Published on: 18 June 2018
Last Updated on: 09 October 2020
Having a beautiful garden with big majestic trees is a dream come true for many. However, that’s until the roots of those trees don’t damage your sewer line. There’s nothing majestic about that except the royally high bills repairs and damage can add up to. The average cost for a main sewer line repair is nearly $2,500, according to HomeAdvisor. And your insurance won’t cover it if the problem is caused by wayward root growth, because this is classed as a ‘preventable cause’. Therefore, it’s essential that you do your best to prevent roots from damaging your sewer line. If all fails, you also need to use the most effective strategies for fixing the damage as fast as possible.
How to Prevent Root Damage to Your Sewer Line and What to Do If You Fail :
The most important thing to understand is that roots are naturally growing towards sewer lines seeking moisture and nutrients. Not having any trees directly on your property doesn’t guarantee the safety of your pipes either, because they grow for many feet underground and can get to you from the neighbors.
The first thing to do in order to prevent costly damage is creating a map of sewer lines running through your property. Next, you need to get them examined for leaks and replace any places with even the smallest crack. Even a tiny leak ‘attracts’ roots, which can grow into the pipe and wreak havoc on it and your lawn. To minimize the costs you can use modern trenchless methods of drain replacement. This approach allows replacing whole sections of sewer lines by digging only a few small holes. Therefore, you save money on landscaping restoration. This method of repair and replacement is also faster than digging a trench, so you can minimize the damage.
Now that you’ve ensured your sewer line system is perfectly fine and know exactly where the pipes are, you can move on to the ‘active’ prevention state. This starts with installing barriers that won’t allow roots to get to your pipes.
Like with drain replacement, you can choose between methods that will require digging up your lawn and ‘non-invasive’ options. The latter is chemical growth inhibitors, like potassium hydroxide or copper sulfate. Bear in mind that the vegetation in the area where you spread these chemicals can suffer to some extent. The other option is to plant metal or wooden barriers directly into the ground so they run along the pipes.
If you are only starting your garden, you have a chance to prevent root damage to sewer lines by designing it so the larger trees and shrubs are as far as possible from the pipes. You also need to choose the species with small root ball systems. Be sure to water them well so the plants don’t have to seek out additional moisture through the ground.
Root Damage to Sewer Line: How to Tell If You Aren’t Too Late?
One of the worst things about root damage to the pipes is that it’s very difficult to spot right away. And by the time it gets severe enough to be obvious, the repairs will cost a small fortune.
Regular inspections by professionals will help avoid this, but you also need to know warning signs to look out for. These include drain clogs, wet patches on your lawn, and slow-flowing drains. In case of any of these, contact a professional plumber to find the reason as fast as possible.
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One of the most used herbs in the world, cilantro, is also referred to as Chinese parsley or Coriandrum sativum. Fresh and zesty, cilantro gives your recipes a flavor boost. Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean, Chinese, African, and even Scandinavian cuisines use it extensively. Even cilantro microgreens are grown from it!
Since cilantro itself doesn't keep well and loses aroma and flavor once dried, most people prefer to use it fresh. To have cilantro on hand, you should also have a few plants in the garden.
You can harvest the plant for its flavorful cilantro seeds, also known as coriander, even if you don't use the leaves in your recipes. The leaves of the cilantro plants come throughout the spring and summer. Allow them to go to seed at that time since they grow easily in the garden!
You must know how to harvest cilantro properly if you want to have a steady supply. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about harvesting cilantro.
Harvesting Cilantro: Overview
Most people either love or hate the flavor of cilantro leaves. However, you should still think about cultivating a few coriander plants in your garden and saving the seeds for a range of culinary uses.
Most people in the US grow this delicious herb for its leaves. But the tasty coriander seeds are also worth harvesting. They have a distinct flavor from cilantro leaves. This fragrant herb of the cool season, cilantro, quickly goes to seed in the long, sweltering summer months.
As the plant reaches higher in the sky, its rounded, lobed leaves become feathery. Pretty clusters of tiny white blossoms quickly emerge. Many pollinators are drawn to these nectar- and pollen-rich blossoms, particularly syrphid flies and honeybees. Little round coriander seeds with a kelly green color emerge as the blossoms start to fade.
What To Expect from Cilantro?
The distinctive flavor of coriander is citrusy and slightly nutty. It goes incredibly well with rice, beans, lentils, and roasted or grilled veggies. You can pick the seeds while they are still young and vibrant green. Or you can wait until they start to turn brown.
Since green coriander seed is only found in gardens, it is better to harvest them when they are still green because of their stronger, more distinct flavor. You will not find them in the farmers’ market or the grocery store.
If the seeds are kept in a glass container with a lid, then they can be refrigerated for several weeks and frozen effectively as well. Wait until most of the seed turns brown if you want to harvest the mature brown seed for winter grinding or planting next year.
Next, trim off a few inches of stalk and the seed heads, then hang them upside down in a brown paper bag. The seeds will drop out of the heads and land in the bag's bottom once they are completely dry. The dry seed should be kept in a dry, cool place in a glass jar with a lid.
For optimal flavor, grind it just before using. The flavor difference between freshly ground coriander seed and the pre-ground variety typically found in stores will astound you. Try adding green coriander seeds to dressings and marinades. Frequently adding an equal amount of ground coriander to recipes that call for cumin makes the flavors of the two go particularly well together.
How to Harvest Cilantro?
The most exciting aspect of growing plants is undoubtedly harvesting. Pick individual cilantro leaves if you plan to use a small amount. It is best to leave at least 1-2 inches of stem above the soil's surface when harvesting larger quantities of cilantro.
It is preferable to leave a few lower leaves on the plant to support the herbs until they grow back. To cut the stems cleanly, use harvesting snips, long reach harvesting snips, or sharp, sterilized garden shears. To guarantee that your herbs regrow, it is best to remove only a small portion of the plant at a time.
Furthermore, when the cilantro plant blooms and sets seed, the herb may start to taste bitter. So, when wondering how to harvest cilantro, it is preferable to harvest before the plant bolts because the leaves will be less appetizing at that point.
When is The Best Time to Harvest Cilantro?
When the morning dew has cleared and the sun hasn't set, it's the ideal time of day to harvest a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including cilantro. This way you can lessen the stress on your cilantro plant and give the fresh stock cuts enough time to dry before dusk, which lowers the risk of illness.
Before it bolts, harvest cilantro when it is 6 to 8 inches tall. The flavor of cilantro leaves significantly decreases after they have bolted. The lifespan of the cilantro plants can be increased by careful and routine harvesting. It is crucial, though, to wait for your plant to become established before beginning to harvest.
The plant develops numerous long, thin stems as it grows. They are ready to be harvested when the stems are long, and the leaves have a lacy appearance. The cilantro herbs are about ten to twelve inches tall at this point. Gather your cilantro in the spring and into the first part of the summer.
Your plants may bolt to seed if summertime full sun conditions prove to be too hot for them. The best time to harvest cilantro is early morning. You can either choose to harvest it once a week or source just individual leaves whenever you need them.
Most of the time, it takes about 2-3 weeks for regrowth, so you must harvest accordingly. You must remember that regular cut-and-come-again harvesting is the most ideal while the plant keeps producing foliage.
How To Store Fresh Cilantro?
Part of knowing how to harvest cilantro is also knowing how to store them. It's best to know how much you should take from the garden before you harvest. You will need to learn how to store cilantro if you do not intend to use the leaves right away to extend its shelf life. There are several approaches to try.
Storing Cilantro in Water
To keep the cilantro leaves dry, wait to wash them after harvesting. For storage purposes, store the stem ends in a glass or jar with 1 to 1.5 inches of water and refrigerate for a few days. At a minimum, change the water once a day. Use a plastic bag to cover the top loosely to preserve the humidity surrounding the herbs.
Storing Cilantro in The Freezer
Freezing cilantro is another low-maintenance way to store it. Shake off any extra moisture and rinse the leaves to get rid of any garden soil. Tear the leaves into small pieces and stuff them into ice cube trays, covering the herb with just enough water to barely cover.
You can pre-measure if you'd like to ensure that you know precisely how much is in each cube for recipes in the future. After the cubes are completely frozen, place them in a freezer bag. Add as needed to marinade, smoothies, soups, and sauces. You can freeze cilantro for up to six or eight months.
Read More: Everything You Need To Know About Harvesting Basil
How To Dry Cilantro?
There are two methods for drying cilantro. You can use the oven to dry cilantro. Since hot air can greatly affect the flavor of the finished and dried herb, you might want to avoid using heat if you want to enjoy flavorful dried cilantro.
Air drying or hanging drying is a better way to dry cilantro. Gather the stems of the herbs into a small bunch and secure them with a string. Place the bunch in a dark, well-ventilated area and hang it upside down. Alternatively, you can wrap the bunch in a brown paper bag to keep the cilantro from getting dusty.
After the bunch has been hanging for about a week, begin to check its level of dryness every day or two. It's ready to be crushed or powdered and stored for later use when it crumbles when touched.
Cure the cilantro ahead of time to reduce the possibility of mold growth. Put the dried cilantro in a glass mason jar to cure. Open the jar and give it a good shake every day to let fresh air into it and mix the contents. This will assist in achieving moisture content parity. If you'd like, you can also include a moisture-absorbing packet.
How To Harvest Cilantro Seeds?
You can harvest the coriander seeds even if you don't like cilantro leaves. The plant can grow to 20 inches when it flowers. This requires temperatures above 75 degrees. Pods will form once they have flowered, and the flowers will fade.
Before being harvested, these should be green to brown in color. These pods release the mature seed when it's ready. Tie the stems with the seed pods still attached into a bunch. Next, hang them upside down in a paper bag in a cool, dry place to harvest the seeds.
With time, the seeds will sprout and drop into the bag. Store your seeds in a dry, cool place in an airtight jar. Unground dried seeds can be kept for three to four years in storage. Before using dried seeds in your recipes, grind them for the best flavor.
How To Harvest Cilantro So It Keeps Growing?
If you sow cilantro seeds every two weeks from spring until late summer, you can be sure to always have fresh leaves available. We advise chopping them up and firmly packing them into an ice cube tray filled with water. Then, just place the tray in the freezer. These can then be added directly to hot pans when preparing soups or sauces. Or they can be dropped into hot or cold water for cooking or drinking.
What To Do If Cilantro Bolts?
It's time to collect and preserve your own coriander seeds once your plant produces seeds. Picture each of those tiny white blossoms turning into a flavorful spice for your cooking or seeds for the following year! In addition to being aesthetically pleasing and tasty, cilantro flowers are also excellent pollinators.
There is a short window of time when the growing seasons of cilantro and tomatoes coincide. This proves they go well together. It usually happens that my tomato and pepper plants are just starting to take off when my cilantro plants bolt, sending forth gorgeous white flowers.
To maximize the amount of fruit your plants produce for you, beneficial insects that are feeding on your cilantro flowers will collide with your fruiting plants, vibrate their leaves, and assist in pollination. Ladybugs, butterflies, and bees all love cilantro flowers. It truly is a win-win!
Choose Slow Bolt Seeds
Seek out seed packets labeled "long-standing" or "slow bolt cilantro," as these varieties have been cultivated to endure longer in the garden. You can find your go-to slow bolt seeds that are 100% certified organic from Seeds of Change.
Finding a local seed producer is another smart move. Buying local seeds means you'll be growing a climate-adapted variety of cilantro, which increases the likelihood that you'll keep it longer.
Harvest Cilantro Regularly
Regularly chop your cilantro leaves. This preserves the health of the plant and guarantees that the leaves of this herb are fresh when you use them. Your cilantro will continue to produce new leaves from the center of the plant if you regularly harvest it by chopping off the older outer leaves.
Additionally, your chances of cutting off those immature flower stalks increase with the amount of cilantro you harvest. This will aid in postponing any bolting.
Since cilantro is incredibly obstinate, you can delay as long as you can. Cut that thick center stalk as soon as possible. After that, the plant will start to send outside shoots, giving you a little extra cilantro before it eventually bolts completely. For sun protection, surround your cilantro with tall plants.
Plant Taller Plants Around Cilantro for Sun Protection
Encircle your cilantro with large warm-season plants (like tomato or pepper plants) so that the taller plants can shade your herbs slightly and help keep the soil cooler as the temperatures rise. After all, four to six hours of sun is sufficient for cilantro to grow. To increase the lifespan of your cilantro in the garden, interplant it with larger plants.
Wrapping Up
You will need to have patience if you want to collect the seeds for your cilantro. Before seeds can be harvested, cilantro needs to blossom. Before harvesting, the resulting seed heads need to be allowed to dry on the plant for a while.
Harvesting the seeds is then as simple as shaking them into a paper bag or chopping off the entire seedhead and placing it inside the bag. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to harvest cilantro, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
Read Also:
Asparagus 101: When, How, And How Often To Harvest?
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How to Harvest Lettuce: A Step-by-Step Guide for Fresh and Crispy Salads
Your yard is an extension of your home. Just like your home, you want to keep your yard in great shape. Like your home's interior, you also want to make sure the yard is an entirely inviting place. You also want your lawn to stay tidy and green. There are lots of steps you can take to accomplish this task. A beautiful yard is not only a place to admire. It's also a credit to the neighborhood for your neighbors to adore as much as you do. If you're going to put that house on the market, you'll want to make sure it has instant curb appeal. Homeowners planning on staying put can also benefit from a lush yard full of pleasing features any day of the year.
Here are 7 secrets to keeping your Lawn Tidy and Green:
1. Creating Outdoor Rooms:
It's best to think about the entire yard as a series of open rooms. Each room can be dedicated to a separate purpose. One area might be where you grow your beautiful roses. The next might be an area dedicated to growing lots of fruit and vegetables or a grove of trees that you can retreat to on a hot day. Each area can serve different purposes and yet still be part of an organic whole at the same time. Each area can also provide you with hours of enjoyment. Keeping each area in the best shape possible makes it possible for you to use that part as intended.
2. Other Features:
A yard typically has lots of other features besides the grass. You might have a birdbath or a pool. One area might have a large deck and a patio where you take your morning coffee before heading off to work. When making sure that your own lawn is in ideal shape, you'll want every single feature to work effectively. Allow enough space to make sure that any chlorinated water in your pool is firmly away from your more delicate flowers and growing vegetables. Keep a close eye on your deck and the patio area. These need to carefully examined as the season's pass. Look for any cracks in the pavers and other parts of the patio. Apply a coat of stain to the entire deck with waterproof features to keep it looking good and avoid problems with wood rot.
3. New Forms of Grass:
Different kinds of grasses can also be used in your yard. Synthetic turf from SurfaceIT Sydney can provide you with a useful alternative to your standard yard materials. This new form of grass is easier to maintain than many other types of grasses. There's no need to use lots of messy chemicals like fertilizers to keep in looking good. This form of grass also needs a lot less help to make it look good. You don't have to spend hours mowing it each year. It will also last longer than a handful of grass seeds and won't get full of dirt in the middle and muddy patches in the middle of a storm. This is a good choice that can work well with other types of lawn material for a coherent and elegant look.
4. Proper Fencing:
Fencing is another way to keep your yard looking fabulous. If you have a large dog, the fence will make sure they're not wandering the neighborhood. Fencing also provides a safe space for kids to enjoy as parents watch them have fun. Think about the kind of fencing you want to use. There are many choices ranging from standard wood to aluminum siding. Fencing can be easily integrated with the rest of the home's look and materials by using the same material as the rest of the house in this design. Add additional privacy by training a series of vines to climb over varied areas of the property. They'll add lots of colors and provide a lot of interest to the entire yard.
5. Long Term Plans:
Any plan for your yard should have both short term and longer-term ides in place. In the short term, you might want to begin by removing any existing features that you don't like. For example, you might have bushy areas with lots of growth that have grown over time and even uprooted areas in your yard.
Investing in the right tools to help you clean your yard effectively and swiftly is essential. One must-have tool is the Milwaukee M18 electric string trimmer which is a flexible, multi-use tool that is durable and long-lasting.
Your longer-term plans for the yard might include other aspects of it such as putting down a brand play space for the kids and installing new railings. Consider how you reach each area in the yard. Keeping it in good shape also means removing any obstacles in the path to the yard such as redoing the paths that lead to it.
6. Feeding the Yard:
All cards need to be fed to look good. You'll want to think about how to feed your yard and when to feed it. Now is the time to bring in the tools you need and store them in an easy and convenient place such as your garage. The yard needs to have food typically several times a year. You'll want to take the time to make sure the yard is fed on schedule. Adding additional items such as mulch can help by adding even more interest and protecting areas of the yard that might otherwise get too much sun all day long.
7. Watering It Right:
A yard also needs water. Water makes sure are all areas of the yard look nice. Nature typically waters the yard as needed. However, sometimes nature needs a little help now and then with the watering process. If you see areas that look as if they are getting a little bit brown, you'll want to make sure they are fully watered. A few minutes of watering once a week can keep your yard in great shape even in the middle of long, hot days. Consider grasses and other plants that need less water but will still look great. You'll conserve water and have a stunning yard at the same time.
Read Also:
4 Essential Tools Needed To Maintain Your Garden In The Winter
5 Essential Tips To Designing A Beautiful Front Yard Garden
Selaginella lepidophylla, or resurrect plant, is a desert plant that belongs to the Spikemoss family, Selaginellaceae. Across the desert of Mexico and the United States, you will find this plant. However, it is considered that the desert of North Africa is the native place of this plant.
It is also called the False Rose of Jericho. The creeping stems of this plant grow horizontally, and the leaves are like scale.
What Is A Resurrection Plant?
Any poikilohydric plant that is able to survive extreme dehydration is called a resurrection plant. These plants can survive without water for several months and even for years.
For example, the Rose of Jericho, which is native to the North African deserts, is an example of the resurrection plant. The scientific name of this plant is Anastatica hierochuntica.
Overview Of The Resurrection Plant
Common NameResurrection plant, Rose of Jericho, false Rose of Jericho, stone flower, dinosaur plantBotanical NameSelaginella lepidophyllaFamilySelaginellaceaePlant TypePerennialMature Size2-6 in. tall, 3-6 in. wideSun ExposureFullSoil TypeNone neededHardiness Zones10Native AreaNorth America
Some Interesting Facts About The Resurrection Plant
Here are some interesting facts about the resurrection plant that will surely amaze you.
Scaly Stems
These plants have scaly stems that are arranged in the form of a rosette. A few stems that the resurrection plant produces always grow close to the ground. The entire plant covers a diameter of less than only 1 foot. Just like other plants, this plant also uses its roots in order to extract nutrients and water from the ground.
Resurrection plant is a primitive plant that falls between the category of ferns and mosses. You can not see any leaves on the resurrection plant. All you will find are small, scaly extensions of stems that look like junipers.
Absorb Water
After rainfall, the resurrection plant quickly absorbs the water and enters the phase of rapid growth. As this plant is unable to accumulate water in the roots and stems, once the soil dries out, it also dries shortly. The dry plant curls up into a tight ball with a very small amount of water that is stored in the center.Though the curled ball looks like it is dead it is only dormant. During the whole period of dormancy, the plant minimizes metabolic activities and can last a few years or till the time of the next rain.
Reviving Ability
Due to its reviving ability, this plant is called a resurrection plant. This plant is able to rehydrate. Once it is exposed to moisture, after a few hours, it unfolds its stem and reactivates its metabolism. After it absorbs the water, the stem starts swelling and unfolds itself. Even if the stems do not have any live protoplast within them, this will indeed happen. “Siempre Viva,” which is another name for the resurrection plant. The phrase mentioned earlier means “everlasting.”
Reproduce Sexually
Resurrection plants do not produce flowers, fruits, and seeds. This plant reproduces sexually. Strobili, which is a club-like structure and produced via spores. 400 million years ago, this plant appeared on the planet. Most of the ancient lycopods were giant plants.
But as a result of climate change, all of them became extinct. Small lycopods like resurrection plants have managed to survive without any morphological changes till the modern days.
Dinosaur Plant
Another name for the resurrection plant is the “Dinosaur plant" because it has lived side by side with dinosaurs. Tea made from the resurrection plant can treat sore throat and the common cold due to its antimicrobial properties. The resurrection plant is the longest-living plant on earth.
Does the Resurrection Plant Need Soil?
When you will buy a resurrection plant online or from your nearest nursery on the resurrection plant for sale, you will receive a brown ball of dried moss. This brown ball of moss does have roots, but the roots are not attached to anything. So, in order to grow, this miracle plant does not need soil.
Similar to a hydroponic system, when there is no water or moisture for a really long time, the plant will curl into a ball and turn brown with a diameter of around 6 to 10 inches. which generally has a height range of 15 to 35 centimeters. This plant is very convenient in terms of taking care of and growing.
Can a Resurrection Plant Die?
From the earlier discussion, it may be clear that this plant is really hard to kill. You can simply put the plant in the dark corner of a room without water. But once you bring it out and leave it in water, it will get relieved once again. There is one way to kill this plant. That is overwatering. You can leave this plant in water for a few days, and it will start rotting, and eventually, it will die.
How to Grow the Resurrection Plant?
In order to grow and to care for a resurrection plant, all you need are:
A broad and shallow container that should not have any drainage hole.
Another wide container that should have drainage holes.
For spreading at the button, gravel or pebbles.
Distilled water at room temperature.
A bright but shady place.
And lastly, a dried resurrection plant.
Process
First, fill the wide and shallow container that has no drainage system with water. Do not fill it wholly. Put in two-thirds water.
Place pebbles or gravel up to the waterline. Now, put the dried resurrection plant on the pebbles. For a completely dry and brown plant, it will take around 3 to 4 hours to turn green.
Now, take the wide container that has drainage holes and spread the gravel or pebbles upto the level of water. Mix peat moss. Add humus and sand and spread it on the pebbles. Now, place the resurrected plant on the top.
Do not place it in direct sunlight. Instead, place it in a shady place that has a temperature of higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once you notice the plant is getting brown, continue to water it.
Conclusion
This plant is super convenient for plant lovers who can not afford much time to take care of plants. Due to its relative properties, this plant can come back to life just after receiving water. That is why this brown dry ball of moss is so popular among plant lovers.
More Resources:-
DIY Ways To Control Pests In Your Garden
Maintain A Bright And Beautiful Garden During Winter
5 Best Vegetables You Should Try Growing In Your Garden
