange' has double, deep, rich orange blooms with dark brown center disks that resemble little sunflowers.
Pruning
To keep the plants looking tidy and to encourage continuing flowering, deadhead the spent blooms on a regular basis. To keep the plants neatly packed, you may trim back stems that grow too long.
Developing Creeping Zinnia
The rootball may be divided into distinct portions for replanting, stem clippings can be taken to root in a growth medium, or seeds can be harvested from the flower heads. Since the plant dislikes being transferred, it is often grown in commercial settings using seeds. But in order to grow new plants inside throughout the winter and preserve beloved species, home gardeners often adopt the stem-cutting approach. This is how you do it:
Use sharp pruners to take 6- to 8-inch stem cuttings from healthy, vigorously developing plants as the temperature starts to chill in the autumn. In addition to removing the leaves from the bottom 2 inches of each cutting, remove any blooms and blossom buds.
Plant the cutting in a 4-inch container filled with seed-starter mix or regular potting soil after dipping the cut end in rooting hormone.
The pot should be placed in a spot with strong, indirect light inside a transparent plastic bag that is loosely closed. Check the pot every few days, and if the potting soil starts to dry up, softly water it.
Every week or so, carefully pull on the stem to check for the emergence of roots. When you start to encounter resistance, the cutting has established roots.
Remove the pot from the plastic covering after a substantial network of roots has grown, and continue to cultivate it in a warm, sunny area. Up until spring, the plant may continue to develop inside. Once the overnight lows are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, plant it outside.
Creeping Zinnia Seed Growing Instructions
It's simple to start creeping zinnia from seed, but keep in mind that these plants don't usually take well to being moved. Instead of starting seeds in starter trays, think about direct seeding them where you want to develop them for the greatest outcomes. Despite the tiny size of the flower heads, collecting the seeds from individual wasted flowers may be a rather simple process. They may be sown in the spring and store well during the winter.
Don't bury these seeds since they need sunshine to develop. Instead, spread them out on the ground. As an alternative, softly tamper with the soil's surface or loosely cover the plants with peat moss. For the seeds to germinate, water them often and maintain the soil's moisture. For precise planting and care instructions, it is usually better to read the seed packaging guidelines.
About 10 weeks after the seeds are sowed, the plants will blossom. Many gardeners who want their gardens to blossom as soon as possible choose to start them inside two to three weeks before the anticipated last frost date.
Reseeding and Potting invasive zinnia
Creeping zinnia is a fantastic choice for container cultivation due to its modest growth rate and profusion of blossoms. All summer long, these plants will cover the container, window box, or other planter with tiny, lovely blossoms. Remember that these plants need appropriate drainage if you want to grow them effectively in pots. To prevent the roots from becoming too wet, choose an excellent loose and light potting mix.
Plants planted in containers often need more fertilizer than plants grown in gardens, mostly because regular watering rapidly removes nutrients from the potting soil. For creeping zinnias planted in pots, you may need to supply more fertilizer. If your plants are not flowering as profusely as you would like, time-released or granular fertilizer pellets or a balanced liquid solution will often provide the push they need.
Overwintering
At the conclusion of the growing season, these frost-sensitive plants are often merely pulled out and thrown away. Birds will show up to pick at the dried blooms for their edible seeds if they are left in situ, however.
Typical Pests & Plant Illnesses
There are no significant illnesses or pests to be concerned about with these hardy tiny plants. However, like nearly any other garden plant, creeping zinnia may sometimes have powdery mildew or small fungal leaf spots. By watering carefully at ground level rather than from above, you may reduce these issues.
How to Induce Blooming in Creeping Zinnia
To get beautiful blooms from creeping zinnias, make sure they have enough of water and sunlight—this is often all they need. Typically, these plants will bloom profusely from the start of the summer until the onset of the chilly autumn weather. In addition
Deadheading wasted flowers on a regular basis helps encourage new blooms.
Cut down long, lanky stems to encourage denser growth and more blooms.
Creeping zinnias grown in containers could benefit from additional feeding. However, excessive fertilizer usually results in long, lanky branches that don't produce as many blooms in garden plants that are already growing in adequately nutritious soil.
Typical Issues with Creeping Zinnia
Despite being mostly trouble-free, creeping zinnias may worry gardeners due to these signs:
Seedlings perish as soon as they are planted.
The roots of creeping zinnias should not be disturbed while transplanting them, even from potted nursery starts. Treating these plants delicately will help them survive transplanting into the garden since they often dislike being relocated. To get around this issue, some gardeners choose to direct-sow the seeds in the precise spots where they want the plants to develop.
Plants are now scarce
Creeping zinnias may produce long, lanky stems that are mostly barren except for the tips when grown in good soil or when fed a lot of fertilizer. In order to encourage new growth and make the plant fuller and bushier, these lanky stems may be forcefully pruned down to the plant's base.
FAQ
What are the best ways to employ creeping zinnia in a landscape?
In sunny border gardens, as well as in sunny rock gardens, creeping zinnias are often utilized as foreground bedding or edging plants. When they are spread out across vast, sunny regions, they may provide a vibrant seasonal ground cover. They work well in big mixed patio/deck container gardens as well as window boxes, hanging baskets, and hanging gardens.
In the garden, do creeping zinnias self-seed?
Yes, the small seeds often fall into the ground and take root if the flower heads are left on the plant. It is preferable to leave these volunteers alone so they can colonize since they are difficult to dig up and relocate. If you leave some flower heads in situ to release seed and generate volunteers the following spring, a tiny patch of creeping zinnias may be self-sustaining from year to year.
Exist any common zinnias with this creeping, trailing behavior?
Although some are fairly small, upright plants are the norm for regular zinnias. Try one of the cultivars of Zinnia augustifolea instead for a trailing habit that is comparable to that of the creeping zinnia (spreading zinnia). They will grow in a manner similar to creeping zinnias, but they give a far greater variety of bloom hues.
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sososo:i see😯
文章
atastybellpepper
2022年06月29日
There are several advantages to growing plants inside in addition to being able to enjoy their pure aesthetic appeal in our homes and workplaces. Why then are houseplants healthy for us? Here are a few unexpected advantages of houseplants. How Can Houseplants Help People? Did you realize that indoor plants may really make the air more humid? For those of us who live in dry regions or have forced air heating systems in our homes, this is very crucial. A mechanism known as transpiration allows houseplants to shed moisture into the atmosphere. This may assist in maintaining a healthy amount of indoor air humidity. Your humidity will rise the more plants you have gathered together.
Plants in the home may alleviate "sick building syndrome." Our indoor air has become dirtier as houses and other structures have grown more energy-efficient. A wide range of pollutants are released into our indoor air by several everyday home furnishings and construction components. Houseplants may assist to drastically decrease indoor air pollution, according to a NASA research.
Numerous studies have shown that having houseplants around us may make us happy, a phenomenon called as biophilia. A University of Michigan research discovered that being among plants while working really improves focus and productivity. The presence of houseplants has been demonstrated to lower blood pressure in only a few minutes, which is another way that they might help us cope with stress.
It has been shown that houseplants may lessen the presence of germs and mold. Through their roots, plants are able to take things in and effectively decompose them. Additionally, they may lessen the amount of dust or other airborne particles. It has been shown that placing plants in a space may reduce the amount of dust or particles in the air by up to 20%.
Finally, it's remarkable how much better the acoustics and noise reduction are when plants are present. According to one research, plants help quiet down noisy spaces with plenty of rough surfaces. They had a comparable impact as adding carpet to a space.
The abundance of subsequent advantages provided by houseplants is quite amazing, which is just another reason to love having them in your home!
Plants in the home may alleviate "sick building syndrome." Our indoor air has become dirtier as houses and other structures have grown more energy-efficient. A wide range of pollutants are released into our indoor air by several everyday home furnishings and construction components. Houseplants may assist to drastically decrease indoor air pollution, according to a NASA research.
Numerous studies have shown that having houseplants around us may make us happy, a phenomenon called as biophilia. A University of Michigan research discovered that being among plants while working really improves focus and productivity. The presence of houseplants has been demonstrated to lower blood pressure in only a few minutes, which is another way that they might help us cope with stress.
It has been shown that houseplants may lessen the presence of germs and mold. Through their roots, plants are able to take things in and effectively decompose them. Additionally, they may lessen the amount of dust or other airborne particles. It has been shown that placing plants in a space may reduce the amount of dust or particles in the air by up to 20%.
Finally, it's remarkable how much better the acoustics and noise reduction are when plants are present. According to one research, plants help quiet down noisy spaces with plenty of rough surfaces. They had a comparable impact as adding carpet to a space.
The abundance of subsequent advantages provided by houseplants is quite amazing, which is just another reason to love having them in your home!
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文章
atastybellpepper
2022年06月28日
The Field Guide to Urban Gardening by Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening is a really useful resource to help you determine what you need with your space restrictions and particular growing conditions if you're looking to turn your balcony into a lush garden—or even if you only have a small patio space. The Quarto Group and Cool Springs Press contributed this passage from a book about starting a balcony garden.
Growing things on your balcony adds beauty to an otherwise unappealing area. Additionally, you may complete the following tasks:
-Grow living barriers to reduce noise pollution
Make it more difficult for pests to get your garden. Provide some food for yourself to cut down on your "food miles."
Create a garden on your balcony.
When growing on a balcony, your first concern should be if the balcony can sustain what you're producing. The majority of balconies should be strong enough to support a few pots or beds, but it's a good idea to evaluate your area first before you start filling it with plants.
When a container is laden with soil, water, and a tomato plant, particularly if you have a lot of them, you'd be astonished at how heavy it can get. Instead of placing all of your pots in one spot on your balcony, spread them out. By doing this, the weight distribution will be more evenly distributed, preventing any unpleasant balcony gardening accidents.
Examine the horticultural conditions on your balcony.
Sun
Which way does the balcony on your house face? The ideal balconies are those facing south, although those facing southeast or southwest can also work. And you can still grow plants if your window faces north. All you have to do is change the kinds you plant to ones that like shade.
Shade
Before establishing your garden, Kevin advises checking out the balcony in the morning, afternoon, and evening to observe how the shadows affect the area. When you set up a balcony garden, you often discover that you put the plants in a spot that is shadowed for 80% of the day by an obstruction.
For guidance on where to place your garden, pay attention to how shadow affects your balcony.
Wind
The major concern with balcony gardens is the wind, much more so than with raised beds or containers on the ground. Planting wind-resistant vegetation, like rosemary, is your first choice. Stake your plants firmly and use windscreens to assist break some of the stronger gusts as a second, more adaptable alternative.
Walk outside a few times during the day to check the direction and strength of the wind, similar to monitoring the shade on your balcony. Use pots that can withstand more wind, such terra-cotta ones, if your area experiences a lot of it.
addressing water drainage
The majority of balconies feature drainage holes or are at the very least slanted so that water flows in one direction. The last thing you want to do is irritate a downstairs neighbor by watering the garden every time it rains filthy water on them while you're growing on a balcony.
Installing a balcony rain barrel can increase your conservation score if you live in a rainy location. By doing this, you avoid wasting large quantities of runoff and get to irrigate your garden with pure rainwater, which is always better than using municipal water.
Design of a balcony garden
Since every balcony is different, your urban gardening masterpiece should be adapted to your surroundings. Having said that, there are certain fundamental guidelines to adhere to in order to design a balcony garden that is beautiful, useful, and—best of all—productive. Considerations for balconies fall into three categories: the floor, the railing, and everything else. You may use your available space to the fullest extent by thinking in these three tiers.
How to handle the balcony's floor
The floor of your balcony is a terrific place for bigger pots full of plants that require a little room to flourish provided you're ready to give up some foot space. Beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other vegetables grow well in pots on the balcony floor. They'll effectively fill up the gap over time.
installing pots on the balcony railing
The most beautiful part of your balcony garden is where your railings are. Since they dangle out the balcony, they get the maximum solar exposure while taking up the least amount of room. Balcony railing planters are one of the most difficult pieces of gardening equipment, despite their usefulness. It might be difficult to know precisely how to connect plants to railings since there are so many different kinds of railings. The last thing you want to do is haphazardly connect a railing planter just to watch it tumble down to the earth below given how much wind balconies are prone to.
Sitting planters
You can often get planters with a bottom that is just that size if your rails are a regular dimension. If you want to choose a plug-and-play solution, these are fantastic possibilities. Simply fill them with dirt, put them in pots, and they'll begin to grow. These may not be the greatest option if your balcony experiences a lot of wind since they can fly off, particularly as the soil becomes dry and the planter becomes lighter.
planters with screws on top
Although they lack a notched bottom, these varieties are identical to sit-on-tops. These work well with wood since they screw right into the railing.
planters that attach
They feature a hook design to attach around the railing and are the most popular kind of railing planters. The planter then leans on the edge of the railing while straining against its own weight. If you are certain that the design will match your railing, they are excellent choices.
It might be difficult to first choose which railing style would go with your balcony since there are so many variations on this design. Compare the width of your fence to the dimensions of the planter box's hook or connection.
simplifying balcony garden maintenance
Balcony gardening is appealing since it's a simple process to get started with, but with the following advice, it's a breeze.
not seeds, but seedlings
If you purchase seedlings from a nearby nursery and simply transfer them into your balcony garden, it is simpler to get your garden off to a good start. If you want to exercise your gardening skills, starting seeds is undoubtedly a fun alternative to attempt. However, if you're a novice gardener and want to see results quickly, purchase seeds from a nearby nursery.
Greater container size
The fact that you're growing in pots is the main drawback of balcony gardening. Particularly if you're using terra cotta pots, they dry up rapidly. Choose the biggest containers you can to help offset this and provide your plants with the consistent hydration they need. The soil will be able to store more water and evaporate much more gradually because to the increased volume.
Put self-watering pots to use.
Choosing bigger, self-watering containers is a step up from selecting larger containers. To provide a steady supply of water for the roots of your plants, these containers wick water from a chamber at the bottom of the pot. Large self-watering pots are often available at nurseries or big-box retailers, but you may also make your own following the instructions in Kevin's book. The time you'll save not having to water your plants is definitely worth the additional expense.
For a balcony garden, simple plants
A balcony garden just really needs one thing: nothing that will completely take over the area. For instance, sprawling squash plants wouldn't be the ideal option. However, even squash is feasible. The following list of plants, however, includes several that are more appropriate for enhancing a balcony.
Basil, sage, thyme, oregano, and other herbs
Grassy leaves: Leaf lettuce, kale, spinach, and other vegetables
"Artichoke" and "Silverskin" garlic
"Patio Princess" and "Balcony"
"Green Oak Leaf" and "Black Seeded Simpson" lettuce
Cayenne: "Camelot"
Eggplant: "Bambino" and "Fairy Tale"
Rainbow and Rhubarb varieties of Swiss chard
Beans: "Purple Queen" and "Blue Lake" (pole) (bush)
Watermelon: "Spacemaster 80"
Strawberry: "Seascape" and "Ozark Beauty"
Growing things on your balcony adds beauty to an otherwise unappealing area. Additionally, you may complete the following tasks:
-Grow living barriers to reduce noise pollution
Make it more difficult for pests to get your garden. Provide some food for yourself to cut down on your "food miles."
Create a garden on your balcony.
When growing on a balcony, your first concern should be if the balcony can sustain what you're producing. The majority of balconies should be strong enough to support a few pots or beds, but it's a good idea to evaluate your area first before you start filling it with plants.
When a container is laden with soil, water, and a tomato plant, particularly if you have a lot of them, you'd be astonished at how heavy it can get. Instead of placing all of your pots in one spot on your balcony, spread them out. By doing this, the weight distribution will be more evenly distributed, preventing any unpleasant balcony gardening accidents.
Examine the horticultural conditions on your balcony.
Sun
Which way does the balcony on your house face? The ideal balconies are those facing south, although those facing southeast or southwest can also work. And you can still grow plants if your window faces north. All you have to do is change the kinds you plant to ones that like shade.
Shade
Before establishing your garden, Kevin advises checking out the balcony in the morning, afternoon, and evening to observe how the shadows affect the area. When you set up a balcony garden, you often discover that you put the plants in a spot that is shadowed for 80% of the day by an obstruction.
For guidance on where to place your garden, pay attention to how shadow affects your balcony.
Wind
The major concern with balcony gardens is the wind, much more so than with raised beds or containers on the ground. Planting wind-resistant vegetation, like rosemary, is your first choice. Stake your plants firmly and use windscreens to assist break some of the stronger gusts as a second, more adaptable alternative.
Walk outside a few times during the day to check the direction and strength of the wind, similar to monitoring the shade on your balcony. Use pots that can withstand more wind, such terra-cotta ones, if your area experiences a lot of it.
addressing water drainage
The majority of balconies feature drainage holes or are at the very least slanted so that water flows in one direction. The last thing you want to do is irritate a downstairs neighbor by watering the garden every time it rains filthy water on them while you're growing on a balcony.
Installing a balcony rain barrel can increase your conservation score if you live in a rainy location. By doing this, you avoid wasting large quantities of runoff and get to irrigate your garden with pure rainwater, which is always better than using municipal water.
Design of a balcony garden
Since every balcony is different, your urban gardening masterpiece should be adapted to your surroundings. Having said that, there are certain fundamental guidelines to adhere to in order to design a balcony garden that is beautiful, useful, and—best of all—productive. Considerations for balconies fall into three categories: the floor, the railing, and everything else. You may use your available space to the fullest extent by thinking in these three tiers.
How to handle the balcony's floor
The floor of your balcony is a terrific place for bigger pots full of plants that require a little room to flourish provided you're ready to give up some foot space. Beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other vegetables grow well in pots on the balcony floor. They'll effectively fill up the gap over time.
installing pots on the balcony railing
The most beautiful part of your balcony garden is where your railings are. Since they dangle out the balcony, they get the maximum solar exposure while taking up the least amount of room. Balcony railing planters are one of the most difficult pieces of gardening equipment, despite their usefulness. It might be difficult to know precisely how to connect plants to railings since there are so many different kinds of railings. The last thing you want to do is haphazardly connect a railing planter just to watch it tumble down to the earth below given how much wind balconies are prone to.
Sitting planters
You can often get planters with a bottom that is just that size if your rails are a regular dimension. If you want to choose a plug-and-play solution, these are fantastic possibilities. Simply fill them with dirt, put them in pots, and they'll begin to grow. These may not be the greatest option if your balcony experiences a lot of wind since they can fly off, particularly as the soil becomes dry and the planter becomes lighter.
planters with screws on top
Although they lack a notched bottom, these varieties are identical to sit-on-tops. These work well with wood since they screw right into the railing.
planters that attach
They feature a hook design to attach around the railing and are the most popular kind of railing planters. The planter then leans on the edge of the railing while straining against its own weight. If you are certain that the design will match your railing, they are excellent choices.
It might be difficult to first choose which railing style would go with your balcony since there are so many variations on this design. Compare the width of your fence to the dimensions of the planter box's hook or connection.
simplifying balcony garden maintenance
Balcony gardening is appealing since it's a simple process to get started with, but with the following advice, it's a breeze.
not seeds, but seedlings
If you purchase seedlings from a nearby nursery and simply transfer them into your balcony garden, it is simpler to get your garden off to a good start. If you want to exercise your gardening skills, starting seeds is undoubtedly a fun alternative to attempt. However, if you're a novice gardener and want to see results quickly, purchase seeds from a nearby nursery.
Greater container size
The fact that you're growing in pots is the main drawback of balcony gardening. Particularly if you're using terra cotta pots, they dry up rapidly. Choose the biggest containers you can to help offset this and provide your plants with the consistent hydration they need. The soil will be able to store more water and evaporate much more gradually because to the increased volume.
Put self-watering pots to use.
Choosing bigger, self-watering containers is a step up from selecting larger containers. To provide a steady supply of water for the roots of your plants, these containers wick water from a chamber at the bottom of the pot. Large self-watering pots are often available at nurseries or big-box retailers, but you may also make your own following the instructions in Kevin's book. The time you'll save not having to water your plants is definitely worth the additional expense.
For a balcony garden, simple plants
A balcony garden just really needs one thing: nothing that will completely take over the area. For instance, sprawling squash plants wouldn't be the ideal option. However, even squash is feasible. The following list of plants, however, includes several that are more appropriate for enhancing a balcony.
Basil, sage, thyme, oregano, and other herbs
Grassy leaves: Leaf lettuce, kale, spinach, and other vegetables
"Artichoke" and "Silverskin" garlic
"Patio Princess" and "Balcony"
"Green Oak Leaf" and "Black Seeded Simpson" lettuce
Cayenne: "Camelot"
Eggplant: "Bambino" and "Fairy Tale"
Rainbow and Rhubarb varieties of Swiss chard
Beans: "Purple Queen" and "Blue Lake" (pole) (bush)
Watermelon: "Spacemaster 80"
Strawberry: "Seascape" and "Ozark Beauty"
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