Blue Concrete Stain

Caribbean Sea Elements Concrete Stain, create marbled variations of color on cured concrete by chemical reaction with the minerals in the concrete. Every concrete floor will react with its own unique pattern. Once sealed with clear sealer, your floor will pop with an elegant look.

10 Medicinal Plants to Grow

Great Burdock
The root is used to treat ‘toxic overload’ that result in throat infections and skin diseases like : boils, rashes, burns, bruises, herpes, eczema, acne, impetigo, ringworm, bites.

Marsh Mallow
The plant of which marshmallows are made of. The root is taken internally to treat : inflammations and irritations of the urinary and respiratory mucus membranes, counter excess stomach acid, peptic ulceration, gastritis.
Externally, the root is applied to : bruises, sprains, aching muscles, insect bites, skin inflammations, splinters.

Aloe Vera
The sap from aloe vera is extremely useful to speed up the healing and reducing the risk of infections for : wounds, cuts, burns, eczema, reducing inflammation.
Aloe vera is also taken internally in the treatment of : ulcerative colitis, chronic constipation, poor appetite, digestive problems.

Pot Marigold
Well known as a remedy for skin problems, the deep-orange flowered pot marigold variety is applied externally to : bites, stings, sprains, wounds, sore eyes, varicose veins,
Internally it is used to treat fevers and chronic infections. The tea of the petals tones up circulation and, taken regularly, eases varicose veins.

Gotu Kola
The gotu kola acts on various phases of connective tissue development and stimulates healing of : ulcers, skin injuries, decreasing capillary fragility, stimulation of the lipids and protein necessary for healthy skin.
Crushed leaves are poulticed to treat open sores. The gotu kola can also be used to : treat leprosy, revitalize the brain and nervous system, increase attention span and concentration, treat venous insufficiency.

Camomile
Has long been used medicinally as a remedy for problems regarding the digestive system. It has a soothing and calming effect in the area of aromatherapy, used to end stress and aid in sleep. The entire herb is used to treat common aches like toothache, earache, shoulder pain and neuralgia.

Chinese Yam
It is sweet and soothing to the stomach, spleen and has a tonic effect on the lungs and kidneys. It is used internally to treat : tiredness, weight loss, loss of appetite, poor digestion, chronic diarrhea, asthma, dry coughs, uncontrollable urination, diabetes, emotional instability.
Externally, it is applied to : ulcers, boils, abscesses.

Echinacea
The echinacea has the capacity to raise the body’s resistance to bacterial and viral infections by stimulating the immune system. It also has antibiotic properties that helps relieve allergies. Basically, the roots are beneficial in the treatment of sores, wounds and burns. It was once used by the red indians as an application for insect bites, stings and snakebites. The echinacea grows on any well drained soil, as long as it gets sunlight.

Great Yellow Gentian
The great yellow gentian root is a bitter herb used to treat digestive disorders and states of exhaustion from chronic diseases. It stimulates the liver, gal bladder and digestive system, strengthening the overall human body. Internally, it is taken to treat : liver complaints, indigestion, gastric infections, aneroxia.

Siberian Ginseng
The siberian ginseng has a wide range of health benefits, mostly as a powerful tonic herb that maintains good health. It’s medicinal properties are used for : menopausal problems, geriatric debility, physical and mental stress, treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation, angina, hypercholesterolemia and neurasthenia with headache, insomnia, poor appetite, increasing endurance, memory improvement, anti-inflammatory purposes, immunogenic purposes, chemoprotective purposes, radiological protection.

square foot gardening book

This is now my gardening bible and I have read it from cover to cover. To make this book even easier to use I took it to Kinko's and had them remove the spine and made it into a spiral bound book. Now it's easier to flip to the page I want and stay there and it lays perfectly flat. This book goes everywhere with me, especially to my garden for reference. I'm having fun building all the interesting square foot gardening accessories to make square foot gardening easy to use in all weather conditions. This is a must for all gardeners! It is chock full of all kinds of useful information from building things to how to grow, plant and harvest all the different veggies and herbs. This will be a very used and loved book for me. I highly recommend this book to any old or new gardener. It will open your mind to a whole new way of gardening!

You can read reviews and/or purchase this book, from Here

What grows in shade, and what grows in full sun

If you grow it for the FRUIT or the ROOT you'll need full sun!

If you grow it for the LEAVES or STEMS or SPROUTS partial shade is all you need!

15 Shade tolerant vegetables

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Got limited sun? These 15 vegetables only need 4 hours a day of direct light. Utilize them in those shaded areas of the yard, and leave the sun for the tomatoes. :)

1. Kale
2. Scallions
3. Beets
4. Parsley
5. Spinach
6. Carrots
7. Cilantro
8. Turnips
9. Chard
10. Lettuce
11. Arugula
12. Garlic
13. Potatoes
14. Mustard Greens
15. Bok Choy

What's Wrong With My Vegetable Garden? And How Do I Fix It?

100% Organic Solutions for all of your Veggies, from Artichokes to Zucchini. This book is full of the proper know how to get it done.

Problem solving : With great illustrations, it will be hard to go wrong figuring out what's wrong with your plants. Once you've got the issue pinpointed, detailed instructions on what to do about it, give you and your garden a better shot at making it through.

Plant-specific guidelines : Whether you're growing artichokes, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, or zucchini, this book provides instructions on everything from planting time to soil prep, temperature and water requirements.

Once you've figured out the issues with your precious garden pals, the problem solving section of the book is divided into families of plant types, making it easy to diagnosis and treat whatever your problems might be, pests or plague.

Since this book is all about the organic, solutions are presented in terms of temperature, soil, light and water first. Organic ways of eliminating pests, large and small, are also discussed.

I will be referring to this book over and over again. A beautiful and practical guide to making your garden the best it can be.

You can read reviews and/or purchase this book, from Here

Growing tomatoes in containers

Growing tomatoes in containers : Each bucket has two 6' pipes zip-tied to the inside with 3 zip ties on each side, then two elbows at the top and a 10" piece between them. The goal is to do a Florida weave between the two pipes in each bucket as its resident grows.

One tip is to get the zip ties closed loosely in place, then slide the pipe down into the loops, then tighten.

via : Indeterminate tomatoes in buckets experiment

Natural painkillers in your kitchen

Make muscle pain a memory with ginger :

When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.

Cure a toothache with cloves :

Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight. A natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker.This simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.

Erase earaches with garlic :

Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds. Garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.

Tame chronic pain with turmeric :

Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.

End endometrial pain with oats :

The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University .

Relax painful muscles with peppermint :

Suffering from tight, sore muscles? What to do? Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half.

Give your back some TLC with grapes :

Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.

Heal sinus problems with horseradish :

Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.

What's Wrong With My Plant And How Do I Fix It?

Dealing with a sick plant is one of the most frustrating situations a gardener can face. More often than not, we have no idea what is causing the problem, or how to fix it. Fortunately, help is at hand. What's Wrong With My Plant? (And How Do I Fix It?) provides an easy system for visually diagnosing any problem, and matching it to the right cure.

This innovative and easy-to-use guide is split into three parts.

Part One presents easy-to-follow, illustrated flow charts — organized by where on the plant the symptoms appear — that allow readers to accurately diagnose the problem. The format is so simple it doesn't even require knowing the name of the plant; all you need to know is whether the problem is affecting its roots, stem, flowers, or leaves. It does not matter whether the plant is a houseplant, perennial, vegetable, tree, or shrub.

Part Two offers a 100% organic way to fix the problem. From improper growing conditions and environmental factors, to molds, pests, and diseases, every problem has a safe, natural solution.

Part Three shows photographs and drawings of stressed, damaged, and diseased plants that help with accurate comparison.

Whether your garden consists of herbs on a kitchen windowsill, a vegetable garden, an elaborate backyard border, or a container on a patio, What's Wrong With My Plant? is an indispensable resource. If you can see it, you can fix it. Curing a sick plant just doesn't get any easier.

You can read reviews and/or purchase this book, from Here.

Recycled Bike Rim Trellis

What a GREAT idea!!! A Recycled Bike Rim Trellis!!! You could plant any running plant and have them run up the trellis for ease in picking.

The best way to get rid of ants - place cucumber peelings where you have the little pests overnight. eco-friendly, child and pet friendly and you dispose of them the next day. NO ANTS. this works

The best way to get rid of ants - place cucumber peelings where you have the little pests overnight. eco-friendly, child and pet friendly and you dispose of them the next day. NO ANTS. this works

Diy raised garden beds

Diy raised garden beds

You know something is easy to make when the directions say “just add water.” Making a raised garden bed from a kit is almost that easy, since you only add dirt, plants, and then water. Raised garden bed kits come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose a bed that will fit into your available space and hold as many plants as you want to grow.

Materials you'll need :

• Pre-built raised bed kit, 48″ x 96″
• Weed Block
• Top soil
• Sturdy Stakes
• Plant Props (available in assorted lengths)
• Tomato cages
• Velcro plant ties
• Wire plant ties with cutter
• Plants or seeds

You can get the instructions from Here.

Composting For Dummies

If you're looking for a pretty picture book, pass on this one. But if you want an indepth guide to starting your composting lifestyle, this is for you. The book gives lots of options for every aspect of composting. From what to compost, to setting it up, various bins, types of growth in the compost, etc.
After a little research i found theres alot more products that can be composted that arent listed, but everything thats fundamental is listed. so,. Enjoy

You can get the book from Amazon.

How to compost in your backyard

Why Should You Compost? : Finished compost is a free soil amendment and fertilizer for the garden. It is mild and won't burn plants like chemical fertilizers. By adding compost you'll improve the overall texture of your soil enabling it to retain and drain water better.

Brown Materials :

• Dry leaves.
• Straw and dry hay.
• Woodchips and sawdust from untreated wood.
• Dried grass clippings.
• paper tubes.
• Egg and nut shells.
• Hair and animal fur.
• Shredded paper.
• Paper.
• Shredded newspaper (printed with soy ink to be safe)
• Paper towels.

Green Materials :

• Vegetable and fruit scraps.
• Fresh grass clippings.
• Plant trimmings from your garden.
• Coffee grounds and filters.
• Tea bags and leaves.
• Houseplants.

You should never compost :

• Meat.
• Dairy products.
• Fish.
• Eggs.
• Diseased plants and seeds of weedy plants.
• Anything treated with pesticides.
• Bones.
• Cat and dog waste.
• Oily foods or grease.

Crushed egg shells in the garden

Each time you crack an egg open, instead of tossing the shell into the trash, drop it into an open container that you keep in the fridge. (I’ve always saved my shells, but my friend Susan suggested keeping them in the fridge – works beautifully.) When the container is full, crush the shells into small bits and sprinkle them around the base of your plants. The sharp eggshells will deter slugs, snails, and other bugs from nibbling on your garden and add a touch of calcium to the soil

via : attainable sustainable

Why are my tomatoes cracking

When tomato plants get too much water too fast. The interior grows quickly as it absorbs the extra water from rain or disproportionate watering, The skin can’t stretch to accommodate the extra fluid. so it start Cracking.

How to prevent cracks:

1. Plant crack-resistant tomato varieties that have elastic skin, including Jet Star, Early Girl, Earl of Edgecombe, Heinz 1350, Juliet, Daybreak, Valley Girl, Mountain Pride, and Mountain Delight.
2. Don’t over-fertilize : Excess nutrients can cause a growth spurt. Tomatoes can have a hard time compensating and may crack.
3. Mulch the plants (wait until they’re established – about 3-5 weeks after planting) to help retain moisture in the soil.
4. Keep water supply even throughout the season. While you can’t control the weather conditions, you can make sure that plants are on a regular watering schedule.

How to harvest carrots

Carrots are ready to pick when they are about 3/4 of an inch across at the top, just below the green stem. you can gently remove the dirt from around the stem to take stock of the size.

To pick the carrots, grab them firmly by the root and wiggle them around in their hole before pulling straight up. Remove the greens immediately so they don't continue to pull nutrients from the carrot itself. Wipe off the excess dirt and if they are wet or muddy, let them dry off before refrigerating.

If the soil is particularly hard, it may be helpful to water the area where the carrots are growing before trying to pull them out. Water thoroughly so the moisture soaks down, but then wait an hour or so before starting to harvest. Otherwise, you'll find yourself in a muddy mess.