Published on: 10 May 2019
Last Updated on: 30 October 2024
Outdoor living is in, especially during the sweltering summer months. Turn a staid, screened-in porch into a tranquil oasis with some comfortable furnishings and ambient decor. These are our favorite tips for creating a screened space you’ll want to live in all year long.
Treat It as Your Home:
Don’t be tempted to skimp on furniture for your screened-in porch. Many homeowners rely on basic patio furniture rather than adding comfortable cushioned couches and chairs that create an inviting space. Outdoor poufs are a versatile choice that does triple duty as extra seating, a footrest, or a convenient side table. Choose options with weatherproof fabric that provides easy maintenance and care.
The cozier you are on the screened-in porch, the more likely that you (and your guests) will want to spend time there. Think of this area as a natural extension of your home. When choosing furniture, picture how you want to use the space. If you plan to entertain, are you envisioning cocktail parties or boisterous family dinners? Pick your pieces accordingly.
Add Accessories:
Those little details are a major part of making the patio feel like an extension of your indoor space. Think colorful throw pillows, durable rugs, side tables for snacks and beverages, and accent lighting. Choose colors that coordinate with your indoor palette for a seamless transition from inside to out. Pillows and throws in various textures will add visual and tactile interest. Potted plants add more life to space while emphasizing its natural elements.
Keep It Cool:
For a three-season porch, you can use from spring to fall, consider screened-in, porch-cooling options to see you through the hottest days of August. Ceiling fans are more effective than a window AC unit, and they create a cooling breeze that will provide relief. Evaporative coolers lower the temperature by using humidity. With these units, cold air is blown over water droplets that chill the air as they evaporate.
You can also install shades that can be pulled down to keep the cool air in during the summer and to block the cold air out on chillier nights. Look for transparent versions that will preserve the outdoor feel of the porch.
Promote Relaxation:
Both real and battery-powered candles create a romantic light that enhances the porch’s appeal. String lights provide a similar function. If your home is in a suburban or an urban area that tends to get noisy, consider outdoor speakers through which you can play relaxing ambient noise, such as ocean sounds or birds chirping. You can also plant a row of trees or shrubs to dampen the noise, provided it doesn’t block your view. Consider adding a fireplace to your screened-in porch, which has the added benefit of allowing you to enjoy the space when the weather cools.
By incorporating these design ideas to add life to your screened-in porch, you’re expanding the usable square footage of your home and increasing its value. Best of all, you’ll have a space your entire family can enjoy together for years to come.
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.
Lemongrass is a tropical herb that has a fresh and citrusy flavor and aroma. It is one of the most essential herb that is people widely use in Asian cuisines. They especially use it in Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian dishes. It is also a popular ingredient in teas, soups, curries, salads, and marinades. Lemongrass has many health benefits, such as improving digestion, boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, and relieving stress.
But did you know that you can grow and harvest your own lemongrass at home? Yes, you can! Lemongrass is easy to grow and maintain, and can thrive in pots, containers, or gardens. You can enjoy fresh and organic lemongrass all year round, and save money and time from buying it at the store.
In this article, I will show you how to harvest lemongrass, and share some tips and tricks for growing and using this versatile herb. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to harvest lemongrass, and how to make the most of this wonderful herb.
So, if that is something that you want to know, I have you covered! Keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more…
How to Grow Lemongrass?
Lemongrass is a wonderful herb that can add a refreshing and citrusy flavor to your dishes, drinks, and teas.
It is also a beautiful ornamental plant that can brighten up your garden with its tall, graceful stalks and fragrant leaves. Lemongrass is native to tropical regions, but you can grow it in cooler climates as well with some care and preparation.
Here are the steps and conditions for growing lemongrass successfully at home:
1. Choose a healthy lemongrass plant or stalk
You can buy a potted lemongrass plant from a nursery or garden center, or you can start your own from a fresh lemongrass stalk that you can find in most grocery stores or Asian markets. Look for a stalk that is firm, green, and has some roots at the base. Avoid any that are dry, brown, or moldy.
2. Prepare a sunny and warm spot for your lemongrass
Lemongrass loves full sun and heat, so choose a location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. If you live in a colder region, you can grow lemongrass in a container that you can move indoors during the winter.
Use a large pot with drainage holes and fill it with rich, loamy soil that is high in organic matter. You can also add some compost, manure, or leaf mold to improve the soil quality and fertility.
3. Plant your lemongrass in the soil
If you bought a potted plant, simply transplant it to the ground or a larger container, making sure to bury the roots well and leave some space between the stalks.
If you are starting from a stalk, peel off any dead or yellow leaves and trim the top part to about six inches.
Place the stalk in a glass of water and keep it in a sunny windowsill until roots start to grow, which can take a few weeks.
Then, plant the rooted stalk in the soil, leaving about two inches of the stem above the ground. Space the plants about two feet apart to allow them to spread
4. Water and fertilize your lemongrass regularly
Lemongrass needs moist soil to thrive, so water it frequently and deeply, especially during hot and dry periods.
A good rule of thumb is to water it once a week or whenever the top inch of the soil feels dry. You can also apply a layer of mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
Lemongrass also benefits from a monthly dose of liquid organic fertilizer during the growing season, such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract. This will help it grow faster and produce more leaves and stalks.
5. Harvest and enjoy your lemongrass
You can start harvesting your lemongrass when the stalks are about a foot tall and half an inch thick. Cut the stalks at the base with a sharp knife or scissors, leaving about two inches of the stem in the ground.
Additionally, you can use the whole stalk, or peel off the outer layers and use only the tender inner part. You can also harvest the leaves and use them fresh or dried for teas and infusions.
Lemongrass can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to six months. You can also dry it and store it in an airtight container for later use.
How to Harvest Lemongrass?
Harvesting lemongrass is a simple and satisfying process that can be done in a few steps. Here are the basics of how to harvest lemongrass:
Choose the right time
The best time to harvest lemongrass is when the stalks are about 12 inches tall and 0.5 inches thick. This usually happens after 3 to 4 months of planting. You can harvest lemongrass throughout the year, as long as the temperature is above 40°F. You can also harvest lemongrass in batches, leaving some stalks to grow and regenerate.
Cut the stalks
To harvest lemongrass, you need a sharp knife or scissors, and a clean cutting board. Cut the stalks at the base, as close to the soil as possible. You can cut as many stalks as you need, or as many as you can use within a week. You can also trim off the leaves, as they are not edible and can be used for other purposes.
Wash and store the stalks
After cutting the stalks, wash them under running water, and pat them dry with a paper towel. You can store the stalks in the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp paper towel, and placed in a plastic bag. They can last for up to a week. You can also freeze the stalks, chopped or whole, in a freezer bag. They can last for up to 6 months.
Dividing Lemongrass: What is It and How to Do It?
Dividing lemongrass is a great way to propagate and maintain this aromatic and flavorful herb. Lemongrass is a perennial plant that grows in clumps of stalks and leaves.
Over time, these clumps can become crowded, woody, and less productive. By dividing lemongrass, you can rejuvenate the plant, increase its yield, and share it with others.
Here are the steps and reasons for dividing lemongrass:
1. When to divide lemongrass?
The best time to divide lemongrass is in the spring, after the last frost date when the plant is actively growing and has new shoots.
You can also divide lemongrass in the fall if you live in a warm winter climate or if you plan to overwinter the divisions indoors.
Avoid dividing lemongrass in the summer, when the heat and drought can stress the plant and reduce its survival rate.
2. How to divide lemongrass?
To divide lemongrass, you must dig up the entire plant and separate it into smaller sections. You can use a shovel, a sharp knife, or your hands to do this.
Each section should have at least one inch of root and several healthy stalks and leaves attached.
You can trim the leaves to about six inches to reduce water loss and make the divisions easier to handle. Discard any old, brown, or damaged parts of the plant.
3. Where to plant lemongrass divisions?
You can plant lemongrass divisions in the same spot where you dug up the parent plant or in a new location with full sun, moist and well-drained soil, and plenty of organic matter.
You can also plant lemongrass divisions in containers at least 10 inches deep with drainage holes. Space the divisions about two feet apart to allow room for growth.
Plant the divisions at the same depth as they were before, with the crown just below the soil surface.
4. How to care for lemongrass divisions?
Lemongrass divisions need regular water and fertilizer to establish and thrive. Water them deeply and frequently, especially during the first few weeks and during hot and dry periods.
You can also apply a layer of mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. Fertilize the plants once a month with a liquid organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract, during the growing season.
Protect the plants from frost in the winter by moving them indoors or covering them with a frost cloth.
5. How to harvest and use lemongrass divisions?
You can start harvesting lemongrass divisions when they are about a foot tall and half an inch thick. Cut the stalks at the base with a sharp knife or scissors, leaving about two inches of the stem in the ground. You can use the whole stalk, peel off the outer layers, and use only the tender inner part.
Additionally, you can also harvest the leaves and use them fresh or dried for teas and infusions. Lemongrass can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to six months. You can also dry it and store it in an airtight container for later use.
How to Use Lemongrass in Food?
Lemongrass has a long, green stalk with a bulbous base and grassy leaves. It has a lemony taste with a hint of mint and ginger. Lemongrass can be used fresh, dried, or powdered, depending on the recipe and preference. Here are some ways related to how to use lemongrass in different ways:
Fresh lemongrass
Firstly, fresh lemongrass is the most aromatic and versatile form of lemongrass. You can find it in the produce section of most supermarkets, Asian markets, or online.
To prepare fresh lemongrass, you need to peel off the tough outer layers and trim off the root end and the top third of the stalk. You can use a sharp knife or scissors to do this. The part that you want to use is the pale and tender lower part of the stalk.
After that, you can slice it thinly, chop it finely, or bruise it with a pestle or the back of a knife. Slicing or chopping is good for salads, stir-fries, curries, and marinades, while bruising is good for soups, stews, and broths.
You can also make a paste by pounding or blending lemongrass with other ingredients, such as garlic, ginger, chilies, and cilantro.
A paste is great for adding flavor to meats, seafood, tofu, and rice. You can store fresh lemongrass in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to six months.
Dried lemongrass
Secondly, dried lemongrass is less potent than fresh lemongrass but still has a nice, lemony flavor. You can buy it in whole or sliced form or dry your lemongrass by hanging the stalks in a warm and airy place until they are brittle.
Dried lemongrass is good for making teas, infusions, and herbal blends. You can also use it to flavor soups, stews, and broths, but you must soak it in hot water for about 20 minutes before adding it to the pot.
Additionally, you can store dried lemongrass in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Powdered lemongrass
Lastly, powdered lemongrass is the most convenient form of lemongrass, as it does not require any preparation. You can buy it in spice shops, Asian markets, or online.
Powdered lemongrass has a mild and sweet flavor and can be used in baking, desserts, sauces, and dressings. You can also sprinkle it over salads, soups, and stir-fries for a touch of freshness.
The shelf life of powdered lemongrass is also great. For up to six months, you can store powdered lemongrass in an airtight container in a cool and dark place.
How to Use Lemongrass in Other Things?
Apart from cooking, you can use lemongrass in many other ways. Some of the best and most popular uses of this herb are as follows:
Beautifying
You can use lemongrass to make your own beauty products, such as soap, lotion, or shampoo. You can infuse the stalks or the leaves with oil, such as coconut, olive, or almond oil.
Moreover, you can also add other ingredients, such as honey, aloe vera, or essential oils. You can use the products to cleanse, moisturize, or scent your skin and hair.
Healing
You can use lemongrass to treat various ailments, such as headaches, colds, or infections. You can inhale the steam from boiling the stalks or the leaves, or apply the oil to your temples, chest, or throat.
Additionally, you can also drink the tea, or gargle with the syrup. You can use the products to relieve pain, inflammation, or congestion.
Wrapping It Up!
If you want to know how to harvest lemongrass, I hope that this blog has been of help to you. If there are any other queries about the same, please feel free to let me know. All that you need to do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the bottom of the page. Then leave your suggestions and comments in the box below. And I will be there to answer them all for you!
Learn More About:
Everything You Need To Know About Harvesting Basil
Asparagus 101: When, How, And How Often To Harvest?
How to Harvest Spinach the Right Way: A Step-by-Step Guide
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
It is often said that if the grass is greener on the other side, you need to work on your lawn. One of the tools that can help you to maintain your lawn and keep it in good shape is the weed wacker. Also known as a string trimmer or a weed eater, this versatile tool is designed to keep your lawn free from weeds and tall grasses. But selecting the right weed wacker for your lawn can be quite a task if you don’t know where to begin. Outlined below are a few things that you need to keep in mind while selecting a weed wacker.
Examine the area of action
One of the first things that you need to examine is the area where you plan to use the weed wacker. Not just the size of your yard or lawn, you must consider its distance from available electrical outlets as well. While a small yard will provide you more flexibility in terms of the weed wacker you select, it may not be always true for a large yard.
For instance, if you need to remove strong weeds from the far end of a large lawn, an electric trimmer may not be the perfect machine to opt for because of the distance of the spot from the electrical outlet. Additionally, you must keep in mind any structures or features present in or near your lawn, such as bushes and fences. The weed wacker you select must be able to work smoothly around such things.
Consider the intensity of the task
The type of weed you need to remove with the weed wacker also plays a significant role in its selection. If you are looking to eliminate normal weeds from your lawn, a standard weed wacker will usually be sufficient for your requirements. But if you need to use it for more intense weed-cutting purposes, such as the removal of tough weeds or cutting of thick grass covering a large segment of the lawn, a commercial-grade machine will be a better option for you.
Pay attention to the mode of operation
Weed wackers are available in various types, including electric, gas, and battery-operated models. Battery and gas operated models do not need the use of extension cords. So, they offer more freedom as far as the mobility of the tool is concerned. But battery-operated models need to be frequently recharged. Gas operated models can be used for bigger jobs, where more time is required. Electric models are light, quiet, and easy to use. But they are restricted by the extension cord. Select the mode of operation based on your requirements.
Keep your budget in mind
The make or break of any buying decision ultimately depends on the budget. So, set a basic budget first and then look for a model that satisfies your budget as well as your weed eating requirements. But before you finalize your decision, do not forget to compare the features of the different models. You can check out the best weed wackers here to get an idea of their budgets and features.
Read also:
Lawn Care Maintenance Services And Tips
Does Organic Gardening Improve Soil Quality?
