If you have a small kitchen, you could find it challenging to organize it and keep your space clutter-free. When you continue to struggle with small kitchen storage, then it’s time to assess how you organize everything. This will help you maximize every inch of kitchen space and ensure that no valuable space is wasted. Top-rated house cleaning in Tucson goes over step by step how to accomplish this task.
How To Organize Small Kitchen
If you are struggling with storage space, here are a few affordable small kitchen storage ideas to make life a little easier.
1. Tension rod
No doubt, a small kitchen could mean having a tough time arranging essentials. But a tension rod can come in handy, especially to keep cleaning supplies safely. Hang your kitchen cleaning supplies from a short tension rod where they are easy to access. What’s more, you can hang rubber cleaning gloves on the tension rod. Your dish-drying towels too can be hidden from plain sight on a tension rod installed in the cabinet.
2. Use up the wall space
Another small kitchen storage idea is to leverage the wall space to store kitchen accessories. Free up the drawer space and use the walls instead of clutter-free storage. You may stash knives on a magnetic rack to make access easy when food preparation is underway.
3. Stack on the rack
One interesting small kitchen storage solution is to locate a bookshelf near the kitchen to store mist essential cooking supplies. You may leverage the space to stack spices, dishware, and even cookbooks.
4. Hang baskets
When it comes to organizing a small kitchen, baskets can come in handy to stack kitchen utensils and cleaning supplies. Better still, you may hang a couple of baskets above a sink to leverage the vacant space. It’s one of the best ideas to stack wet dishes and sponges for quick drying.
Another stylish kitchen storage solution is to hang a wire basket from the ceiling. It could be single or multi-tiered, depending on your storage needs. You can store potatoes, onions, garlic, and any other stuff that also adds visual interest to your kitchen.
5. Floating shelves
Another kitchen storage idea is to add a pair of floating shelves for that extra storage space. This comes in handy if your kitchen lacks room for cabinetry. Easy to install, floating shelves can be hung just about anywhere – even under the bottom shelf. You can hang hand towels, utensils, or coffee mugs.
6. Corner drawer
A small kitchen has little space. But with some creative ideas, you can create smart kitchen storage solutions. The corner drawer is one such space-saving storage idea in a small kitchen, especially for awkward corners. These drawers connect the corners diagonally. As a result, they can pack a lot of stuff that horizontal cabinets cannot.
7. Utensil drawer
When your small kitchen lacks space for crockery and silverware, opt for a built-in utensil drawer. One similar DIY solution, which is affordable as well, is to place stainless steel pots in a deep drawer that has little space. Use these pots for holding small kitchen accessories.
8. Adopt a pantry
Another way to make a small kitchen look bigger is to de-clutter the space by adding a pantry. It is a good storage solution that provides easy access while freeing up the burden on over-stuffed cabinets.
9. On-the-go space
A portable kitchen trolley is a handy addition to a small kitchen. Take it anywhere while it safely stores bulky items. It works like an excellent solution to wheel food to the dining table.
10. Wall-mounted cabinets
Get a little creative with the kitchen décor when you are looking for tips to organize a small kitchen. You may choose a mix of open shelves to show off your favorite cutlery and wall-mounted cabinets to keep stuff out of sight.
Leave some gap between the two to create the impression of extra storage. Picture ledges and hooks can free up the work surface and spruce up the décor.
11. Velcro strips
Velcro strips can come to your rescue in a small kitchen, where you are short on storage space. Attach these strips in two spots to hang towels and other similar stuff to save space.
12. File folders as racks
While a file folder sits empty in your garage, why not put it to the right use in the kitchen? You may be surprised to see that it can be used smartly to organize your kitchen. They come in especially handy to store your kitchen cleaning supplies. Just place all the supplies into the file folders and you do not have to worry about a shortage of space.
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The best part of summer is finally getting to spend time with your family. Lawn games are a perfect way to bond and stay in shape at the same time. And playing on artificial grasses makes it even more fun, as you don’t have to worry about damaging it.
More and more people are deciding to use artificial grasses for back gardens. You might ask - why? Well, apart from the fact that it is durable, it is also very cheap and requires low maintenance (mainly because you don’t have to mow it). Because of these reasons, people are slowly changing from natural grass to fake one - they don’t have to care for it, they can just leave it be.
Want to know what are the best games in which you can play on an artificial lawn? If you do, you just have to keep reading.
Best Games To Play On Artificial Grasses:
1. Cornhole:
Cornhole is one of the most popular lawn games - its popularity has been growing mainly in the last few years. In this game, two teams stand across from each other, trying to toss small bags into holes that are on the planks in front of them. You can either make the set by yourself, or you can buy one is a local shopping center.
Artificial grasses is perfect for this game, as the surface on which you are playing must be flat. It makes the game fair, as no team has an advantage over another. Another thing is that you can play this game even after heavy rain as artificial grasses dries very quickly, in contrast to natural grass that gets too sloppy for it.
Cornhole is a game that everyone can enjoy, no matter the age or physical condition - you don’t need to be an athlete to have fun. With almost no risk of injury, it’s a safe and enjoyable game.
2. Water Balloon Fight:
A water balloon fight is an ideal game to play during the summer when the days are hot. Furthermore, artificial grasses is a perfect surface for playing it. Firstly, if you have kids, you can make sure that they don’t get hurt by adding extra cushions beneath the lawn. Also, cleaning empty balloons is an easier task if you have artificial turf.
Another thing is that thanks to the lawn’s drainage system, the grass won’t get soggy or slippery as the water will be quickly removed from it. Lastly, since you don’t water your lawn, you don’t have to worry about it getting too much water - it will be removed anyways.
3. Bocce Ball:
Even though this game is more than a thousand years old, it has been gaining popularity again in the last few years. And lawn made out of artificial grasses is one of the best places to play it. Especially since for a game to be fair, there needs to be a flat surface - the height of the grass and the slope of the lawn can have an impact on the motion of the ball.
Since artificial grasses is very durable, it won’t allow any dips or holes to appear. Since it’s a simple game, you can easily play it with your children. You can buy a bocce ball set at any shopping centre, and if you’re looking for something more professional, you can try installing a bocce ball court in your backyard, so that you can play whenever you want.
4. Football:
Football is a big part of the culture in many countries. Families gather together to cheer on their favourite teams. It’s also a sport that people of any age can enjoy - it’s not unusual to play it on family parties. If your family loves to play friendly football matches against each other, you should think about installing an artificial lawn.
Natural grass can very easily get damaged if the game gets too intense, contrary to fake grass which is very durable. There’s also a smaller chance of you getting hurt if you play on the artificial lawn, as you can install a turf padding underneath. Interestingly, football teams were among the first people to embrace fake grass.
5. Ring Toss Games:
Ring toss games are an excellent option for those who want to play a fun game that doesn’t require any major skills. When you play it on the artificial lawn, you don’t have to worry about causing damage to it. Remember, however, that when buying the game, you should buy one that doesn’t require you to insert a metal stake into the ground.
You can also build it by yourself. All you need is a couple of wood boards that will support the stake. Drill or hammer the stake into the board and voilà - you’re all set to play.
Conclusion:
The artificial lawn is a perfect place to play many games, mainly because it’s very hard to damage it. It doesn’t matter what kind of game it is that you’re playing - the most important thing is that you have fun doing so and spend some quality time with your family by making them join you in it. Have fun!
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Being a gardener, I know Spinach is one of the most popular and versatile leafy greens you can grow in your garden. It's rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber and can be used in salads, soups, smoothies, and more. But how do you harvest spinach the right way so that you can enjoy it fresh and crisp and make it last longer?
In this article, I will show you how to harvest spinach, so it keeps growing. I will also explain how to harvest spinach seeds, how to store and freeze spinach, and the health benefits of spinach. Additionally, I will also share some tips and tricks on how to grow spinach successfully and how to use it in delicious recipes.
Whether you're a beginner or an expert gardener, this guide will help you make the most of your spinach harvest. So, keep on reading till the end to learn more, and thank me later!
Driven by Benefits: Why are People Growing Spinach?
Spinach is not only tasty but also healthy. It's low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. It can help improve various aspects of health, such as:
Eye Health
Spinach is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. These are carotenoids that protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Spinach also contains vitamin A, which is essential for vision and eye health.
Blood Pressure
Spinach is high in potassium, magnesium, and nitrates, which are compounds that help lower blood pressure and relax the blood vessels. Spinach also contains folate. This helps prevent homocysteine, an amino acid that can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Bone Health
Spinach is a good source of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K, which are important for bone health and density. Spinach also contains vitamin C, which helps the body absorb calcium and produce collagen, a protein that strengthens the bones and connective tissues.
Immune System
Spinach is loaded with vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system and fights off infections and inflammation. Spinach also contains vitamin E, which enhances the immune response and protects the cells from oxidative stress.
Digestion
Spinach is high in fiber, which helps regulate digestion and prevent constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. Fiber also feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut. This improves the digestion and absorption of nutrients. It also supports the immune system.
Skin And Hair
Spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and iron, which are essential for healthy skin and hair. Vitamin A helps maintain the moisture and elasticity of the skin and prevents acne and wrinkles. Vitamin C helps produce collagen, which keeps the skin firm and smooth.
On the other hand, vitamin E helps protect the skin from sun damage and aging. Iron helps deliver oxygen to the skin and hair cells and prevents anemia, which can cause hair loss and pale skin.
How To Harvest Spinach So It Keeps Growing
One of the best things about spinach is that it's a cut-and-come-again crop. This means you can harvest it multiple times throughout the season if you do it correctly. Here are the steps to follow to harvest spinach so it keeps growing:
Choose the right time to harvest
The best time to harvest spinach is when the leaves are young and tender. This is usually about 40 to 50 days after planting. You can also harvest baby spinach leaves earlier, about 25 to 30 days after planting.
You should harvest spinach before it starts to bolt. This is when it produces flowers and seeds and becomes bitter and tough. Spinach usually bolts when the days get longer and warmer. So, you should harvest it more frequently in the spring and summer.
Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the leaves
You can either cut the whole plant at the base, leaving about an inch of stem, or cut individual leaves from the outer part of the plant, leaving the inner leaves to grow.
You should cut the leaves about an inch above the soil, to avoid damaging the crown and the roots. Moreover, you should also avoid cutting too many leaves from one plant, as this will weaken the plant and reduce the yield. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least half of the leaves on each plant.
Wash and dry the leaves
You should wash the spinach leaves as soon as possible after harvesting, to remove any dirt, bugs, or pesticides. You can use a colander or a salad spinner to rinse the leaves under cold water. After this, pat them dry with a paper towel or a cloth. Additionally, you should remove any damaged or yellow leaves, and trim any tough stems.
Enjoy or store the leaves
You can eat the spinach leaves fresh, or store them in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. We'll explain how to store and freeze spinach in the next sections.
How to Harvest Spinach Seeds?
If you want to save some spinach seeds for the next season or share them with your friends and family, you must let some spinach plants bolt and produce flowers and seeds. Here are the steps to follow to harvest spinach seeds:
Select the best plants to save seeds from
It would be best if you chose healthy, vigorous, and productive plants with the desired characteristics. Some of these are the flavor, size, color, and disease resistance.
Apart from these, you should also avoid saving seeds from hybrid varieties, as they will not produce true-to-type plants. You should look for open-pollinated or heirloom varieties, which will produce plants that are similar to the parent plants.
Isolate the plants to prevent cross-pollination
Spinach is a wind-pollinated crop, which means that it can cross-pollinate with other spinach plants or related plants, such as beets, chard, or quinoa, within a distance of up to a mile. This can result in seeds that have different traits than the parent plants. To prevent cross-pollination, you should isolate the plants you want to save seeds from, by either planting them far away from other spinach plants or related plants, or covering them with a mesh bag or a cage.
Let the plants flower and set seeds
You should let the plants bolt and produce flowers, which are small and yellow, and then wait for the seeds to form and mature. The seeds are round and black, and they are enclosed in a spiny husk. The seeds are ready to harvest when they are dry and hard, and the husks are brown and brittle, usually about four to six weeks after flowering.
Harvest and clean the seeds
You should cut the seed stalks and place them in a paper bag or a bucket, and then shake or rub them to release the seeds from the husks.
Furthermore, you should then winnow the seeds, which separates the seeds from the chaff or the husks and other debris. You can do this by blowing or fanning the seeds or using a screen or a sieve. You should end up with clean and shiny seeds.
Store the seeds
It would be best if you stored the spinach seeds in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a jar, a tin, or a plastic bag. You should also label the seeds with the variety name and the date of harvest. Besides, you can store the spinach seeds for up to five years, but they will germinate better if you use them within two to three years.
How to Store and Freeze Spinach?
Spinach is best eaten fresh, as it loses its flavor and texture quickly. However, if you have a large harvest, or you want to preserve spinach for later use, you can store or freeze it. Here are the best ways to store and freeze spinach:
Store spinach in the refrigerator
You can store fresh spinach in the refrigerator for up to a week if you keep it in a perforated plastic bag or a container with a lid. However, you should avoid washing the spinach before storing it, as this will make it wilt faster. You should wash the spinach just before using it.
Freeze spinach raw
You can freeze raw spinach without blanching it, which is a process of briefly cooking and cooling the vegetables to stop the enzyme activity that causes them to spoil. However, freezing raw spinach will result in a mushy and watery texture and a loss of flavor and nutrients. To freeze raw spinach, you should wash and dry the leaves, and then pack them in freezer bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. You can freeze raw spinach for up to six months, and use it in smoothies, soups, or casseroles.
Freeze spinach blanched
You can freeze blanched spinach, which will retain its color, texture, flavor, and nutrients better than raw spinach. To freeze blanched spinach, you should wash and trim the leaves, and then blanch them in boiling water for one to two minutes, depending on the size of the leaves.
You should then drain and cool the leaves, and squeeze out the excess water. You can then pack the leaves in freezer bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. Furthermore, you can freeze blanched spinach for up to a year, and use it in salads, sandwiches, or quiches.
Things to Keep in Mind: How to Grow Spinach Successfully?
Spinach is a cool-season crop that grows best in the spring and fall, when the temperatures are between 40°F and 75°F. It can tolerate light frost but not heat or drought. Spinach also prefers moist, fertile, and well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Here are some tips and tricks on how to grow spinach successfully:
Choose the right variety
There are many types of spinach, but the most common varieties are savoy, semi-savoy, and flat-leafed. Savoy spinach has dark green, crinkly leaves that are great for salads and wraps. Semi-savoy spinach has slightly curled leaves that are more resistant to diseases and bolting. Flat-leafed spinach has smooth, broad leaves that are easy to clean and process. You can also choose spinach varieties based on their maturity time, bolt resistance, flavor, and color. Bloomsdale, Tyee, Space, Melody, and Red Kitten are popular spinach varieties.
Sow the seeds
You can sow spinach seeds directly in the garden, or start them indoors and transplant them later. The best time to sow spinach seeds is in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer or early fall, for a winter harvest. You can also sow spinach seeds every two to three weeks, for a continuous harvest.
Besides this, you should sow the seeds about half an inch deep, and one to two inches apart, in rows that are 12 to 18 inches apart. You should water the seeds well, and keep the soil moist until they germinate, which usually takes seven to 14 days.
Thin the seedlings
When the spinach seedlings have two to four true leaves, you should thin them to avoid overcrowding and competition. You should leave about four to six inches of space between each plant, and eat or transplant the thinned seedlings. You should also weed the area around the spinach plants regularly, to prevent pests and diseases.
Harvest the leaves
Depending on the variety, you can start harvesting spinach leaves when they are big enough to eat, usually about 25 to 50 days after sowing. You can either harvest the whole plant or pick individual leaves from the outer part of the plant, leaving the inner leaves to grow.
Additionally, you should harvest spinach in the morning, when the leaves are crisp and fresh, and before the sun gets too hot. You should also harvest spinach before it starts to bolt, which is when it produces flowers and seeds, and becomes bitter and tough.
How to Use Spinach in Different Cuisines and Recipes?
Spinach is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many different cuisines and recipes. Whether you want to make a salad, a soup, a pasta, a pie, or a smoothie, spinach can add flavor, color, and nutrition to your dish. Here are some examples of how to use spinach in different cuisines and recipes:
Mediterranean cuisine
Spinach is a staple ingredient in many Mediterranean dishes, such as spanakopita, a Greek pie made with spinach and feta cheese wrapped in phyllo dough, or spinach and chickpea stew, a Moroccan dish flavored with cumin, paprika, and lemon juice. You can also make a simple spinach salad with tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese, dressed with olive oil and vinegar.
Asian cuisine
Spinach is widely used in Asian cuisine, especially in Chinese, Japanese, and Indian dishes. You can make a Chinese spinach and tofu stir-fry with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil, or a Japanese spinach and sesame salad with rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce. You can also make an Indian spinach and potato curry with onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and garam masala, or a spinach and paneer cheese dish with cream, tomato, and fenugreek.
Italian cuisine
Spinach is a common ingredient in Italian cuisine, especially in pasta, pizza, and lasagna. You can make a spinach and ricotta ravioli with butter and sage sauce, or a spinach and mushroom pizza with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. You can also make a spinach and cheese lasagna with béchamel sauce, or a spinach and artichoke dip with cream cheese and sour cream.
American cuisine
Spinach is also popular in American cuisine, especially salads, sandwiches, and casseroles. You can make a spinach and strawberry salad with almonds and poppy seed dressing or a spinach and bacon sandwich with mayonnaise and mustard. You can also make a spinach and cheese casserole with eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs, or a spinach and artichoke quiche with pie crust and cheddar cheese.
Wrapping It Up!
Spinach is a wonderful vegetable that you can harvest, store, and use in various ways. It's easy to grow, harvest, and store spinach, as long as you follow some simple steps and tips. It's also healthy, delicious, and versatile, as you can use it in many different cuisines and recipes. Spinach is a green treasure that you don't want to miss.
If you want to know about how to harvest spinach, I hope that this blog has been of help to you. If there are any other queries related to 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 page. Then, leave your comments and suggestions in the box below. And I will be ether to answer them all for you.
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Believe or not, the vinyl is a great alternative to the various expensive type so windows available in the market. The material is quite impressive and people these days are more into using it. It is one of the kinds of energy-saving. Although it is made out of the plastic material which is called the polyvinyl chloride, it offers R-value to the user providing a significant amount of insulation. The price and energy of the vinyl windows are one of its biggest advantages.
The beauty of nice windows and doors are amazing. The use of the vinyl windows for an outstanding replacement has also increased to 40% if calculated from the year 1999 to 2019. The main surge of using the vinyl replacement of windows is majorly related to the direct use of such similar windows. The durability, superior energy efficiency is the best benefits of using a vinyl window. It is highly water-resistant in the extreme of the weather conditions as well. The windows and doors of vinyl are highly thick and will hardly fade away and gets scratched. If you maintain basic smooth polishing with little effort every time this material will stay for a longer period.
The useful comparison you need to know about the windows
Woods and aluminium windows are one of the top options in the windows from the traditional period. In the past, the windows are majorly not taken care of. Now people are becoming much more concerned about the windows and doors as the concept of making it look exceptionally good as a décor. Wood tends to react poorly to the moisture in nature which may cause swelling, splintering and even sagging. The wooden window requires much regular maintenance which will keep it for a longer period. Spending the right amount of time and money on the right set of the window is pretty important. You need to know it perfectly. Aluminium won’t rot but it will surely get oxidized and aluminium will grow much hot or cold to the touch depending on the weather outside.
There are windows where vinyl replacements were constructed. It was mainly with unplasticised PVC were where the premium vinyl used were strong, safe and much more effective for the long run. These sorts of windows hardly attract rust and deteriorate in a much faster way. If you keep them clean, maintain colouring them in an interval of the period, the replacement of windows will continue to look new, even it is used for a longer time.
Some list of its usability
Lower energy cost
The vinyl windows help in keeping heat in the room during the winter season and vice versa. This reduces heating and air conditioning usage at a lower rate.
Maintenance is free of cost
the Vinyl windows are extremely user-friendly. Around 100% of scratch-free nature of this type of windows will never make your paint, scraped or even stained. The resisting elements keep your window safe.
Inexpensive
the vinyl windows are extremely less expensive when it comes to making of the raw materials. It does not mean that these types of windows are of low quality. It has a very posh outlook and durable, even it won’t rust for long as well.
Variety
this sort of window has numerous types in terms of colour, shape, and even sizes. They are majorly custom made. The range of colours champagne to the forest green and size too varies widely. These vinyl windows are available in the styles from glazing only in pictures.
It is because the vinyl windows can’t be painted, the choice of colour will be happy forever. You need to decide which one you need to choose based on your interior. Purchasing a new vinyl window will surely benefit you by evaluating your monthly energy savings year after year. In contrast to the energy-efficient replacements, you need to know the usefulness of the vinyl windows before you are buying it for your own house. Replacing your house windows with the vinyl windows will increase its overall worth and make it an impressive investment from your end. Take decision tactfully!
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