Superfoods From Your Garden - How to Grow Goji Berries

Growing your own superfoods is such a smart idea! And you can easily do it with a little guidance.

Today we are talking Goji Berries. They are a true powerhouse! And as many believe a fountain of youth. Goji Berries are also known as Wolfberries and they are  bright orange-red berries that come from a shrub that’s native in the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet and Mongolia. They are a member of the nightshade family (Solonaceae), which contains many other common vegetables such as potato, tomato, eggplant, and pepper, as well as some poisonous plants like belladonna and deadly nightshade. In Asia, Goji Berries have been eaten for generations in the hope of living longer. This little berries have been used for centuries in treating diabetes, high blood pressure, fever, and age-related eye problems. They can be eaten raw, dried, cooked or used in juices, medicines, wines and herbal teas.

So, what is it that makes Goji Berries a true Superfood? Well, they contain all essential amino acids, goji berries also have the highest concentration of protein of any fruit. They are also loaded with vitamin C, contain more carotenoids than any other food, have twenty-one trace minerals, and are high in fiber. Boasting 15 times the amount of iron found in spinach, as well as calcium, zinc, selenium and many other important trace minerals, there is no doubt that the humble Goji Berries are a true nutritional powerhouse.

Now you surely want to have them on your daily menu and what is the best way to do that then to grow your own Goji Berries in your garden? Believe it or not growing them requires very little time and resources. Here is all you need to know to do just that…

The Lycium barbarum variety of Goji Berry Plants are a perennial in zones 3 to 10, which means they are quite remarkably heat and cold tolerant.

Goji Berries grow well both in containers or in your garden soil. What is important to know is that they don’t like acid soil so checking your soil pH before planing them is essential. pH between 6.8 – 8.1 is just right. You can add lime to raise the pH if necessary or aluminum sulfate to lower it.

Goji Berries in Containers

The only disadvantage to growing Goji Berries in containers is that the plants will stop growing when their roots touch the bottom of the container. This is because Goji Berries grow deep. As for the advantages, first and most important is the fact that you may see your first Goji Berries in the first or second season instead of the third which would be the case if you grow them in your garden soil.

First thing to do is to purchase healthy Goji Berry bushes from a trusted nursery and replant them in a deep container one or two sizes larger filled with a well-draining potting mix. Fill the container, leaving 2 to 3-inches at the top. Make sure your container has drainage holes. Water well. If you have bought bare root plants place in a jar or container with room-temperature water and allow them to soak for about 15-minutes then proceed with planting them in your prepared containers. Place your container in a bright room where it can get plenty of sun. Keep the soil moist until you see new growth sprouting (usually in 2 weeks). It is best to water 2 times a week until established, then reduce to once a week. Fertilize the plant with a liquid fertilizer once every 14 days during the summer and fall growing season. If you are lucky enough you might see flowers and then fruits the first season, but mostly likely the second. Remember to prune your plants in the summer to control size.

Goji Berries in the Ground

Just choose a sunny location, plant your Goji Berry plants and watch them grow up to 8 to 10 feet tall! We recommend starting your plants in containers. Choose 4-6 inch peat pots. When you see new growths sprouting transplant your plants outside without getting them out of the peat pots. Don’t forget to check your soil’s pH. Mulch at least 3 inches deep with wood chips or leaves. You can expect full production of fruits in the third year.

Have in mind that the leaves have even more antioxidants than the berries. Goji berry plants lose their leaves in the fall, so be sure to pick them before the first frost. You can use them fresh as a savory addition to stir fries or salads, or dry them in a dehydrator. Also try crushing them for a healthy powder.

Pruning Goji Berries

Prune your Goji Berries during winter, but avoid heavy pruning the first year. Instead, make sure you identify the largest shoots that will be the main trunk and start with removing the lower lateral shoots. Keep the first 15 inches of the plant clear and when the plant reaches 24 inches remove the growing tip. This will stimulate the growth of additional side branches.

When your plant is an adult, pruning is much easier. Remove branches in order to keep the desired height and make sure you maintain that 15 inch clearness from the ground. You should always prune the plant after a heavy berry season as berries are produced on new growth only. Although fertilizer is not necessary, your plant will benefit from some kind of a regular feeding. When temperatures go bellow 50 degrees expect for your plant to go into dormancy until spring. Each early summer the plant will start producing small delicate flowers which will continue whole season until the fruit starts to grow. You’ll be picking your berries late summer/early autumn!

Superfoods From Your Garden - How to Grow Goji Berries

Juicy Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Here is a great alternative to the popular Pulled Pork Sandwiches using chicken meat instead. Great for those who avoid eating pork or simply prefer chicken. These sandwiches are equally delicious, juicy and aromatic as the original version. You can use beef as well, the only thing that will deffer is the cooking time of the meat.

For making the sandwiches we used drumsticks as they are the juiciest and most tender part of the chicken. The drumsticks should be rinsed and dried. We used a sharp knife to remove all the skin and fat then proceeded with cooking the meat. There is a secret ingredient that will make the meat ever more tender – beer! Also, we prepared our own spice mix which makes the meat even tastier. You can find instructions on how to prepare it bellow or you can use your favorite mix. The recipe is simple although it takes around 4 hours to prepare it. Don’t worry though, most of the time includes the cooking of the chicken. Here is what you’ll need to prepare these delicious juicy Pulled Chicken Sandwiches:

Ingredients

• 2.2 pounds chicken drumsticks


• 2 medium onions, chopped


• 4-5 garlic cloves


• 1 carrot


• 3-4 bay leaves


• 1 tsp. mixed spices


• 1 tsp. thyme


• 200 ml beer


• 400 ml chicken broth or water

For the spice mix

• 1 tbsp. garlic powder


• 1 tbsp. onion powder


• 1 tbsp. minced smoked paprika


• 1 tbsp. salt


• 1 tsp. pepper


• hot peppers by taste

For Serving

• 200 ml barbecue sauce


• 100 ml gravy from the meat


• 8 buns by choice


• coleslaw


• cheese


• caramelized onions

Preparation

1. Wash and dry the chicken drumsticks. Using a sharp knife remove the skins and all visible fat.

2. Mix all the dry spices and set them aside

3. Sprinkle the spice mixture all over the meat. Cut the onions and the carrot, leave the garlic cloves whole. Arrange them on the bottom of a baking dish and add the bay leaves. Pour the beer and the broth then arrange the meat. Sprinkle with thyme. Cover and bake in a previously heated oven at 330F for 3-4 hours.

4. Remove the baked meat from the baking dish and leave it to cool a bit so you can pull it easier.

5. Using 2 forks pull small pieces out of the meat. If you see any fat remove it together with the bones. Strain the gravy from the meat and set aside as you will need it later.

6. Mix the barbecue sauce with the gravy.

7. Add the mixture to the meat and mix it well.

8. Cut the buns and arrange 2 tbsp. of the meat. Add some caramelized onions, some cheese and coleslaw on top. Do the same with the rest of the buns.

Your delicious, juicy, aromatic Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are ready! Enjoy them with your family and friends and tell us how did you like them in the comments bellow.

 

 

 

 

Juicy Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Easy Vegetable Seed Sowing Guide

Growing your own vegetables is so rewarding. You have total control of the process and can be certain that what you eat is healthy and safe. And it is easy if you know what, when and where to sow!

Most veggies are easy to grow even by beginners. Of course, different vegetables require different conditions. This is why you should plan the sowing and growing carefully. To make things easier for you, we are sharing useful tips on how to sow and grow the most popular vegetables out there.

Usually the sowing of the vegetables starts when the weather gets warmer which is around March, depending on the climate and the year of course. It is probably the best to wait for April especially if you are sowing for the first time. For those who want to sow outside, in the garden choosing the right vegetables is very important. Try carrots, turnips, beetroot, lettuces, rocket, radishes, broccoli, calabrese, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, leeks, leaf beet and spring onions. If you have weeds, than sowing in pots and trays is a smarter choice. March/April is the perfect time to sow brassica crops, lettuces, leeks, beans and peas. If you have a greenhouse consider summer salads, French beans and herbs.

When May comes the weather is already nice and warm and you can sow lots of vegetables. If you have already done the job in March/April your veggies might have already started to grow so prepare for weeding! Besides the crops we have mentioned for the previous two months, for outside sowing you can add herbs, summer salads, fennel and sweetcorn (only if the weather and soil are warm). If you can place your trays and pots somewhere warm you can sow courgettes, squashes, cucumbers and melons this month as well.

June is the last month to sow summer crops. Keep your courgettes, squashes, cucumbers and melons in pots and trays and add some oriental salads (mizuna, mibuna, mustard greens etc) to your garden.

July and August are the months when your vegetables will grow the most. They will need plenty of sunshine. but also enough rain to grow perfectly. This doesn’t mean you should stop sowing! Now is the time to start sowing vegetables for the winter and the beginning of the next year. For outside, sow winter radishes and swedes, oriental greens (mizuna, mibuna, komatsuna, mustard greens etc) and turnip greens, spring cabbage (from late July), bunching and spring onions.

The last sowing can be done in September/October. These includes winter salads and greens in the ground, bunching onions and broad beans and hardy peas. Also it is time to think about protecting your crops over the winter.

The end of the year is for tidying up your garden and getting it ready for the new year. You can still plant garlic outside just make sure you choose the biggest cloves. And don’t forget composting!

Before deciding which vegetables to choose and when to start sowing check out our easy “Sow What?” guide that includes when to start indoors and move outside the most popular plants for sowing in Spring:

Easy Vegetable Seed Sowing Guide

Month by Month Flower Seed Sowing Guide

There are so many beautiful seasonal flowers to sow in order to make the most of your garden space all year round. Experiencing the magic of growing flowers from seeds is such a thrill for every gardener.

You will be surprised at how easy it is to grow various annuals in your own backyard. The best thing about sowing flowers is that there so many varieties to choose from during any month of the year. If you are new to sowing annuals start with the easiest to grow varieties. You can choose some of these flowers that you can start outside (technique known as direct-sowing), just be careful to not sow them until after danger of frost:

Sunflowers
Marigolds
Morning glories
Bachelor buttons
Calendula
Castor bean
Cosmos
Nasturtiums
Sweet peas
Sweet alyssum
Larkspur
Annual poppies
Ammi majus
Zinnia
Hyacinth bean

The following varieties are also easy to sow, but they need to be started indoors, under lights,  six to eight weeks before transplanting into the garden.

Cleome
Coleus
Snapdragon
Ageratum
Amaranth
Nicotiana
Lavatera
Petunia
Impatiens
Salvia
Statice

In order to help you plan your sowing throughout the year, we have created easy to follow infographics showing the most popular flowers to sow month-by-month. Simply save them or print them for an easy reminder on when to sow your favorite annuals.

Flowers to Sow in January

Flowers to Sow in February

Flowers to Sow in March

Flowers to Sow in April

Flowers to Sow in May

Flowers to Sow in June

Flowers to Sow in July

 

 

Flowers to Sow in August

Flowers to Sow in September

Flowers to Sow in October, November, December

Month by Month Flower Seed Sowing Guide

Growing a Japanese Maple Tree in Your Garden

 

This stunning small deciduous tree from the family Aceraceae that origins from Japan is a beautiful ornamental tree that grows a height of 1.5 up to 3 m in height. The Japanese maples brings color and texture to every garden with it’s  its beautiful leaves that have deep notches, and are noted for their bright orange-red, red, red wine and red autumn colors, which are located on a beautiful wide canopy. If you are enchanted by this beautiful tree and desperately want to have it on your garden there are some basic things you should know first. Our short guide on planting and caring for your Japanese maple will surely help you have a beautiful and healthy plant in your garden, Just browse through our useful tips to learn everything you need to know. And don’t worry – growing Japanese maples is quite easy!

Planting, Watering and Fertilizing

Plant your young Japanese maple plant in a semi shaded location. Older plans can tolerate sun without a problem. However, have in mind that you should avoid planting your maple in full sun. Japanese maples don’t like wet, soggy soil. Don’t over water your plant. Sometimes even rainfall is enough. During summer water your maple on weekly basis. Water the roots – do not sprinkle the leaves as sunshine will cause scorched marks on them. Fertilize only in spring using a low nitrogen fertilizer.

Growing a Japanese Maple in Container

If you want to plant and grow your Japanese maple in a container – just choose a smaller variety and you are good to go. Try varieties like Butterfly, Hoshi kuzu, Red Dragon, Pixie or Waterfall. Choosing a good container is also important. The rootball to fit comfortably inside and the pot should also provide good drainage. Allow soil to dry between watering. Water only when soil feels dry or just slightly moist and cool. You should also pay attention to the soil type – it should be a well draining soil. A container Japanese maple should be fertilized weekly through spring and mid summer with a half strength liquid fertilizer. Stop fertilizing after July.

Winter Care

Japanese maples are deciduous trees and they go dormant during winter. This allows the plant to rest. In colder climates you should protect your plant, especially if it is grown in a pot. Bury larger pots in the ground over winter if possible, or keep them in an area that is protected from cold. If your plant is grown in the ground cover with mulch over the roots, just keep the mulch no closer than four inches from the trunk.

Pruning

If you want to prune your Japanese maple then do it selectively. This way you can prune anytime of the year. However, winter and summer are the seasons when pruning a Japanese maple is the easiest. Why winter? When the leaves are gone you can easily see the branch structure and make the right cuts. Summer pruning on the other hand stimulates less growth so you can get away with a little more and the tree will stay thinned out longer. Never remove more than one-fifth of a Japanese maple’s crown to avoid stress and unsightly growth.

Japanese Garden

Maples are a must have plant if you want to design a Japanese garden. If you seek inspiration for a Japanese garden design or just want to admire some beautiful old Japanese maple specimens explore the Portland Japanese Garden  located within Washington Park in the west hills of Portland, Oregon, USA. Experience  peace, harmony, and tranquility and witness the beauty of extraordinary Japanese maples…

Portland Japanese Garden

 

 

 

Growing a Japanese Maple Tree in Your Garden

The Best Pergola Plants and Vines

Pergolas are beautiful additions to a garden, providing not only a strong vertical element, but also protection and shade. Add life to your pergola by covering it with a beautiful, suitable climbing plant.

photo by ukgardenphotos via flickr (cc)

 

The best plants for a pergola are ones that will grow rapidly to cover the structure and require minimal care. But lets not forget the design aspect – color and structure is important too. By choosing the perfect plant you can add color, fragrance and what is most important you can create a private shady area in your garden. You can even combine your favorite climbers to add even more color and structure throughout the whole year. For starters, lets see which are the best and most popular pergola plants and vines to use and make sure that your pergola is built strong enough to support whichever plant you choose.

 

 1. Clematis

Clematis is one of the most popular climbers and is widely used by gardeners mostly due to its beautiful flowers found in different colors and shapes. You can check our Complete Clematis Care Guide and learn everything you need to know about using this gorgeous climbers for covering your pergola.

Extra tip – combine Clematis with climbing roses for a quick cover.

 2. Wisteria

Wisteria is a woody, deciduous, perennial climbing vine with shiny green leaves and beautiful white, blue or violet flowers. They prefer moist soil and are shade tolerant. Although very popular climber, this fragrant beauty must have sturdy support.

Extra tip – seed pods that form in late summer can be toxic to dogs when eaten.

3. Jasmine

If you would like to use your pergola to create a private, shaded sitting area then using Jasmine to cover it is the perfect choice. This is mostly because of its starry flowers and wonderful scent. Jasmine is most definitely one of the most beautiful climbers out there, although it is not a typical climbing plant as it needs a good support. This plant is very easy to maintain and can grow well in sun or partial shade.

4. Trumpet vine

The Trumpet Vine is a beautiful trumpet that produces interesting trumpet-like flowers. It is a sun-loving deciduous climber that can tolerate partial shade as well. It flowers from late summer till autumn.

5. Bougainvillea

Plant Bougainvillea in the right climate and you will get colorful flowers for 11 months a year! This beautiful climber likes hot and dry places so it is most suitable for  hardiness zone 9 or higher. If you live in a colder climate you can still plant it in a pot and get it inside for the winter, but this isn’t very suitable if you want to use ti as a pergola coverage. If you are lucky enough to live in a warmer place, just choose a sunny spot for your Bougainvillea and provide rich, well drain soil.

Extra Tip: Water sparingly, fertilize regularly

6. Honeysuckle

Oh, the fragrance of the Honeysuckle – so inviting! Similar to Trumpet Wine, Honeysuckle produces trumpet shaped flowers that are popular because of their scent. No wonder they are magnets for hummingbirds. Make sure you choose a twining vine variety like the Trumpet Honeysuckle (L. sempervirens) if you’d like to use it for covering a pergola. Honeysuckle blooms from spring to midsummer.

7. Climbing Roses

Another popular choice for pergolas, even though they require extra maintenance and pruning. There are so many varieties to choose from – it all depends on your personal taste and preferred color.  Some of the best varieties to choose are “Joseph’s Coat” with multi-colored flowers, “Golden Showers” with  bright yellow, “New Dawn”  with lite pink, and “Fourth of July” with red and white flowers.

8. Passionflower

These exotic climbers (also known as Passiflora) produces purple and white flowers and will quickly cover your pergola. There are frost hardy varieties available for the northern garden. These vines is characteristic for its vibrant flowers and appealing fragrance. But they are one of the best pergola plants because they can reach 20 feet growth in a single season. They need full sun and drained soil.

9. Climbing Hydrangea

Here is a beautiful shade loving climber for your pergola! Although a but hard to establish, this shade-tolerant climber becomes vigorous. Just make sure you plant it in rich, well drained soil. The blooming starts in summer. Plant it if you want a deep, rich texture. It  is one of the best of the ornamental vines and useful because it will grow and flower even in a northern exposure.

Extra tip – Over-watering is a chief reason for losses.

10. Golden Hops

You want to brighten and quickly cover your pergola? Plant Golden Hops and you will get a great, colorful foliage in no time. They need rich, moist well-drained soil with regular watering and prefer full sun to partial shade.

Extra tip – For optimal leaf color, keep that soil moist!

The Best Pergola Plants and Vines

All You Need To Know About Growing Beautiful Zinnias

Perfect for beginner gardeners, zinnia flowers are a colorful and long lasting addition to your flower garden. When you learn how easy it is to grow these plants, you’ll instantly want to add this popular annual to sunny areas that benefit from their perky blooms.

They simply need full sun, warmth, and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Zinnias have bright, solitary, daisy-like flower heads on a single, erect stem. The most common zinnia is “dahlia-flowered” and grows up to three feet. Other types are “cactus-flowered.” Use zinnias in an annual or mixed border. Smaller zinnias are also suitable for edging, window boxes or other containers. The narrow-leaf zinnia also works well in hanging baskets. Here is all you need to know about growing beautiful zinnias in your garden!

Planting

Zinnia flowers are planted from seeds. Seeds of zinnia flowers should be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. In warmer areas with long growing seasons, sow zinnia seeds directly into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. In colder regions with shorter growing seasons, sow seeds indoors about 4 to 5 weeks before the last average frost.

Location

Full sun is essential with a minimum daylight temperature of 60 degrees F when planting zinnia flowers. Just cover zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) between plants.

Soil

Zinnias are adaptable but prefer fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, for young plants. If soil is amended with compost, the flowers will grow more quickly.

Watering

You should water zinnias at the base of the plant. A soaker hose is ideal for keeping foliage and petals dry while providing much needed irrigation. The best is to water in the early morning, allowing the foliage and flowers ample time to dry off before nightfall.

Deadheading

Regularly deadhead or remove old flowers to keep plants attractive and encourage more blooms. Clipping the plant back often results in more abundant blooms. In addition, when learning how to grow zinnia, remember that pinching back results in a bushier and more attractive plant.

Pests

Zinnias can get bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew and bacterial wilt. Minimize wetting of foliage to avoid disease. Caterpillars, mealy bugs, and spider mites also cause problems. Avoid spraying and tolerate some leaf damage unless the situation is uncontrolled.

All You Need To Know About Growing Beautiful Zinnias