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How To Save Energy Bill Money With Eco Friendly Decor

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Climate change is a pressing concern among Americans, with around 65 percent believing the government doesn’t do enough to combat it. While you wait for governmental policies to change, though, that doesn’t mean you’re helpless to do your part. You can embrace eco friendly living through eco friendly decor.

Even better, creating a more energy efficient home comes with the side effect of saving you money on energy bills in the long term. If you’re new to eco friendly home design, keep reading. We’ll offer up some options on how to make your home energy efficient.

Upgrade Your Light Bulbs

By now, you’ve likely switched out all of those old incandescent bulbs for CFLs. That’s a good start since CFLs used around 30 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb. You can do even better with LED bulbs, which use around 25 percent of the energy of an incandescent bulb and last around eight times longer than CFL.

New Appliances

When you buy a home, you may well hang on to many of the appliances that are in the house. It’s a simple way to cut costs when you first move into a place. Of course, older appliances almost always use more energy.

When you decide it’s time for new appliances, keep an eye out for Energy Star-certified appliances. These appliances beat federally mandated minimums for energy efficiency, which translates to lower costs for you.

Upgrade Your HVAC System

Speaking of HVAC, upgrading your HVAC system can create a more energy efficient home. Well-maintained furnace units can last for around two decades or longer. AC units can last 10-15 years.

Of course, furnaces and AC units made ten or fifteen years ago are typically less efficient than more recent models. On top of that, they grow less efficient over time.

New Windows

Windows plays a huge role in your home’s energy efficiency. Older homes, in particular, often have single-pane glass windows that allow easy transmission of heat or cold. Modern, double-pane windows can offer substantial improvement in your energy usage.

Install Solar

Installing solar is one of the biggest ways you can embrace eco friendly living. It dramatically cuts down or even replaces your need for grid-based electricity. That drops your energy bill and cuts down on the fossil fuels you consume through standard energy production.

You should talk with a local installer about how to switch to solar, as well as solar price points.

Eco Friendly Decor and You

Embracing eco friendly decor isn’t an overnight process. At least, making the switch doesn’t need to be an overnight process.

Start with changes you can afford. Maybe that means switching to LED bulbs. Maybe that means replacing one or two appliances a year.

If you’re looking for a big impact, though, getting a solar panel system is the way to go. That can trim your energy bill to nearly zero in some locations.

Looking for more home improvement or efficiency improvement options? Check out the posts over in our Home Design and Home Improvement sections.

Attractive Hydroponic Ornamental Plant Ideas to Make Your Home Fresher

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Homesfornh.com – Ornamental plants are natural and fresh decorations that you can use to beautify the interior and exterior of your home. Besides, you can use various types and sizes of ornamental plants according to your wishes in decorating. You can use fresh flowerless ornamental plants to ornamental plants with beautiful flowers. One type of ornamental plant that you can use is the type of hydroponics. Hydroponic ornamental plants are types of plants that are grown in water media. By growing your ornamental plants in water, you can get the perfect decoration in a limited space. You can grow your hydroponic ornamental plants in various concepts such as in mini gardens, hanging ornamental plants, and other concepts. Moreover, you can choose various types of hydroponic ornamental plants. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss Attractive Hydroponic Ornamental Plant Ideas to Make Your Home Fresher. Let’s discuss them one by one!

Air Plants

Air Plants

The first hydroponic plant that we discuss in this article is an air plant or often called tillandsia. This is the plant that can grow well without soil planting media like ornamental plants in general. You can use this ornamental plant for a variety of interior decorations in your home. For example, you can use it to decorate your coffee table, bedside table, and window decoration in your home. These hydroponic ornamental plants will grow healthy and fresh with good air humidity around them. Therefore, you can spray water to keep these hydroponic ornamental plants healthy, fresh, and not easy to wither.

Spanish Moss

Spanish Moss

The next hydroponic ornamental plant that we discuss in this article is Spanish moss. You can use these hydroponic plants for a variety of interior and exterior decorations of your home. Moreover, its shape is like long and dense hair which will make this ornamental plant suitable for you to use as a hanging ornamental plant. With proper care and growing methods, you can grow these ornamental plants healthily with the hydroponic method. In addition, you can get a beautiful and fresh natural look and accent by using this Spanish moss plant in your home.

White Lily

White Lily

You can also use hydroponic ornamental plants with beautiful flowers in your home. For example, you can use white lily for various interior and exterior decorations of your home. White lilies are easier for you to grow using the hydroponic method compared to other types of lilies. Therefore, you can use water media with gravel so that the roots of the white lily that you plant are stronger and grow well. You can use these hydroponic ornamental plants for decorative types of hanging ornamental plants or ornamental plants for table decorations in the interior of your home.

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo

You can create an attractive decoration use hydroponic ornamental plants like lucky bamboo. Lucky bamboo is an ornamental plant shaped like bamboo. However, this hydroponic ornamental plant is not a type of bamboo. You can use various sizes and shapes of lucky bamboo according to your expression and character. Lucky bamboo is a hydropic ornamental plant that you can plant on the ground or other growing media such as water. In addition, this plant is also sturdy and strong. This makes lucky bamboo care easier and more enjoyable for you to do.

Philodendron

Philodendron

The next ornamental plant that you can use as a hydroponic decoration in your home is the philodendron. This hydroponic ornamental plant is a flowerless ornamental plant that can beautify and provide a fresh atmosphere in your home. The philodendron plant has leaves with a size large enough with a fresh green color to give a tropical accent to your home. You can use a variety of sizes and decoration concepts that you want in using these hydroponic plants in your home.

Betel Ivory

Betel Ivory

Another hydroponic ornamental plant that you can use to decorate the interior or exterior of your home is the ivory betel. Using the ivory betel plant can give you a fresh look with a more attractive tropical accent in the decorations you create. You can use the ivory betel plant in the hydroponic method. To create it, you can cut this plant as long as 20 to 30 centimeters. After that, you can soak it in water-growing media with a container design according to your wishes.

Orchid

Orchid

The last hydroponic ornamental plant idea that you can use for natural decoration in your home is orchids. You can grow orchids using the hydroponic method easily, especially the Dendrobium orchid plant. This ornamental plant has a unique and aesthetic shape as a natural decoration. In addition, the flowers of the orchid plant have a beautiful shape and bright color. You can also get fresh natural accents using these hydroponic ornamental plants on the interior or exterior of your home.

Thus our discussion of Attractive Hydroponic Ornamental Plant Ideas to Make Your Home Fresher. By using hydroponic ornamental plants, you can create natural decorations that save space in your home. In addition, you can also use these ornamental plants to create a cleaner decoration than using ornamental plants grown on the ground. Moreover, you can choose various types of hydroponic ornamental plants that are interesting for you to use. You can also choose the most suitable size for your home decor. Therefore, create fresh and beautiful home decorations using the most attractive hydroponic ornamental plants in your home. Happy decorating and gardening!

Backyard Fish Pond Ideas : Create a Beautiful and Fresh Atmosphere

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Homesfornh.com – A house has various parts that you can use according to their respective functions. For example, you can use the interior of your home for all your activities comfortably and pleasantly. Meanwhile, the exterior of your house gives a beautiful home appearance according to your wishes. In addition, you can also take advantage of the empty space around your house for all your needs such as gardens, treehouses, and so on. One part of your house that you can use is your backyard. The backyard can give you an empty space you such as a garden, conversation pit, fish pond, and others. With creativity and the right concept, you can create a comfortable place for you to relax or do your outdoor activities. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss backyard fish pond ideas that you can create. Let’s discuss various ideas that you can use!

Fish Pond with Garden

Fish Pond with Garden

A fish pond in your backyard will be perfect if you combine it with your garden. By having a garden in your backyard, you can create a natural space in your home. You can create a beautiful vegetable garden or ornamental plant garden in your backyard. Moreover, you can create a fish pond there. The fish pond will give a fresh and beautiful look and atmosphere to your garden. Adjust the design and size of the fish pond that you create in your backyard garden.

Fish Pond in the Middle of the Backyard

Fish Pond in the Middle of the Backyard

In addition to creating a fish pond side by side with your backyard garden, you can also create a fish pond in the middle of your backyard. A fish pond in the middle of your backyard will give a fresh, natural, and beautiful accent that is centered. You can create your garden next to your backyard or create a place to relax around the fish pond you created. In addition, you can also create various designs and sizes according to your wishes. Moreover, we recommend a fish pond with a fountain design if you have more budget.

Fish Pond in Backyard Corner

Fish Pond in Backyard Corner

You can also create your fish pond in the corner of your backyard instead of creating it in the middle. By creating a fish pond in the corner of your backyard, you can provide more space in your backyard, especially in the middle area. This will be very suitable for those of you who have a limited backyard size. You can freely choose which corner you will create a fish pond. With the right concept, you can create a fresh and beautiful atmosphere in a calming natural style.

Fish Pond with Grass

Fish Pond with Grass

A beautiful fish pond does not only depend on the design and concept you create. Other things can also affect the beauty of your fish pond. For example, the area around your fish pond you also need to pay close attention to. You can use a variety of grasses to create fresh green accents around your fish pond. The grass in the backyard will provide a natural carpet for you to do activities there. You can also create an atmosphere that is not arid with grass in your backyard, especially around the fish pond you created.

Fish Pond with Tropical Accent

Fish Pond with Tropical Accent

In addition to creating grass around your backyard fish pond, you can also create a variety of tropical accents there. Tropical accents in your backyard fish pond can give a fresh and beautiful look. Moreover, you can create a mini forest in your backyard with all its beautiful habitats. Therefore, a variety of flowerless ornamental plants are highly recommended to create this tropical accent. For example, you can use banana plants, alocasia, calathea, or monstera to decorate a fish pond in your backyard.

Simple and Small Fish Pond

Simple and Small Fish Pond

From the various concepts and designs of fish ponds that we discussed above, you can also create a minimalist concept for your fish pond. You can create a fish pond with a simple concept in your backyard. This will be very suitable if you want a simple natural look in your backyard. You can also create your fish pond in a small size. Thus, your backyard will feel more spacious, comfortable, and beautiful. In addition, the placement of this simple and small fish pond is very flexible according to your wishes.

Square Fish Pond

Square Fish Pond

In addition to using certain designs and decorations in the backyard fish pond that you create, you can also use simple geometric shapes such as squares. Creating a square fish pond will give it a bold and symmetrical look. You can place this fish pond close to your house or in the corner of your backyard. With a fish pond design like this, you can more easily create a look or other concept in your backyard to make it more beautiful and comfortable.

Rectangular Fish Pond

Rectangular Fish Pond

Using a square fish pond design in your backyard can give you a more assertive look. However, you can also use a rectangular design if you want to create a wider and more varied fish pond. You can create a rectangular fish pond at the end of your backyard or close to your house with a comfortable bridge. A fish pond like this will give you a fresh natural atmosphere with a soothing water habitat for you to observe while relaxing in your backyard.

Circle Fish Pond

Circle Fish Pond

The last backyard fish pond ideas we discussed in this article could use a circle design. You can create a circular fish pond design flexibly in various sizes and concepts. You can create this fish pond in the middle of your backyard or in any other part you want according to your expression. You can also give a dynamic accent in a fresh natural setting by using this backyard fish pond design. Thus, you can create the concept and style of a circular fish pond according to your preferences and desires.

Thus our discussion of Backyard Fish Pond Ideas: Create a Beautiful and Fresh Atmosphere. A backyard is a place that you can use for all your outdoor needs. You can do your hobbies there such as gardening and so on. In addition, you can also create a playground for your children. Another thing you can create in your backyard is a fish pond. A fish pond with the right design and concept will give you a beautiful and fresh atmosphere in your home. For that, you can use a fish pond design and size that suits your character and expression. You can also create your fish pond side by side with your backyard garden. Good luck!

DIY Organic Leaf Miners Control for Your Vegetable Leaves

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Homesfornh.com – Leaf miner is a tiny serpentine spot of larva from insects that will eat and live in your plants. If you see a small absurd line on the leaves, then it must be leaf miners. Leaf miners come from several species of insects such as sawflies, flies, moths, beetles, and the like. They are insects that eat leaves and grow their colony on your plants. Leaf miners can produce eggs and have a bad impact on your plants’ health. You should find a way to get rid of this pest by making an organic insecticide for leaf miners. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss DIY Organic Leaf Miners Control for Your Vegetable Leaves. With the right tools and materials, you can create a healthy vegetable garden without leaf miners in your home. For that, let’s discuss!

Kinds of Leaf Miners You Should Know

Kinds of Leaf Miners You Should Know

Before we discuss more organic leaf miner control, we will discuss the various types of leaf miners that you should know. By knowing the types of leaf miners, you can consider the most appropriate treatment for your vegetable garden. Therefore, here are some kinds of leaf miners you should know:

  • Vegetable leaf miners

Liriaomyza is a species of leaf miners. It creates a long serpentine line on the leaves. You can get rid of vegetable leaf miners by using an organic insecticide.

  • Lilac leaf miners

Caloptilia syringella or lilac leaf miners is a small moth that can produce a dark large leaf. It makes your plant folds its leaf.

  • Spinach leaf miners

Pegomya hyoscyamine is a regular leaf miner that produces dark large marks on the spinach leaves. You may ever see this insect in a small gray appearance. They will develop eggs in the summer season.

  • Sawfly leaf miners

The sawfly leaf miners can produce many larvae in the late spring. This leaf miner has large blotch mines. You will find this leaf miner on the leaves with a tiny dark appearance.

The Damage from Leaf Miners

The Damage from Leaf Miners

After understanding the various types of leaf miners that can become pests in your vegetable garden, the next topic that we will discuss is the various types of damage caused by leaf miners. A variety of damage can occur to the vegetables you plant if you do not handle these pests properly. You may fail to harvest if you do not immediately handle the leaf miners in your vegetable garden. The following is the damage caused by leaf miners:

  • The adult leaf miners will damage the plants. It causes brown leaves and will fall on the ground before the late summer. You will see pale blotches on the leaves and leaf miners eat the green tissue inside it. Even though it is not a big problem, but it damages your plants’ health.
  • When your plants dropping leaves, you should check the leaves if it has leaf miners. The larva on leaves eat the green tissue and may affect the growth of your plants. The falling leaves will occur apparently before the late season. Moreover, if you find leaf miners on the seedlings’ leaves, then it may kill this germ.

DIY Organic Leaf Miners Control for Your Vegetable Leaves

Storing an organic insecticide at home is useful for removing pests like insects. It also saves on your money and keeps the fertility of your garden soil. But before we discuss the various steps that you can follow, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:

  1. Vegetable oil
  2. One bottle sprayer
  3. An eco-friendly washing liquid
  4. Water

After you have prepared the various tools and materials above, you can start making this organic pest control to repel leaf miners in your garden. Thus, you can create a healthy and fresh garden in your home. Therefore, let’s discuss these various steps one by one!

  • Investigate The Plant

Investigate The Plant

You need to see thoroughly every part of your plant. Investigate the leaves, stem, flowers, and fruit if it has a certain mark of pests or diseases. The healthy plant will grow well, they have no problem showing off. The leaf miner emerges on the leaves after small larvae walk on leaves. It will grow to be mature insects such as moths. Thus, you need to find these sick parts and pick the leaves with the leaf miner on them.

  • Pour Adequate Water into A Bottle Sprayer

Pour Adequate Water into A Bottle Sprayer

Take the bottle sprayer and fill it with water. Use a bottle sprayer depends on your need. Even you can use a recycled plastic bottle. We recommend you pour 400ml water into a bottle sprayer for one recipe. Water is essential to distribute the insecticide properly.

  • Add Eco-friendly Washing Liquid

Add Eco-friendly Washing Liquid

An organic insecticide needs the washing liquid that you can find in the kitchen sink. This ingredient is useful to reduce leaf miner on your plants. It is a beneficial ingredient and you only need one tablespoon of eco-friendly washing liquid. The washing liquid will reduce bad insects on the damaged leaves.

  • Stir and Shake Slowly

Stir and Shake Slowly

Ensure that all ingredients create a good mixture. Mix these ingredients as an organic insecticide solution by shaking it slowly. Don’t make it looks foamy and less foam is fine as long as the water can neutral it. Spray this insecticide only on the damaged leaves and the leaf miner’s spot. You can also spray the broken leaves with some tiny holes in leaves, in case the insects will come again.

  • Remove It by Your Hand

Remove It by Your Hand

Sometimes, this insecticide has a slow effect on the plants to reduce leaf miners but at least it prevents the adult pests to come and lay their eggs. Another way that you can do this is by picking the leaves with leaf miners on your spinach. You will see some leaf miner and their eggs on it, then you have to destroy the leaf miner with your hand. Don’t throw the leaves with leaf miner on the ground. They are still alive and will develop their eggs into a colony. Moreover, the larvae in leaf miner may damage your soil, it can spread into other plants.

Conclusion

Thus our discussion of DIY Organic Leaf Miners Control for Your Vegetable Leaves. An organic pesticide is a homemade fertilizer that you can make yourself. You can store some bottles of organic insecticide at home, it is a practical way to take it when you need it. Even though a certain plant shows a little result to reduce leaf miners but it is helpful to prevent other bad insects to attack your plants. You can also protect your plant from insects by using a net or take it into your greenhouse. Don’t forget to wipe or mist other leaves to clean them from this insecticide. Hopefully, your plants are healthy and you may get a great harvest. Good luck!

Easy Ways to Grow Strawberries in Your Home Garden

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Homesfornh.com – Strawberries are one of the fruits that have a delicious and fresh taste. The strawberry plants grow in a warm climate. It is native to North America. Strawberry includes in the Rosaceae family plant. It has various juicy flavors such as sweet, sour, juicy, and fruity. Some varieties of strawberry are Albion, seascape, everbearing, and so on. Strawberry is rich in vitamin C, then it tastes good in dessert and fresh fruit. It is one of the popular fruits to make fresh juice, vitamin C, garnishes, and salads. Growing this plant in the garden is possible to do, even though it grows in a tropical area. Before we dive into the main topics about the easy ways to grow strawberries in your home garden in this article, you need to prepare a few things as follows:

  • Garden trowel
  • Raised bed
  • Potting mix and compost
  • 5 strawberries
  • Watering can
  • Straw mulch (another mulch is fine too)

After you have prepared all of the above, the next topic we will discuss is Easy Ways to Grow Strawberries in Your Home Garden. By having this plant, you can get a garden that looks more beautiful. In addition, you can also harvest strawberries for your consumption. This will provide benefits for you and your family. Therefore, let’s discuss this topic!

Take The Strawberry Seeds

Take The Strawberry Seeds

It is easy to take the tiny seeds from strawberries. You need to prepare two plies of tissue and a bottle sprayer. Take a sharp knife in a sterile condition. Peel the strawberry gently, you only need a thin flesh to hold the strawberry seeds. Spray the tissue till it is a little wet. Put the strawberry flesh on tissue. Dried this tissue under the sunlight, then you can remove the strawberry seeds.

Spread The Seeds on A Container

Spread The Seeds on A Container

When you plant strawberries with seedlings, you need to germinate them in a container. It is useful for the seeds to get adequate water and easy to move under the bright sunlight. Spread the seeds on a container, you don’t need to cover the seeds by adding some soil. Let the seeds stay on the surface to get an exposure light.

Germinate The Seeds by Regular Watering

Germinate The Seeds by Regular Watering

If you grow the strawberry seeds, you need to water them regularly. The seeds need water to germinate. They like to get water more than mature plants. You need to wait for 1-2 weeks to see the first germ. Be patient. Give the water routine and enough sunlight.

Start Planting The Germ

Start Planting The Germ

Check the germs every week to measure how strong it is to transplant into a larger container. The raised bed is a beneficial container to grow a group of strawberry plants. Fill the raised bed with potting mix and compost. It provides fluffy and well-draining soil that is good for the roots system. Dig the soil to plant the germ. Ensure that the soil covers its roots properly. The crown should be on the surface of the good soil.

Mulching The Soil

Mulching The Soil

Mulching is important! It is the key to maintain moist soil longer. Mulch has a rough texture to cover the soil and prevent water to evaporate during high temperatures. You can use a straw, pine needles, shredded leaves, and coco peat. The organic mulch also gives an additional nutrient to the soil. It will decay slowly along your strawberry plants grow delicious fruits.

Removing Flowers

Removing Flowers

Strawberry plants produce flowers during the growing season. In the first month, they bloom some flowers that will transform into strawberry fruits. The tiny flowers have white petals and pale yellow colors. You should remove the flowers in the early month after planting. Cutting the flowers help strawberry to focus growing leaves. You can let it blooms some flowers when they have bushy leaves. These leaves protect strawberry fruits from sunlight.

Pruning The Strawberry Runners

Pruning The Strawberry Runners

During the growing process, strawberries produce some runners around them. A runner is a creeping stem that grows new strawberry plants. The new strawberry plant will suck nutrition from the stem. It makes your strawberry plant lose more energy to grow fruit. You need to cut all runners to focus on the main stem, then your strawberry plant can produce fruits properly.

Fertilizing Around The Strawberry Plants

Fertilizing Around The Strawberry Plants

Feeding the strawberry plant is also important for their growth. You can use an organic fertilizer such as chicken manure, blood meal, compost, and other organic fertilizer. The strawberry plant will grow well if you fertilizing it around 4-6 weeks after planting. Fertilizing after harvesting the first crop and when the bloom appears is the right time to feed your strawberry plant. Spread the fertilizer around the plant and push it gently.

The Common Pests and Diseases

The Common Pests and Diseases

The Strawberry plant is a sensitive plant. Overwatering and underwatering will damage their leaves. Manage your watering routine at least twice a week at a warm temperature. Other problems are mealybugs, cutworms, leaf miners, and aphids. You can spray your strawberry plant with neem oil solution or cayenne peppers solution. Don’t forget to check the strawberry plants every week to see their health conditions.

Thus our discussion of Easy Ways to Grow Strawberries in Your Home Garden. Strawberry is delicious to add to a dessert and salad. You can also make delicious strawberry juice. This plant is easy to grow in rich and well-draining soil. Strawberry loves sunlight but prefers partial shade in the afternoon. You can grow this plant in your garden and harvest fresh strawberries with your green thumb. Hopefully, this article is helpful for you to grow strawberries in your garden. Happy gardening!

8 Watering Mistakes That You Probably Do in Your Garden

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Homesfornh.com – Watering is an important process to grow the plant. It is the key to germinate seeds, growing mature plants, and help them survive in hard conditions. Having lots of plants in the garden will take more time to water them. Even some people do several mistakes when watering their plants. Knowing much information about watering techniques is important to grow healthy plants in the garden. It is the right time to discuss several watering mistakes that probably you do in your garden. We know that the watering routine determines your plant’s growth in the garden. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss 8 Watering Mistakes That You Probably Do in Your Garden. We should aware of the mistakes when watering you plants. Here’s the discussion!

Watering Plant in The Wrong Time

Watering Plant in The Wrong Time

Most gardeners see the climate in their area before watering their plants. The hot area has a bright day and a high temperature in the afternoon. Don’t water your plants during this time because it can kill your plant. Watering your plants in the early morning before the sun shines too bright. Having enough water will help them survive throughout the day. Another time to water your plant is in the late afternoon or the evening. Water your plants before sunset. Let your plants get moist soil at night. It is the right time to grow the roots.

Overwatering and Underwatering

Overwatering and Underwatering

Overwatering and underwatering is the common mistake that probably you do in the first gardening. Your plants don’t need much water because it makes their roots stand in water. The soggy soil causes its rotten roots. Another mistake is underwatering the plants. Hot temperature brings bad impact to your plant if they get less water in the soil. They look gloomy and you will see the curling leaves or brown leaves. Always check the soil by pushing your finger gently about 3-4 inches to feel the moist conditions.

Watering from The Top of Plants

Watering from The Top of Plants

Be gentle with your plants! They are sensitive and have weak leaves. Maybe you ever see the plants on a bad rainy day. The raindrops make them down and fall the fruits. You should pay attention to the watering technique, especially if you use a watering stick. Watering from the top of plants also causes your plants to hold water on their leaves. The wet leaves sometimes will attract pests like leaf miners, spider mites, mealybugs, and the like.

Watering Too Hard on The Soil

Watering Too Hard on The Soil

Watering from the top of plants may damage their leaves while watering hard on the soil will scrape it and expose the roots. Manage the water tension for your plants before it loses the nutrition from the soil. Use a watering can with a long spout to help you manage the water tension. You can also use recycled material from a plastic bottle with small holes on the sheal. Take some soil to cover the exposed roots, then your plant will not dehydrate.

Watering Mistake for Seedlings

Watering Mistake for Seedlings

Start growing plants in the garden challenges you to remember things to do and don’t. Growing plants from seeds need different maintenance from mature plants, especially in the watering routine. The seedlings should get a gentle watering on the top of the soil. Don’t water your seedlings and other early growing plants like the mature plants. They have a weak roots system and can’t handle hard watering.

Shallow Watering

Shallow Watering

Give adequate water in the soil is important to strengthen the roots system. You need to water over the soil till it is moist when you push it. We have mentioned that the climate determines how much water you should give to your plants. Thus, shallow watering only invests water in the upper layer, while your plants want thoroughly watering to grow their roots. Pour some water twice to ensure it reaches the roots, give time for the good soil to absorb water before watering again.

Rarely Watering

Rare Watering

If you want to get healthy plants and a great harvest, then the watering routine is a must. Watering your plants in the garden at least once per week. It is minimal time to invest water for the roots. You need to make a schedule to water your plants. Maybe one day when you are too busy and you will change the watering schedule in the next day or even the next three weeks. Be consistent! If you don’t have much time to water all plants, you can use a watering system by running a tiny pipe around the garden.

Not Mulching the Soil

Not Mulching the Soil

Your watering routine means nothing if it evaporates during a hot day. Spread some straw to cover the soil. It helps your plants to save energy and water beneath the soil. Mulching is also important for a cool-climate plant to survive in a tropical area. Mulch will lock water in the early morning to survive during the day. Other mulch sources are pine needles, coco peat, and shredded leaves.

Thus our discussion of 8 Watering Mistakes That You Probably Do in Your Garden. Water is an important element in nature. It gives life to everything on earth, especially to plants. If you have lots of plants in the garden, you need to manage their watering needs. Some beginner gardeners don’t know how to water their plants properly and keep the soil moist. Discussing a watering routine is useful for other gardeners to learn how to water plants by reducing some mistakes that they might do. Hopefully, this article is helpful for you all. Good luck!

DIY Homemade Rats Repellent Sprays for Your Home Garden

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Homesfornh.com – Having a vegetable garden at home gives you many benefits, especially to survive during the pandemic. You don’t need to go to the market because you can pick fresh vegetables from your garden. Plant them during the growing season, then you will harvest them in the late summer. If you grow lots of vegetables in the garden, several animals like rats, snails, cutworms, foxes, squirrels, etc will destroy your garden. You need to get rid of these garden pests by spraying the garden soil with a repellent solution. We have summed simple steps to make a repellent solution for garden rats. But before that, you have to prepare various things as follows:

  • One bottle sprayer
  • One water container
  • 10-15 Mint leaves
  • 400ml of water
  • Chili peppers powder
  • Garlic granules
  • Vegetable oil

We know that you must get rid of rats from your garden. This animal will snatch to your garden at night and steal your crop. For that, in this article, we will discuss more fully about DIY Homemade Rats Repellent Sprays for Your Home Garden. Let’s discuss them one by one!

Give Marks on the Rats Spot

Give Marks on the Rats Spot

You may walk in your garden and see all the rat shelter. Rats like to dig the soil, they make a long deep, hole and usually, you will see a pile of soil around it. This is their home where they hide every noon and being a colony. You need to remember all the rats holes, even put a sign by using a wooden stick in the soil.

Pour 400ml Water on a Container

Pour 400ml Water on a Container

Go back to your kitchen and we will start pouring water into a container. You can use a plastic container but the stainless steel container is better. The amount of water is 400ml for every recipe. If you want to create a more repellent solution, add more water and more ingredients depending on how much you need it.

Add Some Mint Leaves

Add Some Mint Leaves

Growing mint on your kitchen window sill gives you fresh mint leaves when you pick it. Many kinds of mint that you can choose to make this repellent solution. All varieties are good to emerge fresh spicy flavor in the water. Sink the leaves around 10-15 leaves in water. You can add a handful of mint leaves if you don’t want to count.

Add Chili Peppers Powder

Add Chili Peppers Powder

Use chili pepper powder or Cayenne peppers. This ingredient has the same function as mint leaves. Chili pepper powder brings a spicy flavor to water. Add 1-2 tablespoons of chili pepper powder in the water container, stir it slowly to avoid the dusty powder get into your nose. It is better to wear a mask when you pour chili pepper powder. We recommend you use chili pepper powder because it is simpler than blending some fresh chilies from your garden.

Give Some Garlic Granules

Give Some Garlic Granules

Garlic is an essential ingredient. You can use garlic to make the rat-repellent solution. Use garlic granule to make it easy when you add 2-4 tablespoons of garlic granule into a water container. Use garlic granules for your safety and shorten the time. It also has a smooth texture to blend in the water. Stir it slowly to ensure that they blend properly.

Pour Vegetable Oil

Pour Vegetable Oil

The last ingredient is vegetable oil. Vegetable oil makes all ingredients stay on the soil for a long time, then the spicy taste will stay on the soil. You need one tablespoon of vegetable oil. This is an organic oil, so it is safe for your plant. Vegetable oil won’t give any damage to the fertility of the soil. Even you can use it as additional fertilizer.

Let It for 24 Hours

Pour Vegetable Oil

Stir all ingredients in the water container. Make sure that the water turns into red-brown color. This repellent solution needs more time to be more perfect. It takes at least 24 hours before it is ready to use in your garden. These ingredients will not properly blend if you use them directly without waiting for them to create a new substance. You can continue the step the next day.

Boil the Repellent Solution

 Boil the Repellent Solution

Open the water container and see the ingredients stay on the bottom of the container. To make it sterile for your plant, you need to boil this repellent solution. Pour this repellent solution into a stainless teapot. If you use a stainless steel container when making this recipe, then put them on your stove and start boiling it.

Screen The Solution into a Bottle

Screen The Solution into a Bottle

Take your bottle sprayer, clean it, and dry it. Wait until the boiling solution is getting cold, so it won’t take the plastic substance from your bottle. Use a sieve filter from your kitchen, or take a clean soft fabric to screen this repellent solution. You need to take the water solution without their precipitate. It is essential to reduce more unnecessary substances on the soil.

Spray All Rats Shelter

Spray All Rats Shelter

After pouring the water solution into a bottle sprayer, it is time to spray all rats shelter. Go to your garden, then spray it on all surfaces to prevent other animal pests crawl into your vegetable garden. Cover the rats shelter then spray more water solution around it. This step must reach every surface thoroughly.

Thus our discussion about DIY Homemade Rats Repellent Sprays for Your Home Garden. Rat is the enemy for every gardener. This animal destroys their harvest and eats the crops in your garden. Many gardeners use various ways to get rid of rats in their garden. Rat’s trap, add beneficial animal such as snake or use an electric fence around the garden. If you want to try a simple and safe technique to cease the rats, use an organic repellent solution. It is an eco-friendly solution that you can make at home. Even though it takes more time to see the result, but it helps you to recover your garden while covering their shelter. Hopefully, your vegetable garden is safe from any animal pests. Good luck!

How to Make an Organic Fertilizer from Banana Peels

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Homesfornh.com – Fertilizer gives many benefits for plants. It makes them grow well, even they can grow massively. Fertilizer has various materials to get balanced nutrients for the plant. You can give fertilizer to every plant in the garden outdoors and indoors. The best fertilizer makes them grow healthy and will not damage the soil’s nutrients. You can pick some banana peels to make organic fertilizer. This natural material is useful to add nitrogen to the compost. If you have lots of banana peels, you can store them in a glass bottle. We will show you how to make organic fertilizer by using banana peels. Bananas have many benefits that you can get such as good human skin and various other benefits. This is because bananas contain antioxidants that reduce cancer risk. However, it is also useful for plants such as:

  • Banana will stop sugar craving in your plant
  • It is a high organic source for plant
  • Contain 0.4% Nitrogen, 25% Phosphorous, and 42% Potassium
  • It contains Calcium, Manganese, Magnesium, Sodium, and Sulfur
  • Gives microelements such as Boron, Copper, Iron, Molybdenum, Silicon, Zinc, and many more.

To make fertilizer from banana peels, you have to prepare a variety of tools and materials that you need. With all these things, you can do this activity more easily and more fun. Here are the things you should prepare:

  • 10 Banana peels (it depends on your need)
  • One large tray or the same vessel
  • One glass bottle
  • One garden trowel or plastic shovel
  • One mortar and pestle

Banana peel is a beneficial material to make your plant healthier. This material is easy to find in the market. Therefore, let’s discuss How to Make an Organic Fertilizer from Banana Peels one by one!

Collect the Banana Peels

Collect the Banana Peels

Don’t throw the banana peels into a trash bin. You can collect them in a container to make a homemade fertilizer. The wet banana peel will attract flies and other insects, then you should pick a container with a tight cover. Banana is a mineral-rich material for fertilizer. Recycling the banana peel back into your garden will increase the nutrients. Thus, you will not waste this kitchen scrap.

Sink Them in a Glass of Water

Sink Them in a Glass of Water

This step is useful for those of you who like liquid fertilizer. It is easy to make liquid fertilizer from banana peel. Pour a half glass of water, it depends on your need and how many banana peels that you have. You should fill the banana peels in that glass water. The water should sink all of the material you use. Give a gentle press on the banana peels. Save this glass for a week to let the minerals from banana peel blends with water.

Dried the Banana Peels in Direct Sunlight

Dried the Banana Peels in Direct Sunlight

The banana peel tea needs more time to produce nutrients in the water. Make another fertilizer from banana peels. You can take some banana peels in a tray. Arrange the banana peels and don’t make a little pile. Ensure that each banana peel has enough space on the tray. After all banana peels are ready, then put the tray under the direct sunlight till it turns black. You can wait for days till the banana peel dry out and you can check it, give a gentle push. If it has a crunchy texture, then you can move them indoors.

Smoothen the Dried Banana

Smoothen the Dried Banana

Collect the dried banana from the tray. You can pick the crispy peels and put them into a mortar. Crush the banana peels into pieces with your hand, then it is easier for you to lose them by using a pestle. After all the crispy peels are in the mortar, you can start crushing them slowly. Press it gently to loosen the pieces properly.

Move Them into a Glass Bottle

Move Them into a Glass Bottle

Crush the banana peel till it turns to powder texture. The smooth banana peel powder is easy to store in a glass bottle. You can use a small bottle or a big bottle. Ensure that the bottle is clean and dry, it is nice to use a transparent bottle. Compile the banana peel powder by using a plastic shovel. The plastic shovel is flexible to help you move the material into a glass bottle. Crush more banana peels to store them for the next fertilizing.

How to Use This Fertilizer

How to Use This Fertilizer

Many simple steps to use banana peels fertilizer. Water the soil till it has moist conditions. Take some spoons of banana powder then spread them on the surface of the soil. It only needs a thin layer so don’t give it too much. You can use this fertilizer once per three months. Another version of banana peel fertilizer is liquid fertilizer. It needs a week till it is ready to use. Move the liquid in a bottle sprayer. It is easy to spray this fertilizer on the surface of the soil around your plant.

Thus our discussion of How to Make an Organic Fertilizer from Banana Peels. By using banana peel as fertilizer for your use, you can save your budget in gardening every day. Banana has lots of nutrients that you can use. It is a beneficial fruit for humans and plants. You can turn it into organic fertilizer by making a homemade fertilizer from this material. Many ideas and techniques to make this fertilizer. Most gardeners use it as the compost mixture. Banana peel is easy to store at home by creating banana peel powder in a glass bottle. You can use this fertilizer anytime you need it. Hopefully, you can use more organic wastes to make a homemade fertilizer. Good luck and Happy gardening!

Easy Ways to Grow Scindapsus and How to Care It Indoor

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Homesfornh.com – Scindapsus is an ornamental plant with trailing stems. This plant is native to New Guinea. Scindapsus is attractive to grow an indoor plant. Some people put them in the bathroom, bedroom, and living room. The hanging basket makes them stunning and interesting. Scindapsus is an easy-growing plant, thus it can be your first plant to grow as a beginner. It loves moist soil and humid atmosphere, then you can water them regularly to manage their growth. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss Easy Ways to Grow Scindapsus and How to Care It Indoor. Let’s learn more about Scindapsus by discussing it below!

Easy Ways to Grow Scindapsus and How to Care It Indoor

Varieties of Scindapsus

Scindapsus is a vine plant that has several varieties to grow indoors. Even though you grow different varieties of Scindapsus but it has the same maintenance. Here, some varieties of Scindapsus plants to grow indoors: Scindapsus Argyraeus, Scindapsus Exotica, Scindapsus Silvery Anne, Scindapsus Silver Splash, Scindapsus Silver Hero, Scindapsus Silver Lady, Scindapsus Jade Satin, Scindapsus White variegated form, Scindapsus Moonlight, and Scindapsus Nearly black.

How to Plant Scindapsus in A Hanging Basket

After knowing the various types of Scindapsus for you to choose as natural decorations in your home, the next topic we discuss in this article is a variety of easy ways that you can do to plant Scindapsus in a hanging basket. Here’s the discussion!

  • Cut Your Scindapsus

Cut Your Scindapsus

Growing new baby plants from the parent plant is easy to do. You can get a new baby by watering propagation. Ensure they have a node to grow roots, then it is easier for you to grow them. Use a sharp pruning shear to cut the stem, sink it into a water container for while to adjust the temperature. You can cut more than one stems if you want to grow massive Scindapsus.

  • Give It Enough Potting Mix

Give It Enough Potting Mix

Potting mix is a beneficial material to grow ornamental plants. It is fine to get massive plants without adding more fertilizer. Give an organic potting mix from the first planting. You can add more potting mix when repotting this plant or add a little potting mix to add nutrients to the soil.

  • Choose The Medium Pot

Choose The Medium Pot

Pick a medium pot to grow more baby plants. It is easier for this plant to have lots of space and spread the roots. The more cutting stems you have in this pot, the more spaces and nutrients in the soil that it needs. Create some drainage holes on the bottom, five holes are enough to get adequate water. Thus, the water will reach its roots and make the soil moist.

  • Water It to Avoid The Shocking Roots

Water It to Avoid The Shocking Roots

A watering routine is important for this plant because it loves moist soil. In the first planting, this plant needs regular watering to stimulate the growth of its roots. Since the baby plant is a new plant to grow, then it needs to adjust the atmosphere in your room. Help it to adopt a new environment by watering the soil regularly.

  • Put in The Right Place

Put in The Right Place

Scindapsus plant likes to get bright indirect light. It provides enough nutrients for the photosynthetic process. Moreover, adequate light will make them grow well and germinate more leaves. Scindapsus is easy to grow in the window sill or just hang it near the window.

How to Care for Scindapsus

The next topic that we will discuss in this article is a variety of easy ways for you to treat Scindapsus at home. You can plant this ornamental plant as an interior decoration or in a mini garden that you have in your home. Therefore, to keep your Scindapsus beautiful and fresh, you must understand how to properly care for this plant. For that, let’s discuss it one by one!

  • Regular Repotting

Regular Repotting

The massive growing plant needs regular watering. This plant needs at least twice repotting in a year when it grows massively. Some people repot their plants when they see roots come out from drainage holes. Repotting the plant is also important to change the soil nutrients in a pot if you see they stop growing. When your Scindapsus shows these symptoms, you need to repot it into a bigger pot.

  • Propagate It for A Bushy Plant

Propagate It for A Bushy Plant

Propagation is not only about growing new baby plants. It is also important to get massive plants if you want to have lots of plants indoors. Propagation in a water container is an easy way to germinate the roots before planting them. Another propagation is by planting the cutting stem into the soil directly. If you want to grow a bushy Scindapsus, put more than one cutting stem in one pot.

  • Pruning Regularly to Stimulate Their Growth

Pruning Regularly to Stimulate Their Growth

Pruning is different from propagation. Pruning means you cut a certain part of your plant for a purpose. Some reasons to prune Scindapsus are the rotten stem, dried leaves, and to increase their growth. Pruning makes it looks bushier because it forces the plant to grow in new areas. Moreover, it will grow new shoots like a crazy plant!

  • Give More Sunlight for Scindapsus

Give More Sunlight for Scindapsus

Scindapsus likes to get enough sunlight. They prefer to get bright indirect light. You can hang it near the window or only put it on your window sill. Natural sunlight contains energy that they need to produce nutrients. Sunlight helps the Scindapsus plant to create sugar and oxygen. Thus, manage the sunlight exposure then your plant will survive as an indoor plant.

  • Proper Care

Proper Care

The Scindapsus plant needs proper care. If you want to grow them massively, you should pay attention to the fertilizer. You can give them an organic indoor fertilizer. NPK fertilizer or Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) are important for plants as their primary macronutrients. It needs a balanced fertilizer of NPK with 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 once per month. This fertilizer is beneficial for the plants’ growth. You can fertilize your Scindapsus once a month when the soil is moist.

Conclusion

Thus our discussion of Easy Ways to Grow Scindapsus and How to Care It Indoor. Scindapsus includes in the Araceae family plant. This plant is native to New Guinea, Southeast Asia, and Queensland. It has several varieties and is easy to grow indoors. Many people like to grow this plant to create a trailing indoor plant in a hanging basket. If you are a beginner in gardening, this plant is your best friend because it is low maintenance. We have shared some tips for you and hopefully, it helps you to grow Scindapsus indoors. Happy gardening!

10 Ornamental Plant Ideas That Easy to Propagate in Your Home

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Homesfornh.com – Propagation is an important schedule to renew a certain part of the plant. People propagate their ornamental plants to grow them massively, protect them from disease, and make a new plant to grow in another container. Many reasons to propagate the ornamental plant, though it is important for their health. Several plants are easy to propagate if you want to grow new plants. Having more plants indoors are attractive to make your home looks shady and fresh. You can use some ideas for ornamental plants that are easy to propagate. For that, in this article, we will discuss 10 Ornamental Plant Ideas That Easy to Propagate in Your Home. By knowing the various types of ornamental plants that match your expression and character, you can create the decoration or home garden look you want in your home. Let’s discuss them one by one!

Monstera Adansonii

Monstera Adansonii

Monstera adansonii is a rainforest plant with attractive foliages. This plant has a trailing appearance, then looks stunning to grow in a hanging pot indoors. The site with bright indirect sunlight is enough for Monstera Adansonii to be photosynthetic. Put them in moist soil with stable humidity. You can grow a new baby plant by cutting the stem with nodes. Put the cutting stem with a node in a water container till you see the roots grow.

Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

It looks like a mini version of Monstera but it is different. They are in the same family Araceae and have a different genus. This plant is easy to propagate by cutting one stem with a node. The watering propagation is useful to grow new roots from their node. After a couple of weeks, this plant is ready to transfer into a pot with moist soil.

Philodendron Imbe

Philodendron Imbe

Philodendron Imbe or Mottled Imbe is an easy-growing plant. This is one of the Philodendron species with large leaves in deep green colors. It can grow around 16 ft tall. You can propagate this plant by watering propagation. Wait for the roots to grow at least 10-15 cm. Transfer it into the well-draining soil with moist humidity. Water it with lukewarm water to treat them well.

Philodendron Brasil

Philodendron Brasil

Philodendron Brasil will impress you with its colorful leaves. The leaves resemblances to Brasil’s flag. You can grow this plant in medium to bright indirect light. It grows well in a regular watering at least once a week. Fertilize this plant once in 1-2 per month with indoor plant fertilizer. Like other Philodendron varieties, it is easy to propagate by watering propagation.

Lemon Philodendron

Lemon Philodendron

Lemon Philodendron is stunning with its lemon color leaves. This plant is an attractive trailing plant. It grows well even in the low light site but prefers bright indirect light. Water this plant when the soil or the medium is dry. Fertilize Lemon Philodendron during the spring season and summer season by using liquid indoor fertilizer. Cut the stem with a node in a water container, then wait for the roots to grow.

Cebu Blue Pothos

Cebu Blue Pothos

Epipremnum pinnatum or Cebu Blue Pothos is a vine plant. It is an interesting ornamental plant to hang on the basket. You can put this plant under bright indirect light indoors. Well-draining soil is good for their growth. Fertilize this plant at least twice per month during the season. Propagate it when you want to grow some baby plants. Watering propagation is the easiest way to get a new growing plant.

Triostar Stromanthe

Triostar Stromanthe

Stromanthe Thalia or Stromanthe Sanguinea is an ornamental plant with tricolor leaves. It can grow till 3 ft high. Triostar Stromanthe is a member of the Prayer plant family. The site with bright indirect light is doing well for their growth. The humid environment is the best atmosphere for Triostar Stromanthe. Propagating by cutting the stem is effective for this plant and watering propagation is an easy technique to grow new plants.

Ficus Benjamina

Ficus Benjamina

Weeping Fig or Ficus Benjamina has a bushy appearance. This is an indoor plant from the Moraceae family. Bright indirect light is their favorite nutrients. Don’t give it too much water during the winter season. Water it once when the soil is dry. You can give them potting mix when repotting the plant. Multiply this plant by propagation. Cut one stem by using a sharp knife. The water propagation is doing best for this cutting stem to grow roots.

Rhipsalis

Rhipsalis

An unlimited plant, Rhipsalis ornamental plant, has tiny leaves with light green stems. This plant is also known as mistletoe cactus from Southern America. The watering routine is beneficial to manage the humidity in the soil. Aerate the soil before watering it. Grow this plant on the site with bright indirect sunlight. Propagation is easy to do with water. It will germinate new roots in a water container.

Tradescantia Pallida

Tradescantia Pallida

Tradescantia Pallida is an ornamental plant with striking purple leaves. It is native to Central America. This plant grows well under partial shade light. Water it regularly in the warm seasons and less often in the winter season. You need to move it outdoors in the warm climate because it is drought tolerant. If you want to have more baby plants, you can cut the tender stems then shove the node into a water container or a container with potting mix.

Thus our discussion of 10 Ornamental Plant Ideas That Easy to Propagate in Your Home. Many people want to have more plants at home. The plants make their home looks shady and fresh. Nowadays, the propagation of mature plants is the key to grow new plants. Thus, it will grow massive in every spot. Propagating the plant is also good for their health and growing process. Water propagation is an easy method to grow new roots. Hopefully, your plant will be healthier and grow massively. Happy gardening!