Veggie News /veggienews Natural Health News & Self-Reliance Fri, 03 Feb 2017 22:18:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.2 These veggies will not only liven up your dishes but will also give your immune system a boost /veggienews/2016-07-18-these-veggies-will-not-only-liven-up-your-dishes-but-will-also-give-your-immune-system-a-boost.html /veggienews/2016-07-18-these-veggies-will-not-only-liven-up-your-dishes-but-will-also-give-your-immune-system-a-boost.html#respond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://162.244.66.231/veggienews/2016-07-18-these-veggies-will-not-only-liven-up-your-dishes-but-will-also-give-your-immune-system-a-boost (USA Features) It may be a little late to start a conventional garden, but now is the time to begin thinking about what you’re going to put in your greenhouse this fall and winter – or what you want to grow inside, in grow boxes or grow towers. Why not consider growing something that not only makes your main courses taste better but also gives support to your immune system, to help keep the winter chill and flu bug at bay?

Here goes:

1. Garlic

Garlic contains allicin, a compound known for protecting cells against various compounds. It is also a powerful antiseptic, preventing diseases ranging from colds to cancers. Last but not least, it’s directly linked to the prevention of age-related diseases.

2. Cruciferous vegetables

These mostly leafy vegetables have sulfur-containing compounds that are converted into isothiocyanates (ITCs). These ITCs improve immune response and are also linked to cancer prevention. Examples of cruciferous vegetables include cabbage, broccoli, and radish.

3. Onions

This popular vegetable is rich with quercetin, a powerful antioxidant. It also contains anthocyanins, another powerful antioxidant. Onions are also known to reduce hypertension and are an adequate treatment for allergies.

4. Tomatoes

This popular fruit is nature’s best source of lycopene. One of the most powerful antioxidants in nature, it is exceptionally effective in preventing cancers, particularly of the prostate. It is also rich in both beta carotene and dietary fiber.

5. Mushrooms

Several of these fungi are directly linked to reducing the risk of cancers, particularly breast cancer. It is able to do so, because it enhances the function of T cells, a part of the immune system that attacks infections or tumor cells. While there are lots of delicious species, there are also plenty of poisonous ones; you have to make sure if the mushroom you’re looking at is edible or not. Some healthy choices: morel mushrooms, black chanterelle mushrooms, cauliflower mushrooms, reishi mushrooms and maitake mushrooms.

6. Beets

These are exceptionally good for purifying the blood. They are rich in iron, which boosts the functionality of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Beets also enhance the function of immunity-focused white blood cells. Last but not least, they facilitate detoxification.

7. Spinach

Spinach improves immune function in two different ways. It is rich in beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, which increases the power of the immune system. It also contains zinc, a vital mineral that improves immunity.

8. Artichokes

This vegetable contains cynarin, a powerful detoxifier. Not only does it help with liver cleansing, but it also boosts overall body response with its high B vitamin content.

9. Asparagus

This vegetable has exceptional diuretic properties, which encourages the flushing out of toxins. Not only does it cleanse our body’s insides, but it is also effective in countering inflammatory responses.

10. Bell peppers

These vegetables, especially the red ones, are full of vitamin C. Not only do they contain a high amount of vitamin C, but they also contain beta carotene that improves immune system function.

Some people say that the key to having a strong and sturdy body is to eat vegetables. By eating these immunity-boosting foods, your body will become sturdy indeed.

By Sandeep Godiyal, Natural News.

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Sources for this article include:

http://voices.yahoo.com
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com
http://www.fitday.com

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Broccoli: Mother Nature’s Favorite Detox Veggie /veggienews/2016-06-01-broccoli-mother-natures-favorite-detox-veggie.html /veggienews/2016-06-01-broccoli-mother-natures-favorite-detox-veggie.html#respond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://162.244.66.231/veggienews/2016-06-01-broccoli-mother-natures-favorite-detox-veggie One of my favorite vegetables of all time is broccoli. In my family, growing up we simply called them “trees”, and enjoyed pretending to be giants when eating them. But, little did I know what amazing things my little trees were doing for my body!

It’s no secret that they’re healthy, but just how healthy?

According to a large amount of different studies being done on the vegetable, broccoli is an amazing detoxifying agent and not only helps get rid of toxins that have built up in your body in various ways, it helps protect your body from them for weeks after eating it!

An article titled “Why Broccoli Is Important For Optimal Detoxification” published by Natural Health 365 says that those who eat broccoli excrete toxins (such as some airborne pollutants) from their bodies 61% faster than those who don’t.

The article goes on to say, “Glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiian, and glucobrassicin have been identified by scientists as the three glucosinolate phytonutrients found in aspecial combination in broccoli that are particularly beneficial as detoxification agents. The trio is able to enhance all steps in the body’s natural detoxification process, including activation, neutralization, and elimination of unwanted contaminants.”

So when you are eating your trees for dinner, indulge a little and eat an extra helping. Our air, food, water, and consumer products are filled with chemicals and toxins that become stored within out bodies, and they undoubtedly need our help forcing them out before the wreak any more havoc on our lives from within.

 

Source:
Why broccoli is important for optimal detoxification | Natural Health 365. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.naturalhealth365.com/detoxification-benefits-of-broccoli-1772.html

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Gardening fitness: Research shows tending to your veggies is like going to a gym /veggienews/2016-05-17-gardening-fitness-research-shows-tending-to-your-veggies-is-like-going-to-a-gym.html /veggienews/2016-05-17-gardening-fitness-research-shows-tending-to-your-veggies-is-like-going-to-a-gym.html#respond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://162.244.66.231/veggienews/2016-05-17-gardening-fitness-research-shows-tending-to-your-veggies-is-like-going-to-a-gym (Homesteading.news) In addition to enhancing your life skills and boosting your food security, there is another major benefit of gardening, researchers have found: fitness.

Long-time gardeners have always know that putting plant and seed in the ground and then maintaining plants and crops as they grow is hard work. But chances are good that they weren’t aware of the health benefits of that work.

Medical researchers and doctors now say that a half an hour of digging, raking and pushing a lawn mower is just as good as going to a gym. Thirty minutes of digging burns 150 calories; raking burns 120 and pushing a mower burns 165, the UK’s Daily Mail reports.

Though a half-hour jog, on average, burns up to 240 calories, doctors are nonetheless attempting to encourage more people to take up lighter activities that can be woven into our daily lives – activities that also burn calories and boost fitness.

Because many people feel too intimidated by gyms and strenuous fitness exercise, experts are instead concentrating more on getting people to include more moderate activity and exercise daily that they are less likely to give up on over the long haul. Researchers are finding that moderate exercise like gardening and walking will also cut the risk of heart attack in half, adding as much as seven years to an average life span.

30 minutes a day is all that is required

“Gardening is great – it gets you outside, it helps build muscle and it burns calories,” Professor Naveed Sattar, an expert in metabolic medicine at Glasgow University, told the Daily Mail Online.

“The key thing is sustainability. The way to keep exercising is to something you love – such as gardening – or do something for a reason, such as walking or cycling to work,” he added.

Britain’s National Health Service recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, which includes activities like walking and gardening, or 75 minutes of strenuous exercise like running or playing soccer. In the U.S., the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition recommends 60 minutes of physical activity daily for children ages 6–17, and at least 30 minutes daily for adults.

In Britain, however, the NHS says that four of five people fail to reach their daily physical activity target, which has played a major role in contributing to the epidemic of obesity and diabetes. The same is true in the U.S.

Toned forearms, thighs, behinds

The Daily Mail Online reported that the Royal Horticulture Society surveyed 2,000 people, asking about their experiences with the pastime. About 80 percent of respondents said that overall gardening definitely improved their fitness level, while 60 percent said they felt physically energized after gardening. In addition, 53 percent said their moods improved after a bout of gardening.

The society further noted that some 70 percent of respondents said gardening helped tone their forearms, while 52 percent said their thighs were toned, and about one-third said the activity toned their behinds. One-fifth of respondents said gardening was their primary form of exercise, which means that, for many people, it has had a major impact on them, health-wise (and there’s that food security angle, too).

“The evidence is that strenuous exercise gives you a bit more benefit, but not that much,” Sattar said. “And it comes at a cost, with a greater burden on the joints, and if you are moving from a sedentary lifestyle there is a risk of going straight in to strenuous exercise as there’s a strain on your heart.

“That’s why there’s a shift at the moment to focusing on light to moderate exercise, which can have a huge benefit and is easier to weave into your daily routine,” he added.

Reporting by J.D. Heyes, NaturalNews.com.

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10 veggies you can grow from scraps /veggienews/2016-03-21-10-veggies-you-can-grow-from-scraps.html /veggienews/2016-03-21-10-veggies-you-can-grow-from-scraps.html#respond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://162.244.66.231/veggienews/2016-03-21-10-veggies-you-can-grow-from-scraps (Homesteading.news) Basic foods like vegetables and general grocery have become quite expensive. Most people spend a lot of cash on grocery shopping which happens to be one of the highest costs related to almost every family.

However, you can now eliminate your family’s grocery bills by growing some of these groceries on your own. The good news is that you can even grow them using scraps which otherwise you would have thrown away. By doing this, your family will be guaranteed of a steady supply of vegetables and grocery at zero cost.

There are a number of fruits and vegetables you can replant and grow in your vegetable garden. This will ensure that you have a variety of vegetables and fruits on hand when you need them and help you cut on grocery costs at the same time. If saving some coins on your grocery bills sounds like a deal, read on and discover 10 vegetables you can grow in your vegetable garden using your veggie scraps.

1. Lettuce

Some very nice lettuce salads go well with either your dinner or lunch and you can actually grow fresh lettuce from those leaves you would normally discard. To have an abundant supply of fresh lettuce from your vegetable garden at home, take the lettuce leftover leaves and put them in a bowl with just a bit of water, then set it somewhere you get good sunlight. Leave the lettuce leaves in the bowl for about four days; once the roots start to grow, take them and replant in soil.

2. Celery

One of the easiest vegetables to grow from kitchen scraps is celery. All you need is the base of a celery plant. Take a bowl and put some warm water in it, then place the base in it. Ensure your bowl is put in a place where it gets direct sunlight. It will only take about a week for leaves to start at the base and these are what you will replant in your vegetable garden and wait for them to grow.

3. Tomatoes

Like peppers, all you need to grow tomatoes in your vegetable garden are the seeds. Pull some of the tomato seeds out and place them on a paper towel and let them dry. You can then put the seeds in potting soil and let them grow indoors until they have grown a few inches long. Transplant them to soil.

4. Potatoes

Did you know new potatoes can be regrown using peelings from other potatoes? It’s true, but you will need peelings with eyes on them. Cut into two-inch pieces ensuring there are 2-3 eyes on each piece; let them dry overnight, then simply replant them in soil, about four inches deep, making sure the eyes are facing upward. It will take 2-3 weeks before you’ll begin to see new plants.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes grow much the same as regular potatoes. Take a half of a sweet potato and suspend it with toothpicks above a container of shallow water. In a matter of days, you will notice roots beginning to grow, along with sprouts from the top of the sweet potato; once they get to about 4 inches, break them off and submerge them some water. When the roots reach about 1 inch in length, transplant them to soil.

6. Ginger

Ginger root is also very easy to grow; once you get it going, you’ll have an endless supply. Plant a spare piece in potting soil, taking care to make sure that the buds are facing up.You will notice new shoots and new roots in about a week or so and once this happens you can pull it up and use it again. Save a piece of the rhizome for replanting.


Image: Wikipedia

7. Turnips

Turnips are known to grow well from left over scraps and clippings. All you need to do to is just save the turnip tops and place them in a jar of water. In a few days, new green tops will start to grow. Allow the roots to grow until it’s ready for replanting; let the roots grow at least an inch.

8. Avocado

Wash the pit of this superfood and then pierce it with toothpicks for suspension over a small bowl or jar. Fill the water so it covers the bottom inch of the pit/seed. Keep the seed in a warm place but not in direct sunlight, and take care to check the water level daily, adding more as needed. It may take as long as six weeks for the stem and roots to appear; once the stem reaches about six inches, cut it back to three. When leaves begin to appear, transplant to soil, leaving about half of it above ground.

9. Onions

These do well inside or outside. Cut off the root of the onion but ensure you leave about a half-inch of onion when you do. Cover lightly with potting soil and set it in direct sunlight. For green onions you put the white base of the onion with roots attached in a container of water and put in sunlight. Change the water every couple of days and the green will continue to grow. Snip off what you need and it will grow as long as you want.

10. Red Peppers

Red peppers are not hard to plant and do not entail a lot because all you need to do is take the seeds and put them in potting soil. Put it in a place where it can get plenty of sunlight. They do not require much care and take little time to grow; if it’s warm outside, just plant the seeds in the ground.

Growing these vegetables easily from scraps is one of the surest ways of getting more from your vegetable garden. However, it should be noted that, the quality of the parent vegetable scrap helps a lot to determine the quality of the re-growth.

Homesteading.news is part of the USA Features Media network.

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These veggies make the best companions in your garden and will grow better /veggienews/2016-03-18-these-veggies-make-the-best-companions-in-your-garden-and-will-grow-better.html /veggienews/2016-03-18-these-veggies-make-the-best-companions-in-your-garden-and-will-grow-better.html#respond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://162.244.66.231/veggienews/2016-03-18-these-veggies-make-the-best-companions-in-your-garden-and-will-grow-better (Homesteading.news) “Companion planting” can be referred to as the planting of different types of crops in close proximity in order to control pest, pollination, providing better environment for beneficial creatures, making use of the available space and generally increase productivity. This type of planting is also a form of polyculture.

It is important for plants to have good companions for them to thrive, therefore as a farmer, embracing this form of farming will greatly give you multiple profits. Many farmers and gardeners in both developed and developing countries use companion planting for many reasons.

Just like with human beings, in plant communities, certain plants support each other while others totally don’t get along. Plants also compete and fight for resources. In companion planting, plants do good to each other by adding nutrients to the soil, getting beneficial insects into the farm or even by confusing insects in search of their host plants. As a farmer or gardener, growing plants with good companions brings peace and smooth growth of your produce. Below are combinations of plants found to be of benefit to each other.

BEANS

In beans, you can use the following plants as companions for maximum benefit; beet, cabbage family, carrot, celery, chard, corn, cucumber, radish, potatoes, eggplant, strawberry and pea. However, there are other plants which also act as enemies to beans and should not be planted together. These include garlic, onion and shallot which stunt the growth of beans.

CARROTS

When practicing companion planting, you can choose to plant carrots as your main crop but add some few others to act as their companion. These plants will add nutrients and sometimes water to the soil in which your carrots are growing, making it a nice environment for your plants. Companion plants for carrots are tomato, bean, onion, pepper, radish, lettuce and chives.

CORN

Corn goes well with many types of companion plants which include pumpkin, tomato, squash, pea, parsley, bean, cucumber and melon.

BRASSICAS

Anyone growing this type of food plant should know that this plant do well when planted together with Nasturtium which is a food plant to some caterpillar which mostly feed on cabbage family (Brassicas). Some gardeners have proved that planting Nasturtium together with brassicas protects the food crop brassicas from damage because eggs of the pest will be laid preferentially on the nasturtium.

BEETS

Companion planting has proved to be a successful practice after increased yields were reported after implementing it. Plants like beet do well with companion plants like lettuce, onion, cabbage family and bush beans.

CUCUMBERS

For veggies lovers, planting cucumber could be a rewarding move and in-cooperating them with companion plants will surely boost your productivity. Cucumbers go well with beans, pea, corn, tomato, radish and cabbage family. However, you should be careful not to mix sage with cucumber because it is among the injurious plants to cucumber.

ONIONS

Gardeners all over the world have proved that cabbage family, beet, chard, carrot, pepper, lettuce, tomato, strawberry are the best companion plants for onions.

POTATOES

For anyone who plants potatoes, you may want to try the following companion plants for increased productivity; eggplant, beans, corn, pea and cabbage family. Planting horseradish at the corners of a potato patch provides maximum protection to your potato plants and the tubs.

TOMATOES

For tomatoes farmers, companion plants such as onions, cucumber asparagus, carrot, celery, pepper and parsley go well with tomato. You can also plant basil which will repel all flies and mosquitoes. Other companion plants that go well with tomatoes are borage, which keeps off tomato worms, improves growth and adds flavor.

STRAWBERRY

Thyme, spinach, onions, beans, lettuce all can be planted with strawberry as companion plants. Borage also works well with strawberry as it strengthens resistance to insects and plant diseases.

SQUASH

Squash belongs to the pumpkin family and has been proven to do well with companion plants such as melon, pumpkin and corn. As a farmer, you can also plant nasturtium with squash because it deters squash bugs and beetles.

PEAS

Peas can be planted alongside bean, corn, carrot, cucumber, turnip and radish as its companion plants. Mint can also be planted alongside peas because it improves its health and flavor.

Over the years, farmers have been able to understand which plants grow well together and which vegetables stunt each others growth. Some plants and vegetable benefit each other by improving the soil while others are completely toxic to each other. Companion planting therefore provide a perfect blueprint for high farm productivity.

See also:

Grow Bigger, Fatter, Better Tomatoes

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Here’s why carrots ought to be in your veggie garden /veggienews/2016-03-08-heres-why-carrots-ought-to-be-in-your-veggie-garden.html /veggienews/2016-03-08-heres-why-carrots-ought-to-be-in-your-veggie-garden.html#respond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://162.244.66.231/veggienews/2016-03-08-heres-why-carrots-ought-to-be-in-your-veggie-garden (Homesteading.news) It’s that time of year again when we’re ready to put seeds and seedlings back in the ground to grow the food we’ll eat, can and store for the coming year. And while there are lots of choices regarding which vegetables and fruits you ought to be growing, there are some staple foods that should to be in your garden, and carrots are one of those staple foods.

Why? For one thing, carrots are chock full of nutrients and vitamins. As reported by NaturalNews, carrots are naturally rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber as well. For every 100 grams, carrots only contain about 41 calories, with negligible fat content and no cholesterol.

Rich in vitamin A and beta-carotenes, carrots help protect against the development of mouth and lung cancers, research has shown. These compounds also help protect skin, along with flavonoids.

Researchers have also found that falcarinol found in carrots may actually help prevent some cancers because it destroys cells that are pre-cancerous.

In addition, fresh carrots are rich in vitamin C, supplying about 9 percent of the recommended daily allowance. Vitamin C contributes to healthier gums, teeth and connective tissue, and their antioxidant properties keep the body protected from other disease processes that are caused by free radicals. Finally, carrots are super-rich in vitamin B complex vitamins like B6, folic acid, thiamine and more, which aid in metabolism.

And yes, carrots also improve vision, through the vitamin A they contain. Plus, carrots are crunchy, sweet and useful in all kinds of recipes (or just stand-alone, as a juice).

So, what is the best way to grow carrots? How can you get a full, healthy crop of these icons of nutrition?

First, some basics: Soil quality. When above-ground plants do well but root plants, like carrots, don’t, that’s usually because you’re working with heavily compacted soil, like clay. The thing is, of everything that we grow, carrots require the loosest of soil – so if you’re stuck with poor soil quality, the best way around this is to put your carrots in a raised bed.

Also, note that carrots can get too many soil nutrients, and if that happens, they are liable to wind up tasting woody and being hairy. This is especially true of nitrogen, which makes for the worst tasting carrots—so don’t use any kind of manure or chemical fertilizer. A better idea is to work into the soil about two inches of good compost. If you must add something, carrots do like a little phosphorus and potassium (the P and K members of the N-P-K scale, “N” being nitrogen), but make it light).

Carrots do best in warm, not hot, soil, but they taste best when harvested after a cold night, so this makes late summer – (mid-July to August 1) the ideal time to plant your carrot seeds. The green tops will love the summer sun while the roots love the warm soil. It takes about 70 days for carrots to mature; harvesting after a cold, frost-filled night really concentrates the sugars.

When planting, soak the growing area very well, sow your seeds thickly, cover with the smallest amount of soil-free mix, and mist in the mornings and evenings with moisture. Keep your seed packet handy for reference and harvest a test carrot exactly when the “Days to Mature” is indicated. If it is light in color then wait to harvest the rest because they are not yet mature; if the color is okay but the taste isn’t, then you’ve waited too long. Best to harvest first thing in the morning after a cool night.

Homesteading.news is part of the USA Features Media network of sites.

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Become a beekeeper and have year-round pollination of your plants and veggies /veggienews/2016-03-02-become-a-beekeeper-and-have-year-round-pollination-of-your-plants-and-veggies.html /veggienews/2016-03-02-become-a-beekeeper-and-have-year-round-pollination-of-your-plants-and-veggies.html#respond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://162.244.66.231/veggienews/2016-03-02-become-a-beekeeper-and-have-year-round-pollination-of-your-plants-and-veggies (Homesteading.news) It’s probably not something you’ve thought much about, especially since you might be a little skittish about bees, but honestly, becoming a beekeeper is a great way to help save and then preserve a dying resource that is vital to the health and well-being of your plant and vegetable gardens.

(Article by D. Samuelson, taken from collapse.news)

You may not have known but there is a sort of war on against honeybees and other species – not a declared war, mind you, but one that is being waged unwittingly, by big biochemical companies like Monsanto. As NaturalNews reported in August:

The global blockbuster herbicide Roundup (glyphosate) destroys the ability of honeybees to navigate back to their hives, and it might be playing a role in the ongoing collapse of pollinator populations worldwide. This is according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina and the Free University Berlin that was published in the Journal of Experimental Biology on July 10.

What’s more, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says that while honeybee decline has slowed someone, the overall trend is still downward. This is a big deal; honeybees are massive pollinators. Without them, or with a dramatically reduced population, reports onEarth, experts estimate that bees pollinate somewhere between one-third and two-thirds of the world’s crops.

So, with that in mind, you could develop your own built-in pollinator factory just by starting your own bee colony. And honestly, it’s much easier than you think. And besides, you’ll have an endless supply of honey that you can use yourself and even sell, if you choose to do so.

First, know that if you can grow a garden, you can become a beekeeper, as noted by Popular Mechanics. It takes about the same amount of time and energy to keep and grow a beehive as it does to tend your garden.

Second, there are some questions you should ask yourself before running out and getting bees and beehives, like, where are you going to keep them? Most would say their back yards and that’s okay, but first check out some things like zoning laws and how your neighbors might feel about an excess number of bees suddenly buzzing about. And, your family should be on board (Tip: Is anyone in your family allergic to bee stings? You need to know first. Get tested by a qualified physician.).

Next, is your yard even big enough to support a bee colony?

“A typical sized city lot of about a tenth of an acre or so, even one as large as large as a half acre can accommodate one or maybe two colonies when there are other space considerations — like a family that uses the backyard for recreational play, cookouts, family pets or a flower or vegetable garden,” Popular Mechanics noted.

When deciding on which colonies to buy, understand that they don’t have to be white; they can be green, brown or mottled; this might be necessary to thwart the prying eyes of children and others. You could also locate the colonies behind annual hedge or flower patches, or behind a garage so they are out of sight. “This also makes your bees fly up and away when leaving their hive, and return from up above your screen so that they aren’t flying at human height, and those types of close encounters can be interesting,” PopMech notes.

You will also want to keep your hives off the ground, so you’ll need hive stands. These are easy to build; some 2×4’s and cement blocks will do the trick. Make your hives about 18 inches off the ground to protect them from skunks and other four-legged bee predators. And keep enough room between the hives to place the covers and honey supers later in the season. Finally, you might want to put a layer of mulch or gravel around your hives, to keep the mud down.

You’ll need to build your hives to suit the needs of your bees, says PopMech:

You have to imagine a honeybee colony as a sphere in this space rather than a collection of combs hanging from the top. Your bees in your beehive will construct their nest in very much the same way. Honey on top, pollen surrounding the brood nest and brood near the bottom. Keep that arrangement in mind.

As you probably expected, you’ll need to some protective outwear when working with hives. Many beekeepers just use a simply hat-and-veil setup, while others use the hat/veil combo with a lightweight protective suit. Sometimes the bees aren’t in a very good mood [like when the weather’s bad] so the protective suit is a good pick-up. Consider some gloves, too.

One your very best pieces of equipment will be your bee smoker. This is simply a cylinder with a bellows attached. In the cylinder you build a slow burning fire; you can use pine needles, old burlap, rotten wood or even purchase some commercially manufactured smoker fuel.

Here is what makes the smoker so valuable and why you should keep it lit at all times when you’re working the hives, per PopMech:

When smoke enters the beehive when you are working in the hive, a couple of things happen. First, a honeybee’s natural instinct when confronted with smoke is to react as if there is a forest fire, and the natural home (recall that hollow tree?) is about to be consumed. Escape is the first defense, and worker bees will duck into the hive and eat as much honey as they can to take with them when they abandon the hive and seek out a new nest. Thus, they are busy when you are working, and they pretty much leave you alone. Second, communication in a beehive is chemical … pheromones waft around the hive continuously, produced by the queen, other workers, the brood and even drones. These chemical messages tell other bees what to do, when to do it and when to stop. Smoke interferes with these messages, and communication breaks down … and when that happens you can go into a hive and do your work, being left pretty much alone because nobody can talk, and nobody can hear … chemically.

As for which hive to select, here a simple graphic that will help you.

Finally, you’re ready to choose your bees – which will you choose? Here are some basic suggestions:

Italians: These are gentle, productive, easy to manage and pretty. They have lots of yellow in them and they are the most common bee available.

Carniolans: These are dark bees and very gentle but harder to maintain in that they are more demanding. However, they winter better, so where there are harsh winters, these bees are more hearty. But their populations build fast so in the spring you’ll have to prepare to prevent swarms.

Russians: These are known for their gentle, somewhat erratic behavior. They are slower to build but build quickly when they get started. Sometimes they will swarm instantly; other times not at all. They are tolerant of and resistant to varroa mites, which some beekeepers see as a definite plus.

So, are you convinced? The good news is, there are online resources you can consult to help you get started, like this one.

Homesteading.news is part of the USA Features Media network of sites.

See also:

NaturalNews

onEarth

Popular Mechanics

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What herbs and veggies you should plant in mid-winter /veggienews/2016-02-08-what-herbs-and-veggies-you-should-plant-in-mid-winter.html /veggienews/2016-02-08-what-herbs-and-veggies-you-should-plant-in-mid-winter.html#respond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://162.244.66.231/veggienews/2016-02-08-what-herbs-and-veggies-you-should-plant-in-mid-winter (Homesteading.news) It may be cold outside and where you live there might even be snow on the ground – a lot of it – but that doesn’t mean now is a bad time to get some veggies planted.

In fact, there are a whole host of herbs, vegetables and other edibles that you could have even begun planting in January, but as they say, it’s never too late to get started.

Granted, you obviously won’t be able to put seeds in the ground, however you can and should get started with indoor planting now, in order to get a jumpstart on your spring and summer crops.

Let’s take a look at what you should consider planting the first three months of the year.

January

Tomatoes and Peppers: Most of these will take 6-8 weeks to reach transplant size; plan according to your winter time zone. You can transplant to a larger indoor pot if you want but that’s double the work.

Some varieties to consider for tomatoes: Roma, Cherokee Purple, Heirloom Blend, Brandywine

Some varieties to consider for peppers: Early Jalapeno, Super Chili, Sweet Banana

Onions: Late January is a good time to plant if you live in a warmer gardening zone; otherwise, if your winter lasts longer, wait until the first week to 10 days in February. You should let them grow to five or six inches, then cut the tops back to about three inches, then repeat. This will strengthen the onion’s root structure.

Some varieties to consider for onions: Sweet Yellow Spanish, Candy Hybrid, Sweet White Walla Walla

Herbs: Without question these are the most popular indoor/winter plants. You can use a grow box or other indoor grow kit.

Some varieties to consider for herbs: Parsley, Thyme, Basil, Chives, Oregano

February

Brocolli: This is a great late winter crop if you live in warmer parts of the country. Plus, if you put in the ground towards the middle-to-end of the month you’ll be able to get your crop harvested before the harsh summer sun sets in.

Suggested variety: Calabrese

Outdoor herbs: Some of the best herbs for growing in hot climates include basil, oregano and sage.

Other suggested varieties: Dill, Italian Basil, Greek Oregano

Also: Lettuce [before the hot summer sun wilts it] – Buttercrunch, Black Seeded Simpson; Onions, Peppers, Tomatoes

March

As March arrives it is the perfect time to consider transplanting your winter growth. Again, adjust to your climate region, but a number of crops are going to be ready for the ground.

Beets: Get them in early for an early summer treat.

Here is a variety suggestion: Detroit Dark Red

Broccoli: Plant early before the summer sun takes its toll.

Suggested variety: Calabrese

Carrots: You can plant these again in July for a fall harvest.

Some varieties to consider for carrots: Scarlett Nantes, Little Finger

Corn: This is a fast-growing, delicious veggie that tastes great straight from the stalk to the steamer. Start with a smaller plot and work your way up.

Some varieties to consider for corn: Sugar Buns, Incredible

Cabbage: You’ll find this crop one of the easiest to grow – and most rewarding.

Varieties: Golden Acre, Premium Late Flat Dutch

Other crops you can put out in March in some parts of the country include:

Peas

Onions

Peppers

Spinach

Lettuce

Summer Squash

Melons

And get your tomato and pepper start-ups in the ground!

Homesteading.news is part of the USA Features Media network of sites. For advertising opportunities, click here.

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Load up on fall veggies /veggienews/2015-10-07-load-up-on-fall-veggies.html /veggienews/2015-10-07-load-up-on-fall-veggies.html#respond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://162.244.66.231/veggienews/2015-10-07-load-up-on-fall-veggies The season of yellow and orange leaves and vegetables is upon us. Potatoes, onions and pumpkins abound – and what a wonderful thing it is. Most fall vegetables are notorious for storing well as long as they are kept in a cool, dry place – like your basement or the back of your pantry. Onions and potatoes are particularly well known for their lengthy shelf life, and there are plenty of autumn-inspired recipes for their use.

Orange and yellow vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, yams and winter squash are loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene. These nutrients are vital to keeping your eyes healthy. They are also great anti-aging nutrients that strengthen your immune system and are believed to fight off the development of cancerous cells. They’re also rich in antioxidants. Orange and yellow vegetables tend to be pretty good sources of fiber too – which will help keep you full and sated and will stabilize your blood sugar.

It’s also a great idea to eat seasonally! Seasonal veggies are more likely to be grown nearby, and are generally more nutritious than vegetables that are grown out of season. Plus, they’ll taste better, too.

If you would like to continue reading great health articles like this one, check out AlternativeNews.com.

Sources:

OffTheGridNews.com

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