Category: Blog

How to Germinate Seeds Faster?

Trying your hand at gardening? Feeling frustrated trying to germinate seeds and getting no results? Here are some easy germination hacks for you. Most people prefer growing some vegetable plants or flower plants from seeds at home. But lack of experience and knowledge makes them lose interest in gardening. But with the right hacks and tricks for germinating seeds, your dream of having a garden can be achieved. The growing demand for organic farming has encouraged many to do home gardening in recent times.

How to make the seeds germinate efficiently?

Germination is the process of a seed turning into a plant. Most of the seeds germinate in the soil but some can germinate in water like sprouting of green peas by soaking in water.

Seed Germination

Here are some easy ways to germinate the seeds.

Soaking in water

Soaking the seeds in water for a few hours can enhance the germination process. Use warm water for more effect. 8 to 12 hours of soaking is enough. Oversoaking will decompose the seeds. Once the seeds sprout, place them in soil and start growing.

Wrapping the seeds in a wet cloth

Wrap the seeds in a wet cloth and keep for not more than 24 hours. After the seeds sprout, you can place them in soil and start growing.

Seedling Tray

Seeds can be germinated safely and easily in the seedling tray method. You can maintain the seed in the tray until it germinates and the plant reaches 2 to 3 inches. Then you need to transplant it into the pot or directly to the land.

Direct sowing

You can try sowing the seeds directly in the pots or on the ground. The most commonly used method. Make a hole in the soil, place the seed in it and close the hole with soil and water sparsely once every 2 days. Germination occurs within a few weeks. Avoid direct sunlight until the seeds sprout.

Sowing very small seeds

When the seeds are really small, sowing them is a bit difficult. So, take a cup of soil and mix the seeds with the soil. Then sprinkle the soil — seeds mixture and the seeds will germinate easily.

Seed Germination Tricks and Hacks

Sowing thick-coated seeds

In the case of seeds with hard thick coats, like bean seeds, rub off the outer layer gently using sandpaper and then sow. The seeds will germinate easily.

We hope you enjoy the above methods and grow organic vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs garden at home. Always buy organic seeds for much better results. Happy gardening!!!

Do you have a small garden and are not happy with it? Well, don’t be disheartened! You can make your small garden an intimate space with some careful thought. You need to be a little careful about what kind of plants and hardscape features you choose. You can still show variety even if space is sparse. The key is not to want to make it seem big. Rather what you should be doing is exploiting the charm of a small space. Here, we have given you some inspiring tips on how you can design your small garden and make it your favorite space –

The very first thing you need to remember is that your garden needs to make you feel nice and comfortable. A very hi-fi garden or extremely well-designed one may not necessarily make you feel positive or nice about yourself. So do something that gives you a positive space.

How to use the space in your small garden?

• The key to making your garden look more spacious is to maintain neat and clean lines. If you put in some furniture, it needs to be basic, comfortable, and with neutral colors.
  

• Use small and simple furniture in your garden and make it sociable. You can even use some throw cushions which look very inviting and can be easily put away in storage when not needed.

• The most ultimate form of relaxation and comfort will be a hammock if your space allows it. Or maybe even a small swing or hammock cane sofa.
  

• Old colorful curtains or large cloth can be used to create a Bohemian shade. Though it may not last long in the Sun, or you may need to take it down often.

• If you have any kind of fencing or boundary walls, you need to paint them in neutral colors. This gives the feel of more light and makes space look larger. If you do not have the budget for fencing, what you could do is use mismatched paints, which would give it a rustic and a very hip look.
  

• Using recycled materials is a great idea for a home project and keeping your garden look rustic and quaint.
  

• It would be preferable to have longer grass on your lawn; about 30mm, which allows for foot traffic and gives you a wider look at the garden. Then again, in small spaces, it becomes very difficult to maintain a natural lawn. You could go in for artificial lawns. This is a great alternative, gives you a long life, and is also easier to maintain.

• Don’t forget, and you can also think vertically. All plants do not have to be on the ground. You can use the walls too. You can use old boxes or pots and fix them onto your walls of the garden. That gives you variety and something very different. If you have a wall, you can create different kinds of shapes of shelves for your plants and create a focal point.
  

• One could even think about climbing vines or trellises. If you use flowering plants, it looks lovely.
  

• You could even try out living walls or what we call green walls. These were mostly used in commercial sites. But now, they’ve found their way into residential gardens too. They especially work well in small gardens. It’s basically a vertical garden where plants are planted into a structure, and that is then attached on to a wall.
  

• If you have kids and if space allows, you can add more color by adding a small play area. This way, your children have their own space, benefit from the greens, and the outside fresh air.
  

How to choose the right kind of plants?

• Plants that have bold foliages work well for small spaces. Their forms bring in bulk and the right kind of interest. The best part is that they look good during the day or night.
  

• Hence, it is best to keep at least a small part of the garden with evergreen plants, which would be with you year-round and would require less maintenance.
  

What should you avoid?

When you have a small space, you tend to clutter it up with too many things. This is exactly what you need to avoid. In a small garden, do not place too many small pots and decorations. Instead, you can do something that will have more impact like placing a few oversized planters here and there. Remember to buy best organic seeds for planting.

You need to avoid plants that grow too fast. Or if they do, you will need to spend a lot of time and energy in maintaining them.

With a small space, you tend to bring in too much variety. That might create confusion and clutter for the eyes. You need to create one theme. So choose one plant and repeat it. That gives a calming effect for the eyes. Too much variety can cause chaos. There needs to be the right kind of balance.

 

Gardening is one of the top hobbies preferred by most people. Through gardening, you not only make your home green, but you also make yourself healthy by consuming pest-free fruits and vegetables. At present, with the increased fiscal system, it will be a good start to grow what you eat in your garden itself. This reduces the amount spent by you from buying groceries at shops as well yield will also be more. Let us see in what way does gardening saves money on groceries in the following sections.

It was found from the research by the National Gardening Association (NGA), that it will take only a small amount to be invested in growing plants in your garden. But the yield will be tremendous. If you invest Rs. 500 for growing your garden, you will yield in such a way that you can save Rs.2000 in return. By planting whatever you eat in the garden, you cut your grocery expenses to a greater amount.

Seasonal gardening

Plan your garden skills in such a way that, grow plants according to its seasonal yields. During the summer season, you can plant watery veggies and citric fruits, which will grow quickly and yield more. It will not get affected by the hot climate as these veggies and fruits grow in the summer season. Similarly, identify all the seasonal herbs and groceries and plant them in your garden, which will be fresh as well as cuts down your expenses spent on the groceries.

Seed sowing

Instead of planting the saplings, you can sow seeds of groceries that you eat daily in your garden, and the seeds have to sow in the late spring season. The seeds yield you more profit as it multiplies for every yield. You need to spend for seed only one time. After that, your garden will provide seeds for the next planting. You among your friends can even exchange seeds they wish when you meet them. Your friends will thank you ever as they have the fruit or vegetable which they love in their garden itself.

Space is not an issue

To grow your groceries at home, there is no need to have a large garden area. Few people maintain beautiful gardens only within less than 600 square feet. You need a proper plan to grow your garden efficiently. With available space grow onions, tomatoes, lettuce, curry leaves, which are high yielding one. Try to maximize the space with high yielded crops. Celery, pumpkin, etc. are less yielding one. So depending upon your available space plan, what groceries your garden must-have. Also, try to grow vertical creeping plants in your garden, which requires minimal space, and yield will also be more. During yielding period, keep a notepad or diary along with the season, to make a note of in which season which plants yields more and gives profit to you and which plants yields less with no profit. By doing so, you can plan your garden accordingly.

Plan and grow

Yes, we are growing groceries at our home garden to eat fresh. But it is not necessary to plant and eat immediately. Few groceries last for a very long time without any preservatives. Vegetables like carrots, onions, winter squash, pumpkin, and lots more can be cut, blanched, and kept in deep freezers for long-lasting use. Say, for example, you will not be using many peppercorns during the summer season; instead, you will have to use more during the winter season. So in such cases, you can plant the pepper plant in the summer season and preserve its yield for the winter season. So you need to go to shops for buying peppercorns when you run out of stock, thereby saving your money. So a good gardener must know the technique of both harvesting and preserving, to be successful in his motto of growing groceries in the home garden.

Garden and Education

Gardening does not only require a backyard of your home. It can be grown in the front portion of your house, patios or balcony. Many plants like tomato, cucumber, chilly, potato, and lots more can be grown in pots. So you can maintain these pots in a window where sun rays fall, or you can even grow in containers. You can grow these plants along with your kids through whom they will learn about the plantation process, irrigation, patience, attentiveness, and lots more. It is mandatory to encourage your kids to grow plants as it will be very useful for them once they grow up.

So, growing your groceries at home will yield you more both in terms of quantity and money. Also, buy the best quality vegetable seeds online for gardening. Proper planning should be there to be successful in harvesting and preserving. Gardening is not only done for money purposes, and it will relieve you from stress and gives your home a greeny and vibrant appearance.

When you see the green leaves splaying with everything in the natural fresh with brief showers, then the smile which tugs at the corner of your lips to marvel the beauty of nature is why spring is considered so special in so many ways.

Spring season is usually welcomed around the former part of the year, where new leaves and new roots sprouts. This season is preferred by many, as the weather remains brilliant, and the environmental conditions itself to grow new plants and leaves. That is why most of the farmers celebrate this as the harvesting season with pomp and show and traditional food. Growing a garden with your own gardening experience from a seed to a plant is another experience in itself.

But, why does one of the main gardening techniques involves waiting for spring to arrive?

• Spring season is regarded as the best season to sow seeds as the atmosphere is a perfect balance of warmth for the soft sunlight, which increases the temperature of the soil, allowing the initiation of the growth process.

• Water from the small showers provides moisture for growth. This allows even the most infertile lands to outgrow some vegetation.

• The moisture in the soil makes the soil soft for the seed to settle down well inside the soil.
  

• The moderate temperature of not too cold nether too hot during the spring season allows the see to breathe and grow at a natural pace.
  

• The spring season offers you to choose from an array of plant species to start gardening. The appropriate atmosphere will allow many plants to grow. Nurseries and sapling outlets will have a whole range of new and broad selection of plants to choose from.

• Sprouting is very simple when tried during spring. Amateur gardeners should especially choose spring to start gardening as it will keep the gardening simple with a good experience. Tender seedlings tend to grow smoothly during spring.

• With all products being targeted by fertilizer companies, growing organic and fresh food has never been of more importance than now. Therefore, more and more people are inclined towards organic farming. Plants grown in the spring season can be used for the following season, too, rather than waiting for new seeds to sprout, which is slow during the other seasons.
  

• Early seeding will lead to early harvesting and something to eat out organically, practically every day of your life. That is a pretty good deal, provided most of the things we eat or buy from outside contain processed elements.
  

Tips to seeding your seeds:

• The planting depth is an essential component that needs to be paid attention to; some plants require sunlight to thrive, and some thrive only in the dark. Understanding the nature of the seed is very important.
  

• While starting to germinate, always follow the instructions given carefully, and it’s always best to start out in a pot, beside the window, so that the initial growth happens within a contained environment. Later they can be shifted to the soil.
  

• Watering is a very important action that should be diligently followed for your plant to live long. There are some plants that cannot survive even a day without water, and there are some which are not so high- maintenance. Overwatering also allows the plant to die. Hence understanding the balance is very important.
  

• Pampering your seeds is very important. Keep checking the soil in the pot, watering it daily or likewise is something which should be done in regular intervals. If taking care of it regularly is not possible, find a low maintenance plant or someone to take care of it.
  

• Strong sunlight is very important for the plant’s survival. Once after the initial seed germination, as the plant begins to grow, so does it’s needed for sunlight. Hence, shifting them out into the sunlight at the right time is very important.
  

• Understanding the position of the seed planting into the ground with respect to the sun is a point which many misses. Sunlight needs to be on the plant only long enough before it moves over the horizon. Therefore, understanding the position of seed planting helps in the longevity of the plant, or else the plant will be left dehydrated.
  

• Always choose a seed as per the climate in which you are staying. Gardening exotic plants might prove to be risky and hence, sticking to a routine, but aesthetic plants are a good option.
  

• If gardening for the first time, seeding easy to grow plants like sunflowers will help you get an idea of the whole technique of gardening. As the plants start growing, you can experiment with others but with better knowledge about it.
  

Thus, starting gardening in spring seems like a perfect choice for plants to thrive long and strong, thus making spring the best time to start seeds. Buy seeds online from Agriearth.com to get the best seeds for your garden.

When you are starting a garden of your own, nothing is more rewarding than growing your own plants from seed. It’s really wonderful when you see the seeds you planted begin to germinate and bloom into flowers or harvest your own vegetables and fruits! Growing plants from seed is not always an easy task. But by experimenting you can develop and adopted the following techniques to ensure that seeds get a healthy start.

Quick Tips for Starting Seeds Successfully

You can sow the seeds in 3 ways:

• Plant the seeds in a seed raiser & transplant later when seedlings are strong enough.
• Plant seeds in a suitable container or in a large planter like the poly box.
• Directly sow in a garden bed

 

You cannot just scoop out dirt from your garden and plant seeds in it. Seeds need a special type of potting soil or the seedlings become more prone to diseases and infections. Get a good quality container with suitable drainage like shallow seed raising flats, cell growing trays, biodegradable pots, etc. By repurposing items like plastic punnets, Ice-cream containers or biodegradable toilet rolls you can also make your own seed planters.

You should cover the planters to create a humid environment. Use a spray bottle to finely mist water over the seeds. Established plants will have an extensive root system they can rely on for moisture, but seedlings don’t have any. Hence once seeds sprout, watering should not be missed out. Nevertheless, it’s important not to overwater and let seedlings sit in water.

Natural light or fluorescent light can be used if raising seeds indoors. If there are not enough light seeds won’t germinate well. You’ll need supplemental lights to provide 14-16 hours of light daily.

You should start seeds at the right season. Some seeds need warmth to grow. In many cold regions, sowing seeds when it’s too cold is a common mistake done. Don’t start your seeds too soon.

Make labels and add them to the containers after you start sowing seeds. Or else it will be tough to tell seedlings apart. Ensure to include the sowing date on your labels.

Seedlings are very delicate & need daily attention and loving care. You should monitor seedlings daily, checking on germination, soil moisture, temperature, and lights to increase your chances of success.

Not sure how to start your seedlings? Get in touch with us at agriearth.com and order vegetable seeds online to start your garden.

Plants both Indoor and outdoor will thrive only when given proper care and treatment. Plants require water, light, and warmth to survive.

1.Sunlight

The primary concern for plants is that making sure that they get enough and more sunlight. For those plants that need full sunlight, they should be exposed to 4-6 hours of direct sunlight every day. For those plants that require partial sunlight, it should be exposed to 2-3 hours of direct sunlight. For those plants that require shade, it should be exposed to direct sunlight for an hour.

2.Water

Watering plants is quite a tricky task because too much water could rot the roots and too little of water could dry it off. Water needs of plants vary from plant to plant. Always one has to use a spray bottle and add just enough water to make the soil moist rather than making it muddy.

The tip to check if the plant has enough water is to stick your finger into the soil up to one’s second knuckle. If your finger could come out dry then you need to water the plant. If it is wet, hold watering for 2-3 days more. 

Tips to take care of your plants.

1. Once in a month give your plants a deep watering by placing them in a sink and let the water run through the plant.

2. Fertilizers give the plants additional nutrients they need. Most fertilizers have a three-number series which shows the amount of three minerals nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The requirements of different plants will be different, so choose the fertilizer accordingly.On a medium ground .6-12-6,10-10-10, the mix is good enough for most plants.One can spray or sprinkle the fertilizer directly on the top of the soil.

3.Dust off your plants.

Most indoor plants will get coated with a thin layer of dust and it is very necessary to wipe it out either with a wet cloth because it makes it harder to grow by clogging the pores on the leaves. 

4. Remove weed regularly

Weeds consume essential nutrients in the soil that actually harm the growth of plants.So keep your pots free from weeds by pulling out those weeds .While pulling it up grab each weed as close to the ground and then pull it straight up.By doing this, the entire root system will be pulled up and can slow down the growth of other weeds.

5.Cut off any diseased or dead plants.

Plant diseases spread quickly .if you don’t remove the dying limbs, it will quickly spread to other parts of the plant and also cut the dead heads of the plants to stimulate new growth.

Follow these planting tips to grow your dream vegetable garden at home.

 

Growing your indoor garden starting from seeds is indeed a good thing! Planting and nurturing seeds indoors and watching them sprout and turn into robust plants can be very satisfying but it can be challenging as well! Take care to avoid these common mistakes and you can increase your chances of success…

Planting too deep

The germination of seeds may depend on just how deep they are planted. Some seeds seek complete darkness to germinate while others need some light. It is better to plant seeds twice or three times as deep as they are wide. Some seeds need light to sprout hence place your seed on top of your medium and gently push down, making sure the seed is still exposed.

Not giving enough Light

Seedlings need plenty of light to grow. If you do not have enough natural light in your house to grow robust seedlings you can use artificial light. Purchase some large fluorescent shop lights and alternate one warm bulb and one cool.

Insufficient or excessive watering

The seedling growth depends on the amount of water you give your plants. As the seedlings are very delicate, keep your seed-starting medium damp but not wet.

Along with this, you can also do the following:

• Cover up the seedling tray until the seeds germinate.
• Keep the pot in a tray of water and let the plants soak up water through the bottom holes in their pots.
• Check the wetness of soil at least once a day.
• Get good results with a self-watering, seed starting system.

Starting too soon

Starting seeds too early in the cold season is one of the biggest mistakes people do. Many plants do not like the cold weather and exposure to chilly air and soil will stress them out and they become more susceptible to pests and disease.

Moving plants outside very early

Most plants are ready to go outside four to six weeks after you start the seeds. Before moving them, prepare them by putting your seedlings outside for a little time. Gradually increase the time every day for over 6 to 10 days. This gradually prepares them to withstand the outside weather.

Starting too many seeds

If you start germinating more seeds than you can handle, it will become difficult. Keep a check in this area, especially if you are a beginner. You can always do more planting in your outdoor containers afterward.

Get your seeds online from AgriEarth for great results in the form of healthy plants.

Nutrition and health benefits of organic vegetables

Organic is a word making the rounds of society! Organic vegetables are vegetable products that are produced, prepared, and processed devoid of any chemicals. It can be said that the way vegetables are grown or raised can have a major impact on your mental and emotional health as well as the environment. Organic farming promotes a self-sustaining cycle of resources on a farm.

Here is a rundown on the Nutrition and health benefits of organic vegetables from AgriEarth. Just check it out…

• Organic vegetables have nutrients like antioxidants that benefit your body much more than their normally-grown counterparts. Significant increase in certain types of flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties can be seen.
• Organic vegetables taste better and fresher than the conventionally-grown vegetables.
• Symptoms of allergies lessen or go away when people with allergies to certain vegetables, chemicals or preservatives eat only organic vegetables.
• In conventionally-grown produce Chemicals like fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides are widely used and residues remain on/ in the vegetables we eat. But organic produce contains less pesticides.
• As organic vegetables are often produced on smaller farms near where it is sold, they are often fresher.
• Organic farming reduces pollution, increases soil fertility, conserves water, use less energy & reduces soil erosion. It leaves a lesser footprint on the environment. As pesticides are not used in farming it is also better for nearby birds and animals as well as people who live close to farms.
• Organic vegetables and milk are richer in certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and are up to 50 percent higher in organic vegetables and milk than in conventionally raised versions.
• Organic Farming boosts Biodiversity in the region. As organic farming uses natural practices to reduce pests, biodiversity is able to flourish. High levels of plant diversity increase the number of species like insects, pollinators and pest predators (birds and other animals).
• 
• Organic vegetables are free from genetically engineered (GE) vegetables.
• Purchasing organic vegetables directly from farmers or the local vegetable outlet supports your local community’s economy, creating jobs and helps farmers to grow more.

Now that you know the benefits of organic vegetables, why not source it and eat healthily? Organic vegetables are better for you, it’s better for the people growing and picking the vegetables, and it’s better for the soil. Get in touch with us at AgriEarth.com to know more about Organic vegetables.

Day by day, there are daily reports of pesticides and chemicals poisoning the vegetables we consume! Starting a vegetable garden at home is a small step towards growing your own organic food. If you are new to gardening, Agri Earth brings to you a list of vegetables that are easy to grow in your vegetable patch or in pots or containers kept in your balcony. These vegetables are easy to grow & maintain. They also do not require much space as well.

1. Spinach

Different varieties of Spinach grow fast & give you regular yield. Some varieties of Spinach grow by planting seeds but most Spinach varieties can be planted just by burying the stem in the soil.

2. Chillies

Chillies are not highly sensitive to water and sunlight & they give their yield all through the year. You can just sprinkle the seeds of the Chilli you brought for cooking in the soil and the plants will sprout.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes can be grown easily but as these plants are highly sensitive to water and sunlight, you have to be careful while growing them. Once they have grown up you have to watch out for bugs and take steps to combat them. Natural pesticides like diluted Neem oil can be sprayed. Give enough manure to the tomato plants or they will have wrinkled leaves and flowering but no fruits state.

4. Legumes

Soya beans, Peas & Beans etc. are leguminous plants easy to grow and reap in your kitchen garden. They fix nitrogen in the soil and make the soil rich. They are considered healthy for the soil.

5. Brinjal

Brinjals can be grown from seeds but you have to be very careful of the bugs and worms that attack them. With careful maintenance, you can grow Brinjals in your own garden.

6. Bitter gourd

You need not buy Bitter gourd seeds from plant nurseries. Just sow the seeds of bitter gourd you got for cooking and you can have a fine creeper in a few weeks.

7. Onion, garlic and ginger

All these plants grow through bulbs. Plant their bulbs in soil and water carefully.

8. Coriander & Mint

Both these herbs are very easy to grow in small containers. Lightly crush a few coriander seeds and plant them in soil. You can harvest after one month. Mint can be grown from the stalks you buy from the market. Remove the bottom leaves, plant them & watch them grow.

There are many more varieties of vegetables to grow in your garden. Start exploring vegetable seeds online at AgriEarth. Agri Earth wishes happy gardening to you!!

The threat of global warming is hanging over the world like a Damocles Sword! The disastrous climate change is making an impact around the world fueling stronger hurricanes and forest fires. It is drying up water resources, diminishing food security at an alarming rate, and displacing large populations in search of basic needs.

According to reports by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international body for the assessment of climate change with scientists from 195 countries, Human activities are estimated to have caused approximately 1.0°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels. This is caused by a large amount of CO₂ emissions in the atmosphere caused due to human activities like fossil fuel production. Deforestation has led to damage to soil and habitats through erosion. Global warming is likely to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052 if it continues to increase at the current rate.

Strong actions like reforestation are needed for the prevention of global warming on an urgent basis. Interestingly, these activities can help to reduce global warming that would lead to reducing global poverty. A healthier environment would always increase nutritious agricultural yields and this would improve global health. Reforestation has side benefits in addition to the priceless conservation and expansion of plant and wildlife biodiversity. We can also participate in reforestation by growing our own kitchen garden and planting trees on our terrace. 

Gases like carbon dioxide and methane are the major contributing factors to the changing climates. Planting new trees can help to reduce the amount of CO₂ in the air. Apart from benefiting the climate, reforestation helps protect important species of animals. It also helps to rebuild habitats and degradation which are the leading threats to the health of animal species.

Reforestation can help to reinstate what the erosion has damaged. Regional watersheds, an important resource for human development, which has been damaged by deforestation can be restored to health through reforestation.

The process of reforestation can also help humans to address world hunger issues and handle water usage and availability. The chemical, social and biological levels of the entire ecosystem benefit by restoring forests. Apart from this reforestation can also help to supply jobs for local people or those who lack the skills to be employed in other industries. Therefore, reforestation as a whole benefit, not just the environment in battling global warming, but the economy as well. Practicing organic farming also adds to reforestation. It is time for each and every one of us to save the earth. 

 

Making Compost is basically a recycling process that is done naturally. The process is done by several microbes namely fungi, bacteria and so on; which digest waste from the kitchen and make it compost. These days with most of us being environmentally conscious, this is a great way to recycle and make ‘best from waste’. Almost 60% of your household waste is the organic matter which can be easily used to make compost. Here we have given you some very simple ways by which you can make organic manure or compost from kitchen waste –

Household waste needs to be segregated – The very first step we all need to follow and which our Indian government has also been stressing on – is to segregate waste. You could keep two separate bins for this. Make one for kitchen waste and one is for other kinds of waste like batteries, medicines, wrappers, glass or plastic. You could also find ways to recycle your newspapers, plastic cans, milk covers or bottles. Check with your local authorities if there are any private or public recycling areas for such material.

Green and Brown Matter – Now when it comes to waste, we can once again segregate into a green matter which is considered to be high in nitrogen content and brown waste which is high in carbon content. The green matter is basically vegetable or fruit peels, scraps (not citrus), flowers, grass waste, tea bags, eggshells and coffee grounds. Brown matter consists of dry leaves, wood chips, wood ash, sawdust and straw (which does not necessarily come from a modern kitchen). Now, please keep in mind that it is best not to add cooked food as it can decay and give a horrible smell. Also, bones and meat can attract other nuisances like rats, etc. Pet waste, diseased plants, medicines and definitely no plastic bags either should be added. when Such organic compost is used, seed germination takes place easily. 

The ideal ration of the matter – is 30 of brown and 1 of green. Though it is ideal, it is not steaded and fast rule and one can be flexible with the ratio depending on their availability. This being said, if you add too much brown material, the decomposition process might take longer. At the same time, too much green matter might make the smells and odors too strong and difficult to handle.

Composting with a pot or bucket –

Take a terracotta pot or plastic bucket. Make a few holes on the sides as well as the bottom. The bucket needs to be raised from the ground so that the bottom also gets ventilation and aeration. You can keep a tray below for the collection of water which is called the Leachate. This can be added to plants after dilution.

Now, you need to line the bottom with a soil layer. Then add the green matter – kitchen waste and then cover with some brown matter like dry leaves or sawdust. For the decomposition process to start you will need to add some buttermilk or cow dung. You can keep the bucket covered to keep away insects and bad odor. Once or twice in a week ensure that you give the pile a good mix. If it looks dry you can sprinkle some water too. In case it is too soggy, you can add more sawdust or dry leaves. You can make an addition of greens and browns on a daily basis until the bucket gets full. Depending on the temperature, it would take about a month or two for the compost to develop. Use this compost to grow your own vegetable and herbs garden at home. 

Composting in a pit – If you have space, then you could dig a pit and do the same process as mentioned above. However, you will need to keep it well covered and ensure that pests are unable to reach it. The same rules apply to the moisture and aeration. For a pit, cow dung would be better. 

Pointers for a faster process –

It is suggested that the stuff you use; use smaller pieces. For example, ensure that the peels or eggshells are smaller. Shred the fruit and veggie scraps into as small pieces as you can. This makes the mixing easier and fastens the decomposition. Semi composted material, buttermilk or some cow dung is necessary for the decomposition process to start.

Once this is done, ensure that you put the compost to good use. Use it in your garden, for your plants. It is a great thing that you are doing! So do not waste kitchen waste! It can actually be very satisfying in making your kitchen waste into compost and doing your bit for the environment. It is a good example to set for your children and others too. Composting reduces your garbage, preserves the soil, keeps your city cleaner, prevents air pollution and in general makes your surroundings a better place to live in.

Organic food has truly invaded the Indian market! In fact, the demand for organic food is growing so fast that consumer demand is outpacing some domestic supplies. India has about 30 percent of the total organic producers in the world, but there are still many challenges plaguing the growth. Why is there a sudden demand for organic products?

Check out the reasons:

The demand for organic products is increasing primarily due to the health benefits, chemical usage avoidance and the changing patterns of lifestyle and food consumption amongst people.

• Organic farming is better for the environment as it primarily focuses on eco-friendly agricultural practices. Negative environmental impacts cannot be eliminated wholly. But it can help reduce water pollution and improve soil quality. People prefer to buy organic vegetable seeds online which is easily available.
• More and more people are becoming aware of healthy ways of living. Smart living is now associated with eating healthy and spending on healthy food than on medical treatments.
• Certified organic products do not use chemical manure, but only composted manure. In recent studies it has been found that organic fruits, vegetables, and grains have fewer Nitrates and Cadmium as well as fewer pesticide residues than non-organic crops, making them safer to consume. This reduces the chances of various diseases like Cancers, Brain damage or infant abnormalities. So practice terrace gardening at home. 
• As organic food is high on nutritional levels, it is healthier and fresher to consume when compared to conventional food. A high level of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants are there in organic food than conventional food is grown with fertilizer. Toxic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMO) are excluded in organic food as chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used while growing the crop.
• When compared to other products, people prefer organic food to opt for safe food and a healthy lifestyle.
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• Organic cultivation boosts conservation of biodiversity. It enhances ecological functions and ecosystem services. It is a self-reliance system that improves economic productivity.

Organic farming is a system which takes a while to convert. The Indian organic food market anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 25 percent in the next three years & there is tremendous scope and opportunity for venturing into the business of organic food and organic farming.

Eat organic and live healthily!

Organic farming in Kerala is building its own importance nowadays. It has revolutionized the farming culture. Organic farming is rapidly growing and is being practiced by many farmers as well as by individuals. By following organic farming one can yield more benefits like safer cultivation, natural produce and also environmental friendly.

Organic farming is the practice of growing and reaping crops entirely free from synthetic pesticides and harmful chemicals. Organic farming includes the use of natural products available in nature like animal excreta, kitchen waste, crop residues, cocopeat, etc. Composting all these wastes in a natural way and can be used as fertilizers. Using naturally available products for getting rid of pests like neem oil, cow urine, etc. Using these kinds of natural fertilizers also help protect soil nutrients and balance the ph level.

Practicing organic farming helps to preserve nutrients of the food and makes it tastier and also healthier. It is the best eco-friendly farming concept that needs to be adopted by all the farmers. Advantage of organic farming is to yield more good quality crop and also maintain the soil condition.

Organic farming can also be practiced by individuals at home. Maintain a rooftop garden in your house and grow your own veggies and fruits. Buy organic seeds online in India, set up your own kitchen garden. Organic farming is a happy farming for people and also for the environment.

Agriearth is the fast-growing online organic seeds seller. Buy the best quality organic vegetable, fruit and flower seeds online. Explore from the wide range of various seeds and choose for your kitchen gardening. We provide the best quality at an affordable price.

Select your seeds and start growing them in organic grow bags instead of pots. Growbags helps in easy maintenance and also at times of shifting. Use organic fertilizers and pesticides like kitchen waste, animal excreta as manure. So the yeild from such type of farming gives healthy nutrient rich product.

Buy fresh high quality seeds from agriearth and practice terrace gardening, rooftop gardening, kitchen garden. We look forward for your extended support to encourage organic farming. Agriearth wishes you a very happy gardening.