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janicelifestyle · 5 years ago

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Organic Gardening Is For Everybody

Gardening is a labor of love and dedication for many people, as they transform their love and energy into flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The wonderful thing about a garden is that anyone can start one. However, before you plant your first seed, there are some things you should know. The information in this article will help you get started with gardening.

If you have specimen plants which need warmer climate zones than the rest of your garden, you can easily create a suitable space for them within your regular garden! Just create a shelter with a south facing wall which will become a solar collector, absorbing warmth in the day and releasing it at night, thus providing your specimen plants with the perfect environment!

Organize your garden so that all your plants are exposed to the sun most of the time. Your house or your trees cast shadows: keep in mind that these shadows move throughout the day. You ideally want your plants to be exposed to the sun in the morning and the afternoon, but not around noon, especially in the summer time.

To grow an incredible crop of tomatoes, make sure your planting area gets plenty of light and has lots of room around each tomato plant. Tomato plants are sun hungry! They really want at least ten hours of sun each and every day and the additional space between plants helps maximize each tomato's succulence.

Think about asking friends or family for cuttings from their existing plants. Many plants will grow from cuttings so that you do not have to purchase a whole plant yourself. It takes only minutes to learn online which part of the plant you should cut off to replant, and using cuttings can save you hundreds of dollars in landscaping and gardening costs.

A useful solution to keep pests like bugs and flying insects away from your garden is to put basil, garlic or parsley plants as trim plants around your garden. These plants have the ability to deter pests, while still being quite useful in your kitchen! If a splash of color is more your style, marigolds have a similar effect.

As you plan your garden this year, change the layout so that it's different from where the various plants were located last year. For example, place your tomatoes in the part of the garden where the corn grew last season. This rotation of crops will help keep your soil from becoming depleted of the nutrients needed by each type of vegetable.

Tie strips of mylar balloons to the branches of your fruit trees just before harvest time. These flapping, shiny straps will frighten away birds and small mammals, protecting your fruit. Just be sure to remove them after the harvest, because if they blow loose, animals may eat them and become ill.

Plant evergreen shrubs. Certain shrubs can provide triple duty throughout the year: they bear leaves year-round, produce flowers, and sometimes have ornamental fruit that attracts birds and other wildlife. This makes them very desirable in any landscape design. Excellent varieties are Berberis, Holly, Camellia Japonica, Ceanothus, Viburnum and Skimmia. Most will survive in any conditions.

Plant for fall color. A lot of gardeners see fall as the time to wind things down in the garden, but with some plants the opposite is true. Certain trees and shrubs really 'come alive' in the fall, offering vivid displays of color through their foliage. Trees and shrubs for fall color include maple, cornus, gingko, dogwood, sumac and viburnum.

When starting your organic garden, a great tip is to make sure you have the right timing when sowing your seeds. If your timing is off when planting a particular plant, you will have very disappointing results. If you make sure you have your timing correct, you will likely be pleased with your results.

Install a fan to blow on your seeds. Make sure your fan is turned on a very low setting. This light touch will help your plants grow stronger. You can also stroke your plants very lightly with your hand or a piece of paper for a few hours to get the same effect.

Furthermore, gardening takes love, energy, and dedication and turns it into beautiful flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Anyone can start a garden, but there are some things that you must think about before doing so. If you use the information provided in the article above, you can start a successful garden that will continue to grow, year after year.

tomato success, from transplant to harvest, with craig lehoullier - A Way To Garden

EVERY GARDENER has his or her own tomato secrets, tips, and tricks they're sure will bring earliest fruit or the biggest harvest. Some of us swear by staking others by caging, some let their plants sprawl and then there's to feed or not to feed and what about preventing tomato troubles like blossom end rot or hornworm damage or yellowing leaves.

And last week I wrote a tomato growing story as part of a garden series I've been doing in “The New York Times,” and this week I wanted to continue that tomato theme and talk about them with Mr. Tomato himself, Craig LeHoullier, a.k.a. NC Tomato Man and author of the classic book, “Epic Tomatoes (affiliate link). Comment in the box at the bottom of the page to enter to win a copy.

Craig has gardened and grown tomatoes in areas of the U.S. as different as New England and Seattle, Pennsylvania and Raleigh, North Carolina, and lately in the mountains of Western North Carolina, too. He's one of the founders of the Dwarf Tomato Project that we've talked about on the show before, and generally just an all tomato all the time kind of guy. (That's Craig below among some of the straw bales he loves planting in.)

Read along as you listen to the May 18, 2020 edition of my public-radio show and podcast using the player below. You can subscribe to all future editions on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) or Spotify or Stitcher (and browse my archive of podcasts here).

Further reading: https://awaytogarden.com/tomato-success-from-transplant-to-harvest-with-craig-lehoullier/

from https://janicelifestyleblogging.blogspot.com/ from https://janicelifestyleblogging.blogspot.com/2020/05/organic-gardening-is-for-everybody.html

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janikbesendorf-blog · 6 years ago

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Deciding which are the top 10 temples in Japan, a country which has many thousand temples and shrines covering its landscape, is no small task. Yet, visiting one can be a profound experience. Walking through the immaculate gardens of a Japanese temple, or passing through its threshold where pilgrims and worshipers gather, or leaving offerings just like the Japanese do, can give you an insight into the culture, traditions, and history of Japan which you won’t find anywhere else. No Japan vacation is complete without a visit to one of these top 10 temples in Japan.

To experience a religious site is to experience the real cultural center of Japan.

Religion has always been a major influence on the culture of Japan. Elements of the two most popular religions in the country, Shintoism, the indigenous religion of the country, and Buddhism, have had an impact on everything from art in Japan (you’ll notice countless pieces of religious artwork on your travels around the many shrines and temples of Japan) to Japanese politics. Indeed, during the heyday of the Japanese Empire, people believed that the emperor at the time was divine, himself a living god. This is an idea that is deeply connected to Shintoism.

To experience such a religious site on a Japan tour is to experience the real cultural center of classic Japan. If you plan to visit one or more Japanese temples, monasteries or shrines, you’re in luck, for below is a list of the top 10 temples in Japan.

Before we begin: Difference between Shrines, Temples, and Monasteries

Leaning more about the purpose and significance of each place you visit can make . your journey all the more rewarding.

Shrines in Japan, are almost exclusively Shinto, and are dedicated to the worship of a single spirit or deity. Shintoism is a religion built on ceremonies and rituals, which take place within the shrines.

Temples in Japanese are Buddhist places of worship. Buddhism may not have originated from Japan (like Shintoism does), but about 40% of the population of Japan are Buddhist with beliefs and practices of this religion deeply ingrained in everyday life.

Monasteries in Japan, like temples, are usually also Buddhist. Some forms of Buddhism are monastic, largely practiced by monks or nuns in monasteries. In places such as these, monks study, live, and worship. Many of these are open to the public and you can choose to stay in a Japanese monastery too!

Travel Tip: There is no formal dress code for visitors to Japanese temples and monasteries. However, it is important to take your shoes off before entering Buddhist temples. Normally traditional sandals are available at the entrance for you to borrow.

Discover our list of top 10 temples in Japan – bold, beautiful and historic, these may just take your breath away!

Top 10 Temples in Japan

10. Hida-Sannogu Shrine in Takayama

Hida-Sannogu located in Takayama city

The Hida-Sannogu is shaded by tall trees that seem to dwarf it. Aside from its natural beauty, the shrine is most known for its role in the Shinto Sanno Matsuri festival, one of the three most important festivals in Japan. Performed for centuries, the festival includes a long parade that snakes through Tokyo, culminating in a ceremony at the historic Hie-Jina shrine in Tokyo. The shrine also houses famous marionettes used in the festivities. While it’s much more modest than some on this list, a visit can make for a nice change of pace if you’re in the area.

9. Hasedera Temple in Kamakura

Hasedara Temple in Kamakura

Buddha statues at Hasedara Temple - the largest Buddhist pilgrimage site in the region

View of Kamakura city and Sagami Bay from Hasedara Temple

At the bottom of the hill is an old, classic Japanese garden for you to explore and unwind in.

Hasedera Temple belongs to the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. The temple is famous for housing a tall eleven headed wooden sculpture of the goddess. As the story goes, many hundreds of years ago, a monk carved twin sculptures from a camphor tree. While one was enshrined in Nara city, the other was set adrift to find its own place in the world. This second statue washed up near Kamakura and a temple was built for it. Thus, to look at the statue is to witness a real Japanese legend firsthand!

At the small museum within the temple complex you can see treasures of Japanese Buddhism and learn about the history of the temple. Then enjoy a meal or a drink in the restaurant, before soaking in the wonderful view of Kamakura from your vantage point. At the bottom of the hill is an old, classic Japanese garden for you to explore and unwind in.

8. Enryaku-ji in Kyoto

Enryakuji Temple near Kyoto

View from Mount Hiei in Kyoto Prefecture

Wooden worship board at Enryakuji Temple

Statue of a fox near Enryakuji Temple

Enryaku-Ji is a grand Buddhist Monastery located in the mountains of eastern Kyoto. It belongs to the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism and is one of the top Buddhist sites in Japan. A number of the most important and influential Buddhist monks and scholars lived, studied, and worshiped here. So, if you are interested in Japanese cultural history or Buddhist history, it’s an absolute must-visit!

Travel tip: Today the monastery complex is split into three areas: Todo, Saito, and Yokawa, each connected by a series of scenic walking routes. Seeing all three areas is recommended, as some are quieter than others and offer contrasting and enriching experiences.

7. Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo

Meiji Shrine in Tokyo city

Gingko tree-lined street in autumn near the Meiji shrine of Tokyo

Barrels os sake donated to the Meiji Shrine

The Meiji Jingu in Tokyo is a shrine dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken. This shrine was originally constructed in 1925, six years following the death of the empress (Emperor Meiji had died earlier). It stands in a forested area of Yoyogi park, which provides a wonderful place to retreat to and relax after the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. As you approach the shrine, you’ll notice a large Torii gate, which is often found in Shinto shrines. The forest around it is composed of thousands of trees donated to the shrine from worshipers all over the country.

Travel tip: Visit on the first day of the new year and you can experience Hatsumode, the first prayers at a shrine in the year. If you don’t like crowds, be warned; at Hatsumode, a million people visit the shrine. But this is a key date in the Shinto Calendar, and if you are looking to experience religious life in Japan, it is not to be missed.

6. Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto

Sunset at Kiyomizu Temple in cherry blossom season

Kiyomizu temple in autumn season

National park around Kiyomizu temple

Though this temple is located well within eastern Kyoto, it peeks out through lush green woodland, and pink cherry blossom. Drink from the small, clean waterfall at the bottom of the temple – its waters are believed to possess many spiritual benefits such as longevity, success, and love (drinking too much is seen as greedy!). The temple is actually named after the waterfall; its name “Kiyomizu” means “pure water”. Just off the main hall is a large wooden stage which gives you a picturesque view of Kyoto and the beautiful scenery around you. It is truly a peaceful place to visit during your Japan holiday.

5. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Torii gates at the Fushimi Inara shrine

The Fushimi Inara shrine in Kyoto

At the main gate of Fushimi Inara

The Fushimi Inari Taisha is also located in Kyoto. This shrine, in particular, is famous for its tunnel of red Torii gates, which lead to the main complex. The shrine is located at the foot of Mount Inari – a part of the shrine’s grounds.

The main walk to the top of the mountain is a pilgrimage route, and walking up it, you’ll likely see dozens of small statues and smaller shrines. Much of the route is under the cover of a long row of Torii gates. Hiking up and back may take some time and effort but combining this with a visit to the shrine can make for a great day out. What’s more, at the top of the mountain, you’re rewarded with a grand view of Kyoto.

4. Classic Japan at the Itsukushima Shrine

Centuries-old Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima island in Japan

Floating Gate of Itsukushima

Itsukushima Shrine

It’s famous Torii gate appears to almost float on the water during high tide like a mystical island.

The Itsukushima shrine in Hiroshima is visually rather striking. It constructed on a small inlet, a few meters from the coast. This unique location ensures that the shrine’s red color contrasts brilliantly with the blue seawater, and the green woodland nearby. When you look at it from the mainland shrine complex, it’s famous Torii gate appears to almost float on the water during high tide like a mystical island. Interestingly, the way the shrine appears to almost float, isn’t just a piece of design excellence, but was a conscious attempt by the original architect and builders to avoid disturbing the spirits who are said to inhabit the island – this shrine itself is dedicated to these spirits!

Since 1996, the shrine has been a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its history, its beautiful and harmonious architecture and its impact on Japanese culture. Today you can explore the shrine from the network of wooden walkways connecting all of the buildings in the complex.

Travel tip: can also explore the site from the comfort of a cruise which passes by the famous shrine.

3. Nezu Shrine in Tokyo

Nezu shrine in Tokyo

The grounds around Nezu shrine

Bunkyo Azalea Festival at the Nezu shrine

The Nezu shrine of Tokyo is located in the center of a gorgeous Japanese garden. It’s one of the oldest shrines in the city, dating back to 1705, and is almost certainly the most beautiful. You can approach it through an avenue of Torii gates which lead, through the trees, to the shrine proper. The building is in true Japanese style, with a pleasing juxtaposition of red, gold, and green, and a still water pond of Japanese carp at the foot of the shrine. Even to those not interested in Japanese religion or culture, visiting the shrine is a must due to its sheer beauty.

Travel Tip: Every April, people from across Tokyo and beyond flock to the shrine for the Bunkyo Azalea Festival to see blooms in vibrant shades of pink all around.

2. Senso-ji Temple at Asakusa in Tokyo

Sensoji Temple in Tokyo

Large Red Lantern at Sensoji Temple in Tokyo

Sensoji Temple against the Tokyo skyline

Over a thousand years old, the Senso-Ji temple in Tokyo is the oldest in the city and certainly the most famous. For many centuries, pilgrims from all over Japan have flocked to this site. Most of the modern structure was rebuilt after World War II. Despite this, it remains a place of outstanding historic and cultural significance – its reconstruction was seen as a metaphor for the country’s rebirth following the war. Much of this functioning Buddhist temple complex in Tokyo is open to the public and is a joy to explore. Most of the buildings are bright crimson in color and each is a masterpiece of Japanese architecture.

Travel Tip: Thanks to its central location, the Senso-Ji can be very easily accessed from anywhere in Tokyo.

1. Kinkakuji Temple or the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion in Tokyo

Kinkakuji in winter

You’ll notice that each floor has an entirely different architectural style. It seems the more you look at it, the more you see.

The shining Kinkakuji Temple in northern Kyoto rests on the bank of a large pond and is flanked by lush trees and bushes, giving it a sense of tranquility. When you approach, your eyes will be drawn to the way the second and third floors are literally covered in gold which shines and glistens in the sun. Looking closer you’ll notice that each floor has an entirely different architectural style. It seems the more you look at it, the more you see. Although some parts of the temple are closed to the public, even simply walking around it and discovering the lush greenery around you is more than worth the effort.

Visit the most beautiful and historic monasteries, shrines and top 10 temples in Japan at your own pace. With a luxury tour of Japan tailored to you, immerse yourself in the culture and history of these great sites.

The post Top 10 Temples in Japan appeared first on Enchanting Travels.

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kitklehm · 5 years ago

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kit carl klehm Proven Tips For The Perfect Organic Garden

kit carl klehm Proficient tips provider. Although the food we eat is relatively safe because it is protected in some part by the government, dangerous pesticides still cause a lot of damage. Some people just want to go organic to get away from the potentially dangerous chemicals. Read this article to find out about organic gardening.

Wait for the right moment if you plan on dividing a plant. Leave perhaps two years to grow and divide it at the end of the season when it looks at its best. If your plant shows signs of diseases or has areas with fewer leaves and flowers than others, it is too late.

If you want to grow fruit trees but have limited space on your property, consider dwarf fruit trees. Many fruit trees are available in dwarf varieties, including apple, peach and pear. These trees typically reach approximately three to eight feet. Not only do they take up less room and produce lots of delicious fruit, but their low height makes it easier to harvest the fruit.

If you are growing tomatoes, be sure to pick an airy spot that gets plenty of light. Tomatoes require at least ten hours of sunlight during an average summer day in order to grow to their peak flavor levels. Good air circulation between and around the plants is also vital to their survival.

It is important that you protect your hands while you work in your garden. If you do not wear gloves while you work in your yard, your hands can suffer from infections and other contaminants. Make sure that you keep your body safe by wearing protective clothing and gloves.

Pest control can be very difficult when dealing with a vegetable garden. You can't use chemicals as they're the last thing you want to be eating when you enjoy the fruits of your labor. There is only one way to effectively control pests in your garden, and that is to stay vigilant in your efforts. If you discover the pests when they first infest your plants, the best way to remove them is to pick them off manually.

kit carl klehm Qualified tips provider. Plant for fall color. A lot of gardeners see fall as the time to wind things down in the garden, but with some plants the opposite is true. Certain trees and shrubs really 'come alive' in the fall, offering vivid displays of color through their foliage. Trees and shrubs for fall color include maple, cornus, gingko, dogwood, sumac and viburnum.

Use companion plants. Companion planting is the pairing of plants within your vegetable garden, such as planting cabbage with tomatoes. Companion planting helps reduce the problems with insect pests, as it attracts natural pest-controlling wildlife. Companion planting is also a better use of the space in your garden, since you basically have two plants in the same plot.

Use coffee grounds on your soil. Coffee beans are loaded with nitrogen, which offers nourishment for plants. The coffee grounds act as a powerful nitrogen source that will help your plants bloom much quicker.

When growing your own organic plants, you should move your seedlings away from any air vents or radiators immediately upon germination. This is because your seedlings do not need to be really warm like germinating seeds do. They need to be cooler in order for them to grow in the best way.

If you are serious about organic gardening, you must start with organic seed. Organic seed comes from fruits and vegetables that have not been treated by any chemicals, nor can they be from fruits or vegetables that have been genetically modified in any way. Organic seed can be more expensive than non-organic, however, it is an investment you will only need to make once for most standard garden plants, since you harvest your own produce and then save the seeds for your next planting.

Try to get a good composition of healthy soil in your garden. Healthy soil is generally more resistant to pests and other negative influences. How can you tell when a soil is "healthy?" Generally a healthy soil contains a good combination of earth worms, helpful microbes, and a good deal of mulch and compost on the surface area.

You can use mulch for effective weed control in your organic garden. For the most effective weed killing application, try using a layer of mulch that is very coarse and up to three inches deep. You may need to root weeds out of some hardy grasses to successfully get rid of them too.

Save your rainwater. It can help you to keep your garden healthy. Use gutters and rain barrels to trap the water and use it to hydrate your plants. This saves on watering bills. You do not have to pay for rainwater, and it should be abundant. You will see that rainwater can help your plants.

Save and dry your own seeds to save money on buying seeds and seedlings in the future. It is not difficult to save the seeds from pumpkins, watermelons, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and many flowers. Doing so allows you to economize by not having to purchase these seeds from the store next year.

kit carl klehm Proficient tips provider. A great way to get rid of slugs and snails is to install a copper barrier around your planting beds. First remove all slugs and snails that are inside the area. Next, use two inch copper wiring to surround your beds. Slugs and snails will not cross a copper barrier and so they will stay out of your garden.

If your garden is infested with snails, upside down flower pots can help. Just place them in your garden, particularly near the snail's favorite plants. Snails will enter the flower pots to get shade in the heat of the day. They will get stuck there, and eventually die off.

Whether are you attempting to go organic because you don't want the chemicals in your life or simply because you want the freshest type of food possible, growing an organic garden is an excellent way to always have fresh produce on hand. Don't neglect to use what you've learned here to grow a great garden!

#Kit Carl Klehm | Kit Carl Klehm

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