Benefits of Hydroponics Gardening

The definition of hydroponics is growing plants without soil. It derives its name from two Greek words, Hydro and Ponics. The literal translation is: Water labor. Instead of getting nutrients from soil, the plants are given nutrients directly to their roots. The food fed to the hydroponics plants is called a number of things. It can be called hydroponic nutrient, hydroponics nutrients, or liquid fertilizer. Plants grown hydroponically can be supported in gravel, sand, water, or even in the air.


(Continue Reading…)




Renewable Energy Options for the Home - Part 2 (Solar Energy)

The sun is a very powerful source of energy which powers natural cycles on earth like wind, water flow and plant growth.. Solar power is the technology of obtaining energy from the sun. There are three approaches to gain maximum benefit of solar energy in our buildings.


Passive Solar


Passive solar technologies convert sunlight into usable heat without the assistance of other energy sources. Passive solar architecture is a design approach which seeks to:


- maximise solar gains in the building (through orientation such as a south-facing site, layout, glazing etc)
- avoid the loss of heat from the building through high quality insulation
- ensure a high degree of comfort by using controlled ventilation and daylighting


(Continue Reading…)




Vegetable Gardening - Grow What You Like

Vegetable gardening is becoming more popular all of the time. It is estimated that one out of every three people in the United States does some kind of gardening. A large percentage of gardening is done in urban areas. Growing great vegetables does not have to be difficult. In order to experience this wonderful hobby all you have to do is follow a few simple rules. As time goes by you will become more proficient.


There are several basic steps you need to follow to be a successful vegetable gardener. Here are the steps:


(Continue Reading…)




Building an Indoor Greenhouse

You want to get an early start to the growing season for your flowers, but you have too many seedlings to fit them all on a windowsill and you don’t have any room outside for a regular greenhouse. Does this sound familiar to you? If so, there is a solution - an indoor greenhouse. This type of greenhouse is easy to build and you can place it in your basement. The materials you need to build it are:
* 2 X4’s for the frame
* a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood
* 3/4 X 1.5 inch strips to help fasten the leg braces
* 8 double 40 watt fluorescent lights on chains
*

Vegetable Gardening - Grow What You Like
...software is also available as an alternative for laying out a garden.Test your soil before you do anything else. Vegetables prefer loose soil which breaks up in your hands. The soil should drain well. If the soil packs together in ...
a thermostat


(Continue Reading…)



Spring is Almost Here - March Gardening Tips

The beginning of spring is among us. Beautiful days, cool nights, and wind especially in the southwest (it can’t always be perfect).


You should be able to plant just about anything including bulbs, trees, shrubs, bedding plants. Be careful with tomato plants,however, the weather can be a bit tricky during this month.


If you do plant frost tender plants during the March gardening season, be prepared to cover them in event of a late frost.


In the Southwest New Mexico area or lower elevations of the southwest we usually get a cold snap followed by some pretty warm days during the month of March. Try using “Wall-o-waters” for your tomato plants to help protect them from temps down to 15 degrees f.


(Continue

Building an Indoor Greenhouse
...place beneath the bench can be used for storage. The best type of plywood to buy is a sheet of exterior grade - 1/2 inch thick. If you buy it sanded on one side it will diminish the amount of ...
Reading…)



Next Page »