Tomatoes - Six Easy Steps to Maximize Yields of Big Juicy Ones in Small Home Gardens

A chemist once told me to add Epsom salts to the soil where I set my tomato plants. It worked well to a large degree. Yet, other things can also be done to improve their overall yield. After growing tomatoes on a tiny plot for several years, I do six things to maximize my tomato yield. The plot itself is located in a sunlit place having adequate amounts of late-afternoon shade and an adequate water Supply.

Tomatoes - Six Easy Steps to Maximize Yields of Big Juicy Ones in Small Home Gardens

Tomatoes - Six Easy Steps to Maximize Yields of Big Juicy Ones in Small Home Gardens

---

Tomatoes - Six Easy Steps to Maximize Yields of Big Juicy Ones in Small Home Gardens

Tomatoes - Six Easy Steps to Maximize Yields of Big Juicy Ones in Small Home Gardens

1. Have good soil. Make sure the plot soil is rich with compost and humus, and is self-draining as much as possible. Mix in grass, leaves, garbage, manure or whatever it takes to make it that way over time. The dirt should be easy to dig up, cultivate, and be resistant to becoming sticky, like clay.

2. When planting, add mixture of Epsom salts and basic fertilizer. When setting the starter plants, make the hole fairly deep, 8-to-10-inches, which is deep enough to bury the seedling or starter plant at least halfway into the dirt. Then, before setting the plant, add to the bottom of the hole one cup of a 1:1 mixture of off-the-shelf drug-store Epsom salts and basic granulated fertilizer (component ratio: 10-10-10 to 13-13-13). Add a shallow layer of soil. And then, set the plant atop it.

3. Set out four-to-six varieties. A variety of early to late producers not only ensures a long growing season, but it is also a defensive measure. If a bLight comes upon the plants, it probably will not damage all of them at once. The seasonal climate and personal taste could be considered when choosing varieties. Our Midwestern climate it fairly mild, and we like all tomatoes, from the cherry to beefsteak-types. Yet, our plot holds only six tomatoes.

4. Stake or cage the plants not too far apart. Large gardens easily allow the plants to be spread out by 36-inches or more. These lucky gardeners generally are master pruners as well. As a result, their well-spaced plants appear naked with highly visible easy-to-pluck fruits.

However, in small plots, the plants need to be spaced by 10-to-14-inches. Stake or cage them so they will grow upwards as much as possible. The idea is to make a tall heavy thicket of plants under whose foliage multiple fruits will grow, some of them not highly visible at first glance.

5. Aerate the roots. Tomato plants need at least 1½ -to-3-inches of water a week, which will pack the ground sLightly even though it is fairly porous. At least, twice a season, after the first green tomatoes have set on, use a garden fork to gently lift or crack the ground around each plant sLightly. To do that, sink the fork completely into the ground about 10-inches away from the plant on its far outside, and then pull back slightly on the handle just enough to make ground cracks around each plant. These small cracks allow air to reach the roots without disturbing any growth. They also allow a dilute solution of nitrogen-rich green-colored growth stimulator to reach the roots if applied then.

6. Pamper the plants slightly, but do not spoil them. Many things can be done to facilitate good tomato growth. But all of them might not be necessary. For example, egg shell can also be added to the starter-plant hole for calcium. But the magnesium in the Epsom salts is sufficient. Also, the powdering of the plant's blossoms with sulfur or other blight-insect repellents probably helps them produce. But, will not the next rain or hose watering wash them off? Additionally, the wind and rain shake the plants often enough, which is supposed to foster new blossoms. Does the gardener need to do it, too? Also, pruning the plants is an option, depending how much efficiency is needed. Still, much of the plant's energy goes into the fruits with or without it. Furthermore, adding dilute coffee or coffee-grounds to the ground helps control the acidity of the soil? But, does the soil acidity really change that much in one season?

These extra treatments probably help the overall growth. But, it could be just as important to treat the plants like they were your very own. One way to do that is to spray the whole plants gently with cool water in the evening. Another way is to use the green autumn fruits that do not have time to ripen, and to not throw them away. Several recipes show us how to pickle or fry green tomatoes. Both products are delicious bounty resulting from doing the  six recommended steps above.

Tomatoes - Six Easy Steps to Maximize Yields of Big Juicy Ones in Small Home Gardens

Visit : Rechargeable Batteries | Green Battery Chargers | TCL L32HDF11TA LCD HDTV Western Hard Drive

How To Choose The Best Vitamin Supplements

Based on my over 25 years of experience, I feel I can offer to you some simple yet effective tips when choosing quality vitamin supplements for not all nutrition supplements are created equal. Until there is a medical review of emerging nutritional supplements, hopefully this short article will be that guide for you.

How To Choose The Best Vitamin Supplements

How To Choose The Best Vitamin Supplements

---

How To Choose The Best Vitamin Supplements

How To Choose The Best Vitamin Supplements

Clearly, it's vitally important to your health that you choose vitamin supplements that are actually USED by the body and not quickly eliminated. Did you know that 90% of nutrition supplements are actually urinated out? Don't believe me? Take an off-the-shelf vitamin brand, follow their recommended daily allowance and within an hour, sometimes less, you will urinate it out - your urine will be a significantly darker yellow color. I know talking about body elimination is not something one talks at parties, but it is important to understand what is happening here.

Why does that happen? It's because the vast majority of nutrition supplements are not assimilated by the body, yet the supplement industry of which nutrition supplements are a part, are a literal multi-billion dollar a year enterprise.

Without any further adieu, here are the key things to look for when choosing quality vitamin supplements.
Product Development and Nutrient Reactions: The supplement you're considering should be rigorously tested and its creation process overseen by certified professionals. Vitamins work in a precise symbiotic synergism. Getting optimal assimilation is 0% art, 100% science. In other words, the vitamin supplements should be scientifically formulated and certified with each batch (see point #2).Manufacturing Procedures: These should utilize pharmaceutical blending not paddle/ribbon blender-type mixers. In addition, contact the company to ask if they have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file, confirming the potency of each batch. If the company ignores you or hesitates, that's not a good sign. Lastly, you should select a vitamin supplements maker that adheres to pharmaceutical GMP compliance - this is the highest standard possible.Optimal Delivery System: The supplement should have enteric coating for optimal assimilation in the human system. (I discuss this more in depth later on in this article.) This is critical yet almost nobody considers this when choosing a vitamin. If they did, they would save a lot of money.Product Quality & Freshness: The ingredients the vitamins are made from should be made in smaller batches with the manufacturing process NOT outsourced out to other manufacturers. Remember, most vitamin and mineral supplement makers, as well as herbal product manufacturers are unregulated by the FDA. While this has its pros and cons, a vast majority of vitamin supplements don't even insert the claimed ingredients into the supplement and contamination is a legitimate threat (again, this is why you want pharmaceutical GMP compliance).Pharmaceutical Grade Quality: You want a vitamin supplement that is pharmaceutical grade quality. Again, look for vitamins that are "enteric coated."Value for Money: They should be inexpensive yet provide discernible benefits. However, with that said, the old saying of "you get what you pay for" is true. For a nutraceutical-quality, pharmaceutical grade vitamin supplement, expect to pay to or so per 90-day Supply. You get what you pay for. In the long run, paying for quality is never dumb.Vitamins & Co-Factors, Standardized Herbal Extracts, Amino Acids, Active Enzymes, & Essential Minerals and Trace Elements: Ideally, a multi-vitamin should have vitamins but the necessary co-factors along with the other elements mentioned in the bullet point #7. The more comprehensive containing a broad range of synergistic nutrients and micro-nutrients is essential for maximum impact.Excipients. The "excipients" should be the highest quality. Ask the vitamin manufacturer as to what specific excipients they're using. Excipients are the binding agents that hold together the vitamin tablet. Excipients are substances that are added to vitamin formulas or tablets that bind while not providing nutritive value. Examples of excipients include monoglycerides, magnesium stearate, modified food starch, etc. Some vitamin companies even use silica - or what people usually refer to as "sand" - as an excipient.Easy to Use: They should be easily ingestable at any time.Product Delivery: The supplement should be easy to order and shipping should ideally be free.Money-Back Guarantee: The longer the guarantee, the better. Look for guarantees longer than 30 days. You want 90 days or more. The longer the guarantee, the more convinced the manufacturer is of their product.Contact Information: It should be very easy to contact the company via phone and email.
Manufacturing Process

Another key component of vitamin potency comparison is the manufacturing process. There are four main areas of manufacturing that are relevant here, i.e., scientific formulation, potency of ingredients (I've already discussed that), type of facility, and verification of ingredients on label. Let's discuss them now in more depth.

Scientific Formulation

When doing a vitamin supplement comparison, the ideal supplement should be scientifically formulated yet literally almost all of the vitamin supplements on the market worldwide are not.

It's critical that in a multivitamin with many nutrients be formed with scientific knowledge at the cellular level. Did you know that some vitamins cancel each other out and some need other minerals to do their job. For example, Vitamin D actually enhances calcium absorption in the body, and inhibits its excretion by the kidneys, yet boron is important for calcium utilization; vitamin B5 is critical to metabolizing amino acids. In addition, a good vitamin will stimulate the liver to make CoEnzymeQ10 thus avoiding the need to purchase this important but expensive ingredient, (unless the user is taking a statin drug).

Type of Facility

In the vitamin potency comparison process you may be engaged in, look for GMP certified facilities that are regularly inspected by government authorities. Do you think this irrelevant? Supplement fraud is utterly rampant - you can read about it here.

Here's one example. As reported by Medscape 1/24/2000, "High levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been identified in five brands of shark liver oil capsules that are available internationally over-the-counter." PCBs are toxic to the body.

In another study done by Time Magazine as reported July 31, 2000, eight of 21 vitamin brands tested we're found to have pesticides and lead. This dovetails into my next point, verification of ingredients. Pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities verify not only purity and potency of ingredients, but they also validate the existence of label proclaimed ingredients. Many so-called vitamin manufacturers actually don't have the ingredients in the vitamin as stated on the label! Such fraud is commonplace, unfortunately.

Specifics About Enteric Coating

I referred to enteric coating earlier in this report but now let's discuss it in depth. Before we discuss this, however, please don't underestimate the importance of the delivery system. This is absolutely vital! In fact, most don't even consider it and it is the most important aspect of the vitamin supplement outside of the formulation of the ingredients. Without a good delivery system a supplement is rendered useless. Many supplements will pass through the body with the active ingredients never being released. Other supplements will lose their efficacy when active ingredients are released in the stomach and they are converted to less potent 'salt' forms by the hydrochloric acid present in the stomach.

The design of good vitamin supplements uses two techniques to ensure that the active ingredients reach the liver via the blood stream for distribution to various body organs and cells. Look for a synergistic, scientifically engineered blend with all ingredients assessed at molecular level to ensure synergy, safety and effectiveness. This is crucial because when some ingredients are combined they will help create other substances in the body. For a vitamin manufacturer to enteric coat their vitamins says a lot about the quality they want to give their customers for it is expensive and sophisticated to do so.

Enteric coating is an inert substance that protects the active ingredients. It encases the active ingredients using the technology known as enteric coating - the same coating almost all pharmaceutical drugs have. This enables the active ingredients to be released in the upper intestine (the duodenum), thus avoiding damage to any of the nutrients. It binds various active ingredients with larger molecular size to selected enzymes which when released in the upper intestine break the molecules down to a smaller size to enable easy transfer of the nutrients through the intestinal wall into the blood stream and then on to the liver.

This delivery system enables the tablets to pass through your stomach undamaged by the harsh stomach acids. When your enteric-coated vitamin tablets go into the alkaline environment of the duodenum (the first part of your small intestine), the enteric coating dissolves in 20 to 30 minutes. Once that is accomplished, the active ingredients of the vitamin tablets are released over a period of 25 to 35 minutes. This happens before the tablets finish its journey through your duodenum. The end result is improved health.

So, now you can see why you should only settle for the sophisticated enteric coated delivery system. To settle for run-of-the-mill vitamins is a waste of money for you're almost literally flushing your money down the toilet.

Conclusion

There you have it. Follow these guidelines and you will not only save money but you will get the best vitamin supplement possible. If you only remember one thing from this report, remember this: you want pharmaceutical grade quality nutrition supplements. Anything less is a waste of money and you're being taken.

How To Choose The Best Vitamin Supplements

Tags : Rechargeable Batteries | Green Battery Chargers | Bose® SoundDock® Portable Italian Ice Cream Machine

Inexpensive Automated Eco-Friendly Water Soaker Garden Irrigation System - Do-It-Yourself

You looked at installing a underground sprinkler system on your property. And then stopped short when you realized the thousands of dollars it would cost! How could plastic pipe and sprinkler heads cost so much? Here is a lasting inexpensive water irrigation system that is near maintenance free and will have your neighbors wondering why they never see you watering your garden and plants. You can claim yours to be an environmentally friendly garden soaker system (or water drip system), using the minimum amount of water to sustain your plants and shrubs.

Inexpensive Automated Eco-Friendly Water Soaker Garden Irrigation System - Do-It-Yourself

Inexpensive Automated Eco-Friendly Water Soaker Garden Irrigation System - Do-It-Yourself

---

Inexpensive Automated Eco-Friendly Water Soaker Garden Irrigation System - Do-It-Yourself

Inexpensive Automated Eco-Friendly Water Soaker Garden Irrigation System - Do-It-Yourself

Get the water as close to the plant roots as possible. Using less water is important to our global environment.

Communities now encourage water soaker systems instead of sprinkler systems. Water applied near the ground will mostly be absorbed into the earth where it is needed by the plant and grass roots. Water sprayed above the plants and grass lands on the leaves and flowers before dripping to the ground. This longer exposure to the air will cause much of the sprayed or sprinkled water to evaporate into the hot summer air.

More than ever now communities control the watering of lawns and gardens during the summer months. Sometimes you are restricted to garden watering only - not lawns. An automatic water timer system combined with a soaker hose system makes plenty of sense in reducing the amount of water dispensed to water your garden plants and shrubs.

So how can I make an effective soaker system for my garden for under 0?

With some off-the-shelf components, you can have a simple but elegant soaker system that with be automatic and near maintenance free. With a simple water timer system, Y-connectors, faucet multipliers, some 1 1/2" ABS pipe, quality 1/2" garden hose and your choice of soaker hoses or irrigation hoses for potted or hanging plants, border gardens, row gardens or (dare I say) even lawn sprinklers. You now have the elements for a simple soaker irrigation system for your garden. This do-it-yourself automatic water irrigation system will ensure you water plants at the best time every day; specifically, early morning and late afternoon. As an added home security feature, when you are away from home your garden will sustain its beauty and make it look like someone is at home.

Here is the material list required for your automatic garden soaker system. (Note: there is a complete Picasa image gallery of all the required components of this inexpensive soaker system at http://picasaweb.google.com/carl.chesal/GardenIrrigationSystem ):

1) Select your water timer - I selected Orbit from Home Depot. Make sure it has a Battery timer so Power outages won't alter your scheduled watering times. It should allow for at least 3 watering zones.

2) Select your main faucet multiplier (or Valve splitter) that will attach to your outside water faucet and can accommodate the 3-4 water zones plus a spare to allow for regular garden hose watering. You can secure these special faucet multipliers from garden centers or at Lee Valley Tools

3) Enough 1 1/2" ABS pipe (and glue) and 22.5 degree elbows to run underground (6" - 10" depth). Use the 22.5 degree elbows only to allow for easy insertion of the garden hose into the ABS pipe. You can cut further costs by burying the garden hoses directly underground. The ABS piping does provide added protection from accidental puncture from aerators, pitch forks and other garden tools. This ABS pipe can also serve double duty to run low voltage wire or speaker wire to the remote areas of your garden.

4) Enough quality garden hoses to run through the ABS pipe and connect to the soaker hoses in all your garden beds.

5) Soaker hoses for all your garden beds.

6) Enough Faucet multipliers (Valve splitters) to extend each watering zone with soaker hose as required.

Creating your automatic garden soaker system involves more of a landscaping effort than anything else. Here are 3 steps to completing your eco-friendly automatic garden soaker system (Note: refer to the Picasa image gallery for details of component assembly):

1) Bury the ABS pipe feeding the garden hose through it as you connect and glue the pipe sections. Bury the pipe 6"-10" under your lawn or sidewalk. Have both ends extend out of the ground using the 22.5 degrees elbows so that the stiff hose can still be easily pulled through the pipe.

2) Connect the soaker hoses to the ends of the garden hoses and weave the soaker hoses through your garden under plants and around shrubs. Follow the installation instructions of the soaker hose manufacturer.

3) Install the water timer and water zone valves on the faucet multiplier. Connect the hoses for each zone. Follow the installation instructions of the water timer manufacturer. Do not set the water time for each zone more than 20 minutes each. Set two water times - early morning (around 6 am) and late afternoon (around 7 pm).

Maintenance of your Irrigation System and Preparation for Freezing Winter Temperatures:

1) Disconnect the [zone] hoses at the main faucet where the Water Timer is located.

2) Using a Shop Wet Vac, suck the excess water from each zone hose. Use electrical tape to secure the vacuum pipe against the end of the hose. Turn on the wet vac and let it run for 10-15 minutes. Empty the water extracted before repeating this for each hose at the main faucet. You will extract enough water from the hoses so as not to incur any winter damage to your hoses from freezing water.

3) Tape a plastic bag over the ends of each of the [zone] hoses. This will prevent little critters from getting in the hoses and clogging them when you reconnect the system in the spring.

4) ReMove the water timer and faucet multiplier. Store them in a warm place where they will not freeze.

5) Note: you DO NOT need to disconnect and reMove the soaker hoses. They should last 4-6 years before you need to replace them. Check the soaker hoses each spring for holes. You can patch these holes with high-friction Silicone tape. You may also leave outdoors all-year-round any valve splitters that were used to increase the soaker hoses in a particular water zone.

You now have an inexpensive water soaker system that won't break the bank. You have saved thousands of dollars and can boast of being a friend to our environment. You clearly are doing your part for water conservation and the ecology. Nice going!

Inexpensive Automated Eco-Friendly Water Soaker Garden Irrigation System - Do-It-Yourself

Thanks To : Rechargeable Batteries | Green Battery Chargers | TCL L32HDF11TA LCD HDTV

Natural Remedy For Underarm Sweating - A Homemade Deodorant

A lot of people think that deodorants and antiperspirants are the same thing. This is a common misconception. Deodorant works by neutralizing sweat odor and reducing bacteria build up through its antiseptic ingredient component. On the other hand, antiperspirant works by closing or blocking the pores with Powerful astringent chemicals like aluminum salts so that they could not release perspiration. In this case, which one is preferable, antiperspirants or deodorants?

Natural Remedy For Underarm Sweating - A Homemade Deodorant

Natural Remedy For Underarm Sweating - A Homemade Deodorant

---

Natural Remedy For Underarm Sweating - A Homemade Deodorant

Natural Remedy For Underarm Sweating - A Homemade Deodorant

Aluminum has the tendency to accumulate in the brain and interferes with the sweating process of our body. Taking note of this, deodorants would seem to have a more natural effect on us by not disrupting the whole sweating process. But how about the products marketed as both antiperspirant and deodorant? All I can say is that you should choose wisely.

There are other natural ingredients that you can use for underarm sweating. Take for instance, baking soda. It is a home remedy that we can find in our kitchen. Baking soda works wonders by neutralizing sweat's odor. It can save you on many occasions especially when you travel.

Here's a homemade natural deodorant formula:
Combine 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of cornstarch and a few drops of essential oils such as lavender or cinnamon to give it a hint of sweet smell.

Place the ingredients in a glass jar. Blend well by shaking the jar. Sprinkle a Light covering of the powder on a damp washcloth. Pat on. Don't rinse.

Homemade Basic Liquid Deodorant
Combine the following ingredients in a spray bottle:
1/4 cup each witch hazel extract, aloe vera gel, and mineral water
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
A few drops antibacterial essential oils such as lavender (optional)

Like any natural product in the market, always consider the shelf-life of your homemade deodorant. There is no way of saying when it will expire since it has an indefinite shelf-life. It depends on how preparation was made, the quality of your ingredients and so on.

Natural Remedy For Underarm Sweating - A Homemade Deodorant

My Links : Rechargeable Batteries | Green Battery Chargers | Glass Container Bose® SoundDock® Portable Paul Frank Apple Laptop Skins

Scotts Fertilizer

When we speak of lawn fertilizers, let alone fertilizers in general, Scotts Fertilizer is definitely a household name. Whether you are shopping in the popular gardening stores like Lowe's or even in a local mart, Scotts Fertilizer can never be missing on the shelf; or if it is, chances are it's out of stock.

Scotts Fertilizer

Scotts Fertilizer

---

Scotts Fertilizer

Scotts Fertilizer

What Are The Ingredients In Scotts Fertilizer

You may be wondering why Scotts Fertilizer has made quite a name in the Home and Gardening industry. Fertilizers are all about components and ingredients- and the most likely reason why this catapulted itself in the A-list is because of its highly organic and nutritious ingredients.

Urea. This is what makes up most of the grains inside your the fertilizer bag. Urea is a very organic component - in fact, our body produces Urea too. It is a solid-white crystalline component which can be very nutritious to plants and weeds if used in the correct amount, but can be harmful or worthless when used too much or inadequately.

Potassium Chloride. This mineral component of the fertilizer makes the lawn and plants withstand the erratic changes in the weather as well as provide the plants strength and immunity from foliage diseases and pest infestations.

Iron. This is as important to the plants as it is to humans. In human functioning, without enough Iron, we may look pale and weak-this is also true with plants that instead of their green hue, they may look pale and yellowish. Scotts make it feasible for plants to be supplemented with Iron even in iron-deficient soil, thus preventing a lackluster facade of your lawn; in effect, making them look hale and hearty.

Most Scotts Fertilizer comes in granule and liquid form- both forms need to be mixed with water as per the instruction guide. Mixing these fertilizers with water will ensure proper Supply of the chemicals as well as prevent damages to your lawn and plants by chemical burns. Be careful in calculating the proper amount of fertilizer to spray into your lawn as overdosing may not do your lawn any good.

Choosing the correct fertilizer is a key to achieving that front yard dream! With numerous brands available in the market today, choosing one might be easier said than done but certainly, one brand has made quite a name in the field. Scotts is popular because of the effects that it has on the lawn. Better yet, Scotts Fertilizer is authentically organic, unlike other brands which claim they are organic but then, they end up burning your grasses and even your skin.

Pest and weed control, soil cultivation, plant and lawn growth- these are all covered by one brand; and most of all, you can do it on your own! Visit your nearest home and gardening shop now and give your lawn the best Scotts Fertilizer treatment that they can get.

Scotts Fertilizer

Friends Link : Rechargeable Batteries | Green Battery Chargers | Motu Audio Express