Curry leaf or Sweet Neem is a tropical tree that is native to Sri Lanka and India. Its leaves are widely used for cooking purposes in India. Its leaves are also used for medicinal purposes. Curry leaves are rich in calcium, iron, carotenoids and beta-carotene. Curry leaf tree thrives best in warm climatic conditions. It is quite easy to grow and there is the standard and the dwarf variety. The…
The Almond tree belongs to the Rosaceae family and is native to Africa and the Middle East. It can grow up to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide. It produces flowers that can be pink or white in colour. Dwarf almond trees can grow up to 9 feet tall. It can take up to 5 years for almonds to produce fruits. It can be quite difficult to grow almond…
Fruit trees need to be taken good care so that they grow healthy and give good yields. This includes proper pruning, fertiizing and controlling pests. Using chemicals for pest control can harm the soil and the environment. Turning towards organic methods for controlling pests is sustainable in the long term. Best organic pesticides for fruit trees: 1.Neem Oil Neem oil is an organic pesticide obtained from the seeds of the…
Growing fruit trees in your backyard has many benefits besides giving fresh fruits. Providing balanced nutrition for your fruit trees can help them grow healthy and give good yields. Using organic fertiliser for your fruit trees has many benefits. Organic fertilisers are slow-release fertilizers that do not harm the soil microbes. They contain lots of macro and micronutrients that can provide the nutrients that your fruit trees require. Feeding your…
If you are living in apartments or small spaces where you don’t have much space to grow anything, you can still grow fruit trees in containers. Dwarf fruit tree varieties can be grown in containers. Growing fruit trees in containers has some advantages: You can move them anywhere you want and grow varieties that are not frost-tolerant. This can enable you to move them indoors during extreme winter conditions. Dwarf…
Fruit trees are similar to vegetables and herbs and they benefit from companion planting. Planting shrubs, herbs and flowering plants near your fruit trees can help to attract beneficial insects repel pests and improve soil fertility. In permaculture, it is referred to as fruit tree guilds where small shrubs, herbs, other fruit trees and flowering plants are grown near the fruit trees. Diversifying can keep the soil in shade, and…
Watermelon is a heavy-feeder summer crop that grows best in well-draining, fertile soil conditions. Companion planting is a great way to improve pollination, attract beneficial insects, and repel pests. Here are some of the best companion plants for watermelons. Flowers: Cosmos, Sunflowers, Marigolds, Zinnias and Coneflowers. Growing flowers near your watermelon helps to attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden. They end up feeding on pests that attack your…
It is easy to grow potatoes in your home and homegrown potatoes are way tastier compared to those brought in stores. There are several benefits of growing potatoes in cardboard boxes. Growing potatoes in cardboard box is a great solution when you have a small garden. It’s also a great way to reuse cardboard boxes. Growing conditions for potatoes Potatoes are cool-season crops that can tolerate light frost. You can…
Lavender is a drought-tolerant and frost-tolerant flowering plant that repels pests and mosquitoes. Growing it next to your other plants can also help attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Let’s find out plants that grow well with lavender. Best companion plants for lavender: 1.Gaillardia Gaillardia and lavender are both drought tolerant plants that attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden. Growing both of them together can add diversity and provide…
Bell peppers or Capsicum are native to Mexico, Central and South America. It is a cool season crop that requires fertile, well-draining soil to grow well. Bell peppers are vulnerable to pests and insects so it’s best to practice companion planting. 10 Best Companion Plants for Bell Peppers 1. Zinnia Zinnias are heat-loving flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden. These beneficial insects prey on pests that…
