Published on: 14 October 2017
Last Updated on: 16 August 2019
When you are renovating your home or building a new one, it’s easy to visualize the big details, like the color of the roof and the walls. Something you may not necessarily be thinking of immediately is the color of your window frames, and yet this is such an important color to consider. It may help to think of them as something similar to the frame on a painting — it adds a finishing touch to the artwork, or in this case, the house. If you are not sure how to choose a color, here are some tips that may help you in your choice.
Choose a color palette: It helps to include the color of your window frames in the complete color palette you choose for your home. If the amount of color choices is overwhelming, keep it simple by choosing either a warm or a cool palette.
Pick a color that highlights or hides: If you are repainting your home, you can highlight your beautiful window frames by painting them a color that makes them stand out. Conversely, if they are ugly as sin, paint them a boring white, or any color that makes them blend in with the walls.
Select a color that complements your home’s exterior: Your walls should have a big say in what color you paint your window frames. If you have exposed brick walls, you should choose a bright contrasting color, and avoid warm browns and dark colors. For painted wood siding, it could work well to pick a darker accent color that complements the rest of the color palette of your home.
Consider neutral colors: Neutral colors are trendy again. The current variety is a far cry from boring beige, so you don’t have to fear to have a sterile hospital look. The new generation of beiges and grays are soulful and colorful, and they will prove to be timeless at the same time. No need to be embarrassed about bright lime or electric pink, or any such garish eyesores in a few years from now.
Choose a color that fits the style of your home: It is very important to choose a color that is appropriate to the style of your house. Certain colors go well with certain types of architecture. A red brick building already imposes a limit on the color palette due to the characteristic hue of the walls. A historic manor would benefit from modest colors that fit in with the time period in which the house was built. If the architecture is more modern, choose colors that enhance that particular style. But if it’s just your typical family home without any noteworthy architectural provenance, you are free to choose colors that match your personality and sense of style. It should be something that you like, and feel comfortable looking at every day.
Use bold colors wisely: For most people who doubt their stylishness, it would be best to stick to neutral colors. But if you are brave and daring, and you are sure you can pull it off, bold colors can add an unexpected twist to your decor.
Apex Window Werks is home and Commercial Window Repair Company with the headquarters in Chicago, IL. If you are looking for a reliable and experienced contractor to get the fog out of your windows, replace broken glass or repair rotten wood window frames, then AWW is your expedient choice. Feel free to give them a call to leave a message.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
Basil is one of the most popular and versatile herbs you can grow in your garden or indoors. It has a fresh and aromatic flavor that can enhance any dish, from salads and soups to pizzas and pastas. Basil is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants just like cilantro. It can benefit your health and well-being. But how do you harvest basil properly so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves?
If these are some of the things you want to know, I have you covered! In this article, I will answer all these questions and more and give you everything you need to know about harvesting basil! So, keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more…
How to Harvest Basil Leaves?
The first thing you need to know about harvesting basil is when to do it. The best time to harvest basil leaves is in the morning when the plant is still fresh and moist. Avoid harvesting basil in the afternoon or evening when the plant is dry and wilted. Also, avoid harvesting basil when it is raining or wet, as this can cause the leaves to rot or mold.
Steps to Harvest Basil Leaves
To harvest basil leaves, you will need a pair of scissors or a sharp knife and a basket or a bowl to collect the leaves. You can also use your fingers to pinch off the leaves, but be careful not to damage the stem or the plant. Here are the steps to follow:
Start from the top of the plant, and look for the stems with leaf clusters. These are called the terminal buds, and they are where the basil flowers will grow. You want to remove these buds, as they will make the plant stop producing new leaves and focus on flowering and seeding. This will reduce the flavor and quality of the basil leaves.
Cut or pinch off the stem just below the terminal bud, leaving about a quarter of an inch of stem above the next pair of leaves. This will encourage the plant to grow two new stems from the leaf nodes and produce more leaves. You can also cut or pinch off any other stems that are too long or leggy and leave about four to six pairs of leaves on each stem.
Repeat this process for all the stems that have terminal buds, and collect the leaves in your basket or bowl. You can also harvest some of the lower leaves but leave enough leaves on the plant to allow it to photosynthesize and grow. You should not harvest more than a third of the plant at a time, as this can stress the plant and reduce its growth and health.
After harvesting, rinse the leaves with water and pat them dry with a paper towel. You can use them fresh or store them for later use.
How to Harvest Basil So It Keeps Growing
One of the benefits of harvesting basil is that it stimulates the plant to grow more leaves and branches and prevents it from flowering and seeding.
However, you need to harvest basil regularly and correctly, so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves.
Here are some tips to follow. For instance, you must harvest basil:
At least once every two weeks, or more often if you see the terminal buds forming. This will keep the plant bushy and compact and prevent it from becoming woody and bitter.
From different parts of the plant, and not always from the same spot. This will ensure that the plant grows evenly and does not become lopsided or uneven.
Before it flowers. This is because the flowers will reduce the flavor and quality of the leaves. If you see any flowers forming, remove them as soon as possible. You can also pinch off the flowers and use them as edible garnishes or decorations, as they have a mild and sweet flavor.
Before the frost, as the cold weather will kill the plant. You can either harvest the whole plant and store it for later use, or bring it indoors and keep it in a sunny and warm spot. You can also propagate the plant by taking cuttings and rooting them in water or soil and grow new plants for the next season.
How to Harvest Basil Without Killing The Plant?
Harvesting basil is different from harvesting lettuce or other plants. The process is good for the plant and you, as you can enjoy the fresh and aromatic leaves in your dishes.
However, you need to be careful not to harvest too much or too often, as this can harm and kill the plant.
Here are some dos and don'ts of harvesting basil without killing it:
Do harvest basil from the top of the plant, not the bottom or the middle. This will allow the plant to grow stems and leaves from the lower nodes and maintain its shape and structure.
Don't harvest basil from the main stem or cut it too close to the ground. This will damage the plant and prevent it from growing new stems and leaves. Leave at least four to six pairs of leaves on each stem and about an inch of stem above the ground.
Do harvest basil gently and carefully, and not roughly or forcefully. This will avoid injuring the plant and exposing it to diseases or pests. Use a sharp and clean tool, such as scissors or a knife, and make clean and smooth cuts. You can also use your fingers to pinch off the leaves but be gentle and precise.
Don't harvest basil when it is stressed or unhealthy, such as when it is wilting, yellowing, or diseased. This will weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to further damage. Wait until the plant recovers and looks healthy and green before harvesting. You can also water and fertilize the plant to help it grow and thrive.
Do harvest basil when it is young and tender, not old and tough. This will ensure the leaves are fresh, flavorful, and not bitter or woody. Harvest basil when the leaves are about two to three inches long before they curl or turn brown.
How to Pick Basil Leaves?
Picking basil leaves is another way to harvest and use the leaves in your dishes. You can pick basil leaves with your fingers or with a pair of tweezers, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some tips on how to pick basil leaves. For instance, you can pick it:
From the top of the plant, not the bottom or the middle. This will allow the plant to grow stems and leaves from the lower nodes and maintain its shape and structure.
From the stems that have terminal buds, not from those that have none. This will prevent the plant from flowering and seeding and producing more leaves. You can also pick some of the lower leaves but leave enough leaves on the plant to allow it to photosynthesize and grow.
Gently and carefully, and not roughly or forcefully. This will avoid injuring the plant and exposing it to diseases or pests. Use your fingers to pinch off the leaves or a pair of tweezers to pluck them off. Be gentle and precise, and do not pull or tug on the leaves or the stems.
When they are young and tender and not when they are old and tough, this will ensure the leaves are fresh, flavorful, and not bitter or woody. Pick basil when the leaves are about two to three inches long before they curl or turn brown.
How to Store Basil Leaves?
Storing basil leaves is a great way to preserve and enjoy them for later use. You can store basil leaves in different ways, depending on how long you want to keep them and how you want to use them. Here are some of the best ways to store basil leaves:
Refrigerate Them
You can refrigerate basil leaves for up to a week, by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and placing them in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. This will keep them moist and fresh, and prevent them from wilting or drying out. However, you should not wash them.
Freeze Them
You can freeze basil leaves for up to six months, by blanching them in boiling water for a few seconds, and then plunging them in ice water to stop the cooking process. This will preserve their color and flavor, and prevent them from browning or oxidizing. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel, and place them in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. You can also chop them and mix them with some olive oil, and freeze them in ice cube trays. This will make it easier to use them in soups, sauces, or dressings.
Dry Them
You can dry basil leaves for up to a year, by hanging them upside down in a warm and dry place, such as a closet or a pantry. This will dehydrate them and concentrate their flavor, and make them last longer. However, you should avoid drying them in direct sunlight, as this can bleach them and reduce their quality. You can also dry them in an oven or a microwave, but be careful not to burn them or overcook them. Once they are dry, you can store them in a glass jar or a spice container, and crush them or grind them before using them.
Make Pesto
You can make pesto with basil leaves, by blending them with some garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. This will create a delicious and versatile sauce that you can use for pasta, sandwiches, salads, or dips. You can store pesto in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to six months. You can also customize pesto by adding other herbs, nuts, cheeses, or spices, according to your taste and preference.
How to Cut Basil?
Cutting basil is a simple and easy way to harvest and use the leaves in your dishes. You can cut basil with scissors, a knife, or your fingers, depending on your preference and convenience.
Here are some tips on how to cut basil:
Wash and dry the basil leaves before cutting them to remove any dirt or insects. You can rinse them under running water or soak them in a water bowl with a few drops of vinegar. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel or spin them in a salad spinner.
Cut the basil leaves just before using them, to preserve their flavor and aroma. If you cut them too early, they will lose their freshness and wilt. You can also bruise or damage the leaves if you cut them too roughly or with a dull tool.
Cut the basil leaves according to the size and shape that you need for your recipe. You can either leave them whole or chop them finely or coarsely. You can also cut them into ribbons or strips, by stacking several leaves together, rolling them up, and slicing them thinly. This is called the chiffonade technique, and it creates a beautiful and elegant garnish.
Cut the basil leaves with a sharp and clean tool, such as scissors or a knife, and not with a blender or a food processor. This will avoid bruising or crushing the leaves and releasing their oils and juices. You can also use your fingers to tear or pinch off the leaves but be gentle and careful.
How to Use Basil Leaves?
Using basil leaves is a fun and easy way to add flavor and aroma to your dishes. You can use basil leaves in different ways, depending on your mood and occasion. Here are some of the best ways to use basil leaves:
Fresh
You can use fresh basil leaves to garnish and enhance your dishes, such as salads, soups, pizzas, and pastas. Also you can use fresh basil leaves to make salads, such as caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil, or Greek salad with cucumbers, feta cheese, and basil. You can also use fresh basil leaves to make drinks, such as lemonade, tea, or cocktails, with basil, lemon, sugar, and water.
Cooked
You can use cooked basil leaves to flavor and season your dishes, such as sauces, stews, curries, and casseroles. Also you can use cooked basil leaves to make dishes, such as tomato sauce with basil, garlic, and onion, or chicken with basil, cream, and mushrooms. You can also use cooked basil leaves to make breads, such as focaccia with basil, olive oil, and salt, or muffins with basil, cheese, and eggs.
Preserved
You can use preserved basil leaves to store and enjoy them for later use, such as freezing, drying, or making pesto. Also you can use preserved basil leaves to make dishes, such as pesto pasta with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese, or roasted vegetables with basil, olive oil, and salt. You can also use preserved basil leaves to make snacks, such as crackers with basil, cheese, and honey, or popcorn with basil, butter, and salt.
Wrapping It Up!
Basil is a wonderful herb that you can grow and harvest in your garden or indoors. It has a fresh and aromatic flavor that can enhance any dish, and a rich and nutritious profile that can benefit your health and well-being. By following the tips and tricks in this article, you can learn how to harvest basil properly, so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves, how to cut basil, pick basil leaves, and store them for later use, and how to use basil leaves in different and delicious ways.
Read Also:
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Exploring Ideas For A Biophilic Home Design
Mint is a wonderful plant that practically cultivates itself. So fast is its growth that it can threaten to spread across and take over your entire yard or garden. One way to battle this is to confine its growth by planting it in a pot or a separate bed. However, once you have this plant, you will be glad, because it has properties that make it fruity and a great addition to tea and foods.
As can be seen here, it is also quite useful in health remedies that can aid digestion and relieve headaches. We know you already feel enthralled by this herb and would like to know more. So, why don’t you read on and discover more amazing things about mint…
What Mint is All About
Mint is an herb that is perennial and has a very wonderful fragrance. Its leaves are toothed and may have tiny pink, white, or purple flowers. Mint has so many variants from crinkled or smooth, to fuzzy or shiny. However, one thing is constant despite what kind of variant it is; all mints have that wonderful fragrance.
Hence, whenever you pick up any variant of this great herb and roll it in your fingers, you would get the same smell that will make you either think of sweet teas, candy, or mint juleps.
Aside from being a wonderful kitchen companion, this herb is also used as ground covers, garden accents, herbal medicines, and air fresheners. Mints are functional as well as beautiful and can grow either in shades or under the sun. However, as we already said, this plant is a vigorous spreader; therefore, unless you want to have too much than you need, you have to be very deliberate about planting it.
Uses
We have already stated several things that mints can be used for, but there are still so many more benefits of this wonderful herb. Below are some of these benefits:
Can be used to make mint tea. To do this, simply put the leaves in a cup of hot water and then leave it to sit for some minutes.
Make tasty ice cubes with it by freezing the leaves with raspberries and cranberries.
Add it to a salad dressing, marinades, or fruit salad.
Use it to relieve headaches by applying It's oil to the temples.
It can also be used to relieve anxiety and stress.
Yes, mints have many other health benefits, but though not a practical use, it is also used as a virtue symbol.
Planting Mints
If you decide to plant mints in your garden or yard, then below are some important things that you have to know:
They flourish in light earth which has good drainage.
Their original habitats are stream banks, so, the site you plant them should imitate stream bank soils. That is to say, ensure the soil you plant your mints is moist but also well-drained.
Variegated mints should not be planted in direct sun as they require a bit of shade.
Mints typically grow to become one to two feet tall.
If you plant them in a container or pot, then you would need to topdress them with organic or compost fertilizer once in a few months.
If you plant mints in your garden, ensure to plant them next to tomatoes or cabbages, this will help contain their spread and prevent them from stealing your crops’ nutrients.
Care
Mints do not require that much care; however, you should consider the following points when caring for them:
If planted outdoor, use light mulch. You can visit https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-mulch-1402413 to read up more on mulch. The light mulch will ensure the soil remains moist and also help the leaves to stay clean.
If planted indoors, then ensure you water them often to help the soil stay evenly moist.
Mints should be picked and pruned regularly. Like we have stated many times already, these guys are fast spreaders, therefore, you would need a lot of pruning to stop them from taking over everything. This should not worry you since their roots are shallow making it quite easy to drag them out of the soil.
The Propagating
You do not need to do a lot to propagate mint. The perfect way to go about this is to find the plant which you like and then cut out of it. Ensure the cutting is at least 6 inches and has ample roots attached. Then plant them in the soil horizontally.
You can always get a cutting from a gardening friend, so this is nothing to worry about.
Harvesting and Storing
To learn how to harvest mint is quite easy, it typically does not involve any special skill. You may either pick the leaves individually, or you may use shears to prune the plant and then take off the leaves from the stem you had cut off.
Despite the harvesting process being relatively easy, you need to remember a few things when you harvest your mints:
Frequent harvesting will keep the plant at its best.
The younger leaves have a better flavor than the old ones.
You can pluck the leaves whenever you need mints.
If you need dry mints, then pluck the leaves before flowering and then save them in an airtight container.
You can also store fresh mints that you do not immediately have use for. To do this, put water in a glass and then put the stems inside the water. The mint will stay fresh for 3 to 7 days this way. You may equally put the mints inside a rubber bag and then store them in your refrigerator. This should keep it fresh for at least a week.
Conclusion
Mint is an herb that would make a very great addition to your garden or yard. But, without proper knowledge about the plant, everything may spiral out of control. Therefore, you must have basic knowledge about planting, caring for, and harvesting this plant before you farm it.
Read Also:
How to Maintain a Bright and Beautiful Garden During Winter
How to Choose the Right Containers for Your Container Garden
Grow these flowering plants in your home garden
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Pesticides serve a very important purpose in our world, but they must be used safely and by people and organizations who know what they are, how to use them safely, and with care. The Pest Company and other businesses have the expert knowledge to use pesticides how and for what they were intended without harming the environment or other people who might not have the same knowledge of these chemicals. Novice users of pesticides often make serious mistakes when applying and using pesticides in general, causing great harm. Here are a few of the worst cases of people incorrectly using pesticides.
What These People Did Wrong in Using Pesticides:
1. Spray System:
How a person sets up a system for spraying pesticides can be the difference between them being effective and them unevenly protecting the areas they're supposed to protect. Careful setup of something like a crop sprayer is vital if the pesticides are going to do their job. Farmers and other people who use such systems need to carefully decide whether they are capable of doing the job themselves or whether they should call a company that can do it for them.
2. The Wrong Pest:
Pesticides only work if you use the proper pesticide for the proper pest. The initial trouble is often determining what pest is interfering with your property. If you misidentify, you can completely fail to control the pests that might be destroying crops or other growing things. Make sure to identify the pest before heading to the store for a pesticide.
Read more: DIY Ways To Control Pests In Your Garden
3. The Wrong Mix:
Pesticides often have to be mixed, and if you get an improper quantity of mixture, things can become very ugly very quickly, damaging crops or even causing harm to the person who is doing the mixing. These are extremely powerful chemicals, and they can cause harm to the human body when you don't follow the directions for mixing them with other substances. The best way to get the write mixture is to ask a professional to do the job for you. This can save crops and other living things from destruction and even save a person from being injured.
4. When It's Too Late:
There is a certain time when it's right to apply a pesticide. Sometimes people may wait until it's too late for the pesticide to do any good. Things like weeds can sometimes grow so much that a pesticide isn't going to do a lot of good at that stage, or you may need a stronger pesticide to cope with the problems. Professionals know exactly what stage of growth a particular crop is at and just when a certain pesticide will be useful or useless.
5. Misjudging The Environment:
Temperature counts on certain pesticides, as well as other environmental conditions that you might not be aware of. There's nothing more frustrating than putting a lot of money toward a certain pesticide and finding out that it's ineffective because the rainfall was too great or the temperature in your area was too hot. Temperature and rain affect the effectiveness of pesticides, so it's important to read the labels and know exactly what conditions will make that specific pesticide useful. If you don't, you might waste a lot of time, money, and effort spraying a completely useless pesticide.
6. Dirty Spray Systems:
When spray systems sit, they often become the victim of environmental residue, dirt, and other debris that can get in the tanks. This debris may even harm crops or other living things that you're trying to protect, so it's vital to make sure that you have a clean spray system before you start spraying your pesticides. Professionals are the people to call when you need your spray system cleaned spotlessly.
People make these mistakes about pesticides every day. The majority of folks don't know a heck of a lot about pesticides, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's for this reason that pesticide companies are so useful to the world. They make sure that spray systems are clean, pesticides are used properly and on the right pests, and used safely so that no harm comes to the environment or the people who might be exposed to the pesticides. If you're not sure how to use pesticides, call a pro.
Read Also:
What You Should Expect From A Pest Control Visit
10 Pest Control Tips To Keep Pests Away This Summer
9 Signs You Have A Pest Infestation In Your House (And What To Do About It)
