General Tips

Too late to plant?

It is too late in April to plant bare root trees sold. You can plant the fruit sold in containers, it will just be vigilant about watering in the summer.

Too late to prune?

Except in very harsh climate, it’s actually a little late. The recovery of vegetation is there, the sap has taken a heavy traffic: it’s time to create more cuts.

Mulching

A thick mulch around the trees can limit the amount of grass, and keeps the roots of young trees in a cool place.

Staking

Young trees, especially those conducted in rod, need to be staked to resist wind. Do not plant a stake at the foot: the risk is not zero damage to a large root. Instead, press the shaft against a guardian angle.

Strip of glue

Install or check the condition of the tapes fixed bugs ( strip of glue ) arranged at 1m on each fruit tree trunk. This trap perfect nonpolluting is very effective (against aphids, etc.), provided they are placed early enough in the season. Read the rest of this entry »

Diseased fruit and leaves

Promote the sunshine

What is a reflex for tomatoes also applies to the orchard. The sun being rarer in September, it is important that the benefit of fruit each ray. Do not hesitate to remove a few leaves that generated the sunny fruit. In moderation, of course. Particularly recommended for grapes from the vine. Read the rest of this entry »

Known and cultivated since ancient times, the almond tree produces fruits (drupes) are very rich in oil and vitamins. Eaten fresh or dried, they are also used in cosmetology for their softening and moisturizing. The flowering of the almond tree harbinger of spring is always welcome, even if the cold is still present, its pinkish white flowers perfume the garden and parent in the month of March.

A tree with a thousand virtues

Native to western Asia, Prunus dulcis stems from the Rosaceae family. It has been cultivated for over 6,000 years in Iran. This deciduous tree can reach an average height of 10 meters high and has a nice life because it can live over 100 years. The flowers appear in late winter on bare branches, follow the green velvety fruit containing the famous almond consumed by humans as is, or dried in baking, a concentrated energy.
The kernel allows to overcome the lack of animal protein in a strict vegetarian diet, like all dried fruit , it avoids the “pump stroke” of the late morning.
The buds are a wonderful eaten fresh serum of youth for the elderly, and the oil extracted from the kernel has proven itself in dermatology and cosmetology. It is excellent for treating skin conditions and soften dry skin. Applied during pregnancy, it helps to prevent stretch marks if unsightly. Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes we lack space to plant fruit trees in the ground. If you only have a small garden, balcony or terrace, do not give much to the pleasure of harvesting your own fruit: the dwarf fruit accommodate themselves very well to pot culture.

What fruit trees?

All fruit trees are not suitable for growing in pots. The berry-producing shrubs are best suited, but you can also choose trees of larger size (if opting for a dwarf or a dwarfing rootstock, ask when buying).

• Apple trees behave quite well in pots, with a columnar shape, especially since the compact varieties of apple have been created specifically for this mode of culture.
• Pears often reach a size larger than the apple, making culture column, pot, a little more tricky (especially if your space is reduced). It is sometimes better to Palisser (palmette or espalier ), which saves space and better penetration of the sun.
• The fig tree is content with a reduced volume of soil, and can also be installed in a pot.
• Plum , peach and cherry are also suitable pot life, but they often need to be fenced, against a wall or fence (preferably with a southern exposure).
• Think also of citrus (orange, clementine, tangerine , lemon, kumquat ), which bear fruit in pots easily, provided you have the opportunity to put them under shelter in the fall when the first cold until May (ideally, in a bright room with a night temperature of 7 to 12 ° C). Read the rest of this entry »

The eggplant is part of the essential vegetables of the Mediterranean diet. Low energy and high in fiber, can be eaten raw or cooked, and joins remarkably well with other seasonal vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, zucchini …). Its cultivation is very simple, tray or in the ground, as long as you procuriez him she loves the sun …

Ground

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) needs a rich soil and good drainage. In the garden, bury an organic fertilizer in the winter. Again, the plant grows well in pots, it is possible to recycle especially for this use black plastic containers that contain shrubs purchased in nurseries. Read the rest of this entry »

The apricot is a fruit tree drought resistant and easy enough to live: maintenance is minimal, and the size is optional. The apricot harvest is highly dependent on the weather, but in the worst case, you at least enjoyed a very decorative flowers in early spring.

An apricot tree in the north of the Loire?

The apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a small tree naturally spread to the port, rarely exceeding 6 meters in height and belonging to the Rosaceae family. Its lifespan is usually 40 to 45 years, and hopefully raise apricots 3 or 4 years after planting.

Native to Central Asia, it is adapted to hot climates, including the Mediterranean climate. However, it may withstand very low temperatures in winter (down to -25 ° C or -30 ° C for some varieties), and can be grown in certain areas north of the Loire. The apricot harvest will be more random, however, because the tree flowering period is very sensitive to spring frosts. In regions where the climate is unfavorable, we take care to choose a late flowering variety. Read the rest of this entry »

Multiply the artichoke seedlings, seedling, sucker …

Forget about seeding, rarely practiced because it gives poor results.

You can do two ways to install the artichokes in the garden:

• collected in early spring suckers (called “eyelets”) on stock plants that have overwintered in the ground
• eyecups or buy “all prepared”, sold as many other plants in pots. Perfect for a start.

As the artichoke is a perennial, it will benefit from one year to another and give generously for 3 years. Then the degenerate feet: the “pros” so renew 1/3 of planting each year for regular harvests …

To do this, spread sheets, choose only the finest releases carrying small roots and cut net. You can then either directly replant each eyepiece, or do raciner quietly in your own bucket. In all cases, it is necessary to remove the rotten parts and cut ends of leaves: one speaks of dressing. Read the rest of this entry »

Instructions

• 1
  All chickens were born last spring are now ready to lay eggs. At first, the eggs may be small but after a month or so are the right size and their ideal weight is 60 grams.
• 2
  Remember that the hens can go outside even if it snows, but in space who was not available they must form puddles of water and mud as they can cause the formation of infectious diseases. Read the rest of this entry »

Learn about animal welfare.

Estimate the time you have to create
a small farm, on the construction of the barn and
are planning, the grassy space that you have, the power, the life of a hen and a rooster

How long do you have?

A chicken coop is cleaned regularly. They are not demanding animals,
but they must be given to drink and eat all day. It takes
1 hour per day and that is impossible to leave them alone, is in case, remember to provide assistance to a person while there is time.
This is important to be able to leave with peace of mind. Read the rest of this entry »