Posted by Bret Knight on April 12, 2011
Using saved seeds from previous crops is often a great method to be self sufficient. This is a wonderful goal. Extra skills are needed to grow from seeds. Seed size gives you an indication of how hearty those seedlings will be. If the seed is small, you will find seedlings to take some extra time to really take off. Large seeds give stronger seedlings. In this article, I will give you a quick introduction to raising from seeds.
Depending on where you are, you will find you will need to start warm season small seed crops indoors so they will have time to produce during the season. The temperature of the soil needs to be higher for warm season seeds to germinate. Plant large seeds in late spring because they do not need as much help. Remember, seed germination and temperature of the soil are closely related.
You can start small seeds closer together. If you do plant them close, you will have to take some time to thin them out. Your new young plants are competing for resources and you do not want to have any crowding issues. Many people sow them close together and thin them early in order to maximize the space and be able to absorb the pain of some seeds not germinating.
Please be aware of the vulnerabilities of seedlings. Some diseases, like fungal issues, can kill your plant. The best way to reduce the risk is to plant them when the soil is warm, but not wet. Super clean containers can be an great option to reduce disease risk. Make sure your seedlings start out in an area with good circulation. To ensure cleanliness, use bleach on all equipment and utensils. Lastly, you should make every effort to ensure you use sterile soil and clean water.
You do not have to start everything in the greenhouse. The age old way of growing outside is fine. After all, this is the way nature intended. If you plan, you will find your plants are drought and disease resistant. Just be mindful of new pests and watch for disease.
You do not have to have a greenhouse to start seedlings. Many people have a shelf in their house or garage with fluorescent lights. There is nothing wrong with starting your seeds here. You can regulate the temperature and put the lighting on a timer. Some have even integrated self-watering systems to make starting seeds simple and efficient. Just be careful any time you use electricity and water together. They do not play well. Be cautious.
This particular report happens to be the primer upon the best way to be effective with seed products as well as seedlings. Remember, small seeds need more time to take off while large seeds seem to grow much quicker. Take some time to remember seedling vulnerabilities and make an environment for them to flourish. Growing from seed is a great way to be self sufficient.
If you’re interested in learning more about the vegetables or how to grow them, read another article, where I share more information on how to be self sufficient. Be Self Sufficient today!
Posted by Christine Szalay-Kudra on October 4, 2010
Lots of us are looking for new recipe options that will give us something new in our lives, taste great, and still be healthier than restaurant fare or processed foods. Much of the time, this involves focusing on high protein foods that are low in fat, particularly saturated fat. That is why so many people are cooking with chicken. It is a great choice for anyone trying to eat more healthily, since chicken is mostly made up of lean protein.
Choosing a healthy chicken recipe over red meat can help you cut down your cholesterol levels, reduce hypertension, and even lose weight without giving up on great taste. Chicken is a fabulously versatile food that can be used in nearly all cuisines and with almost every cooking style.
Many people are deciding to spice up their salads a little with marinated grilled chicken, to make delicious chicken wraps and Latin American or Asian inspired dishes. There are lots of easy chicken recipes out there. Remember that the chicken you use is going to affect how healthy the dish is and how good it tastes, with cage reared chickens often producing lower quality meat, even if it is less expensive than the alternatives.
One alternative that will still allow you to enjoy great, low fat foods that are high in protein is organic or free range chicken. Be sure to know what each label means. However, these chickens have generally been raised according to certain standards, which improve the health and well being of the animal and the quality of the meat they produce. While it is more expensive, chicken recipes made with organic or other specialty chicken meat are worth the extra cost in terms of flavor and healthiness.
You may find that this meat contains less fat and more muscle. If you are still concerned about an excess of fat, it is easy to trim off. You can even remove the skin to further reduce fat, resulting in a truly low fat meal that does not sacrifice much in the way of taste.
Remember, no matter what you are using, to treat your chicken carefully. For safety, do not let raw chicken sit at room temperature, and refrigerate cooked chicken within two hours. Frozen chicken is safe to store for up to a year in the freezer, however.
Chicken should always be washed in cold water, and a clean cutting board and knife should be used in all cases. Once the chicken has been prepared, anything that touched the raw meat needs to be cleaned immediately. If you handle your meat correctly, the danger of contamination is significantly less.
Thankfully, safe preparation of chicken is not a hard thing to do, and cooking it in a healthy way is not difficult, either. Just spend a little time working on creative ways to cook this versatile food, or look online to find lots of great recipes. You will enjoy some quality meals and you will feel a lot better.
Chicken is a great choice for cooking in parchment. Slice it up and it will cook quickly. For more ideas for boneless chicken, check out BonelessChickenRecipe.com. There are lots of recipes and articles to learn more about this tasty, convenient ingredient.
