With all the worries today about the purity of food, not to mention the current escalating price of food, it’s time we took another look at the art of hobby greenhouses. If you look at information on the Victorian lifestyle, you will find that many people had a home greenhouse.

There was a time, not to far back, that everything natural was the way of life. Families had to think differently than we do today because their very life depended on it. Not only did they grow food for themselves in gardens and greenhouses but also was in tune to the plants and animals that were native to the area that surrounded them.

Back then, many wealthy families built greenhouses within the walls of their homes to feed not only their families, but the families of their staff as well. Truth is, you don’t need a lot of space to grow your own food. Raised bed greenhouses do well on decks and porches and cold frames do quite well on small flowerbeds. If you want to grow a little more, there are a lot of small to medium home greenhouses available on the market today at good prices.

A neighbor of mine grows an abundant of flowers and vegetables in a very small greenhouse. She does heat it during the winter and provides her family and friends fresh flowers and produce year round. Since she is retired, she has a lot of time to dabble and try different growing techniques with her backyard greenhouse.

Adding a hobby greenhouse to your backyard will allow you to grow your own food virtually year-round. If you have never gardened with a greenhouse it will take a bit of reading and self-education to get started. The main thing is to prepare the home greenhouse environment for optimum plant growth; provide good soil, correct temperature, etc. You can also choose to go organic and avoid pesticides to avoid any allergic reactions.

To get you started out of the gate, consider planting pots with a theme. Like a salsa garden that would consist of tomatoes, cilantro, onions and peppers or a salad garden of lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers and radishes. All of these plants will easily grow in pots and you can experiment with additional plants as your time in your home greenhouse and knowledge base grows.

After you have tasted the produce that you have grown yourself, you will not only comment on how much better it tastes, but be proud that you are helping to save the planet by not consuming produce that has been picked way to early, sprayed with who knows what, crated, stored and shipped many miles away. Having a backyard greenhouse is a great way of going green and staying green. It just makes since to save the environment, eat better and healthier and do it no matter what season you’re in.

There are a variety of instances where outdoor projects will pop up that need to be completed quickly, especially when they involve an integral aspect of the house such as roofing. Depending on the time of the year and your work schedule or other duties, it may be very difficult to find the time to fit these projects in during daylight hours.

This will necessitate undertaking these projects at night, which will all but require you to find a good source of outdoor lighting suitable for the task. Thankfully there are a variety of outdoor lighting choices suitable for personal and industrial use. These light sources can keep the work running smoothly and on schedule, and most importantly, being performed safely.

Spotlights are a good choice of lighting for both personal and business uses. These lights can provide a large swath of light over an area, making it easy to perform even delicate work. They can also be shifted in their position to shine their light over a different area, should the work move to a different location.

For work that requires constant movement between multiple locations a more portable lighting source would probably be better. For work in a backyard area a floodlight that covers much of the backyard should be able to handle any work that needs to be done.

You may also consider having permanent light poles installed around the front of your house, along the street sidewalk, the walkway up to your front door and in the area around your garage or parking lot. These can help with any evening work that ever needs to be done in those areas, and also makes your home safer and more inviting at night.

Even when not doing work it’s important to have a well lit home at night. When you have children in your home especially, you’re bound to have all manner of toys and gadgets strewn about the lawn, walkways and driveways that may be tripped over if you’re not careful and don’t have adequate night-time lighting.

If you don’t want lighting of this nature on throughout the entire evening, you can go with motion sensitive lights or outdoor solar lights, which will safely show you the way around when you’re in the area and shut off once you’re gone. This can save you a good deal of money on your electric bills. These lights are also good for alerting your presence to someone else around your property if you can see them turn on from inside the house.

Trees are not just a key to the natural ecosystem, they are an essential part of our life experience. From majestic individual trees that have historic significance or are simply beautiful, to a quiet grove of greenery we seek for solitude, trees enrich our life experience simply by just being there. Trees are the longest lived and largest plant form on Earth and throughout recorded history trees have been acknowledged as symbols of power, wisdom, fertility and life.

Trees are living symbols of immortality, being able to sustain to considerable age. Pando, a Trembling Aspen located in Utah, USA is considered the world?s oldest living tree. Pando is estimated to be over 800,000 years old. Pando is a clonal colony of a single male Quaking Aspen. This massive trees root system covers 107 acres and is estimated to weigh more 6,000 tons which makes it the heaviest known living organism in the world.

Throughout the world many different species of trees live amazingly long lives. The verified oldest measured ages are: Norway Spruce (Picea abies) 9,550 years Baobab (Digitata Adansonia) 6,600 years Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) 4,844 years Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) 3,622 years Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) 3,266 years Huon-Pine (Largarostrobos franklinii) 2,500 years Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata) 2,435 years. Because of their potential for longevity, trees are frequently planted as living memorials. We become attached to trees that we or those we love have planted and tended.

Trees add beauty and grace to any locale. Blossoms in the spring, verdant summer foliage and breathing taking colors in the fall; trees mark the seasons as they enhance the beauty of world. They make life more pleasurable, relaxing and peaceful. The majesty, endurance and strength of trees imparts a cathedral like quality as they help us to experience a primal connection with the earth and our most deeply held cultural and spiritual values. The tree has always been a cultural symbol. The tree is often used to represent nature or the environment itself. In South America a tribe of Indians hold the belief that the trees of the forest hold up the sky. According to ancient tribal legends, the downfall of the trees will precipitate the destruction of Mother Earth.

Since ancient times, cultures around the world have honored trees with reverence and respect. Cultures in Australia and Asia regard the trees as mythical ancestors. Trees were often worshipped as the living embodiment of their gods and were believed to have holy medicinal applications and miraculous healing qualities for the body, mind and spirit. The Druids of Europe were particularly influenced by trees and believed that trees possessed great mysterious powers. The Ancient Greeks are also known to have had a highly developed respect for the nobility and power of trees. Painting and pottery from the period display images of gratification and reverence. The Greek culture held the Bay Tree in especially high esteem as the tree was dedicated to their God Apollo and his young son Aesculapius and was held in sacred honor. Aesculapius was the God of Medicine and thus the Bay Tree was believed to have healing power and was used in many medical potions.

Crafted in the mid-12th century as a present to the Mother of the King, Ta Prohm Temple in southern Cambodia is the undisputed capital of the Kingdom of the Trees. The mystical and enchanting jungle temples beauty is explored with delight and left with deep regret. It remains virtually untouched by archaeologists except for the clearing of a narrow pathway for visitors. Because of its natural and pristine state, one can experience the wonder and joy of the early explorers when they discovered these amazing ancient monuments in the middle of the nineteenth century. Wreathed in silvery mist and shrouded by dense jungle, the temple of Ta Prohm is ethereal in every aspect and conjures up a romantic mysterious aura. Banyan, kapok and fig trees spread their gigantic sprawling roots over giant stones, probing walls and tearing terraces apart as their branches and leaves intertwine to form a lush sheltering canopy over the structures. Trunks of these noble trees twist amongst stone pillars and over cobbled walls.

More than 8000 tree species, 10 percent of the worlds total, are threatened with extinction. Destruction of forests and woodlands and unsustainable logging of valuable timbers stands are causing the devastation of many important species. Clearing and burning of our forests leads to increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a significant contributor to global warming.

It deeply saddens the soul to realize that the majority of the citizens of the Earth are so accustomed to viewing trees that they take them for granted; forgetting that these noble entities are fundamental to our very existence. Trees act as the living lungs of the planet, sequestering carbon dioxide and returning to us precious, life giving oxygen. Trees have numerous aesthetic and economic benefits beyond their important role in carbon sequestration and oxygen production. Trees offer shelter, filter water, cleanse the air of pollution, moderate the climate, help prevent soil erosion as well as providing wildlife habitat, scenic beauty and a plethora of items we use daily. We rely on trees for paper products, building materials, fuel, food, medicine and more.

Benefits of Tree Planting

We all desire abundant forests for our children and grandchildren. Trees maintain sustainable soils and control erosion. Retaining soil in place by their root mass, deflecting wind driven rain with their canopies and contributing nutrients with their leaves, trees are crucial to sustaining and improving the earths ecosystem. Trees cleanse our air and water. From auto and factory emissions and ozone in industrialized areas to fertilizer and pesticide runoff from rural farms, trees absorb toxic pollutants as they recharge ground water and sustain streamflow. Trees also combat global warming. As trees grow they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the major contributor to global warming.?

We depend on trees for their generous nutritional bounty. Fruit and nutmeats are a staple of diets around the world. A fruit tree can live for more than forty years and produce more than 10,000 pounds of fruit. A tree truly gives life. Apples are one of the most popular fruit tree choices and a mature apple tree can produce up to 500 apples in a season. Consider planting pear, plum, cherry, apricot, orange, lime, lemon or banana trees. Research what will grow well in your local area. Plant and enjoy an organic harvest grown in harmony with nature. Nothing tastes sweeter!

Trees are choosen world wide as landscape amenities to soften the harsh outline of buildings, to create green spaces in communities, provide privacy, to screen unsightly views and to dampen noise pollution as well as beautify the property. Shrubs and trees, properly planted and tended on a residential or commercial lot can significantly increase real estate value. Mature, healthy trees add an average of 20 per cent to a propertys value.

Planting trees will save energy. Trees planted strategically around our homes will decrease cooling costs in summer and provide a windbreak against the cold winds of winter thus saving on heating expenses. Depending on species and maturity, the cooling shade of trees can reduce home energy consumption by up to 20 percent. Air temperature in the vicinity of trees is cooler than that away from trees. The larger the tree, the greater the cooling effect. Tree planting in urban areas moderates the heat-island effect caused by concrete paving and heat absorbing buildings.

Planting trees feels good! It is immensely satisfying to plant a tree, happy in the knowledge that this gift to the earth will bring joy, shelter and sustenance to our children, grandchildren and countless future generations.

Environmental Stewardship. Problems caused by intense and increasing levels of deforestation worldwide has raised awareness of environmental issues and the crucial role forests play. Climate change is the largest environmental issue the world faces this century. People of all ages throughout the world agree that we must act. However sometimes the task seems overwhelming, the challenge too global for any one person to make a difference. Wrong! Every individual act has rewards and consequences.

Celebrate Life! Plant A Tree! Plant trees in your yard, volunteer with civic and community tree restoration efforts and contribute to non-profit organizations implementing reforestation.

Consider green gifting. Are you looking for the perfect gift for a birthday, wedding, anniversary celebrations or any milestone occasion? Are you looking for a meaningful way to mark the birth of your child or grandchild? Would you like a special way to memorialize a loved one who has passed away, a unique way to honor a veteran? Giving the gift of a memorial tree is a unique gift that will last a lifetime.

There is strength in numbers. United we can make a difference. Take action by living a green lifestyle to reduce your carbon output, educate children about protecting the planet we all share and be part of the solution by planting more trees.

Everywhere you turn nowadays, you see organic products being promoted. The grocery store is filled with organic items usually with a much higher price tag attached. Organic is marketed as being more environmentally safe. So naturally when planting a garden you want it to be more environmentally safe but there are also several traditional and commercial compounds that are safe and effective when used properly.

Manure provides is an excellent organic fertilizer. It provides a nitrogen rich additive to soil, which helps many vegetables grow. However, the odor can be very unpleasant not to mention that animal waste can carry diseases. Bird droppings and animal waste can contain viruses and parasites that are harmful to both humans and other animals. So be careful when using manure to fertilize your garden.

Another excellent organic additive to liven up the soil is compost. Compost can be made from leftover food, straw, grass and leaves. However, be aware that these compost piles also attract insects that feed off of decaying matter and some wildlife that might enjoy the leftover food scraps.

Another popular method used among organic gardeners is the biological control of insects. Insects and pests are kept under control by introducing predators that eat the harmful insects but not the vegetables. This tactic reduces the need for artificial chemicals. However finding out which critters work best to eat the bugs and leave the tomatoes alone can take some time and research on your part.

Another form of biological control is to plant trap crops to lure insects away from the vegetables to sacrificial’ plants. This type of biological control also reduces the need for artificial chemicals. But you have to make sure you have enough space in your garden for such plants. Not to mention that these plants will also take up your time, water, and fertilizer that could be used to grow more vegetables.

The argument can be made that chemical compounds used in many insecticides are somewhat natural in nature since they are obtained from natural sources. All chemicals produced artificially for gardening are derived from compounds found in the natural environment.

For example, pyrethrum is the base of one of the most popular insecticides used. It is used in wasp and other insect sprays. However, it is made from the blossoms of the pyrethrum flower. Nicotine is another natural organic chemical that is used in insecticides. However it is very ineffective in its use and toxic to humans, dogs and wild animals. Therefore it should be handled with the utmost care.

Natural, organic mulch is also a great soil protector. Leaves, wood chips, and other natural materials help retain moisture and ward off insect and weed invasions. The use of black plastic is also a good “artificial” mulch. It helps control weeds and won’t harm the environment because it doesn’t decay or give off toxins. It can even help with pest control by enhancing solar irradiation.

Natural, organic mulch is a very helpful soil protector. Leaves, wood chips and other materials from the environment can help retain moisture, or stave off insect and weed invasions. But using black plastic is another very popular (in this case, artificial) mulch. It is great for weed control. It doesn’t harm the local environment because it doesn’t decay or give off toxic fumes. It can even help with pest control by enhancing solar irradiation.

Landscaping is the arrangement of an area which is aesthetically pleasant to the eye of the homeowners and visitors. Many forms of landscaping are not grouped into anything, but just the preferences of the person performing the work. There are two loose forms of landscaping that many people might follow today. These are formal and informal.

Formal Landscape Design

One can see order from the landscape that has been made or is about to be made. This is known as the formal form of arranging a garden or any area. In order to bring out the features of the landscape the plants and flowers are carefully picked so they complement each other as well as the landscape they are planted on. Low hedges or low walls are used to separate flower beds in an orderly fashion in formal landscaping. Geometric shape and form are some of the formal garden desgn patterns used. Having a sort of order that is hard to miss is the spirit of formal landscaping.

Water structures as well as other stone or wooden structures are also found in formal landscaping designs. Stone is a common medium used in formal gardens since they add a touch of class and elegance. Most formally landscaped areas are larger than most since the beauty and order of the formal garden needs to be seen in a larger picture.

Informal Landscaping

The art of informal landscaping is actually not as easy as you might think. Although, informal landscaping features a jumble of plants and landscape structures, there is a certain order in the jumble. Many professional landscape designers also have to consider the area and the preferences of the homeowner when making and informal garden design. Informal landscaping is more like letting the garden run its natural course with some guidance. By culturing the plants in a natural way, without any large scale pruning or trimming, you the gardener actually lets the garden have some semblance of disorder which is natural in nature.

Landscaping can be a very interesting project for those who wish to do it themselves. The actual process of planning the area to be landscaped as well as making the design which you will base on the basic lay of the land is a worthy project that a homeowner can tackle. Planning your garden or yard is extremely fun and after the entire landscaping project has been finished you will also enjoy maintaining your garden.

Blooming houseplants are a wonderful way to add colour to your home. They can be difficult to grow, but are worth the effort. When taken care of, many of the plants discussed here will bloom for long periods.

Two common varieties of Anthurium, the Tail Flower and Flamingo Flower, have long, narrow, shiny leaves and red buds. Arthuriums need well-drained soil (add sphagnum) and plenty of heat, humidity and watering. Keep in partial sun at an east or west window and propagate by seed or division. More on anthurium plant care below.

Beloperone guttata are called Shrimp Plants for the pinkish-brown bracts surrounding their clusters of purple-spotted white flowers. They require rich, well-fed soil, warmth and plenty of sun and watering. Spray several times a week and take cuttings in autumn or when the plant gets overly leggy.

The Bromeliad family has over a thousand species, many of which produce spectacular flowers. Like their cousin the pineapple they have hard, spiky leaves. Bromeliads will grow in moderate sun but won’t prosper in a north window. They prefer 60-75 temperatures but tolerate variations. Use room temperature water when spraying or watering and avoid over-watering. Propagate by division.

With its lush, abundant flowers Cineraria is among the most beautiful houseplants. It should be kept cool and wilts if exposed to temperatures over 55. Propagate by seed but be warned: a practiced hand and greenhouse conditions are required. Cineraria are annuals and only bloom once.

Another beauty is the Cyclamen, whose masses of white, pink, or red flowers bloom above dense foliage. It should be kept humid at 60-70. Use warm (even hot) water, and water from the bottom. In winter reduce watering, keep cool and in good light. Repot in autumn, feeding it well until it blooms. Propagate from seed: it takes well over a year for new plants to flower.

Fuchsia likes it cooler than most of us keep our homes but otherwise its thick pink, red and purple flowers make it a perfect houseplant. Keep it well drained and in partial shade. In spring pinch its buds, water and spray it daily but avoid over watering in winter. Fuchsia is propagated by cuttings, and blooms all summer.

Heliotrope is grown mainly for its scent, though it bears tiny purple flowers. It likes warmth, direct sun and frequent spraying, but don’t over water. Though Heliotrope is a perennial, treat it as an annual by propagating new stock yearly. Take cuttings in summer for late winter blooming, or propagate from seed.

lmpatiens blooms pink, red or purple through winter. Originally found in Zanzibar, Africa, its seedpod breaks at the slightest touch, resulting in nicknames like snap weed and touch-me-not. Keep in partial shade during summer but give it as much sun as possible in winter. Impatiens likes plenty of water and should not be over potted; it flowers better with confined roots. Sow seeds in spring, or root cuttings in early autumn.

Lantana is a perennial with red, orange or yellow flowers clustered above oval leaves. Grow at room temperature close to a sunny window. It flowers in late summer and early fall but will bloom in winter if pinched back, watered sparsely and kept at 60. Plant Lantana in your summer garden and propagate by slips and seeds.

Marica is known as the Apostle Plant because its leaves, up to two feet long, grow in clusters of twelve. In late winter its violet and white flowers bloom, drop and bloom again in a period of weeks. Marica needs good sun but give them partial shade in your summer garden. Propagate by division or rooting flower-bearing stalks.

With the help of lawn sprinklers, you can improve your lawn maintenance. Learn how to use it effectively.

For lawn maintenance, sprinkler use is essential. This is just one part of the lawn care that you need to provide. In some areas of the country, it is necessary to use lawn sprinklers because there simply is not enough rainfall. Some sprinkler systems are complex. Some have plenty of different stations, pipes and heads, all of which need to be maintained correctly so that they avoid being damaged. Regular sprinkler maintenance will help to keep this system working at its best. This starts in the spring months and needs to be maintained all year.

Springtime Maintenance

At the first sign of spring, you will need to turn on the unit and be sure that it is working. Do this in the daytime so that you can notice the positions and locations of each the heads. Are they working the right way? They should be shooting water in the right direction. Make any replacements to broken or non working parts now. Any pop up heads should be working correctly. If they do not pop up as they are supposed to, this can be a sign that your water pressure is not correct. If you see any leaks at the pipes or valves, address this now. You will need to make repairs on them as soon as you can to avoid the loss of water and water damage to the area surrounding the leak. In spring, these sprinkler lawn maintenance requirements should not be avoided.

Fall Time Requirements

At the first sign of fall, it is time to take another look at your system. Once the system is done for the year, all water should be removed from it to prevent the unit from freezing over and eventually cracking because of the water. Even a small amount of water in the pipes can cause this. Drain the water out of the system carefully, especially when it is the last use of the season. You will likely have instructions from the installer of the system or the manufacturer on how to do his. If you are unsure, call a professional to help you. It is such an important part of maintaining your sprinkler system that it should not be overlooked. A professional will be able to do the job correctly and assure that in the following spring months, your system will work well.

With correct sprinkler lawn maintenance, you are left with a well working system and a great looking lawn.

For better looks of your lawn, plant new grass at your home garden. For learning more, view this website.

When spring comes, you need to check you sprinkler system to ensure that your lawn gets all the water it needs. A failure in the work of your sprinkler will waste water, resulting in brown patches, local areas damaged and dry grass about to die. Learn here how to prevent these problems.

What to do in the early warm days

Lawn care maintenance runs all the year long and every season has its particularities. You turn off your sprinkler system in the fall and forgot about it but now is the time to turn it on again. What to do in the early warm days. A sprinkler system, specially those which are installed in large lawns, is made up of pipes and head. Any of this item can present a leak, or need to be replaced. To discover any probable trouble in the system turn it on in the day and watch close how it works. See if any pop up head is leaking or delivering water off the place desired. Fix this as soon as you can to prevent further complications.

Replace any damaged piece, and if you realize you can do all the work needed by yourself, call someone qualified. Bad repairs are just as bad as any damage. When you see that that water flowing through your system is not enough, you must check out for a low pressure problem. After you check all, you can begin to use your system for all the season.

Fall Care For Sprinkler System

Fall announces the coming of cold months. Make sure that there is no water inside the sprinkler system of pipes, it is important to avoid future freezing and cracking of the pipes. Water when frozen expands and this results in the cracking of the pipe, leaving you with a lot of problems for next spring. Your lawn care task for fall include the caring of your sprinkler system in fall in the mood of draining all the water left in the system, as we said, to prevent the damages caused by freezing. If you don’t know how to do it, call a professional. Sprinkler is not a cheap equipment and it is better to make sure a professional will fix any problem

Now you can be sure that you have taken all the measure to maintain correctly your sprinkler system, and you have already known the importance of landscape equipment in your lawn care routine, making the life more enjoyable in your always green garden.

While the African violet is, indeed, from Africa, it’s actually not a violet at all, but an herb called Gesneriaceae. The reason it came to be called a violet is because its deep purple blooms, though pink, blue and white blossoms are also common.

The plant got its botanical name, Saintpaulia, from Baron Walter von Saint Paul, who was the first to bring the plant from Africa to Europe in 1893. African violets have become enormously popular in the past decade, mainly because they are attractive, perfectly suited to indoor growing and produce flowers almost constantly.

African Violets are low-growing, hairy-leafed plants with dark green, oval-shaped leaves. More than one hundred varieties of African violets are known, some producing blooms as large as an inch and a half across.

Growing conditions - The reason African violets make such good houseplants is that they thrive in a warmer environment than most other indoor greenery, preferring temperatures ranging from 70 to 75 degrees during the day and 60 degrees or above at night. If your house is cooler than this on winter nights, you should protect your African violets by moving them away from windows or covering them with a newspaper.

Because they are accustomed to jungle conditions, African violets require a great deal of moisture. This may be achieved by placing the plants in a pan our saucer filled one inch deep with pebbles and covered with water that stops just below the pot. Another way to keep your plants humid is to place a bowl of water on a radiator near the flowers.

African Violets should be watered either from below unlike caring for Bromeliads, or from above with a watering can with a long spout which will reach inside the foliage and wet the soil without splashing the leaves. If you splash cold water on the leaves, they can be afflicted with white spots on the leaves, one of the main problems encountered by African violet enthusiasts.

One way to avoid this problem is to only use warm or lukewarm water when watering your plant, and avoid the temptation to spray the leaves even with warm water. Another way to keep from splashing the leaves is to use a wick-watering system.

A benefit of African violets that makes them better suited to indoor growing than most other flowering plants is that they do not require much sunlight. Though the plants can succeed in a northern exposure, they do best when placed in an east- or west-facing window.

African violets do not require outdoor “plunging” in the summer, and they should never be placed outdoors. You can keep their leaves dust-free by cleaning them with a soft brush, such as a small, soft paintbrush.

Soil - African Violets like a soil richer in humus than the average plant requires. Special potting mixes made just for African violets are available at most garden centers. When potting your plant, make sure the soil is not too tightly packed, as African violets like well-aerated soils. And because they tolerate constant moisture at the roots better than most plants, they do well in a larger pot.

Food - While you’re buying your soil, it’s also a good idea to pick up a fertilizer made especially for African violets. Feed your plants according to label directions, and be sure to add fertilizer when you are re-potting or starting new plants from cuttings.

Propagation - Leaf-cutting is the most effective way to propagate African violets. Do it in the spring so cuttings will have all summer to grow. New leaves will appear on newly rooted plants within ten to twelve weeks, though some hardy plants will show foliage in four to six weeks. That means if you begin propagating in early Spring, you will have a flower Saintpaulia garden by fall.

Dividing plants is another propagation technique which is best done when the plant’s crown becomes so thick that it stops flowering. To divide the roots, turn the pot upside down and carefully remove the soil from the roots, trying not to disturb them much. Next, use a gentle stream of tepid water to wash away the remaining dirt. Several segments, each with its own root, should be clearly visible at the base of the crown.

Gently pull them apart from the main plant and place them in appropriately-sized individual containers. Thoroughly water and fertilize the new plantings and place them in the shade for a few days before moving them to a window spot.

Pests and diseases - The worst enemies of African Violets are mealybugs and red spiders, but these pests are not commonly found inside homes. Should you encounter problems with them, though, there are special insecticides made just for African violets.

It is great to have fresh herbs at your fingertips for kitchen and medical use. However it has been said that all things must come to an end and this applies to the seasons, which means the end of your fresh herbs.

To be able to make the best of the herbs all year round, you will want to know how to preserve them so they can still be used during the colder months.

When to Harvest The best time to harvest your herb plants is just before flowering, which will occur when the weather begins to cool. Harvesting in late summer will give you the best flavor.

You can also harvest during the growing season to create extra growth start your stock. Cut the stems in mid-morning after the morning dew has dried but before the afternoon sun has started to warm them.

Air Drying of Fresh Herbs

Air drying works best with fresh herbs that have lower moisture content like oregano, rosemary and dill. Herbs with higher moisture will dry better using a dehydrator.

To air dry fresh herb plants use the following steps:

1. Cut the stems and remove any unhealthy leaves.

2. Rinse stems with some cool water,

3. Pat dry completely. Important to ensure no mould occurs.

4. Bundle together in batches of four to six stems, and hold them together with a rubber band. Keep in mind that the stems will shrink as they dry so you will need to check them regularly.

5. Store bunches upside down into brown paper bags that have a number of holes punched in them. 6. Tie the bags closed and hang them up in a warm, well aired room

7. Check them every week or two.

8. Once your herbs are sufficiently dried, store in airtight containers.

Keep the containers away from direct sunlight and use within one year.

Using this process for preserving your herbs, you will be able to enjoy the savory aroma and flavor of home grown herbs year round. Your family will be amazed with how your will have fresh herb taste even in the middle of winter!