Published on: 16 August 2023
Last Updated on: 09 November 2023
Fostering a connection between children and the great outdoors has become more important.
Playful landscapes offer a unique solution to this modern challenge by seamlessly integrating play areas into your lawn, creating a harmonious environment that encourages physical activity, creativity, and family bonding.
Choosing the right type of grass
When considering grass types for your playful landscape, opt for those that are hardy and resilient, able to withstand the wear and tear of active play. Bermuda grass and Kentucky bluegrass are excellent choices due to their durability and lush appearance.
These grasses recover well from foot traffic and require moderate maintenance, balancing playability and aesthetics. These grasses are available for purchase via the convenience of the Internet (http://www.naturesseed.com).
Designing play zones with natural elements
How often do we see playgrounds today? The answer is very rarely. Kids are nowadays trapped in technology and gadgets- they have almost forgotten the importance of playground. But as adults, we are responsible for keeping this feeling mortal in them. And what helps in doing so? Making the playgrounds more attractive with organic elements.
Integrate play areas with their natural environment using gentle slopes, mounds, and pathways. These additions improve the aesthetic value, pique kids’ interest, and inspire creativity. Adding native trees and plants to playgrounds has multiple benefits, including aesthetics, environmental education, and biodiversity.
Incorporating safe play equipment
Playful landscapes must prioritize the installation of secure play equipment. You may put in swings, slides, and climbing structures suitable for different ages that still fit in with the architecture. Ensure everything is in working order and up to code before using it. A well-designed playground incorporating natural elements will encourage youngsters to play and learn.
Blending play areas with aesthetic appeal
Aesthetics shouldn’t take a back seat to functionality while designing an entertaining and engaging environment. Use landscaping components like rocks, grasses, and flowers to help blend the playsets in with the rest of the yard. This method results in a space that is appealing to the eyes of both young and old.
Maintenance tips for a lively lawn
Your landscaping should be maintained regularly to keep it looking fresh and appealing. Maintain a proper mowing height, water the grass well, and immediately fix bald spots. You should consider aerating and overseeding the grass to keep it lush and healthy, so your kids will have a great place to play.
Environmental considerations
Make your landscaping more environmentally responsible without sacrificing fun. A greener and more sustainable playground is possible through rainwater collection systems, native plant varieties, and organic fertilizers. Instilling lifelong lessons of environmental responsibility in children through their play space is worthwhile.
Enhancing family bonding through play
An environment with play opportunities improves bonding among family members. Have a picnic, do some gardening, and compete against each other in fun contests. Children will remember these times fondly far into adulthood, and the relationships between family members will grow stronger as a result.
Boosting children’s creativity and imagination
Playful landscapes inspire creativity and imagination by providing a constantly shifting canvas for play. Encourage children to make forts, nature-inspired artwork, and imaginative activities. The flexibility to experiment and explore promotes cognitive growth and problem-solving abilities.
Final words
Adding playsets to your yard may completely alter the vibe of your outdoor space, making it a more inviting place for kids to spend time and develop their interests. You may make a landscape that entertains, teaches, and enhances through careful planning and a balance between natural and artificial features.
Shahnawaz is a passionate and professional Content writer. He loves to read, write, draw and share his knowledge in different niches like Technology, Cryptocurrency, Travel,Social Media, Social Media Marketing, and Healthcare.
Are you guilty of hanging on to items you don't need anymore?
Is your home starting to look more like the dwellings of a pig than a person?
It can be easy to let clutter creep up on you. One minute all of your rooms seem spacious and empty, but the next you realize your entire floor is covered with items.
Getting rid of clutter is an important step in having peace of mind. This article will give you seven tips on eliminating clutter so you can start to think more clearly.
1. Begin With the Bedroom:
Your bedroom should be a sanctuary for you.
It should be the place you can go to relax and get away from the world. If your bedroom is full of junk, it's not likely to be relaxing.
Start by putting all of your items in a pile. This will enable you to take inventory of what you have.
Get two giant trash bags, one for trash and one for donations. Put all the items you want to throw away in one bag and put the items you want to donate in the other.
Once you get rid of all the useless junk you don't use anymore, you'll be able to find places to store the items you really value.
Getting your bedroom tidied first will motivate you to fix the entire house.
2. Kill the Clutter in Your Kitchen:
Your kitchen is where you prepare your food, so you want to make sure it's a clean environment.
Begin by throwing away any food that is expired. Look through your pantry and toss and spices or soups that may have been sitting there for decades.
Make room in your cabinets by throwing out extra Tupperware. Only keep the Tupperware that has a lid. Make sure every base has a matching lid.
Discard any old pots and pans that go unused.
Cleaning out your kitchen will ensure you don't develop a pest problem. Rodents, roaches, and other insects won't want to make a home in a clean kitchen.
3. Get the Family Involved:
Decluttering doesn't have to be a one-man job.
Send in some recruits, aka your children and spouse, to help you.
Turn banishing clutter into a game for your kids. Set up trashcans like basketball hoops and see who can get the most useless items inside.
Give them incentives for donating old clothes and toys they don't use anymore. Tell them they can't have any new toys until they donate some.
Your children need to learn the art of letting go as much as you do. You can't keep accumulating items into your home unless you take some out of it.
Otherwise, you might end up a hoarder and need serious hoarding help.
4. Put on Some Music:
Any task can be made easier with the right music.
Put on music that motivates you and watches as your body kicks into overdrive. Before you know it, your entire house will be clean.
Dance around as you clean to burn some extra calories and have a blast doing it.
5. Use the KonMarie Method:
Marie Kondo has become famous for her method of getting rid of clutter.
She says you must think carefully about each and every item in your home. Hold it up to your chest and ask yourself if it "sparks joy."
If it does spark joy, you keep it. If it doesn't make you feel happy, you should thank it for its time in your life and then discard it.
This method causes you to be more mindful of your belongings. It makes you think about what items you care about.
6. Don't Get Overwhelmed:
The easiest way to give up on your de-cluttering journey is to try to do too much at once.
You can't possibly tackle your entire house in one day and do a good job. Instead, focus on one room at a time.
Schedule in time to clean in your day so it doesn't take away from other responsibilities.
If you schedule in 20 minutes a day for a week, you'll notice big progress at the end of the week. You're less likely to give up that way then if you tried to do several hours in one day.
Slow and steady wins the race and the clean house.
7. Keep it Clean:
If you don't want to have to go through the stress of cleaning everything all over again, take steps to keep your home under control.
As soon as you're done using an item, put it away in it's designated storage place.
When you're done eating, do the dishes. When your laundry is done, fold it. When the trash is full, take it out.
When you do these small chores every day, they won't pile up on you. You must commit to the habit of tidying up after yourself. It will make you feel better and make your home look better for guests.
Start Getting Rid of Clutter Today:
The key to getting rid of clutter is commitment.
You have to want to eliminate clutter and set realistic goals to get there. Picture how great your house will look once you've cleaned out all the excess.
Close your eyes and envision how easy it will be to find something when everything has its own place. You'll be able to save so much extra time in your day because you won't be sifting through things for hours trying to find what you need.
Enjoy this article? Want to tell us some of your best tips for eliminating clutter? Please contact us here.
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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
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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.
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Making a home habitable is all about decorating it with the right elements. The decoration needs to please your senses to make you feel comfortable with the proper sense of aesthetic decorum; above all, it needs to make you feel at home.
There is no better way of decorating your home than the touch of green. Many indoor plants help you decorate the house just the way you need.
They restore the life the brick and woods of your house were missing. Aesthetic plants are amazing because of their looks, but they also help you with several health benefits like refreshing the air indoors.
You can decorate your aesthetic bedroom with plants and bring nature home for a healthier, happier, and merrier life indoors.
So, if you are interested in making your indoors look incredible, you need to bring some indoor plants home and decorate the indoors more beautifully. This article has talked about several aesthetic plants that will help you do just that.
10 Best Aesthetic Plants
When I said aesthetic plants, I meant nothing but aesthetic. These plants look elegant in their beauty and versatility, and they are perfect for decorating your home properly. Here are some of the best plants for aesthetic home decoration.
1. Alocasia Silver Dragon
Alocasia silver dragon is a beautiful aesthetic plant that adorns your home with its thick veined leaves. They are a famous variety of the Alocasia Baginda plant. The light to dark green leaves is just as pretty as aesthetic in looks.
If you plan to keep one of them on the table, you are making a good decision. You are going to love how good they look indoors. They require minimum sunlight, so you won't have much to worry about keeping them indoors.
Read More: Looking for a Gardener: 8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Professional
2. Bird Of Paradise
According to many, the Bird of Paradise is the queen of all indoor plants. The large and upright plant adds a glossy and clean feel to your indoors. This aesthetic plant will decorate your drawing room indoors and refresh the air indoors.
You can grow the Bird of Paradise in the low light, but they won't grow faster that way. So, I recommend keeping it somewhere the plant gets maximum sunlight through the window. You need to water the plant when the soil in the pot gets dry by fifty percent.
3. Foliage Houseplants
The decorative foliage is another aesthetic houseplant you can keep at home. Tropical foliage, calcium, and several other foliage aesthetic plants are incredibly pretty for decorating the indoors of your house. Having one or two of these plants in your drawing room will add more decoration and beauty to your house.
These plants need a medium amount of sunlight. So it would help if you kept in mind to put them somewhere the sunlight reaches them. Also, since the foliage plants are tropical, it would be better to keep the potting soil wet most of the time.
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4. Parlor Palm
NASA uses the Parlor palm plant as one of the most effective air cleansing plants. They are the ideal aesthetic plants for decorating the indoors of your house. Their size remains perfect even when you are growing them indoors. They grow around 2.5 ft in height.
The way the leaves of the parlor palm trees grow is a sight to look at. They are decorative and keep the indoor environment healthy at all times. When keeping one of these plants indoors, you need to keep in mind to make a good drainage system and keep the potting soil mildly wet.
5. Lemon Tree
This might sound like the craziest idea ever, but a lemon tree can also take the indoors and make it look more appealing to the spectators' eyes. Of course, many aesthetic plants may appeal more to you than a lemon tree, but a lemon tree will surely have the upper hand in giving the house the refreshment it deserves.
Your lemon tree needs an ample amount of sunlight and regular watering. Also, it would help if you remembered to let the soil dry out before you water it.
6. Rubber Plant
Rubber plants or Ficus Elastica are incredible for derating your indoors. Once you get one of these aesthetic plants for your indoors, you will understand how amazing they are in refreshing the indoors while also decorating the indoors properly.
When growing a rubber plant, you will need a minimum amount of sunlight (even indirect sunlight will do). There is no specific humidity level required. It would help if you watered them once or twice every week; also, let the soil dry before watering.
The rubber plant is a low-maintenance aesthetic house plant, so if you were looking for one such plant, we recommend buying them.
7. Calathea Aesthetic Plant
For a tabletop decoration, you can indeed choose the Calathea plant. The dual tones of the plant make your indoors look gorgeous with a dignified look.
It is a low-light plant so you can keep it inside without any problem. They also don't require lots of watering, and they are pet-friendly.
8. Boston Ferns
Ferns can be the pretty, perky, and adorable green aesthetic indoor plant you have been looking for. There is no match for a pot of fern on your table for indoor decoration. The green color of the ferns will look incredible in your house if you keep them for decoration.
If you want to use ferns indoors, you can opt for Boston Ferns. They need very little light so that they will be just fine indoors. But you need to regularly water the pot so that the soil remains moist.
9. Money Plant
A small aesthetic plant indoors that brings luck, fortune, money, and wealth in your life is the money plant. According to popular opinion, the money plant is an aesthetic plant that helps restore wealth, luck, and fortune if you keep them indoors.
As an indoor plant, the money plant requires lots of sunlight and regular water, so you need to be careful about them if you are growing any at home.
10. Heart Leaf Philodendron
Heartleaf Philodendron requires bright and healthy light and needs regular care if you want to grow them. However, these are excellent choices for decorating your indoors because of their beautiful-looking leaves and flowers.
It is important to provide them with the proper amount of moisture in the soil, regular pruning, and the required amount of fertilizers. There is plenty of caregiving that your heart leaf philodendron needs.
Conclusion
Aesthetic plants are an excellent addition to your home decor, and they add incredible value, beauty, and health benefits to your home. However, if you want to decorate your indoors with full potential, you need to consider keeping them in your home. Here, in this article, We have provided the names of a few of them to help you buy the right one.
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