Want to grow Glass Gem Corn? If you are looking for the most colorful corn variety of all time, Glass Gem Corn is it. What exactly is Glass Gem Corn? Think of it as Indian corn on steroids. Or LSD. Or both. But it grows like other common corn varieties. So, if you’ve grown yellow corn or sweet corn or white corn, you can grow Glass Gem Corn. (Don’t worry, I will give you some basic tips about how to grow corn below.) Why grow colorful Glass Gem Corn seeds? Well, the dried kernels make great popcorn. You can grind the kernels into a multi-colored cornmeal. Or you can grow it for a showy fall decoration. (The kernels are simply too hard to eat them off the cob.) How Glass Gem Corn was Born We wouldn’t have glass gem corn today if it weren’t for the efforts of two men—Carl Barnes and Greg Schoen. So, my hat is off for both gentlemen and their love for colorful corn. Carl Barnes, a part-Cherokee farmer in Oklahoma, began gathering heirloom corn seed varieties as an homage … [Read more...] about Grow Glass Gem Corn for a Colorful Harvest
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Best Air Purifying Indoor Plants
These 10 air purifying indoor plants help purify and clean the air at home and in your office. There are many reasons to have houseplants. They are beautiful. Indoor plants can improve your mood and make a home feel like… well, home. But did you know that many plants can actually improve indoor air quality by removing toxins from the air? When we bring furniture, carpets, inks, and dyes into our homes, we often unwittingly introduce toxins into the air. If left unabated, these toxins can cause long-term issues such as respiratory ailments, allergies, and headaches. The best air purifying indoor plants can help. Not all houseplants are ideal for purifying indoor air. But these houseplants that have been found to effectively improve indoor air quality. Plus, these 10 houseplants help you to create a healthier home with minimal effort. Common Indoor Air Pollutants Toxins in our furniture, in building supplies, and products we use can accumulate in our environment reducing … [Read more...] about Best Air Purifying Indoor Plants
Use Insecticidal Soap to Control Insects
Here’s everything you need to know about how to use insecticidal soap to control insects. This is an effective and organic method for controlling aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Understanding and using insecticidal soaps properly will help you manage pests organically, both indoors and out. As you know, not all pesticides are alike. Some chemicals are more toxic, killing a broad range of species, while others are less toxic and more targeted. Insecticidal soaps are among the more targeted pesticides. They have limited impact on beneficial insects, birds, reptiles, fish, and other wildlife (including humans). By understanding and using insecticidal soaps effectively, you can combat common plant pests while protecting beneficial organisms. Why Use Insecticidal Soap? Break down the name and you see that insecticidal soap is literally a soap that kills insects. Insecticidal soaps offer a safe, effective, less-toxic alternative to harsh chemicals for managing garden and … [Read more...] about Use Insecticidal Soap to Control Insects
Best Trees for Small Yards
The Best Trees for Small Yards include some real surprises, including a small magnolia tree and a gorgeous Japanese maple tree. Most trees just don’t fit into small yards. At mature size, popular trees such as oaks, maples and magnolias get too large for today’s suburban lots. That’s why the editors of HomeGardenandHomestead.com have created this list of the best trees for small yards. In addition to being small enough to fit into small yards and smaller spaces within larger landscapes, these best trees for small yards also offer extra benefits. Most of the trees on our list put on a colorful show of flowers each spring and/or summer. Many of the trees on the Best Trees for Small Yards list offer colorful fall foliage. And all of these trees are distinctive enough to become cherished horticultural focal points in your yard. So if you’ve got a small space that needs a bit of pizzazz, we’ve got the trees for you. Once you have selected the small trees that are perfect for … [Read more...] about Best Trees for Small Yards
How to Repot a Peace Lily Houseplant
Here are simple steps to repot a peace lily houseplant. Do you need to repot a peace lily houseplant—or another type of houseplant—but aren’t sure where to start? This post will explain what to look for when your peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is ready for a larger pot. I will also show you exactly how to repot your peace lily houseplant step-by-step with photos. The following steps can also be used to repot other varieties of houseplants. These include pothos, monstera, snake plant, fiddle leaf fig, African violet, money tree, jade plant, and more. For more information about some great house plant varieties, read Best Flowering Houseplants. Does Your Peace Lily Need a Bigger Pot? You won’t know for sure if your peace lily is root bound unless you take it out of the pot and inspect it. But here’s what to look for that indicates your plant is ready for a bigger pot. You may notice at least one, if not more, of the following: It’s Time to Repot a Peace Lily Houseplant If … [Read more...] about How to Repot a Peace Lily Houseplant
