Norman | EDEN'S GARDEN

How To Grow And Care For Golden Thryallis

February 5, 2021December 30, 2018 by Norman

Tips for Caring for Golden Thryallis

Showers of gold-how- to- grow and- care- for- golden- thryallis — *Showers Of Gold*

The golden Thryallis, showers of gold or golden showers is an ornamental plant that can really lighten up your garden with its beautiful yellow flowers. I have both worked and seen these plants in many garden projects that looked really amazing as they complimented many garden designs. The shower of gold is a native of Central America and Mexico, this sub-tropical beauty is also a warm-season plant that will do well in your spring garden.

What I love about the shower of gold is how it stands out in a flower bed and is highlighted by the green backdrop of other garden plants. Golden showers look amazing when planted in masses and are also used as a border plant. The golden shower is a perennial plant which means this plant can be grown from season to season showering you continually with flowers of gold that are so dazzling.

How to grow and care for golden Thryallis?

How To Grow A Bird Of Paradise Plant

February 5, 2021December 29, 2018 by Norman

How to Care for the Bird of Paradise

Bird Of Paradise-how-to-grow-a-bird-paradise-plant — *A bird of paradise garden plant*

The bird of paradise can brighten up any garden area. This exotic plant that is a native of South Africa produces beautiful colorful flowers which can give that WOW. I have worked with this flowering plant many times on garden projects and to be honest with you I have always been blown away at their amazing colors.

The leaves of the bird of paradise also resemble a banana tree but don’t be fool by this because this tropical beauty makes a good centerpiece or specimen plant that brings that tropical feeling. The five-star resort which I was employed many years ago installed these babies throughout the property which brought that much-needed flavor giving that color POP.

New Guinea Impatiens Flowers

February 5, 2021December 27, 2018 by Norman

Care and Growth of New Guinea Impatiens

New Guinea Impatiens Flowers — *New Guinea Impatiens*

A flower that is worth mentioning is the new guinea impatiens. I have worked with these flowering plants over the years and have seen the beauty and flavour new guinea impatiens brings. These garden beauties can really give that POP when planted in masses in assorted colours in the garden area, used as an undergrowth around coconut palms and other trees, in containers, low hanging baskets and so on.

New Guinea Impatiens can be grown in full as well as partial sunlight. Caution should be taken however because if the soil is allowed to dry out your Impatiens will wilt but a good drink of water or soaking will cause your plant to bounce back, therefore, it is good to ensure that the soil is moderately moist at all times.

Growing Allspice

January 15, 2021December 25, 2018 by Norman

Tips to Growing Allspice

It is believed that the allspice tree was first discovered in 1509, the allspice tree is said to be a native of Central America, The Greater Antilles and Southern Mexico. Allspice is also known as Jamaica Pepper and the scientific name for this spice is Pimenta Dioica. During historical times allspice was used to preserve meats. The fruits of this spice tree are picked when green and dried in the sun.

In the Caribbean, allspice is used in many dishes, the leaves can be used to make tea and are also used for medical purposes. As a child, my parents would often cook with this spice adding it mostly to our famous chicken souse that was loved and prepared by the natives. To this day this spice is still used to prepare chicken, pig feet, lambchop, turkey, rib and mutton souse that is enjoyed by many of the Islanders.

Vegetable Garden Soil Improvement

December 25, 2018December 23, 2018 by Norman

Giving your vegetables a head start

Organic bell pepper-vegetable-garden-soil-improvement — *Organic bell pepper*

Garden vegetables are as good as the soil they were planted in, don’t get me wrong because garden plants can be planted in the right soil type and still suffer setbacks because of some other reason but what I want t say here is that garden soil is at the heart of growing plants that are healthy which will give you a good harvest come harvest time.

I have had a few vegetable gardens as a child and to be honest with you my little garden flourished and I was able to enjoy the fruits of my labour because I made sure that my garden was well taken care of. For those of you who have tried over and over again to grow vegetables but without success, you have come to the right place to have garden success.

There is nothing like eating the fruits of your labour this was my experience on many occasions and you can have this experience also. So just follow along and get set as you finally once and for all put an end of not being able to reap a good harvest of the time and efforts that you put into your garden.

You may say but I already have the perfect soil that’s ok there is nothing wrong with helping your soil by adding natural organics which will further build your soil.

Soil Type

How To Improve Sandy Soil

December 22, 2018December 21, 2018 by Norman

Building your sandy soil for your dream garden

Purple coneflower-how-to-improve-sandy-soil — *Purple coneflowers*

Sandy soils present a challenge to many gardeners because sandy soils are hard to work with. These soils are soils which cannot retain water or nutrients. Because of this many dream garden suffers set back leaving the homeowner confused and in despair as to what went wrong. The good news is you can still have your dream garden by making improvements to your sandy soils.

How to identify sandy soils

Let’s take a stroll into your garden, and see what we can find. Now what I want you to do is to scoop up a handful of soil in your hand, rub the soil with your fingers, how does it feel? if the texture is hard or gritty then it’s possible that your garden soil is sandy. To further inspect your garden soil squeeze it in your hand to make a ball and release the pressure, if the ball falls apart after you release the pressure then you are a step closer to knowing what type of soil you have.

The final test is if the particles size is large you have come to the end of your investigation and have solved the problem which is sandy soil. It is these size particles which are the cause for its poor water and nutrient holding capacity because of the space between them.

Improving Clay Soils

December 21, 2018December 20, 2018 by Norman

Making your garden soil work for you

Purple bell vine-improving-clay-soils — *Purple bell vine*

At the root of every garden, plant and what contributes to their health and development is the soil in which they are grown. Therefore it is so important to know the type of garden soil you’re working with in order to have success. Just as there are different species of plants so is our garden soil. What I found interesting however is as diverse as garden plants and soil may be every garden plant have their soil requirement in order to thrive, so one of the keys to garden successfully is knowing your plants and what soil type they will thrive in best. What we will be looking at in this article is making your garden soil work for you.

Clay soil structure

Clay soils are soils that drains very poorly. These soils have the ability to retain water for a long time before drying out, because of its ability to hold water plants that are installed in this soil type will become weak and sickly because of poor drainage which will eventually lead to fungus development followed by root rot and death of that plant. What is also good to note is that the soil particles are so tightly squeezed together that it will not allow for proper air circulation.

Clay soil identification

How To Plant A Meadow

January 8, 2023December 16, 2018 by Norman

Creating that Dream Garden

Wildflower Seeds-how-to-plant-a-meadow — *Wildflower Seeds*

When you envision a meadow what is the first thing that comes to mind? As for me many years ago when I thought about a meadow what came to mind was a huge piece of land somewhere out there in the open country with lots of different species of flowering plants and grasses that stretch for miles also rolling hills that go as far as the eyes could see.

This thought or visual picture has such charm and peacefulness that can really excite one’s imagination of a garden of this sort. The good news is we don’t need acres of land to create such a garden wonder but a piece of land that is in an open area that gets lots of sunlight.

The space you may be working with may not be that huge but creating a miniature size meadow is the thing for you. Just think of the endless possibilities of constructing a garden such as this.

The advantages of creating a meadow

There are many reasons why meadows are created but here are a few reasons why I believe creating a meadow is so cool.

Winter Garden Chores

October 11, 2021December 14, 2018 by Norman

Giving your garden a break

Implementing these 12 tips for winter gardening success

Holly Plant-winter-garden-chores — *Holly plant covered in snow*

It’s that time of year again as we enter the winter months with snow-covered gardens that let us know that winter is here. This is the time of year when our garden plants go into rest mood from all that hard work during the spring and summer months as they put forth flowers, fruits, and all of that other good stuff as we reaped a good harvest from the many hot days that were spent in our gardens.

But before those chilly days sets in and the snow appear there are some things to consider like preparing both ourselves and our gardens as we enter the winter months.

Creating a checklist

Creating a checklist is so important because what we don’t want is to leave anything undone when it comes to ensuring that everything is in place which will make this time of year a lot easier when securing our gardens.

Let’s get started

How To Build A Rock Garden

January 23, 2021December 12, 2018 by Norman

A Garden Without Human Efforts

A Rock Garden- a-rock-garden — *A Rock Garden*

A rock garden has such an appeal. These gardens look so natural like no human efforts were involved as long as it is constructed in the right way. Rock gardens can be of any size and shape but the gold is to design your rock garden in such a way that it will be pleasing to the eyes looking all-natural.

My Personal Story

I have a personal story to tell about these gardens. Several years ago I made the suggestion to my then manager to install one of these gardens which he agreed. The place where this rock garden was to be constructed was at our international airport. I was more excited to get this projected underway than any of the crew members which was assigned to work this project with me.

I was also given the responsibility to oversee this project which was a real task. The area that was chosen was a large area which was in the public’s view so to install a garden in this area would make a major impact bringing that much-needed flavor. So what we did first was to come up with a plan of action such as

What Causes Blossom Drop In Plants

January 26, 2021December 6, 2018 by Norman

Preserving your plant’s blossom

Bougainvillea -what-causes-blossom-drop-in-plants — *Bougainvillea flowers*

We put time and effort into our gardens because what we want is to reap a good harvest. But what happens when everything is looking so promising and then out of nowhere it hits you. You face the issue of having to resolve why your garden plants are experiencing blossom drop.

This has been the unfortunate experience of so many gardeners which can become very frustrating leaving some without a clue as to what to do. The good news is if this describes you then you have come to the right place to understand and bring to an end your plant’s blossom drop issues.

Being a plant detective

Reasons, why you have blossom drop, may include

Slopes And Hillside Gardens

August 27, 2022December 5, 2018 by Norman

Creating Your Garden Paradise

Pansies violet-slopes-and-hillside-gardens — *Pansies Violet*

Creating your garden paradise from a slope or hillside can give that WOW. These garden spaces provide you with the opportunity to get those creative juices flowing as you construct a garden that is unique in style with such flavors that will have your imagination running wild as you see the endless possibilities of creating a thing of beauty.

However, constructing a garden on a slope or hillside calls for much thought and planning because what you want is a garden that is not only your oasis but a garden that is well suited for these areas.

Things to consider

Growing Vegetables Indoors

January 21, 2021December 2, 2018 by Norman

Extending the season beyond the winter months

Beets-growing-vegetables-indoors — *Beets*

It is so great to connect with nature spending weekends in your garden being the weekend warrior that you are sometimes working way into the evening that’s right you are correct from dusk until dawn ensuring that your garden will yield its best as you seek to reap a good harvest.

But with winter fast approaching it races through your mind that soon you will have to put away those garden tools as you prepare for those harsh winter months which will cover your garden with snow. But even though those winter months do not permit you to continue working in your garden you can always extend the season by growing vegetables indoors.

Extending the season

How To Use Aspirin In The Garden

May 7, 2022November 27, 2018 by Norman

Keeping your plants healthy with aspirins

Chilli Peppers-how-to-use-aspirin-in-the-garden — *Chilli Peppers*

Plants are like humans which is pretty amazing. In this article, we will be discussing a very exciting and interesting topic that I believe you will also find interesting and that is using aspirins to keep your garden plants healthy and vibrant.

Who would have ever thought we would be using aspirins to promote our garden plant’s health, when I first heard of this I was blown away, and am sure that if this is your first time hearing about this topic you may be surprised too.

The use of aspirins has become so popular that many weekend warriors (Gardeners) are taking full advantage of this method which has proven to give good results in the garden.

The science of aspirins

How To Grow A Tropical Garden

January 23, 2021November 27, 2018 by Norman

Getting a Taste of the Tropics

Tropical Plants-how-to-plant-a-tropical-garden — *Tropical Plants*

I love the tropics with its white sandy beaches, beautiful blueish-greenish crystal clear waters, nice sunny days as the breeze blows so gently with many tropical plants in an array of colors which seems to make the tropics seem like a fairytale story.

I live in a tropical region, this has been my home from the date of birth. I have spent many days taking in all the beauty this island paradise has to offer. Visitors from countries worldwide visit these shores spending thousands of dollars to have this kind of experience or should I say to get a taste of the tropics.

What Causes Browning Of Plant Leaves Tips

January 18, 2021November 27, 2018 by Norman

Eradicating leaf tip burn

Brown Leaf Tips-browning-of-plant-leaves-tips — *Browning tips of plant leaves*

You have purchased your plant from your nursery or garden enter and installed it, your plant is growing very nicely with its lush green leaves and amazing flowers you could not be more proud than to have a plant that is happy in its new home it’s like parents bringing home their newborn baby from the hospital.

Ok, you may not be that excited about your beautiful plant compared to your new bundle of joy but you are still happy none the less showing off your plants to family and friends that you have a green thumb then out of the blue one day it hits you by surprise almost knocking you to the ground the plant that made you so proud of all of its lushness and fullness are showing signs that something is wrong.

Building A Berm

January 23, 2021November 25, 2018 by Norman

Creating an Appeal for Your Garden and Landscapes

Building a berm-garden-flowers — *Building A Berm*

While planning a garden will create interest and beauty for that drab or dull area it is good to have a design that will give that WOW. Too often in the planning or designing process, it is never considered that the ground itself can further enhance the appearance of our garden design by shaping it in such a way that will not only create beauty but interest.

I have seen such designs over the years and to be honest with you these designs were really eye-catching taking those gardens and landscapes to the next level.

Spring Bulb Frost Protection

January 18, 2021November 24, 2018 by Norman

Your complete guide for bulb protection

Spring flowering bulb-spring-bulb-frost-protection — *Spring Flowering Bulb*

How does your garden grow? For those of us who are weekend warriors keeping our gardens in the best shape ever is at the top of our to-do list because keeping our gardens well maintained is a must that brings along with it so many benefits as we connect with nature in the great outdoors.

But there are challenges that we often face which can wage havoc on our gardens seeking to turn our work of art into a nightmare as we rise to the occasion with sleeves rolled up facing those challenges doing and all that we can as victory is in our grasp the battle raging and in the end breathing a sigh of relief that the war has fallen in our favor.

Ok I know, I might be exaggerating a bit but we do have our share of issues that must be dealt with if we are to have garden success. In this article, we will be discussing how to protect our bulbs from frost damage.

Apartment Gardening

January 23, 2021November 23, 2018 by Norman

Beautifying Small Garden Spaces

Lily-apartment-gardening — *Yellow Lily*

Living in an apartment does not mean you have to give up on your dreams of having a garden. While your space may be limited, with careful and proper planning you can turn that limited space into a work of art that says home sweet home.

It is good to think outside the box getting creative as we move away from the old way of thinking that having a garden is only meant to be enjoyed by those who have sufficient space.

Though apartment gardens are gardens on a small scale, with these types of gardens you can still make a huge impact that will give that WOW.

Hydroponics Garden

July 29, 2022November 22, 2018 by Norman

Another Solution to Increasing Food Production

Hydroponic Gardens-growing-garden-plants — *Hydroponic Gardens*

Another solution to increasing food production is a method that’s known as hydroponics. What is hydroponics? and when did it all start? Hydroponics is the process of growing plants without the use of soil, this method is also known as soilless growing.

The process involves growing plants in nutrient-rich water. That means no digging in the soil which at times can be tiring along with having to do a soil test and adding soil amendments.

Hydroponics is said to have had its humble beginnings around the 15th century now that is a long time ago. This method is not new but has been around for a while as we can see even though there have been some changes and improvements throughout the years the principles or basics still apply.

How Much time should You Spend In Your Garden

January 18, 2021November 18, 2018 by Norman

Maximizing your time in your garden

Tulips-how-much-time-should-you-spend-in-your-garden — *Tulips*

How much time should I spend in my garden? This is a question especially for those that are just getting started in this hobby. While we may not be able to put an exact or the amount of time that is spent in your garden because of the type of garden which includes style and the amount of work involved it is good to have an average time because if you are maintaining a large garden then you may have to take a day or two instead of overworking yourself trying to complete that garden project in several hours.

I know for you weekend warriors that can’t wait for Friday evening which is getting off time which spells the WEEKEND and the great outdoors this can be so much fun to get away from the office. But as excited as you maybe it is good to approach this task with caution.

Hand Care Tips For Gardeners

January 13, 2021November 17, 2018 by Norman

Keeping your hands soft and healthy-looking

Dirty Hands-hand-care-tips-for-gardeners — *Dirty Hands*

It is so great to connect with nature working on the great outdoors transforming and bringing change to our surroundings whether it is beautifying by adding a flower garden, a lily pond, container gardening, growing fruits, herbs, or vegetables one thing for sure and that is gardening can be such a rewarding experience as we reap a harvest of our labor.

Gardening also offers the opportunity of getting that much-needed exercise both mentally and physically and is a great hobby as we strengthen that bond with family and friends who also take delight in this hobby which has proven to work wonders.

Working with your hands

One challenge that many gardeners face however and that is protecting their hands from weeks, months, and years of working in their gardens. Our hands go through a lot as we dig, shovel, hoe, plant, and do all of that other good stuff as we take on those garden projects.

How To Use Hot Water For Weed Control

January 13, 2021November 12, 2018 by Norman

$aving Your Hard Earned Dollar With This Method

How-to-use-hot-water-for-weed-control-weeds — *Weeds*

I believe using natural methods is always better because going natural can not only save us money but help in keeping our surroundings and environment safe from contamination.

What I love are the many ways that are being sorted out and use once proven to be effective to bring solutions to issues we may be facing. In this article, we will be looking at effective ways of eliminating weeds naturally.

I have written several articles on weeds which you can view here beneficial weeds for your garden, soil solarization, homemade weed killer, and weed control. Weeds are an eyesore and can take away the beauty of a well-designed landscape and garden.

Weeds are not only an eyesore but weeds compete for light, water, and nutrients and can be a real menace to our garden plants. Weeds are also a breathing place for disease and garden insect pests so we should do all that we can to eliminate them from our gardens.

Detox Your Lungs With Plants

January 21, 2021November 11, 2018 by Norman

Detoxing your lungs the Natural Way

Human Lungs-detox your lungs with plants — *The Human Lungs*

The functions of the lungs

The purpose of our lungs is to take in oxygen. As we inhale our lungs take in this oxygen which is carried by the blood to cells that are in our bodies if our lungs cannot carry out their functions the rest of our organs will not function properly which will cause a breakdown and that spells bad news. While this post is not on the anatomy of the lungs we will be discussing ways in keeping our lungs healthy and strong.

Maintaining a healthy lung in this day and time is a challenge because there are factors that we can’t control. The environment, as well as our homes, are filled with toxins and pollution.

This is a growing concern that has been going on for many years and what is even more disturbing is there seems to be an increase in pollution so the question is how can we counter-attack to keep our lungs healthy and strong?

Growing Winter Savory

January 15, 2021November 4, 2018 by Norman

Planting and caring for winter savory

Winter Savory-growing-winter-savory — *Winter Savory*

Winter savory is a herb that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. There is another savory which is known as the summer savory. It is believed that both these herbs were around from ancient Rome that’s all the way back before our time so these herbs have been around for a while.

It is also believed that the ancient Romans introduced these herbs to northern Europe and Egland.

The winter savory is a perennial whereas the summer savory is an annual. The winter savory makes a great repellent and has been known to keep both bean weevils and aphids at bay and also reduce mildew. So if you have a problem with these insects, planting winter savory among your garden plants will help to make life a lot easier.

The aroma of summer savory is spicy while the winter savory has aromas of pine and sage.

Growing And Harvesting Cilantro

January 15, 2021November 4, 2018 by Norman

Steps to Growing and Harvesting Cilantro

Cilantro-growing-and-harvesting-cilantro — *Cilantro*

A garden herb that is worth our attention is cilantro, this is an annual which is fast growing and has a pleasant aroma. But how do we grow cilantro? before we discuss this let’s have a closer look at this herb.

Cilantro’s history

There is not much that is known about cilantro but it is believed that this herb has been around from 5,000 BC and is said to be a native of southwest Europe and the Mediterranean. History has also recorded that the seeds of cilantro have been found in Egyptian tombs so we have some insights about this herb.

Cooking with cilantro

Cilantro has been used as a garnish, in sauce, on tacos, in cooked salsa, and so on. Cilantro is very popular in Thai and Chinese kitchens.

Decorating With Poinsettias

January 23, 2021October 28, 2018 by Norman

Bringing that Holiday Cheer

Poinsettias-decorating-with-poinsettias — *Poinsettias*

It will soon be that time again with Christmas turkey, ham, hot chocolate, Christmas stockings by the fireplace oh and we can’t forget the mistletoe, family, friends, and all that great stuff that gives such a great cheer.

This time of the year brings with it such joy and gladness as persons move back and forth making plans, crowded malls, Christmas carols, snowmen, classic Christmas movies like a Christmas Carol, and so on makes this season so festive.

Leaf Skeletonizer In Your Garden

June 21, 2022October 24, 2018 by Norman

How to control leaf skeletonizer

I have been deciding for some time now to write on this topic and kept putting it off but what caused me or inspire me this week to give it a go was taking notice of a Giger tree in one of the gardens which are located at our international airport that has been skeletonized.

My goal in writing this post is also to help those that are experiencing these issues to be able to eliminate this problem with the information that is provided. It gives such a wonderful feeling to walk in our gardens and to take notice of how well each plant is performing and growing.

Health Benefits Of Oatmeal

January 22, 2021October 24, 2018 by Norman

Strengthening your heart and lowering your cholesterol

Breakfast oats-health-benefits-of-oatmeal — *Breakfast Oats*

The health industry is bombarded by many persons that are having issues with their health and the scary part is these issues are growing at an alarming rate. Both public and private hospitals in many cases having staff work overtime to meet this ever-growing demand.

While it is true we need these medical professionals the number of patients that pays a visit to the doctor’s office can be far less if only we would obey the laws of good health but sad to say many had rather indulge in self-gratification by eating and drinking that which is not good for their health than to exercise self-control when it comes to poor dieting.

Backyard Gardening

January 23, 2021October 20, 2018 by Norman

$aving Money Through Backyard Gardening

Pumpkin Patch- backyard-gardening — *Pumpkin Patch*

A cool way to save money, connect with nature while spending time with family is to start a backyard garden that has so many benefits. Many homeowners are ripping out some of their flower beds as beautiful as they are and as painful as this may seem to install gardens such as vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees.

Backyard gardens in this respect have become popular as many weekend warriors are taking advantage of these types of gardens because it is a win-win situation that is worth the investment.

As a kid growing up backyard gardens were so popular but with the passing of time these gardens had disappeared and were replaced with flower and ornamental gardens but in this day and time, there has been a resurgence as many homeowners have taken an interest in growing their food crops.

Plants That Remove Toxins From Soils

June 17, 2020October 19, 2018 by Norman

Moving Toxins The Natural Way

Sago Palm-plants-that-removes-toxins-from-the-soil — *Sago Palm*

The world of plants is so amazing in that plants can be used for so many things and in so many ways. Some examples include plants that can be used for food, medicine, for shelter, beautifying, etc…

Plants can also be used to clean the air that we breathe by pulling toxins out of the air. But what scientists have discovered is that plants can also be used to remove impurities from the soil trapping them in their cells or breaking them down causing them to be least toxic.

Plants are so beneficial therefore we should do all that we can to preserve them by protecting and also planting them to ensure their continued survival as they serve us.

How To Garden For Bumblebees

January 20, 2021October 15, 2018 by Norman

Growing your garden with bumblebees

BumbleBees-how-garden-for-bumble-bees — *Bumblebees on purple coneflowers*

As a child, I was always fascinated with bees because there would be times during certain times of the year especially the spring and summer months when I would see bees by the hundreds it seems that would be buzzing around trees and other garden plants.

I always wondered why they were congregating in such a huge mass around these plants, now I know why, without our little friend’s presence and being so active in our gardens our garden plants would not be so productive giving us such a great harvest.

Bumblebees in the garden

This is a good tread off and a win-win situation both for us and our bee friends. Bumblebees need nectar and pollen to develop their larva. Besides these bees also needs a home throughout their life-cycle and to build their nest also to take care of their young.

Best soil amendments

October 17, 2018October 11, 2018 by Norman

Getting your soil to work for you

Soil amendments for garden plants — *Soil Amendments*

Successful gardening depends on many factors, I have heard so many people say how they killed their plant that was brought from the plant nursery and they have no idea why this happened.

While it is so true, strange as it may sound there have been many persons that have had garden success and failure without even knowing why, for many it was sought of good luck but what we want, however, is not to have so call luck when it comes to plants but rather having the acquired knowledge that will pay of in the long run.

One important factor that plays a big role in the life of a plant is the soil. Knowing your soil type and how to make improvements is the difference between garden success and failure.

Plants That Help You Sleep Better

January 27, 2021October 8, 2018 by Norman

Sleep A Natural Way To Bring Healing

Peace Lily-plants-that-help-you-sleep-better — *Peace Lily*

We all know there is nothing like a good night’s sleep, It so amazes me how sleep can do our bodies so much good in fact according to research we should get 6-8 hours of sleep each night. I remember there were times when I was not feeling so good but after getting some sleep I felt so much better.

We all need sleep, including insects and animals. When it comes to plants though they don’t sleep yet they go through a rest period to be rejuvenated so in a way just as we rest by sleeping to be rejuvenated plants rest also and are rejuvenated. It is just something about sleep that causes our bodies to go through a rejuvenation process making us feel energized.

There are many persons that have all sorts of health issues and if the truth could be told many of those health issues can be traced back to a lack of sleep. Tossing and turning all night and then when you are about to be carried off by Mr. Sandman it is time to get up. Persons that experience sleeping disorders are a danger to themselves and those they work around including society. What can a lack of sleep cause?

How To Grow Sea Grape Trees

January 28, 2021October 3, 2018 by Norman

A plant for all season

Sea grape tree-How-to-grow-sea grape-trees — *Seagrape tree*

In my opinion, seagrapes is a plant for all seasons because seagrapes serve so many purposes. The seagrape plant is a native of the West Indies and South Florid. Seagrapes grow best in tropical climates.

I live in a tropical Region (The Bahamas) where seagrapes are widely grown. This tree can be found along coastal areas, parking lots, many home gardens, and along the streets in concrete man-made islands.

The natives, as well as tourist, enjoy these fruits that not only taste great but has a ton of benefits besides being loaded with vitamins. Just yesterday I was out and about around our international airport’s parking lot where many of these trees have been installed feasting on some of these delicious fruits.

Seagrapes if not properly maintained can grow anywhere from 25-30 feet but if used as a hedge or border plant should be kept at a height of 5 feet. Seagrapes branches off into multiple trunks but can be pruned to form a single trunk.

Natural Remedies For Anxiety And Stress

January 22, 2021October 1, 2018 by Norman

Healing naturally with these remedies

Anxiety and Stress are issues that affect so many people worldwide. Anxiety is known as a mental condition, this condition affects more than 30 million people each year in the United States alone. Signs of anxiety include

Natural Remedies For Anxiety And Stress — *Garlic Herb*

Tense muscles
Shortness of breath
Problem sleeping
Problems keeping still
Dry mouth
Uneasiness
Heart palpitations
Panic
Hands that are cold, sweaty, and numb
Feet that are cold sweaty and numb
Nausea
Fear

Then there is stress, that many people are all too familiar with. Stress is brought on by so many conditions such as overwork, trying to meet a deadline, overdue bills, and so on. Some signs of stress include

How To Use Insecticidal Soap

August 5, 2022September 25, 2018 by Norman

Tips to Use Insecticidal Soap

Thrips-how-to-use-insecticidal-soap — *Thrips*

When it comes to the world of insecticides there are so many to choose from that offer good results but the challenge with many of these insecticides is while they may get the job done many are harmful to pets and humans which is not good news.

The goal when seeking to eliminate insect pests is just that, eliminating them without causing harm to our family and pets. These soap sprays (insecticidal soap) were formulated for this intention and that is to keep everybody safe and happy including our pets.

In this article, we will be looking at how to use these insecticides and other advantages of these soap sprays.

Giving your garden plants a fighting chance

Garden insect pests can be a menace to a garden that is well manicured whether interior or exterior. This has been my experience working on many garden projects. To combat these insects pest one of the insecticides that I resorted to were insecticidal soaps that have gained recognition because of what they can do.

Homemade Remedies For Garden Pests

February 10, 2021September 21, 2018 by Norman

11 Safe Homemade Remedies to Eliminate Garden Pests

Grasshopper-homemade-remedies-for-garden-insect-pest — *Grasshopper*

A challenge to many home gardeners is winning the war on garden pests that seeks to make a meal of their garden plants and by also spreading diseases without plants having a fighting chance to survive.

This can be frustrating because acquiring the knowledge is the difference between coming to your plant’s rescue helping them bounce back to good health or reading them their final rights.

The good news is we can do something to give our garden plants a fighting chance with the use of chemicals but then there is the flip side of the coin because many insecticides are harmful to humans and pets. What we don’t want is to put our families and pets at risk besides spending a few bucks when that hard-earned dollar could go towards something else.

How To Grow Sweet Potatoes In A Home Garden

January 21, 2021September 18, 2018 by Norman

The Sweet Side of the Sweet Potato Plant

Sweet potato-How- to- grow- sweet potato- in- the- home- garden — *Sweet potato*

Sweet potato is a veggie that deserves our attention because of its unique flavor. This veggie can be found in many supermarkets across the country as the natives take full advantage of this superfood.

Though sold in the supermarket’s however, many homeowners grow these veggies from their backyards. Sweet potatoes can be added to soups, stews, steam, bake, and fry foods just to name a few.

Sweet potatoes complement our famous peas soup and dumpling, which many tourists enjoy as they visit these islands so if you haven’t tried sweet potatoes as yet be sure and do so on your visit to Nassau which is the capital of the Bahamas.

Yogurt Benefits

January 27, 2021September 15, 2018 by Norman

10 amazing health benefits of yogurt

Yogurt-yogurt-benefits — *Yogurt with fruits*

The dairy aisles of just about every supermarket are beautifully displayed with assorted brands of yogurts from every flavor you can imagine. I am always amazed when browsing this section, it seems as if the demand for yogurt has increased because of the many health benefits they offer.

Yogurts are delicious and have such a soothing effect. Many years ago after graduating from high school, I worked as a busboy at a resort and one of the things I remembered was yogurts of all flavors that were a part of the breakfast menu which the guest took advantage of.

Although yogurt can be eaten at any time of the day it seems that this popular food is eaten mostly during breakfast hour. Yogurt makes a healthy treat in the evening just before bedtime so if you crave a snack just before calling it a day then yogurt makes a great choice.

I love yogurt and have enjoyed them for years. I love their many flavors but one of my favorites is a pina colada. Now that I am married with a family my wife ensures that there is always yogurt on our table after a trip from the supermarket.

How To Grow Kale In The Home Garden

August 3, 2022September 11, 2018 by Norman

Planting, Growing, And Harvesting Kale

Growing kale-How-to-grow- kale- in- the- home- garden — *Growing Kale*

Kale is a leafy green, this cold weather crop which belongs to the cabbage family is a super veggie that is enjoyed by many worldwide. Kale is loaded with vitamin A, C, K, calcium, iron, minerals, and fiber.

But how is kale planted, grown, and harvested? In this article, we will be looking at how to successfully grow this hardy, cool-season green from your home garden.

Growing Kale

Planting kale directly into the ground

Healthy Diet On A Budget

January 22, 2021September 9, 2018 by Norman

Affording the best on a low budget

Calculator-eating-healthy-on-a-budget — *A Calculator*

We’re living in a day and time where many persons are becoming health conscious. At every turn, it seems as if there is a call to change our lives by making decisions that will promote our health.

The airwaves, books, magazines, newspapers, and other sources are sounding the alarm to take control of our health for longevity. Health stores are popping up everywhere, Food stores, pharmacies and many others are stocking their shelves with products that promise to have us looking and feeling years younger.

The Benefits Of Healthy Eating In Early Childhood

January 22, 2021September 6, 2018 by Norman

The building blocks for healthy living

Fruits and vegetables-the benefits of healthy eating in early childhood — *Fruits and vegetables*

There is a saying that “we are what we eat ” which is so true. A statement that I have also used a few times in many of my posts, is a statement that I read many years ago which says, “with our forks and knives we dig our graves”.

Many health-related issues can be traced back to poor dieting. What we consume can work against us causing much harm. It’ is sad to see that so many adults are living unhealthy lives and what makes it worse is they are teaching their children to do the same by being poor examples.

Indoor Pest-Repellent Plants

January 1, 2019September 3, 2018 by Norman

Using plants to keep indoor insects outdoors

Seven plants that work wonders

Here are 7 plants that can keep insects at bay. These seven plants have proven to get the job done.

Venus fly trap-Indoor-pest-repellent-plants — *Venus fly trap*

The world of insects is so fascinating. In fact, it is estimated that there are more than 9 quintillion species of insect worldwide. Many of these insects invade our gardens, landscapes and homes. These insects are divided into two groups, the bad bugs that feed on and destroy our garden plants and the good bugs that police our gardens by feeding on the bad bugs. The good bugs are also known as beneficial insects. Bees are beneficial insects, they may not feed on the bad bugs but they contribute to our gardens by pollinating garden plants.

The world of plants is amazing because many of these garden pests can be brought under control by some of these plants that repel and consume garden pests.

That is all well and good but what about insects that invade our homes, how can we control them with plants. The advantage of using plants is that this is a natural way to control indoor insects vs using sprays which can be harmful to humans and pets.

While it is true that at some point insect sprays may be needed, it is good to limit their use so we can breathe pure air which helps in promoting good health.

Have you ever had a battle with indoor pests that sought to pay you a visit as you were in the kitchen preparing that delicious meal, or sitting at the dinner table?

How To Grow Chilli Peppers

January 21, 2021August 31, 2018 by Norman

Adding a Bit of Spice to Your Life Growing Chilli Peppers

Chilli Peppers-how-to-grow-chilli-peppers — *Chilli peppers*

For many of us who love a little pepper, we know what this means. In my opinion, some foods just don’t taste good or have that wow until a little pepper is added. As a child growing up, my father who is now deceased loved adding pepper to his meals. While it is good to add some pepper for that sizzle be careful in how much you use because too much pepper can be damaging to our stomachs which can lead to other issues.

My father once told me about a person he knew that ate a pepper sandwich. Believe me no joke in every scene of the word it was a pepper sandwich just two slices of bread with peppers nothing else.

How To Grow Artichokes

January 15, 2021August 27, 2018 by Norman

Learn how to Plant, Grow and Care for Artichokes

Artichokes-how-to-grow-artichokes — *Artichokes*

Artichokes is a wild perennial which is a favorite of millions worldwide, that contributes to our health in great ways. Artichokes contain many vitamins. This vegetable is a good source of antioxidants that help our bodies to get rid of free radicals which can work against our health.

Make your bathroom trip easier by including artichokes in your diet. Artichokes are rich in fibre so become a friend of artichokes and load up on those fibres.

Promote your liver health by adding artichokes to your dinner plate. Our liver is an important organ that helps to filter our bodies keeping it clean so keep your liver healthy and functioning with the help of artichokes.

Career As A Nurseryman

July 30, 2022August 25, 2018 by Norman

A Career as a Nurseryman

Bird eating pepper-Career-as-a-nurseryman — *Bird eating pepper*

Do you love working with plants? Do you love the great outdoors? Do you love to watch things grow? Do you love reaping a good harvest of your hard work? Do you love connecting with nature by giving a helping hand?

If the answer to all of these questions is yes that means nature is calling you to a life of working outdoors. I have spent some time working as a nurseryman and to be honest with you it was really great.

Careers In Irrigation

January 28, 2021August 24, 2018 by Norman

Training today for a better tomorrow

Irrigation Sprinklers-Careers-in-irrigation — *Irrigation sprinklers watering gardening*

What’s so amazing about the landscaping and gardening field is that it has so much to offer. There are so many careers to choose from, some of these areas include landscape technician, interior plantscape technician, arborist, nurseryman, golf course, chemical applicators, and so on.

So when it comes to choosing a career in this field there are many opportunities. I have had many years of training in some of these areas besides attending classes and sitting exams.

In this section, we will be looking at the job of an irrigation technician and what is required to become a part of this exciting field.

The importance of an irrigation technician

There is nothing like having a garden that is flourishing and breathtaking whether it is a flower, fruit or herb garden, etc… But in order to keep our garden plants, healthy and performing at their best and to reap a good harvest one important element that is needed is water.

Growing Lavender Plants

January 15, 2021August 21, 2018 by Norman

Simple Steps on Growing Lavender

Lavender plants-Growing-lavender-plants — *Lavender plants*

Lavender originated in the Mediterranean this perennial plant has such a strong scent and produces nice purple flowers. Lavender is grown worldwide and belongs to the mint family. This herb can be harvested to flavor foods, for medical purposes, it has a lovely aroma and can be used as a fragrance or decoration.

But what does it takes to successfully grow lavender? Following this guide will ensure that your efforts are paid off when seeking to grow this plant.

Growing lavender

1. Lavender requires six to eight hours of sunlight to perform at its best.

2. The soil type for this plant is well-drain soil. The PH range for lavender is 6.5

3. Plants should be spaced twelve to fifteen inches apart to allow for growth and proper air circulation.

4. Water moderately. Do not overwater because lavender hates wet feet.

5. Lavender can be feed with small amounts of a slow-release fertilizer.

Herbs That Fight Cancer

January 22, 2021August 20, 2018 by Norman

Winning the war on cancer

Garlic-herbs-that-fights-cancer — *Garlic Herb*

Cancer is a disease that has caused so many deaths. In fact, it is estimated that this disease causes the death of more than 7 million people worldwide each year which is a lot of lives that are lost.

Cancer victims can be from the young to the middle age and even the elderly so this disease has touch persons from all walks of life and age. Research is ongoing to win the war on cancer.

The good news, however, is there are treatments that have proven to give good results. But what other methods are there that can be implemented to help win the war on cancer?