Best For The Garden

How to plant ponderosa pine tree seeds? 10 points to the best answer!!?

So, I got these ponderosa pine seeds and it said to soak them in water for 48 hours, then remove seed from water and place in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 21 days, seed is ready for planting in 21 days. today is the day when I can plant them but I dont know how far they need to be planted in the ground, How much and how often do they need to be watered? How long do I need to keep watering them? please help!!

thanks! 10 points to best answer!

"seeds have no dormancy and will germinate immediately upon collection" m dirr
1" deep. keep soil moist until germination, then mist seedlings until outplanted

What is the best way to preserve vegetables?

Vegetables in Chinatown are really cheap, but they don’t stay fresh for very long. Can I freeze them at home but still retain most of their nutritional value?

Or are there better ways of keeping them fresh?

Blanching & flash freezing will work for preserving many hardier vegetables.
But those with high water content, like bean sprouts & bok choy, will rupture & go brown.
I freeze quartered tomatoes & peppers, but only to use in spaghetti sauces.

Indoor Gardening Tips – Nature At Home!

Best Acne Treatments That Are Especially For You

People, especially teenagers who suffer from acne are constantly on the search for the best acne treatments. Though there are a lot of products available in the markets, people try to find something that will best suit their purpose and help in the eradication of their problem.

Acne Treatments

Today, Proactive seems to be one of the better treatments available for acne in the market. The system of Proactive includes a renewing cleanser, repairing lotion and revitalizing toner.

Accutane is a treatment available by prescription alone. Being a strong medication, it is for the ones who suffer from severe forms of acne. This medication for the cure of acne is taken internally and has its side effects.

To treat acne many people have used retin a. It is a great cure for acne, stretch marks, wrinkles and other skin problems.

The ones with mild to moderate acne can avoid chemicals and instead try applying essential oils topically. The best essential oils available are clove oil, lavender oil, bergamot oil, rosewood oil, and tea tree oil.

It will be a sound advice for you to start the treatment of your acne with the essential oils. If it does not work for you, shift to Proactive and only then move on to using chemical treatments.

Causes of Acne

Acne can be caused by certain kinds of food allergies. It can also be the outcome of severe emotional depression.

Home Remedies

You need to wash the affected area twice a day with an anti-bacterial face wash or soap. However, avoid aggressive washing as the skin needs some oils to be retained.

Do not pick at the spots and avoid squeezing as this can lead to some indelible marks on your skin.

Pharmaceutical lotions dry out the skin causing the dead skin layer to shed. It is effective in stopping the blocking of pores and not letting any infection to occur.

Topical treatments of Acne

Azelaic acid causes less soreness of the skin. Topical vitamin A based retinoids help in shedding the layer of dead skin. A topical antibiotic lotion will help to control the bacteria that cause growth of acne.

Oral Treatments

Oral tablets taken for a period of about three months can help to kill the bacteria, which attacks the skin. It takes some time before you notice the considerable difference it has made to your acne affected skin. Owing to the course of medication being a prolonged one, it is found that many people do not continue with the course after some time.

Hormone Treatment

The intake of oral contraceptive pills taken by women often worsens their acne problem. A certain pill called Dianette cuts down the mail hormone in the circulation and at the same time is an effective cure for acne. Oral retinoids should be taken for severe acne problems only, because it brings in with it a lot of side effects. A pregnant woman will be on the verge of losing her baby if she consumes it.

Natural Treatments

Benzoyl Peroxide containing cleansing agents, lotions and antibiotics maybe applied to the skin or taken orally. You need to denote the risk of scarring before you undergo any form of treatment.

Your Diet

You need to watch your diet and eat plenty of vegetables and fruits. You should avoid the consumption of refined sugar. Fried foods should be eliminated totally from your diet. Intake of at least 8 glasses of water is essential. Regular bowel movements are also a vital factor.

Robert Sheehan
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/best-acne-treatments-that-are-especially-for-you-112123.html

Diet Tips For Healthy Skin

Unlike other elements of our bodies – a big belly, flabby arms etc., skin is one feature of our appearance that is impossible to hide. But by following a few simple diet tips for healthy skin, you can proudly and confidently show off your glow with the best of them.

See Results with Vitamin C
This nutrient provides an excellent, natural source of healing that helps keep skin looking clear and bright. A great diet tip for healthy skin is to eat foods rich in Vitamin C like strawberries, tomatoes and/or citrus every day.

Vitamin E for Acne and More
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects our cells from the distress of free radicals. It is a natural healing and smoothing agent that is widely-used in the treatment of skin disorders – acne in particular. A diet tip for healthy skin is to include Vitamin E-rich foods such as avocados, carrots, chickpeas, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, soy-based products and cheese – especially parmesan and cheddar.

Vitamin A to the Rescue
If your skin tends to be more oily than normal, a great diet tip for healthy skin would be to ensure you’re getting the right amount of vitamin A into your diet. It helps to maintain and repair our membranes and tissues, as well as minimizing the production of sebum which is the oily substance that secretes into our skin from the hair follicles. Foods with a high content of Vitamin A include eggs, apricots, cantaloupe and spinach.

‘B’ on Your Way to Beautiful Skin
Vitamin B is another fantastic nutrient essential for the road to healthy skin. It helps to retain moisture, assists in the prevention of skin cancer and has anti-aging abilities that can reduce fine lines. Another diet tip for healthy skin is to eat plenty of Vitamin B-rich foods such as seafood, poultry, beans and peas.

Carbs are Cool!
Forget about all the hype around reducing the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. Yes, too much of good thing can be bad in any situation, but our bodies – including our skin – need carbs to stay healthy. Keep this excellent diet tip for healthy skin in mind: A lack of carbohydrates in your body will result in a decreased amount of antioxidants which play a huge role in fighting the negative effects of free radicals. A diet that includes whole-grain carbohydrates such as wheat bread, pasta and rice will help to prevent the pre-mature aging that occurs when there is a lack of this nutrient in your system.

Water, Water Everywhere
One of best diet tips for healthy skin is to drink at least 8 ounces of water 6-8 times a day. It will keep your body as well as your skin hydrated and also rejuvenate your cells while helping to flush out toxins.

Sweet Dreams
Make sure you get enough rest because while you sleep, your cells regenerate. It’s another important diet tip for healthy skin as it prevents early aging while reducing puffiness and dark circles around your eyes.

Ramone Stevenson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/diet-tips-for-healthy-skin-107533.html

5 Best Acne Home Treatments

How much would you pay for a proved to worked acne cure? What if somebody told you that you can get same effect for free? Buying expensive acne treatment products is one way to stop acne, but there are also several acne home treatments that work just as well. Here is a list of 5 home remedies for acne that are very simple and give good results.

1. Vinegar do clean your skin of oil.

Vinegar helps to get rid of excessive oils from your skin as well as to kill the bacteria that cause acne. It is best to use apple vinegar, it is milder, but generally any vinegar would do. Dilute 1 spoon of vinegar in 8 spoons of water and wash your face with this cleanser.

2. Lemon juice is also a natural acne cleanser

Lemon and lime juice works similar to vinegar. Simply rub a piece of lemon on your face in the evening and wash it off next morning. It will get rid of oils and bacteria. Both vinegar and lemon dry your skin not only of oil but of moisture as well. So you should use a moisturizing cream or lotion daily.

3. Egg white – great home acne treatment

Egg white is used a lot to clear your face from acne. It exfoliates your skin and absorbs oil. Apply it as a facial mask – beat an egg white and spread it over your face. In 10-15 minutes wash it off with warm water

4. Oatmeal – treats acne and refreshes your skin

Oatmeal can clean and revitalize your skin greatly. Boil it in water for a few minutes, and then let it cool down. When it cools to room temperature apply to your face and leave for 10-15 minute. Carefully wash off with warm water. It will get rid of oils and your skin will feel much better.

5. Foods rich in Vitamin B5 help to cure acne

Vitamin B5 also called Pantothenic Acid is greatly important for acne control. Good sources of Vitamin B5 are eggs, poultry, meat, mushrooms, fish, liver, sunflower seeds, all beans, bananas, oranges, and whole grain products. Includes some of these foods in your daily diet.

One thing that never helps is pinching your acne. It gives immediate result, but in fact only makes the condition worse. So keep your hands away from your face. Squeezing won’t do you any good.

Try this acne home treatment. It doesn’t cost you anything, but is very effective. Of course, you will not see the results right next day. But after using acne home remedies for a week or so, you should notice improvement in your skin.

Tatyana Turner
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/5-best-acne-home-treatments-76703.html

Planting Herbs In The Fall

For gardeners who have tried and possibly failed at planting herbs in the spring or summer, you may have already figured out that planting herbs in the fall is usually best for many herbs. Especially for herbs grown from bulbs, planting them in the fall gives them a chance to make roots and they will be ready for harvest in the spring. Since herbs are almost always very delicate plants, planting herbs in the fall is the best because of the cool weather. The harsh humid conditions that occur in many parts of the country throughout the summer means that herbs will have a difficult time getting started, let alone surviving.

Of course, planting herbs in the fall is not for all climate zones, especially for climate zones above 5 or 6, and not for all herbs. In these climate zones, it is usually cool enough through the spring and summer months to grow herbs and may be too cool in the quickly approaching cold weather of the fall months. If you are interested in particular herbs then it is best to research their hardiness independently for climate zones 1-5.

For the rest of the country, planting herbs in the fall works well because herbs need lots of sun, but do not need the humidity that goes along with the sunshine. There is a fine balance between too little and too much sunshine for these delicate plants, who usually need about five to six hours of sunlight a day. Keep in mind that there are a few herbs that enjoy the shade, such as parsley and mint, but the majority of herbs prefer at least a few hours of sunlight a day.

The best part about planting herbs in the fall is that herbs can easily be planted in containers, just in case the weather gets cold. This way herbs can be moved to a greenhouse or indoors where grow lights or just placing them in a sunny window will keep them at bay for the winter.

It really is best to start out small herb plants or herbs from seeds in small pots in the fall and transfer them to the ground in the spring, if at all. Since they are so fragile, placing them right in the ground might mean not getting good results. Remember that there are a few herbs that come in the form of perennial bulbs, such as garlic, fennel, saffron, and shallots, but the rest are in the form of plants or seeds. Herb perennial bulbs should be placed in the ground as the fall weather approaches, but at least 6-8 weeks before a freeze, this way they have time to establish roots before becoming dormant.

There are both annual and perennial herbs as well as biennial herbs. Popular annual herbs include basil, borage, cilantro, chamomile, and rosemary. Popular perennials and biennials include parsley, sage, and mint. Most herbs are annuals and the point of planting herbs in the fall is to give them a chance to get rooted and be prepared for an entire season in the early spring and summer months. That means you will be harvesting these annuals in the midst of the summer when the heat of the summer is useful in helping dry herbs for storage.

Ted Roberson
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/planting-herbs-in-the-fall-63641.html

Choosing the Best Plants for Your Garden

Many times we buy plants on impulse then find there is nowhere in the garden that really suits them. Before buying plants carefully examine your garden to see how much sun and shade it gets, whether the soil is well drained or waterlogged and whether your aspect is sheltered or windswept. You’ll then be equipped to go and buy the best plants for your situation; shade-loving plants for the sheltered areas, sun-lovers for the warm spots, drought-resistant plants for the parched areas which may be either sunny or shaded, and swamp plants for the poorly-drained parts.

But wait! Test your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what kind of nutrients you need to add, if any. Is the soil acid or alkaline? Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil’s pH level, but it’s much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.

Now you are ready to plant. Well – almost. Will you plant in groups or singly? If you buy ‘one of everything’ your garden may seem rather spotty. Group plantings are organised, harmonious and you can vary the color for interest.

Before planting out, place your chosen plants around the garden bed in their pots to see how they will look. Re-arrange them until you are satisfied. Grouping plants in sets of threes or fives usually looks better than planting in groups of even numbers. Be sure that you have an interesting combination of colors and textures of plants. Tall plants should go to the back, or the centre if your garden will be viewed equally from all sides. Try to keep your plants away from trees. The roots of trees are fiercely competitive and will steal all the nutrients and moisture meant for your flowers.

The right color scheme is one way to maintain the harmony in your garden. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. Some colors may clash with others, but can still be planted side-by-side if they have a different blooming season. Foliage color is also important. Many flower plants have silver, grey or purplish foliage that is just as attractive as the flower. This means that they are still attractive well past the blooming season and so have added value.

Nicky Pilkington
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/choosing-the-best-plants-for-your-garden-10034.html

What are the best vegetables to grow indoors?

I want to start an indoor edible garden. I want to do this to have a few vegetables to eat and a learning experience for my 3 year old. What can I grow indoors that we can eat that is easy to purchase and take care of?

For a child any of the leafy family of lettuce with thin cristy leaves will grown and come in many different shades of greens and reds.

If you can find a very "mild radish" they too will be fun for children. I say mild sense most children do not like any thing that is hot to the taste.

Sprouting a yam or sweet potatoes is also fun for kids. Sense they grow in a glass of water children can watch the roots and leafs form. Avocado pits and the end of a fresh pineapple would also be fun. This would not be something to eat on educational.

Alfalfa sprouts grow very quickly in a jar that placed in a sunny window and kelp damp. These are full of protein. I also grow these in the winter time for my dogs when they can’t get grass to eat.
As a kid I used to grow these and sell them to the local produce stand and a restaurant.

Have fun!
Best wishes…
DP

Can someone give me tips on flower gardening please?

Here are two of my favorite gardening websites:

http://www.gardenguides.com/

http://www.greenpatio.com/

Both sites are full of tips and advice. I hope you enjoy them.

Good luck with your gardening.