Traditionally, the garage is used for parking your cars. However, even though it can definitely be great for shielding your vehicles from the elements, there are plenty of other things that you can do with this part of your home as well. These are a few ideas that you can try.
One great use for your garage is to use it as a workshop. If you like woodworking, for example, your garage can provide you with the perfect space to keep your tools tidy and organized and to work on your projects. This makes it easy for you to work indoors without having to drag the mess into your actual house.
2. Create a Game Room
Has your family always wanted a game room? You don’t have to build an addition to your home to make this happen; instead, you can use your garage for this purpose instead. Your garage probably has ample space for a pool table or for other types of game tables, such as for air hockey or Foosball. You can also hang up a dartboard, install a stereo system and otherwise turn the area into a comfortable place for hanging out with family and friends.
3. Make a Play Area for Your Kids
If your kids have a lack of space for playing, you can turn your garage into a safe place for them to do so. You will probably need to take some steps first, however, to ensure that it isn’t dangerous. For example, you’ll probably want to disable the garage door so that it cannot be opened, remove any dangerous tools, and put down rubber mats to help cushion any falls. If you take these steps, however, the garage can actually make for a nice, spacious play area for your children, and it can allow you to store books and toys outdoors so that they aren’t cluttering up your home. Plus, your little ones can play to their hearts’ content, and you won’t have to worry about their messes being on display inside your home for everyone to see.
4. Store Out-of-Season and Rarely-Used Items
If you are like a lot of people, your home might be cluttered with out-of-season and rarely-used items. You might not want to get rid of these items, since you might need them later, but you probably don’t want them in the way inside your home. Luckily, your garage can be perfect for storing stuff.
For example, you can store your suitcases and other items that you only use when you travel, or you can pack up seasonal clothing like coats and sweaters and only bring them into the house when it’s seasonally appropriate to do so. Additionally, you can store holiday decorations, outdoor items and other things that you only need to use every now and then. Then, these items will be out of the way but will be easy to access when you need them.
5. Create a Craft Room
If you’re really into crafting, you might wish that you had a dedicated space for your crafts. Luckily, your garage can function perfectly for this purpose. You can set up a nice craft table that you can use for making things, and you’ll have more than enough space to stash fabric, ribbons, glue guns and anything else that you might need for crafting purposes.
As you can see, there are tons of uses that you can use your garage for rather than just using it to park your vehicles. If you’d like to maximize the space that is available for you and your family and would like to customize your home so that it properly suits your family’s needs, following these tips can help.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
If you are a gardener like me, you must have thought about harvesting greens that you eat at restaurants at your house. One of these days, I was with my friends from my university, and we were discussing the importance of eating veggies for staying healthy. And they could not figure out the best ways to effectively do so. Reading my previous blog about cilantro, Laila asked me, “how to grow and harvest asparagus?”
Well, surely asparagus is one of the most delicious and nutritious vegetables you can grow in your garden. But what a lot of people do not know is that it's also one of the easiest once you know how to harvest asparagus properly.
In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about harvesting asparagus, from when to start, how to cut, and how often to do it. Additionally, I will also share some tips on how to store and freeze asparagus, as well as the benefits of eating this green wonder.
So, keep on reading till the end to learn more...
How Does Asparagus Grow?
Before I dive into the seemingly difficult process of how to harvest asparagus, let me help you grow it.
Asparagus is a perennial plant that grows from a crown of roots that can live for up to 20 years. The crown produces spears, which are the edible part of the plant, every spring.
The spears grow rapidly, sometimes up to an inch per day, and can reach a height of 6 to 10 inches. The spears are harvested before they open into fern-like leaves, which are edible and tough.
Asparagus grows best in well-drained, sandy soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. It prefers full sun and moderate temperatures and needs regular watering and fertilizing.
Asparagus can be grown from seeds or crowns, but crowns are easier and faster to establish. Crowns are planted in trenches about 12 to 18 inches apart and covered with 2 to 3 inches of soil. As the spears emerge, more soil is added until the trench is filled
Benefits of Asparagus
https://giphy.com/gifs/food-asparagus-taylor-lee-nicholson-pejh5q5BBXxi2m4PgF
Asparagus is not only tasty, but also healthy. It's low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants just like spinach. It can help lower blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, support digestion, and prevent urinary tract infections.
Asparagus also contains a compound called asparagine, which is a natural diuretic that helps flush out excess fluids and salts from the body. Asparagus is also a good source of folate, which is essential for pregnant women and fetal development
When to Harvest Asparagus?
The first year after planting, you should not harvest any asparagus spears, as they need to grow and strengthen the root system.
The second year, you can harvest a few spears for a short period, about two to three weeks.
The third year and beyond, you can harvest asparagus for a longer period, up to eight weeks, depending on the climate and the health of the plants.
The best time to harvest asparagus is in the early morning when the spears are crisp and tender. You should harvest asparagus when the spears are about 6 to 10 inches tall, and before the tips start to open up. If you wait too long, the spears will become woody and bitter.
How to Plant and Care for Asparagus?
Asparagus is a long-term investment that can reward you with years of delicious harvests. However, it requires some planning and preparation before planting.
Here are some steps to follow to plant and care for asparagus:
Choose the Day
Choose a sunny and well-drained spot in your garden, preferably with sandy or loamy soil. Avoid areas where water tends to pool or where weeds are hard to control. Asparagus also needs plenty of space, so make sure you have at least 4 to 5 feet between rows and 12 to 18 inches between plants.
Prepare the Soil
Prepare the soil by adding organic matter, such as compost or manure, and adjusting the pH to 6.5 to 7.5. You can use a soil test kit to check the pH and nutrient levels of your soil. You may also need to add some fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 10-20-10, to boost the phosphorus and potassium content.
Dig it Deep
Dig a trench about 8 to 12 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches wide. You can make the trench longer or shorter depending on how many asparagus crowns you have. Asparagus crowns are the dormant roots of the plant that you can buy from nurseries or online. They usually have one-year-old or two-year-old crowns, which are more reliable and productive than seeds.
Fertilize
Spread some fertilizer along the bottom of the trench, about 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Then, cover the fertilizer with 2 to 3 inches of soil, forming a ridge in the center of the trench.
Placing the Plant
Place the asparagus crowns on top of the ridge, about 12 to 18 inches apart, with the buds facing up. The crowns should be slightly below the soil surface, about 1 to 2 inches deep. Do not bury them too deep, as this will delay the emergence of the spears.
Focus on the Crown
Cover the crowns with another 2 to 3 inches of soil, and water well. As the spears grow, gradually fill in the trench with more soil, until it is level with the ground. This will help protect the crowns from frost and weeds.
Add Mulch
Mulch the bed with straw, leaves, or wood chips, to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. You can also add some organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract, every few weeks during the growing season, to encourage healthy growth.
Keep in Mind
Do not harvest any asparagus spears in the first year, as they need to establish a strong root system. In the second year, you can harvest a few spears for a short period, about two to three weeks. In the third year and beyond, you can harvest asparagus for a longer period, up to eight weeks, depending on the climate and the health of the plants.
How to Harvest Asparagus?
Now, coming to the most important part that you wanted to know about. Let us talk about the ways to harvest asparagus!
To harvest asparagus, you need a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. You should cut the spears at the base, about an inch below the soil surface.
Be careful not to damage the crown or the emerging spears. You should also avoid cutting too many spears from one plant, as this will weaken the plant and reduce the yield. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least one-third of the spears on each plant.
You should harvest asparagus every day or every other day, depending on how fast the spears grow. You should stop harvesting asparagus when the spears become thinner than a pencil, as this indicates that the plant is running out of energy.
You should then let the spears grow into ferns, which will replenish the crown and prepare it for the next season.
How to Store and Freeze Asparagus?
Unlike lettuce, which you can store for more than a week, asparagus is best eaten fresh, as it loses its flavor and texture quickly. If you can't eat it right away, you should store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To keep it fresh, you should trim the ends of the spears and stand them upright in a glass of water or wrap them in a damp paper towel and put them in a plastic bag.
If you want to preserve asparagus for longer, you can freeze it. To freeze asparagus, you should first wash and trim the spears, and then blanch them in boiling water for two to three minutes, depending on the thickness.
Blanching is a process of briefly cooking and cooling the vegetables to stop the enzyme activity that causes them to spoil.
After blanching, you should drain and cool the spears, and then pack them in freezer bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. You can freeze asparagus for up to a year, and use it in soups, casseroles, or stir-fries.
How to Prevent and Treat Asparagus Pests and Diseases?
Asparagus is generally a hardy and resilient plant, but it can still suffer from some pests and diseases that can affect its growth and quality.
Here are some of the most common problems that affect asparagus plants, and how to prevent or treat them:
Asparagus beetles
These are small, black or red beetles that feed on the spears and the ferns, causing them to wilt and turn brown. They can also lay eggs on the spears, which hatch into larvae that chew on the stems and leaves.
To prevent asparagus beetles, you should keep the area around the plants clean and weed-free, and remove any old or damaged spears. To treat asparagus beetles, you can hand-pick them and their eggs, or spray them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Fusarium wilt
This is a fungal disease that infects the roots and the crowns of the plants, causing them to rot and die. It can also cause the spears to become yellow, twisted, and stunted. Fusarium wilt is more likely to occur in poorly drained, acidic, or infested soil.
To prevent fusarium wilt, you should plant disease-resistant varieties, rotate crops, and avoid overwatering or injuring the plants. To treat fusarium wilt, you should remove and destroy any infected plants, and apply fungicides to the soil.
Rust
This is another fungal disease that affects the ferns, causing them to develop orange or brown spots and pustules. Rust can reduce the vigor and yield of the plants, and make them more susceptible to other diseases. Rust is more likely to occur in humid, wet, or shady conditions.
To prevent rust, you should plant resistant varieties, space the plants well, and prune any excess or infected ferns. To treat rust, you should apply fungicides to the ferns, and avoid watering them from above.
Crown rot
This is a bacterial disease that causes the crowns and the bases of the spears to become soft, mushy, and foul-smelling. Crown rot can spread quickly and kill the plants. Crown rot is more likely to occur in wet, compacted, or poorly drained soil.
To prevent crown rot, you should plant healthy crowns, improve the drainage and aeration of the soil, and avoid overwatering or injuring the plants. To treat crown rot, you should remove and destroy any infected plants, and disinfect the tools and the soil.
Bonus: How to Cook and Enjoy Asparagus?
There are many ways to cook and enjoy asparagus, from steaming, boiling, roasting, grilling, to sautéing. The key is not to overcook it, as it will become mushy and lose its flavor.
You should cook asparagus until it is bright green and crisp-tender, which usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the method and the thickness of the spears.
You can season asparagus with salt, pepper, butter, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, cheese, or any other condiments you like. You can also pair asparagus with eggs, bacon, ham, chicken, fish, pasta, rice, or salad. Asparagus is a versatile and delicious vegetable that can complement any meal.
Wrapping It Up!
Asparagus is a wonderful vegetable that you can grow and harvest in your own garden. It's easy to care for, once you know how to harvest asparagus properly.
You should harvest asparagus when the spears are about 6 to 10 inches tall and before the tips start to open up. You should cut the spears at the base and leave some on the plant to grow into ferns. It would be best to store asparagus in the refrigerator for later use.
And yes, you should also enjoy the many benefits and flavors of asparagus, by cooking it in various ways and pairing it with different dishes. Asparagus is a springtime delight that you don't want to miss.
Learn More About:
Planting & Harvesting Mint
7 Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil
Spirulina: The Complete Plant Based Protein Source | Health Benefits
Looking for a new house can be both exhilarating and stressful. It’s great to imagine your new life in different homes, but finding a place that fits the expectations of yourself, your partner, and your children is overwhelming and involves a lot of moving parts.
Luckily, if you narrow your focus to a few key points and specific criteria, finding the perfect home that your entire family loves is not only possible, it will be much easier.
Checkout Four Simple Tips To Help Finding The Perfect Home:
1. Get Help from the Professionals
You should definitely spend time figuring out your own preferences, but a quality real estate agent will have deep local knowledge and be able to provide suggestions based on the criteria you outline. If you’re having trouble narrowing your focus, they’ll be able to give advice and helpful suggestions.
After you’ve figured out your search parameters, you can find local real estate agents in Pickering to help you hone in on the neighborhoods that are best suited to your tastes, making it easier to find your new Pickering home.
2. Focus on the Neighborhood
The perfect house in the wrong neighborhood quickly becomes the wrong house. Factors such as the location of the neighborhood, local amenities, distance from work or school, and more are all essential things to consider before choosing one or several neighborhoods to target your search in.
But don’t solely rely on what the neighborhood looks like on paper. Drive and walk around the neighborhood on different days and at different times to give yourself a good idea of the overall feel of the neighborhood. Ensure you feel comfortable in the community and whether it truly meets your needs.
3. Consider Your Budget
Getting pre-approval from a mortgage lender is a smart idea before you start seriously looking at homes, as it makes it more likely any offers you put down will be seriously considered.
It also helps give you a better idea of what you can afford. It’s tempting to look for Perfect homes in the maximum range you can afford, but it’s not always the wisest choice.
It’s often recommended to adopt the 28/36 rule, which suggests spending 28 percent or less of your gross monthly income on housing expenses.
Additionally, it recommends all your monthly expenses should be 36 percent or less of your gross monthly income. Those expenses include housing, car payments, and student loans.
Keeping your budget within these guidelines helps to ensure you can afford your home and any surprise costs that can surface with home ownership.
4. Know Your Must-Haves
Once you start looking at perfect homes, it’s easy to get overwhelmed comparing the similarities and differences between houses. Being aware of your must-haves while you go about your search makes it a lot easier to keep a clear mind.
Take the time to consider your minimum number of bedrooms or if the backyard size is essential. Is a wrap-around porch nice to have, or is it an absolute must?
Make a list of the features you need and where you’re willing to compromise. Understanding your needs but staying flexible in some areas will help you to find your perfect house.
Read Also:
6 Expert Tips for Finding The Right Home to BuyMirrors For Sale – Finding a Perfect Home Decorative ItemHome Sweet Home Improvement: How to Find the Best Home Improvement Loans
The first thing that you need to know about steak knives is that they are different from ordinary knives. Steak knives are specifically designed to cut through steaks easily. If you use a regular knife to cut a steak, you will most likely get shredded pieces of meat instead of evenly cut slices.
Using the wrong knife can turn what should be an enjoyable dining experience into a frustrating one. So if you want to enjoy your steaks, you need to get yourself a good quality steak knife set.
Many prefer straight or non serrated steak knife set over a serrated one, especially those who are particular with the appearance of their steaks. Unlike serrated blades, straight blades do not have jagged edges, so you get perfectly cut steaks every time.
Also, you can sharpen non-serrated steak knives frequently so you will always have a sharp knife.
Here are some other things you need to consider when buying a non-serrated steak knife:
The Knife Should Fit Your Hand Well:
If you’re buying a non-serrated steak knife set for yourself, then you need to make sure that the handle can fit in your hand comfortably. This is why it’s advisable to check the handle and test the knife first before buying it.
Of course, this would be difficult if you are buying a set online. What you can do is to check the size and dimension of the handle and determine its shape. The presence of curves and edges can sometimes provide a better grip for a knife.
It’s essential to feel comfortable while holding and using the knife to make your experience of eating steak more pleasurable.
What is the Blade Made Of?
It’s also essential to determine the material of the blade. The best steak knives are those that are made from carbon steel. These knives are very durable, and they are also effortless to sharpen. However, they can be quite costly, so they are not ideal for people on a budget.
A cheaper alternative is a set of knives made from stainless steel. The best thing about stainless steel knives is their ability to resist rust. Stainless steel knives are also very durable and do not easily break.
A Set that Looks Good:
Last but not least, you should get a set of non-serrated knives that you will be proud enough to show off. If you like having guests over for steak dinners, then you should get a set of good looking knives that shows your exquisite taste and good aesthetic sense.
After all, eating steak is a multisensory experience. You should not only feed your mouth and tummy, but you should also take care of your eyes as well. The best non-serrated steak knife sets are real works of art. You will not mind displaying it in your kitchen.
Getting the best non-serrated steak knife set is vital if you value a good dining experience. A good set of steak knives will surely make eating steaks more enjoyable.
Read Also:
4 Tips For Choosing A Good Kitchen Tap
6 Tips To Improve Your Cooking Overnight
