How to Grow a Lemon Tree from Seed Easily in Your Own Home (2

This is part 2 of 3 in a 3-part series about how you can bring certain foods into your garden at home. Some of them can be done indoors and out, it’s all up to you – the best part is, you get all the healthy benefits of organic food without the worry of any chemical contamination. If you haven’t seen part 1 about growing superfoods in your home,you can find that here. Otherwise, the next section covers ways that you can grow blood pressure-lowering, vitamin-enriching herbs in your garden.

Citrus fruits are packed full of vitamins, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium – the list goes on. Even though they may not make for a balanced meal on their own, they sure do offer a huge list of benefits that can complement the rest of our diet. At the same time, they do tend to be high in sugar – so managing how much of them you’re eating is imperative when it comes to maintaining a balanced diet.

It’s kind of funny – you need them, but you need to keep yourself from going overboard at the same time!

Certain citrus fruits are easier to grow than others, and thankfully, two of the best ones can be grown right in your yard. By growing them yourself, you’ll be able to taste the difference in freshness and quality, and keep your body free from any chemical contamination associated with non-organic growing. Not sure which two I’m talking about? Here they are:

1. Lemons

I know the first part of this series was directed towards superfoods that you can grow at home – and don’t you worry, lemon is definitely a superfood too. But at the same time, lemons are so useful for so many different things that they kind of exist in another universe on their own. Whether you’re adding them to water or making use of their peels, the convenience of growing your own lemons is not something that should be ignored.

How can you grow them?

I recommend buying a baby tree (2-3 years) to get the best results with your lemons. Pick out a clay or plastic pot (with a lot of holes in the bottom), and make sure that it’s a bit larger than the actual root ball of your baby tree (when the tree matures, it may need a pot that’s about 12-15 inches deep, and 17-20 inches in diameter) . Get your baby tree into the pot, and fill the drainage container with stones to improve air flow. Then, fill up your pot with soil. Keep in mind that some soils are specifically prepared for growing citrus fruits, so they will likely yield better results.

That’s basically all the prep you need. Make sure you’re giving it about 8-10 hours of sunlight a day, and watering regularly (be careful not to over-water). Lemons take about 6-9 months to ripen, so when they have a full color and a slight give to their touch – you’re all set.

Or you can grow one from seed. 

“To grow your own lemon tree, you will need to obtain the following:
- An organic lemon since non-organic lemons often contain non-germinating seeds

• Fertile potting soil, preferably containing peat, vermiculite, perlite, and natural fertilizers
• A planting pot that is six inches wide and six inches deep
• A seedling pot that is about 24 inches wide by 12 inches deep
• A sunny, indoor growing location and possibly a grow lamp

Follow these steps to grow your own lemon tree:

1. Moisten the potting soil so that it is damp, but not soaked, all the way through.
2. Fill the smaller pot with soil, all the way up to an inch below the rim.
3. Cut open your lemon and remove a seed. Remove all of the pulp from its surface. A good way to do this is to simply suck on it until it is clean.
4. Do not delay to plant. The seed must still be moist when it is buried into the soil. Plant the seed about half an inch deep in the middle of the pot.
5. Spray the soil that is directly above the seed gently with water from a spray bottle.
6. Cover the pot with clear plastic wrap, seal the edges with a good rubber band, and poke small holes in the top with a pencil.
7. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location.
8. Spray on more water occasionally, not allowing the soil to dry out. Do not cause water to puddle though. Just keep the soil somewhat moist.
9. After about two weeks, when the sproutling emerges, take the plastic covering off. If you need additional light for your lemon plant, you can use a grow light to supplement the sun’s light.
10. Take care of the young plant by keeping the soil damp, by making sure it gets at least eight full hours of light per day, and by giving it moderate doses of organic fertilizer.
11. Watch over your plant to ensure it is not attacked by bugs or diseases. Prune off brown, dead leaves when necessary. Use pesticides if you must. Protect your new lemon tree!
12. When the plant outgrows its small pot, put it in the larger pot. You will go through much the same procedure when you re-plant it as when you first planted. Younger plants need more water than older plants, but they all do need adequate water. Don’t starve your poor plant after all that work of growing it!”(1)

Watch YouTube Gardener Mitchell Boyle’s Technique For Growing Lemons…

Mitchell shows you how to grow all kinds of great stuff on his popular youtube channel. He has videos on growing everything from Bananas to Avocado. Even Kiwis and Pineapples.

In this video, Mitch talks about the tricks he’s discovered to grow a lemon tree from seed which he says “Works every time!”

2. Mandarins

I love mandarins because of their richness of antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, fiber, and more. They’re a good change from your regular “Florida” oranges, and it isn’t too difficult to grow them at home.

How can you grow them?

If you want to grow your tree indoors, I recommend going for a baby tree, the same way I recommended it for lemons. These baby trees just tend to have more successful growth records than starting with seeds. Prepare the pot the same way you would lemons (spacious with rocks, and drainage holes at the bottom), and give the oranges regular sunlight.

Mandarin trees are safe to grow indoors because they usually don’t grow much taller than 6 feet in height. Water them regularly but conservatively, and change the pot to a larger one once the roots grow back on themselves or poke out of your drainage holes. Pick the oranges as soon as they turn orange, because every moment after that means more and more flavor dying away.

Tip: Be careful twisting the oranges off of the tree – you want to make sure the little button at the top of the orange stays there.

So there you have it, two easy ways to get delicious citrus fruits on your table without any hassle. The final section of this series will show you how you can grow delicious herbs in your home, without having to spend extra money at the grocery store.

Source:

(1) http://blogs.naturalnews.com/grow-lemon-tree-seed/

http://www.naturalhealingmagazine.com/grow-lemon-tree-seed-easily-home/

HOW TO GROW A LEMON TREE FROM SEED EASILY IN YOUR OWN HOME

We all know that citrus fruits are very rich in vitamins, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium. They also have a high content of sugar – so be careful how much of them you’re eating if you want to maintain a balanced diet.
Some citrus fruits are harder to grow than others, and thankfully, two of the best ones can be easily grown right in your yard. When you grow your fruit by yourself, you’ll be able to taste the difference in quality and freshness, and keep your body free from any chemical contamination associated with non-organic growing. Here are instructions on growing your own citrus fruits:

1. Lemons

It is recommended to buy a baby tree (2-3 years old) to get the best results with your lemons. Buy a clay or a plastic pot (with a lot of holes in the bottom), and make sure that it’s a bit larger than the actual root ball of your baby tree (as the tree grows, it might need a pot that’s about 12-15 inches deep, and 17-20 inches in diameter) . Put your baby tree in the pot, and fill the drainage container with stones to improve air flow. Fill up your pot with soil, but remember that some soils are specifically prepared for growing citrus fruits, and it is more likely that they will give better results.

These are basically all the preparations you need. Your tree needs about 8-10 hours of sunlight a day, and regular watering (be careful not to over-water). Lemons usually need about 6-9 months to ripen, so when they have a full color and a slight give to their touch – you’re all set.

You can also grow one from a seed.
To grow your own lemon tree, you will need the following things:

• An organic lemon because non-organic lemons often contain non-germinating seeds
• Fertile potting soil, preferably containing vermiculite, peat, perlite, and natural fertilizers
• One planting pot (six inches wide and six inches deep)
• One seedling pot (24 inches wide by 12 inches deep)
• A sunny, indoor growing location and possibly a grow lamp

Follow these steps to grow your own lemon tree:

• Moisten the potting soil so that it becomes damp all the way through, but don’t soak it.
• Fill the smaller pot with soil, all the way up to an inch below the rim.
• Open a lemon and remove a seed. Remove all of the pulp from the seed’s surface. You can do this by sucking it until it is clean.
• You must plant it immediately. The seed must still be moist when it is buried into the soil. Plant the seed about half an inch deep in the middle of the pot.
• Use a spray bottle filled with water to gently spray the soil that is directly above the seed.
• Cover the pot with clear plastic wrap, use a good rubber band to seal the edges, and poke small holes in the top with a pencil.
• Put the pot in a warm, sunny location.
• Occasionally spray it with water, don’t allow the soil to dry out. The soil should be kept somewhat moist, so don’t over-water it.
• A sproutling should emerge after about two weeks. Then, take the plastic covering off. If you don’t have enough light for your lemon plant, you can use a grow light to supplement the sun’s light.
• The young plant should be in damp soil, having at least eight full hours of light per day, and you should give it moderate doses of organic fertilizer.
• Be careful of bugs or diseases attacking your plant. Protect your new lemon tree by pruning off brown, dead leaves when necessary, and using pesticides when absolutely necessary.
• When the plant outgrows the small pot, put it in the larger pot. The re-planting procedure is very similar as when you first planted it. A younger plant needs more water than an older one, but they all need an adequate amount of water. Make sure that you provide it with it.

2. Mandarins

If you want to grow your tree indoors, a baby tree is the best option, just like with the lemon tree. Baby trees tend to have more successful growth records than seeds. Prepare the pot in the same way as described for lemons (spacious with rocks, and drainage holes at the bottom), and give the tree regular sunlight.

Mandarin trees don’t usually grow much taller than 6 feet in height, and this makes them safe for growing indoors. Water them regularly but don’t over-water them, and change the pot to a larger one once the roots grow back on themselves or poke out of your drainage holes. Pick the oranges as soon as they turn orange, because otherwise they will start losing their flavor.

Tip: When you pick the oranges off of the tree make sure that the little button at the top of the orange stays there.

These two easy ways will provide you with delicious citrus fruits on your table without much work.

Source: www.healthy-holistic-living.com

Diatomaceous Earth is Amazing. Here's 10 Surprising Uses...

Diatomaceous Earth is Amazing. Here's 10 Surprising Uses... HOT

Have you heard about diatomaceous earth? Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring product that is mined out of old lakebeds. This versatile product is completely organic and safe to use around family and pets. Be sure when choosing diatomaceous earth that you only use the organic food grade variety that is natural-milled, unheated, amorphous (non-crystalline) silicon dioxide. There are so many wonderful ways you can use diatomaceous earth and it is so easy to try. Today I am going to share the top 10 surprising uses for diatomaceous earth.

1. Natural pesticide

We’ll start with the most common use. Even if you’re generally bug friendly but don’t want them in your home, you’re in luck. Diatomaceous earth is a natural and safe repellent that deters insects from entering in the first place. Dust inside and outside of your home to repel and kill insects. Here is a list of insects many people have used diatomaceous earth to treat:

• Cockroaches

• Bed bugs

• Fleas

• Spiders

• Ticks

• Scorpions

• And so many others 

2. Flea control

Diatomaceous earth can be directly applied on your dog or cat to get rid of fleas. Start at the base of the tail, moving towards the head and pushing the fur up to expose the skin. Apply diatomaceous earth with your hand and place it on the skin. Try not to get DE into your pet’s ears or eyes and remember to apply diatomaceous earth in the home to break the flea cycle.

3. Eating Diatomaceous Earth

This is perhaps one of the more “Googled” terms about diatomaceous earth. Many people are interested in the potential health benefits—healthier hair, nails, skin—that come from eating DE. Other potential benefits include DE lowering blood cholesterol and the health benefits of silica (food grade DE is 85 percent silica). Remember to only eat organic food grade diatomaceous earth.

4. Garden pest control

Sometimes an infestation can grow rampant, to the point it becomes necessary to pull out the diatomaceous earth. The kind of pest you have in your garden generally dictates the mode of application:

Flying insects: Dust your plants with diatomaceous earth after you have watered them. Make sure you lightly spray the plants as well to help the diatomaceous earth stick. Make sure to get underneath the leaves as well. This is best done in the morning to allow the DE to dry.

Ground insects: This works especially well on slugs. Put a ring of diatomaceous earth around the plants that are actively getting chomped on. Be sure to keep any leaf out from touching to soil outside the ring of DE. You don’t want to inadvertently use a “ladder” for these pests to get on. 

5. Organic de-wormer

Some pet owners want to use an alternative to a synthetic de-wormer, and they do this by adding diatomaceous earth to their pet’s food. Here are the ratios for your pet’s daily dosage:

Dogs

• Puppies & Small Dogs: ½ tsp

• Dog under 50 lb: 1 tsp

• Dog over 50 lb: 1 tbsp

• Dog over 100 lb: 2 tbsp

Cats

• Kittens: ½ tsp

• Cats: 1 tsp

6. Prolonged food storage

An article by the University of Minnesota states that almost all dry food is susceptible to a beetle infestation. Diatomaceous earth protects food from infestations and it keeps food dry which prevents food from clumping, germinating, or going moldy. If you have grains, legumes, beans, rice, or corn in storage then adding DE works well to keep it protected and dry.

7. Dust your chicken coop

Many chicken keepers add diatomaceous earth to their chicken coop and chickens’ dust bath to protect their chickens against lice and mites. Even if you coop currently doesn’t have this problem, a regular regime of diatomaceous earth can prevent these problems from cropping up. 

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Everyone knows green smoothies are healthy, right? However…
Have you heard of a “red” smoothie? If not, check out this true story…

---> “Red” Smoothie Helps Alabama Girl Shed 80lbs!

---

8. Homemade toothpaste

The funny thing is that lots of toothpastes already use diatomaceous earth as an ingredient because it is a mild abrasive. You can add a pinch of diatomaceous earth to your toothpaste before you brush in the morning and you’ll be surprised at how clean your teeth feel afterwards.

9. Facial cleanser

If you have naturally oily skin, then mix diatomaceous earth in water until it reaches the consistency of paste. Place the paste on your face like a mask and let it rest there for at least a few minutes. Afterwards, wash it off with water. Do this no more than once or twice week because diatomaceous earth will dry out your skin.

10. Deodorizer

You can deodorize numerous ways using diatomaceous earth. Here are a few ways to deodorize in your home:

• For smelly outdoor garbage, sprinkle diatomaceous earth to cover the bottom of a dry garbage can.

• Add diatomaceous earth to your cat’s litter box by mixing in it thoroughly with a spatula or gloved hands. Coupled with its deodorizing capabilities, DE absorbs liquids twice its weight.

• For smelly footwear, dust the bottom of each shoe with diatomaceous earth and leave it for at least eight hours.

• Carpets absorb a lot of smells, so vacuum your carpet and then dust it with diatomaceous earth. Leave it for at least 12 to 24 hours.

I hope that you will try diatomaceous earth and see how fantastic it is for so many different uses!

How to grow wheatgrass

http://www.goodshomedesign.com/how-to-grow-wheatgrass-at-home/

The healthy properties of wheatgrass are widely known and you can buy different kinds of shakes that contain this magical ingredient. As these juices can be a bit expensive, the cheap and healthy alternative would be to grow your own wheatgrass and mix your homemade healthy shakes. But when it comes to plants, each of them has different features and it is important to know some tricks before planting and growing them. The first steps are the most important as it will determine the quality of the wheatgrass, so make sure that you soak the seeds for almost 12 hours, before planting. The sprouting period can last up to 2 and a half days and after that the seeds can be placed into the soil. The following video will help you understand the process better and will teach you how to grown your own wheatgrass. Good luck! Also, below you can find Certified Organic Wheatgrass Growing Kit- Grow 6 Amazing Trays of Wheatgrass (Reusable Trays, Seeds, Soil, Instructions)

See more at: http://www.goodshomedesign.com/how-to-grow-wheatgrass-at-home/

Watch How This Family Produces 6,000 Pounds of Food In Their Small Yard

SURSA:

http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/14520-6000-pounds-of-food-in-small-spaces.html

Survivalist communities and preppers all over America have learned that the properly tilled land can produce tremendous amounts of food. Well-balanced soil is quite generous and will give back much more than it receives. A few organic seeds, adequate watering, and some rich compost can provide even a novice farmer with a bountiful harvest.

Ever since Big Agra took over the farming of America’s vast farmlands, most people are disconnected from the process of food production from seed to table. Agribusiness has so thoroughly monopolized farming and husbandry that many children in the cities think that the food comes from supermarkets and grocery stores, not grainfields and orchard groves.

Now comes along a family just south of LA that has set the bar a little higher for the many residential farms that are popping up all over the place. Their track record is quite extraordinary by any standard. Here are the latest numbers from a family that farms just 4,000 square feet of land.

“If you try to do the math, it just doesn’t seem to compute. But somehow the numbers work out because the Dervaes family is able to produce about 4,300 pounds of vegetables, 900 chicken and 1,000 duck eggs, 25 pounds of honey, and further poundage of seasonal fruits on their 4,000 square-foot postage stamp of land just outside the southern California’s sprawling megalopolis. Beyond providing food for themselves, the family makes about $20,000 per year by selling their produce from their front porch.”
(Source: Inhabitat)

That kind of productivity would rival any highly mechanized, GMO-seeded, chemical fertilized Big Agra farm field. That the Dervaes family was able to reap such an extraordinary harvest from a tenth of an acre is actually the status quo where farmers really know what they’re doing. Especially when they avoid many of the pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers and GMOs of modern farming.

Dervaes family farm

Not only does this family farm eschew all the modern techniques and technology of agribusiness, they run their farm off the grid in more ways than one.

“Every member of the family pitches on to make sure every square inch of their land produces as much as possible. In addition, beyond simply producing their own organic food, the Dervaes family is living almost totally off the grid. Many of the gadgets they use are hand-powered, and what isn’t hand powered gets energy from solar panels, which leads to power bills that max out at about $12 per month. They also don’t burn any fossil fuels, as their car is powered by biodiesel produced from used cooking fat—which restaurants deliver to their doorstep.”

The real secret here is that a focused effort applied with the ancient wisdom about how to till the land and enrich the soil can go a long way. Survivalist communities, even in California in the midst of a 1000 year drought, have proven that the farming can still be highly productive when you know the tricks of the trade and the land is genuinely respected.

---

Everyone knows green smoothies are healthy, right? However…
Have you heard of a “red” smoothie? If not, check out this true story…

---> “Red” Smoothie Helps Alabama Girl Shed 80lbs!

---

Conclusion

Many farmers, both small organic and Big Agriculture, have recognized that the rules have been changing.

The nation may be entering a period where self sufficiency and independence from corporate farming could become useful.

The drought in California ensuing water wars are providing a sneak preview of what may unfold wherever new weather patterns establish inhospitable climate trends.

Ideal Humidity for Indoor Tomato Plants

by Amy Rodriguez, Demand Media

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Humidity meters placed near tomato plants help you monitor moisture levels 24-hours a day.

Growing your tomato plants indoors is a practical way to control the surrounding temperature for the best fruiting and overall growth. Plants kept between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day have the best chances at growing strong. Your humidity levels also play a significant role in determining successful tomato growth. Specific moisture levels must be maintained to prevent stunted growth and disease.

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Humidity Range

Daytime ideal humidity levels range between 80 percent and 90 percent for indoor tomato plants. In contrast, nighttime moisture levels range slightly lower, between 65 percent and 75 percent. Because the majority of the tomato fruit is made of water, the plant must use water to nourish its stems and leaves, along with bolstering its fruit cultivation. Transpiration occurs along the leaves to transfer water molecules between the moist air and the plant for optimal water nourishment; the roots alone cannot supply enough water to the plant for a plentiful fruit set.

Excessive Moisture

Humidity levels that exceed the ideal range essentially suffocate the tomato plant. Transpiration processes cannot function or evaporate as effectively since the surrounding air is saturated with water molecules; tomato plants overheat from lack of evaporative cooling. Fruit and plant growth becomes stunted, and stressed plants become more vulnerable to pests and pathogens, especially if raised in a greenhouse with other plants. Careful observation of your indoor environment allows you to pinpoint when moisture levels are too high. Obvious condensation across leaves and other nearby surfaces is a warning that the environment needs a humidity-level reduction.

Dry Conditions

Although you may have the correct indoor temperature, any long periods of dry air around the tomato plants make them susceptible to flower drop. Blossoms break away from the plant before they even have a chance to open completely. Using a humidity meter near your tomato plants helps you maintain the correct moisture levels. Keeping the air moist prevents the blossom drop, as well as retaining a normal fruit set. Any change to the climate reflects directly in the plant's growth; once the temperature and moisture levels change for the better, the plant appears with larger fruits and vigorous growth.

Staking and Cage Consideration

Tomatoes must be kept off of the soil to prevent fruit rot and disease infiltration. Most gardeners use mesh cages or stakes to support growing tomato vines in containers. Not only does this prevent fruit problems, but the vines have more air circulation surrounding their leaves for optimal transpiration. Because you need to arrange the vines on the support so that you can comfortably grab ripe fruits, this spacing allows for the best evaporative cooling within an ideal humidity range.