Simple steps to save tomato seeds

One of the best features of a tomato plant is that it is self pollinating. So you dont need to worry about the quality of the tomato seeds unless you are using hybrid variety. There is very little chance of insects polluting the quality of your seeds even though you are growing different varieties of tomatoes together.

Saving the seeds from tomatoes are very easy. First, select mature ripe tomatoes from the plant that has the best flavour (as per your liking) and is not affected by any form of diseases. Then cut the tomatoes in halves across the middle. Next take out the seeds from the fruit with the help of a spoon. If the tomatoes are fully matured it should not be a problem.

You will find the seeds are covered with pulp gelatinous coating. This coating is required for the safety of the seeds and it prevents the seeds from germinating inside the tomato.

To save the seed you need to separate them form the coating. The process used for this is called fermentation. For this you need to put the seeds along with the coating into a jar. Add some water and stir it with a help of a spoon. You can instantly see the juices and some part of the coating are getting separated from the seeds and the water are getting murky. Now remove the murky water and replace it with fresh ones. After that keep the jar in a place far from the sunlight and cover it with a lid. You need to repeat the process for quite some time to remove all the coating from the seeds. It generally requires 2 to 3 days before all the coating gets removed. You need to change the water 4 to 5 times in between these days. Once the coating is removed fully, you can see the clear seeds settling down at the bottom of the pot. Drain out the water and you will get the clean good quality seeds.

To store the seeds for future use you need to remove every bit of moisture from the seeds. Place them on some paper towel and cover them. It is best to store the seeds along with the paper towel so that even the outside moisture can’t interfere with the seeds. And thats it, the process is complete.

So now you know how can you save the seeds from your tomato plants give it a try. By saving your own seeds you will get the same quality of tomatoes for years with no additional costs.

If you have any suggestions regarding tomato seeds saving feel free to share.

Read more

Aquaponics System 5 Steps To Success

So, you want to set up an Aquaponics system? Dont worry though sounds complicated it is really an easy job. If you have some basic knowledge about the system you are ready to go. I believe you have the on the basics of the system).
basic knowledge about the system like what it is? And, how it can help you (If you have any doubt check my earlier article



However, there are some important point which you might still interest you. Let me mention five such things which will help you attain some amazing results.



Proper Location: the place has a crucial impact on the success or the failure of you aquaponics system. It is highly important for the plants and fish to grow. Factors such as optimum temperature (not too hot not too cold), presence of natural lights (for the preparation of food for the plants), absence of external harsh weather are very important. Make sure no chemical of other harmful substances are present in the water. It can kill both y our plants and fish.



Oxygenate the water: Oxygenating is essential for the fish. Lack of oxygen can make your whole system fall apart. Oxygenate daily to make you fish happy. Happier the fish better the output of the system.


Choosing your fish accordingly: The aquaponics system normally works with any kind of fish. Yet, there are some restriction on the type of fish you can grow depending on the law of the state. It is for your best interest that you check the laws of your state before choosing the fish. Here is an article you can read about the best fish options for your aquaponic system.

Height of the system: Make sure the system doesnt go about your waist level. That is the best height so you dont need to bend over while harvesting. It will make the daily care routine easier to implement.

Additives: Generally in an aquaponics system the fish provide the nutrition for the plants and generally you dont need to add anything from outside. But, there are cases when the fish will not be able to provide enough nutrients for the plant. In such cases you might need to supply  nutrients in the form of iron, calcium or potassium carbonate.

The aquaponic system itself is a very easy way to achieve a bounty full of veggies and fish in a short period of time. Follow the five steps mentioned above and you will have a great success in your attempt to grow organic foods for your family.

If you are really serious about Aquaponics system and want to give it your best shot check out this source of information.

Have any comments? Use the comment box below

Related articles about Aquaponics:

Aquaponics System: Know the basics of Aquaponics Design

Advantages of Aquaponics System
Top Five Aquaponics Fish for The Fish Tank

Read more

Raised Garden Beds How To Build A Bed in 4 Simple Steps

Raised garden beds are always a good option for Gardening. Though it might sound pretty troublesome to prepare garden bed it is not that tough. This article will put some light on Garden bed preparation.

The first thing you need to do to make a raised garden bed is to kill the weeds in the area you have planned your bed. The best way to do this is to first till the area with a tiller or plough it (in case the area is larger).

Next add a thick layer of compost and till again. You can also add layers of newspaper or cardboard to cover the area before tilling the soil.

It will kill most of the weeds in the first place. Weeds which have deep roots or runners can be killed easily by this process.

After covering the area with compost add some water to the soil and till it a bit. This will make the weed seed (which are present in the soil) to germinate. Once they germinate, till it once more.

This total process of watering and tilling you need to follow quite a few times. After making sure that there are no more weed seeds present in the soil, you can use your vegetable or other plants. Try not to use seeds at first and go for transplanting in the first year. After that you can use seeds as per your likings.

Another way to get instant garden bed is to cover the whole area with the topsoil bags which are readily available in any garden store. Try not to use cheap quality product but go for the company which is known for their product quality.

Cut one or two areas of each bag and plant your seedling or seeds there. After covering the whole area with topsoil bags, cover the exposed plastic area of the

bag with thick layer of Mulch. Now you have it, your own garden bed.

This type of permanent raised bed gardening is always helpful and it also makes the surrounding soil much more fertile and healthier. Raised beds warm up faster than normal soil. The best part about garden beds is you can make it any size you want. Keep enough space for walking, beside the garden beds and never walk on the beds.

Keep adding composts at regular intervals. It will keep the beds fertile. First year it is recommended to add 4 to 6 inches of compost. In the subsequent years ½ inch of compost will be enough to provide the required nutrition to the plants.


Have you prepared you garden beds yet? Share your experiences with us.

Read more

Transplanting How to Transplant in Five Simple Steps

In case you have seedlings with you and you want to start from seedling and not from the seeds, the following steps will help you.

1.       First make a hole in the ground where you want to transplant the plant. It should be as deep as the height of the container and double of its diameter.

2.       Before transplanting it is almost mandatory to give water to the plant as unless its roots grow it will not be possible for the plant to get water from the soil.

3.       Keep a hold on the stem of the plant and put the pot upside down. Due to gravitation force it will be far easier to take the plant out of the container.

4.       Plant the seedling the same depth as it was in the container.

5.       Cover it with the soil and press gently to ensure the roots are in solid contact with the soil. Make sure the soil remains moist constantly till you see the plant grow.

Try to transplant on a overcast weather condition to give the plant a better chance to adjust to their new home without being withered by direct sun.

Transplanting can be a great way to start gardening as it will definitely increase the chances of survival for the plant and provide the much more enthusiasm for continuing Gardening as a hobby, which has so many benefits of its own.


Check out five cool tips for transplanting a plant in this following video

Read more