Small Kitchen Storage Ideas

Small Kitchen

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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10 Best Foliage Plants To Buy In 2024 – Must Read!

Sometimes it's the leaves that matter, not the flowers. While most people keep flowers in their gardens, balconies, and backyards, some extra greenery also looks nice sometimes. This is where many people get the itch to include some foliage plants in their gardens. While many consider flowers to be the most crucial part of the vegetation of the household, some outdoor greenery also looks natural. Having some big green plants also helps make the house outdoors look beautiful and lush with greenery. Therefore, we have searched far and wide to present you with the 10 best types of foliage plants that you can buy and welcome to your household in 2022. What Are Foliage Plants? Foliage plants refer to plants that do not produce any flowers. Their main beauty lies in their leaves. They are primarily placed outdoors but can be placed indoors. Foliage plants are typically bigger than most flowering plants and potted plants. Therefore, they are primarily suited for outdoors, but some are better suited indoors. Read More: 10 Best Low Maintenance Plants To Buy In 2022 10 Best Foliage Plants In 2022 If you want to buy plants to decorate your house or garden's outsides, then here are ten assorted foliage plants that you can buy and add to your garden in 2022. 1. Caladium If you want to impress your soulmate with many hearts, then caladium might just get the job done. This plant has heart-shaped leaves that are typically reddish to crimson towards the middle. However, some leaves might also be white or pink. Since these plants have bright, arrow-shaped leaves, they are best used to brighten parts of your garden. 2. Coleus If you want lots of options in choosing the color or shape of the leaf you want, then Coleus is for you. This plant comes in various bright colors, with the leaves being green with a different-colored midsection. This plant is popular because it comes with different splashes of colors that create great colorful contrasts. 3. Elephant Ear While this might not be as big as an actual elephant ear, the leaves of this foliage plant are enormous. Compared to the other plants on this list, the leaves of this plant are big but have various colors available. The leaves grow up to 1 to 2 feet in length. Just keep it where the leaves get sheltered from strong winds. 4. Ferns One of the most common foliage plants, ferns are a common sight in most houses that have foliage gardens. This plant comes in various sizes, from small to big. The leaves are typically bright green with dissected sword shapes, similar to spiky plants. These plants should be kept indoors, being placed beside the bed or the couch. 5. Ninebark These deciduous shrubs come in lobed oval shapes and are purple foliage plants. It might also be available in other hues of golden and pink. This foliage plant is popular because it often changes color based on the season. It is best placed in focal points in your garden to get seen easily. Click This To Read: 10 Best Low Maintenance Plants To Buy In 2022 6. Rex Begonia This foliage plant is known for its broad and big leaves with highly decorative patterns. This plant is kept both indoors and outdoors, depending on the season. They are best kept in shady areas outdoors during summers and are taken inside during winters. This plant comes in various colors, with circular patterns on white, black, or darkish pink on the leaves. 7. Dusty Miller If you want a light-colored  foliage plant, dusty millers will be a great addition to your garden. It is best kept in sunny areas so that the bright white-solver color of the leaves can pop and look vivid. This plant is best kept in pots and containers, especially indoors. 8. Peacock Plant Being one of the best bedroom plants, it comes in various shapes and sizes based on its species. The leaves of this plant are colorful and can grow quite big. This is why they get compared to a peacock's tail. It's best if you keep them outdoors with higher temperatures and humidity. 9. Calatheas These broad-leaved foliage plants are typically green in color with darker midsections. The leaves of these plants are pretty big and often look like canopies. If you decide to keep this plant in your garden, keep it in a shady area since they do not like direct sunlight. 10. Crotons If you want colorful plants in your garden, then get some crotons. The leaves of this plant are long and slender, typically green in color with yellowish midsections. This plant is a pretty and colorful addition to your botanical garden. How To Care For Foliage Plants? After you get foliage plants for your garden, you must take good care of them. Make sure that these criteria are fulfilled and keep your plants lush and healthy throughout the year. 1. Lighting It's best to keep most of your foliage plants outside in your garden or on your doorstep, where it gets sufficient sunlight. Therefore, it is vital to keep track of the intensity and duration of the sunlight your plants get exposed to during the daytime. It's best to keep your plants outside so that it gets 10 to 16 hours of sunlight daily. However, some plants like the Calatheas and the Rex Begonia are best kept outside the range of direct sunlight. 2. Temperature Foliage plants thrive best at 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 30 degrees Celsius). While most of these plants can survive warmer temperatures, colder temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) will cause severe problems. You May Like To Read This: Grow these flowering plants in your home garden 3. Humidity Since most of these foliage plants are tropical plants, they thrive better in warmer and humid climates. A humidity level of 80% will be perfect for these plants, but not less than 35%. Inadequate humidity can cause these plants to develop brown patches on their leaves. If you keep some of these plants indoors, you have to make sure the room is humid with indoor humidity controllers, especially during winters. 4. Soil The health of the soil affects the growth of the plant in many ways. If you keep these plants in pots, add some potting soil with peat moss. These help the roots of the plants to breathe easier and get the essential nutrients it needs from the earth. Don't keep these plants too close to each other, especially if they have more giant leaves like Elephant Ear. In addition, make sure that they get watered regularly. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Q1. What Are Foliage Plants Used For? Foliage plants are used for decorating your garden with big green leaves or your interiors. Q2. Do Foliage Plants Need Sunlight? Yes, most foliage plants do need sunlight. Q3. Can You Plant Foliage Outside? Yes, foliage plants are typically planted outside, with a few exceptions. Q4. What Soil Does Foliage Like? Foliage plants like moist soil that gets watered regularly. Conclusion Foliage plants are some of the most beautiful non-flowering plants that you can add to your garden. The main attraction of these plants is their colorful leaves, which can come in different patterns, colors, and sizes. Plants like Elephant Ears, Ferns, Coleus, Caladium, and Rex Begonia are some of the most popular foliage plants you should add to your garden. First, however, you must ensure that they are well kept and maintained, with sufficient sunlight and water. If you liked reading this blog, then check out our other blogs about gardening plants too! Read Also: 10 Best Aesthetic Plants To Buy In 2022 10 Best Tall House Plants To Buy In 2022 What Are Trailing Plants? – What Are The Types Of Trailing Plants?

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how to harvest cilantro

The Best Time and Method to Harvest Cilantro for Maximum Flavor and Aroma

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? Some Facts You Need to Know About Rainwater Harvesting How to Harvest Lettuce: A Step-by-Step Guide for Fresh and Crispy Salads

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Weed

How to select a weed wacker

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 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?

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