Some tips for growing a successful garden

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Finding a hobby can sometimes be very challenging, but then finding a hobby which requires a lot of work can be even more difficult. As you have chosen something new to do and realise that you may be struggling with it a little, it is sometimes hard to ask for help or assistance. It can be a mixture of pride and ego or simply not knowing who to ask. If there is one hobby where all the above are true it is when people decide to begin a personal garden project. There is so much new information and techniques to learn that it can be a little overwhelming, especially if it is your pet project and you want to succeed. Luckily there are many people who have been in the same position as you and there have been ways to fix any situation. Although you may not always need help and advice, sometimes it is important and useful and can help you grow and maintain your garden a lot faster. So we have come up with a list of things you can do to be a more successful gardener.

Research your plants:

This is the first hurdle that a lot of novice gardeners stumble upon. They do not research the plants and seeds that they hope to grow. A lot of people are under the impression that some soil, water and sunlight is sufficient for every type of plant to grow. After a while many realise the different techniques and ways that plants need to be cared for, it’s always a good idea to do a lot of research into particular plants. Maybe there are only certain types your area is suited for or particular species you want to grow. Doing successful research makes the task a little easier to measure.

grow a garden

Build your garden:

Before you can grow anything, it is necessary to construct the correct garden and area you want to use for your plants and vegetables, maybe you will need a green house or the help of henderson nv yard maintenance. There are many companies who can help you maintain your garden and give advice on some of the best practices for a novice. Depending on the size of your project it is always a good option to ask a professional for advice. The more you learn at the start the less help you will need in the future:

Don’t be afraid of failure:

Creating and growing a healthy garden is not something which will occur over night it might take up to a year or more before you see any progress, there might be issues and you might not see any progress. Have patience, learn and try different methods to see what you like and what works best for you. The successful end result will be healthy foods and a beautiful garden that you can proudly call your own.

Personal gardens take a lot of work but with the help of these few suggestions it might not be as difficult and when you can grow one successfully you can be the teacher.

5 Summer Inspired Mediterranean Dishes (That Can Be Made In 1 Hour)

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With summer in full swing and the Mediterranean Islands offering such delectable flavors, it’s no wonder that Greek-inspired food has been popping up in locations across North America.

Pasta

Despite having fancy names, Mediterranean dishes are easy to prepare and require pretty simple ingredients that can be easily tracked down in supermarkets.

To demonstrate, here are a few Mediterranean dishes that have been inspired by the summer season. Enjoy!

Tabouli

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup fine bulgar wheat
  • 1 bunch of destemmed, curly parsley
  • 1 bunch destemmed mint
  • 1 bunch of thinly sliced scallions
  • 3 diced medium tomatoes
  • Juice from 1 lemon
  • ⅓ cup of olive oil
  1. Wash and add bulgar to a cup of hot water. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes.
  2. Chop the other herbs.
  3. Drain the liquid from the bulgar, squeezing in a colander after draining. Add to the chopped vegetables and herbs.
  4. Add olive oil and lemon juice.

Watermelon Cubes

Ingredients:

  • 16 1-inch watermelon cubes without seeds
  • 4 or 5 teaspoons of finely chopped red onion
  • ⅓ cup chopped cucumber
  • 2 teaspoons of fresh minced mint
  • 2 teaspoons fresh minced cilantro
  • ½ teaspoon of lime juice
  1. Scoop out the center of each watermelon cube with a melon baller or small spoon. Leave a ¼-inch shell.
  2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl and spoon into the center of your watermelon cubes.

Beet and Nectarine Salad

Ingredients:

  • 2 packages of spring mix greens
  • 1 can of drained, sliced beets
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ½ cup of balsamic vinaigrette
  • 2 sliced nectarines
  1. Toss the nectarine slices and greens with the vinaigrette. Transfer to a serving dish and top with the cheese and beets.

Herb Roasted Tomatoes and Olives

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of Greek olives
  • 8 peeled garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 cup of ripe, pitted olives
  • 2 cups of cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon of herb de provence
  • ¼ of a teaspoon of pepper
  1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the tomatoes, olives, and garlic cloves on a greased baking pan.
  2. Add seasonings and oil and toss the mixture to coat.
  3. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until the tomatoes have softened.

Tzatziki Cucumber Rounds With Shrimp

Ingredients:

  • 6 strips of bacon
  • 24 peeled, deveined, and uncooked shrimp
  • 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • ⅛ of a teaspoon of garlic salt
  • ⅛ of a teaspoon of dill weed
  • ¼ of a cup of plain yogurt
  • 2 medium cucumbers, sliced into ¼-inch slices
  • 2 tablespoons of finely chopped, peeled cucumber
  1. Combine the yogurt, dill, garlic salt, and chopped cucumber and set the mixture aside.
  2. Cut each strip of bacon in half both lengthwise and width-wise. Wrap one piece around every shrimp and secure the wrap with a toothpick.
  3. Heat the oil and cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes per side.
  4. Spoon ½ a teaspoon of the yogurt onto each slice of cucumber and top this with a piece of shrimp.