Olden Oasis

Growing Lettuce in Hydroponic Trays Year Round Introduction Hey there! Today, we're going to talk about how you can grow lettuce in hydroponic trays all year round. It's a cool way to have fresh veggies whenever you want! What You'll Need Materials: - Hydroponic trays - Lettuce seeds - Water - Nutrient solution - Grow lights Equipment: - pH meter - EC meter - Thermometer Setting Up Your Hydroponic System First, you'll need to set up your hydroponic trays. Fill them with water and add the nutrient solution according to the instructions. Make sure the pH and EC levels are right by using the meters. Planting Your Lettuces Next, it's time to plant your lettuce seeds in the trays. Make sure to space them out evenly and cover them with a thin layer of growing medium. Keep the trays under the grow lights for about 12-16 hours a day. Caring for Your Lettuces Check the water levels in the trays regularly and top up if needed. Keep an eye on the temperature and ad...

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes Hey there, fellow gardeners! Today we're going to talk about a cool way to grow your own vegetables using rockwool cubes. It may sound fancy, but it's actually pretty simple and fun. Let's dive in! What You'll Need: First things first, you'll need some rockwool cubes . These are like little sponges that help your plants grow strong and healthy. You'll also need some vegetable seeds, a tray to hold the cubes, and water. I personally use these hydroponic grow trays with dome lids. Step 1: Soak the Cubes Before you plant your seeds, you'll need to soak the rockwool cubes in water. This helps them absorb moisture and provides a good environment for your plants to grow. Step 2: Plant Your Seeds Once your cubes are nice and soaked, it's time to plant your seeds. Make a little hole in the top of each cube and drop a couple of seeds in. Some seeds are so tiny and I generally end up planting more than two in...

Growing honeysuckle and its uses Honeysuckle can be found in a variety of locations and there are around two hundred different varieties of it. The plant has a perennial woody vine and is easy to grow; however, it needs to be pruned often.  I have Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) growing as a privacy fence and also on trellises in my yard. In my honest opinion, I don't believe there's anything that can compare to the sweet subtle fragrance of it.  Besides the fact that it has a beautiful fragrance, Japanese honeysuckle is also used as a medicinal plant. How to grow honeysuckle Honeysuckle prefers to be grown in sunny locations, but the woody vines will do well in partially shaded areas too. The plant also seems to have a heat tolerance, because it grows quite well in the state of Arkansas. The best time to plant honeysuckle is in the spring and fall seasons. It can be grown in planting zones 4-9. Honeysuckle needs to be planted in well-drained soil. My soil is a rich m...

Planting sweet potatoes We are nearing the end of April, the perfect time to plant sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas) are a root vegetable that's native to Central and South America. They thrive in the heat and humidity because they are tropical plants. In actuality, sweet potatoes are not part of the potato family. They are part of the morning glory. The part of a sweet potato plant that we harvest is a tuberous root. There are several different varieties of sweet potatoes that you can grow, but today I will be planting Centennial sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes don’t start from a seed like the majority of other vegetables do. Instead, they grow from what are referred to as “slips." Slips are the green shoots that sprout from the tops of a sweet potato.  Planting your sweet potatoes to grow slips You can place a sweet potato in a glass or jar of water or lay it directly in a container of dirt (as I am doing here today). I prefer starting my sweet potatoes directly...

Sweet Potato Greens If you grow sweet potatoes, then you know how fast their vines can wildly take over your gardening space. But that could be considered a good thing, because not only are sweet potato tubers edible, but the entire plant is too! Plus, they can be fed to livestock such as chickens, hogs, cattle, goats, etc. It's important to note that the vine and leaves are toxic to cats and dogs when ingested. However, cats and dogs can eat sweet potato tubers once they've been cooked. Nutrients in Sweet Potato Leaves: The leaves of the sweet potato plant are loaded with nutrition; they contain niacin, vitamins B6, B2, B1, C, and E, pantothenic acid, beta-carotene, and biotin. The leaves also contain more riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin C than the sweet potato itself. Preparing Sweet Potato Greens Sweet potato greens taste very similar to other popular greens that you may already eat, such as mustard, turnip, spinach, and dandelion greens. The smaller leaves are milder in...

Pleasures of greenhouse gardening throughout the year Today I thought I would cover a more in-depth article about the simple gardening tips I do during the winter. I already have various garden seeds planted (for winter) and some are already blooming. So, if you're wondering if you can grow vegetables inside in the winter, this is one example to show that you can. Greenhouse gardening allows gardeners to have a consistent garden environment regardless of what the season is, which means you can keep growing vegetables and fruit even throughout the coldest months of the year without extreme limitations (in most cases).  There are numerous advantages to having indoor greenhouses. Since I added my greenhouses to the interior of my home, I have actually used less wood and less electricity to heat my home in the winter. The quality of air has become much better. Plus, I don't have to worry about bugs and wildlife eating my vegetable and fruit plants, nor do I have to worry about the ...

Keeping an indoor garden alive If you have an indoor garden, or want to have one, and need some gardening tips, such as how to keep vegetable plants alive indoors, when to water your plants, what to do if your plants are dying, then today's article is just for you!  Most of the edible plants that can be grown outside can also be grown inside in containers, hydroponic systems, and greenhouses and really do well under the right conditions. As we go into fall, your gardening doesn't have to end! If you're a beginner, there are several basic vegetable plants that are fairly easy to grow inside. These plants can be picked all throughout their growing season and, with some TLC, you can keep growing them all year long inside.  Micro-greens include a mix of greens and herbs, and can also include beets, radishes, kale, Swiss chard, basil, and arugula. Grow your micro greens in a large container and cut them as seedling plants.  To stay ahead of the game, sow new seeds every coupl...

Grow a garden with minimal water! Have you ever wondered if you can grow a vegetable garden without watering it? Well, it might sound impossible, but there are actually some plants that can survive with minimal water. Let's explore what vegetable plants you can grow without constantly watering them! 6 Vegetables That Can Survive with Little Water Swiss chard A leafy green that's tough and can handle dry conditions. It likes to be in the sun and has soil that drains well. Eggplant This veggie is pretty resilient and won't wilt easily. Just make sure to give it enough water so it doesn't taste bitter. Kale Kale is a low-maintenance plant that doesn't need a lot of water. Just give it a little extra during really dry spells. Carrots Carrots can handle drought, but they might appreciate a good soak every now and then when it's really dry. Zucchini Some types of zucchini, like Dark Star, can grow in dry conditions because they have strong roots that can find water de...

Eggshell fertilizer for gardening Originally published at Newsbreak on 2022-04-03 Making eggshell fertilizer/ eggshells /Gin Lee Eggshell fertilizer Hang onto those eggshells! If you use eggs for breakfast and baking, save the shells because eggshells make the perfect fertilizer for plants. Eggshells are high in calcium, which is great for all plants' growth. Eggshells are also a natural deterrent to ants. So, let's get started on cracking a few eggs! Instructions for making eggshell fertilizer Once you have enough eggshells, you'll want to wash them thoroughly to clean any bacteria off of them. I use hot water and a teaspoon of white vinegar in a large bowl and scrub them with a toothbrush. Now, allow the eggshells to dry completely. Then you can either crunch the shells by hand or grind them in a food processor into a powder form. In powder form, the plants will be able to get nutrition from them immediately. Whereas if you crunch the shells up by hand, it takes more time...

Keeping an indoor garden alive If you have an indoor garden, or want to have one, and need some gardening tips, such as how to keep vegetable plants alive indoors, when to water your plants, what to do if your plants are dying, then today's article is just for you!  Most of the edible plants that can be grown outside can also be grown inside in containers, hydroponic systems, and greenhouses and really do well under the right conditions. As we go into fall, your gardening doesn't have to end! If you're a beginner, there are several basic vegetable plants that are fairly easy to grow inside. These plants can be picked all throughout their growing season and, with some TLC, you can keep growing them all year long inside.  Micro-greens include a mix of greens and herbs, and can also include beets, radishes, kale, Swiss chard, basil, and arugula. Grow your micro greens in a large container and cut them as seedling plants.  To stay ahead of the game, sow new seeds every coupl...

A Guide to Growing Pink Ponderosa Tomatoes in Containers Inside a Greenhouse We are currently in the middle of July, and it is an opportune time to plant tomatoes in the southern region. From mid-July to the end of August, it is considered an ideal time to plant fall tomatoes. The cooler temperatures during this period can aid in fruit sets and help reduce insect-related issues. Choosing the Right Container When growing Pink Ponderosa tomatoes in a greenhouse, it's important to choose the right container. Look for a container that is at least 5 gallons in size and has drainage holes at the bottom. This will ensure that your tomatoes have enough room to grow and that excess water can easily drain out. Preparing the soil Before planting your Pink Ponderosa tomatoes, make sure to prepare the soil properly. Use high-quality soil that is rich in nutrients and has good drainage.  To enhance the growth of your tomatoes, consider incorporating organic compost or fertilizer for an added boo...

Image by Alexei_other Greenhouse Gardening Tips for Small Scale Homesteads Choosing the Right Plants When starting a greenhouse garden on your small scale homestead, it's important to choose plants that will thrive in a controlled environment. Consider vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, as well as herbs like basil and mint. Planting Techniques Make sure to plant your seeds or seedlings at the appropriate depth and spacing. Follow the instructions on the seed packets or plant tags to ensure proper growth. Maintaining the Greenhouse Regularly check the temperature and humidity levels in your greenhouse to ensure optimal growing conditions for your plants. Ventilate the greenhouse on hot days to prevent overheating. Watering and Fertilizing Water your plants regularly, but be careful not to overwater. Use a balanced fertilizer to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth. Pest Control Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and spider mites that can damage your plant...