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Taking care of a Christmas cactus plant is not difficult, but knowing signs when you’ve overwatered or underwatered your plant can be tricky. When your Christmas cactus leaves are limp, it can be a sign that you are overwatering your plant, while drooping leaves can be a sign of an underwatered cactus. However, there are more signs we want to discuss.

Signs of an Underwatered Christmas Cactus Plant

Underwatering a Christmas cactus plant can cause the plant to become severely stressed and show signs of dehydration. This type of stress often leads to stunted growth, brown and wilting leaves, and brown stems.

Some signs that your Christmas cactus may be underwatered include:

Dry Soil

The first sign of underwatering is usually dry soil. To test your soil’s moisture level, stick your finger in the soil. If it feels dry to the touch, it’s a sign that you must water your Christmas cactus.

Wilting Leaves

Wilting or drooping leaves can occur when the plant has gone too long without water, and its roots cannot absorb enough moisture from the air around them. When you notice this symptom, water your Christmas cactus to regain strength.

Shriveled Stem

If the stems look shriveled, you may be under-watering your cactus.

Signs of an Overwatered Christmas Cactus Plant

Overwatering a Christmas cactus can lead to root rot, nutrient deficiencies, and eventually, death of the overwatered plant if not corrected.

Here are some common signs your Christmas cacti have too much moisture:

Soggy Soil

If the potting soil feels overly wet or the cactus sits in standing water, it’s a sign that you are overwatering your Christmas cactus and need to adjust how often you water it.

Limp Leaves

Another sign of overwatering is limp leaves. This happens when too much water has been applied to the plant, and its roots cannot absorb so much. As soon as you notice this symptom, reduce watering for your Christmas cactus so it can remain healthy and vibrant.

Mushy Stems & Roots

Suppose your Christmas cactus isn’t receiving enough air circulation or has been consistently overwatered. In that case, it may show signs of mushy stems and roots, eventually leading to root rot if not corrected immediately. It’s important to monitor closely how often you water your cacti and ensure that they’re getting enough air circulation.

Watering a Christmas Cactus

To keep your Christmas cactus happy, mist the leaves of your cactus with a spray bottle daily. When the soil is completely dry, water the base of the plant (every two weeks). When watering a Christmas Cactus, water from the bottom up. Put the pot in a dish or tray filled with just enough water so that when the soil absorbs moisture from the bottom, it comes out of the drainage holes at the pot’s base. Leave for about 20 minutes, then remove any excess moisture in the tray so your cactus is not left in wet soil. Do not let your cactus sit in standing water. Overly wet soil, especially in the colder months, could lead to root rot.

Revive an Overwatered or Underwatered Christmas Cactus

To revive an overwatered Christmas cactus, you should first let the soil dry out before watering again – avoid repotting until dryness has been achieved. Reduce the watering frequency and use only lukewarm water when watering again; also, make sure that your pot has good drainage holes so that excess water can escape more easily.

To revive an underwatered Christmas cactus, slowly increase its water intake, but don’t overdo it all at once – start with small doses of water every other day until your plant looks revived and green again. You should also ensure adequate humidity for your plant – misting with a spray bottle every other day helps! Additionally, if the plant is underwatered for too long, repotting into fresh soil may be necessary to give your holiday cactus a second chance at life.

If you are looking for a way to revive your dying air plant, follow quick solutions like soaking the plant in clean water and trimming off the dead and affected parts.

Air plants (also called Tillandsia) are special plants that can grow anywhere. These epiphytic plants are from another planet and require no soil to grow. The air plants absorb water and moisture through their leaves and require a moderate quantity of water to survive.

Caring for these plants may not require much, but sometimes they start looking sickly (limp, droopy, shriveled, or brown). What will you do in such a condition? This write-up will teach you how to pump life into dying indoor air plants.

How to Revive Dying Air Plants

Knowing the real reason for air plants’ sickness is very important. For instance, when an air plant needs water, it turns brown or limp. You can easily revive an air plant by taking the following actions.

Overnight soak

When an air plant lacks water, its leaf ends will start turning brown or curling. Also, air plants show a yellow/brown color when they are too exposed to sunlight. You can revive your air plant in such a condition by immersing it overnight in clean water. This gives them enough time to absorb the nutrients and moisture they need. You can start by filling a bowl with lukewarm water and soaking the air plant entirely.

Cut off brown or dead leaves

Removing dead parts allow air plants to absorb more sunshine, look beautiful and regenerate. The brown and dead leaves are easy to come off, so gently tug at the leaves until fresher leaves are left. With this, your air plant will gently and naturally pump back to life.

When the healthier leaves come to the surface, it’s easier for the plant to get moisture and nutrient from the atmosphere. Removing the dead parts also keep the pest at bay, as most pests are attracted to dead leaves.

Get rid of pests

One of the main causes of your dying air plants may be pests. The mealybug is one of the major dangers to air plants. So, you must keep insects and pests away from the plants to prevent them from dying.

Separate the affected plants from the healthy ones first. After that, spray them with a disinfectant solution like neem oil, dish soap, or baking soda. By doing so, you can keep the plant healthy and eliminate most pests, which will help it recover.

Provide air circulation and sunlight

An air plant needs good air circulation, as important as sunshine and water. Compared to most home plant decorations, air plants have tiny fuzzy white fibers on the leaves known as trichomes, allowing them to grow without soil. It helps them absorb water and airborne minerals and also regulates their temperature.

This means bad air regulation around your Tillandsia plant reduces its growth and causes its cores to rot or die. However, you can avoid this by checking your air plant regularly or ensuring they get excess moisture. Also, bright light exposure helps healthy air plants bloom. But leaving them under direct sunlight for too long makes them dry or die.

Remove excess water

Your air plants must be watered to survive, but too much water will damage the green leaves and roots. Hence, try to avoid running much tap water on the air plant and keep them dry. You can use a dry paper towel to carefully wipe away any excess water from the plant. You must be careful not to harm the leaves and roots when you drain the water.

Air Plant (Tillandsia) Care

Air plants can go for a long period without much attention. They might be small by nature, but they make stunning standalone houseplants.

Here is air plant care guides you should know.

Temperature

The best temperature to keep Tillandsia healthy and happy is between 50 to 900F and about 100F cooler at night. Air plants are sensitive to extreme cold and can survive a short freeze. However, once the temperature drops below 350F, they will require protection.

Air condition

Bad air circulation reduces growth in air plants and mostly rots their cores.  So when taking care of the air plant, remember that it requires good air, moderate sunshine, and water. Check your plant from time to time to ensure that they are getting adequate nutrients and moisture. Also, avoid putting air plants in a closed container or spots near fans or vents.

Light exposure

Light exposure plays a major role in air plants to look healthy and bloom. Leaving them under direct sunlight for too long may lead to burns and death. Your Tillandsia container should be placed under bright indirect light. Ideally, 7 am to 11 am is the best time ever.

Water needs

Care for air plants includes knowing how to water them to keep them healthy and happy properly. Directly watering your plant can be tricky. It’s advisable to water air plants deeply at least twice a week. You can mist them with spray bottles or soak them in water for an hour. You can also combine the two methods by soaking for 20 to 60 minutes daily with a supplemental misting, depending on the current climate and time of the year.

Regardless of your chosen method, always place the plant on top of a paper towel and allow it to air dry for a few hours before placing it gently in its containers. This is to protect them from rotting. Additionally, it is best to always look at your air plant’s tips to check its condition.

Feeding

Fertilizing air plants is not really for them to look their best, but it is an ideal way to encourage them to bloom and produce offsets. Use liquid fertilizer for the plants, especially natural/organic fertilizer.

It is easy to feed air plants by adding low-nitrogen bromeliad fertilizer or regular water solution houseplant fertilizer. The recommended strength is preferably a spray bottle, making it possible to feed and water your air plant at the same time.

Air plants naturally absorb enough moisture from high humidity and rain. But due to the dryness in most homes, indoor air plants require frequent watering. So, it’s best to monitor your air plants, water them as required, add fertilizer, monitor their exposure to light, etc. You don’t want them dried and dead over time.

FAQs

How long should I soak my air plant?

It’s best to soak your air plant overnight for 6 to 7 hours. After soaking, ensure you dry it before placing it in a container.

How do you revive air plants turning brown?

An air plant turning brown majorly signifies dryness. By watering your air plant deeply, you can revive it.

What type of water should be used for air plants?

You should use fresh and clean water to soak your air plant.

What causes dead air plants?

Causes of death are plants’ lack of light, too much sunlight, lack of water, poor air circulation, and too much water.

One of the most fundamental aspects of caring for a plant is ensuring it gets enough water. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the type of water that you feed to your plants can have a huge impact on their health. While tap water has been chemically treated to be safe for human consumption, the purification methods leave traces of chemicals like fluoride and chlorine, which can harm your plants, killing good bacteria on their roots. A simple way to circumvent this is to use a water filter to remove contaminants. This way, you can ensure that you are providing your plants with the purest kind of water, encouraging them to thrive.

The Characteristics of Water

Differences in the makeup of your water depend largely on the region you live in, mostly due to the type of rock at your water source.

Soft Water

When rain falls from the sky, it is naturally soft. However, if it meets a porous material like chalk or limestone when it reaches the ground, it soaks up minerals such as calcium and magnesium, making it ‘hard.’

So that these minerals don’t build up in our plumbing systems, most water is treated with water softeners, which work by replacing existing minerals with potassium or sodium ions.

The problem is that the elevated sodium content can trick your plants and lawn and disrupt their water balance. In a worst-case scenario, your plants will die of thirst, and the salt build-up in the soil will also prevent future plants from growing.

Hard Water

As you now know, the most prevalent minerals found within hard water are dissolved calcium and magnesium, which are responsible for limescale deposits and blockages in pipes, heating systems, and appliances.

Whilst you might be forgiven for thinking extra minerals can only benefit your plants, there can be too much of a good thing. Over time, these minerals can accumulate, reducing the presence of other essential nutrients and altering the pH levels in the soil.

Choosing the Right Water for Your Plants

Tap Water

Whilst many houseplants can survive on a diet of tap water, some more sensitive plants can suffer or even die. This is because of the trace chemicals left in treated water, most typically fluoride and chlorine. If you must use tap water to feed your plants, naturally dissipate the chlorine by leaving it in a container to sit (uncovered) for a day or so.

Rainwater

Rainwater is great for your plants as it is naturally soft. However, there are some cons to consider, such as difficulty collecting sufficient quantities and pollution, and high acidity if you live in the city or an industrial area.

Bottled Water

Bottled water can contain useful nutrients and minerals that encourage healthy plant growth; however, we would not recommend this method due to the serious environmental impact of plastic waste.

Filtered Water

Installing a water filter at home is easy and effective. You can remove dangerous viruses, bacteria, compounds, and toxins responsible for causing illness not just in plants but also in humans. Pre-filtering your water will not just boost growth in your leafy companions but improve the quality of your drinking water as well.

To help your plants live their best life, filtered water is your safest bet. You can be confident that any contaminants and nasty chemicals have been removed, and your plant’s roots can absorb all the hydrating water they need, free of impurities.

How to take care of your lawn organically? Is lawn care without chemicals possible? As the world is transitioning to more sustainable ways of living and doing business, we need to find better ways of taking care of our properties. A lush green lawn starts with healthy soil. The truth is that synthetic fertilizers and weed killers actually only work temporarily and deplete the soil over time. Fertilizers work on the blades of grass, making it look greener. The better way is to take care of your lawn naturally – from the ground up – as healthy soil is a sustainable way to take care of the lawn. Here are several steps that you can use to transform your property’s lawn into a thriving green paradise!

1. Test your soil

Your lawn requires the right pH levels to survive. Most grasses thrive in slightly acidic soils in the 6-7 pH range. If the pH levels go too acidic or too alkaline, you can end up with thin spots. You can get the soil testing kit at your local home and garden store or order it online.

2. Improve the soil based on the soil test results

Finding that balance is the perfect way to start working towards that lush lawn. Try adding lime if the ph level is below 6.0 or garden sulfur if it is above 7.0.

3. Aerating

Aerating is the process of removing 2-3 inch deep core plugs that consist of soil, thatch, and roots. Aerating ensures that air, water, and nutrients can reach the roots to develop the proper growth of your lawn. This type of lawn care service is typically recommended once a year.

4. Mow often, but not too short

Everyone loves a fresh, crisp lawn, but did you know you can actually cause your lawn harm if you mow it too short? Mowing your lawn too short makes it prone to weeds and drought. Grass needs a certain height to produce the proper amount of nutrients via photosynthesis, so both grass and roots are healthy.

5. Sharpen your mower blade

This one may seem obvious, but it’s crazy to hear how many people don’t do this! Why do you have to ensure that your lawn mower’s blades are sharp? Because a dull blade damages grass, therefore taking a long time to recover.

6. Leave the lawn clippings

Go bagless! Clippings break down quickly and return valuable nutrients to the soil. And you save time and won’t need to use plastic bags. Good for your lawn and the environment.

7. Get rid of weeds or pests

No one likes to look out their window and see a farm of weeds and other unwanted growth around their property. Use gardening tools that help to get rid of weeds while getting at the roots deeply and not removing too much soil around. You can use natural and organic agents such as gluten cornmeal during the beginning of the season to stunt the growth of weeds such as dandelion or plantain.

8. Water deeply but not too often

To water or not to water? Finding the perfect compromise for your lawn depends on a variety of factors. If you water it for not long enough, the roots won’t get enough moisture. Watering it too often encourages weed growth. Generally, watering is recommended to be done in the morning or evening time when the temperature isn’t very high so that it won’t evaporate a lot, and you save on water.

9. Overseed

If you’re searching for a luscious lawn this Summer, this is a key step in your yard care journey! Applying an overseeding mix after you mow the lawn will cover any dead patches on the lawn and help it return to its once-perfect state. (You might need to dethatch first if the dead layer is too thick). Make sure to water well the next few days.

10. Dethatching

Dethatching is usually recommended during the beginning of Spring to give your lawn a nice wake-up call for the warmer months ahead! This lawn care service is completed by using an electromechanical dethatcher with rotating steel tines or blades that quickly and thoroughly take care of your thatch problem.

11. Fertilizing

Natural and organic is the way to go when it comes to fertilizing! Choose from various organic fertilizers available on the market or use a local compost from a nursery nearby for the best results. Apply 1 cm. layer and distribute it evenly by raking it through your lawn. This will provide crucial nutrients needed in your soil.

Last Words

These are some important steps on how to take care of your lawn organically. Focus on the health of your soil by testing its pH and adjusting ph levels if necessary. Make sure to aerate once a year to provide the necessary nutrients to the soil. Take care of your lawn by cutting it often but not too short. Sharpen your mower blade for the best results. Overseeding and dethatching help to achieve the proper lawn consistency. If you don’t have enough time or tools to do all the work, you can hire a local natural lawn care company to help with your lawn maintenance.

Lighting and electricity go hand in hand. However, there are many ways to have outdoor lighting without electricity. There are wireless outdoor lighting systems such as solar, solar outdoor chandeliers, battery-operated outdoor lights, battery-operated outdoor chandeliers, solar garden globes, etc.

Numerous solar outdoor lighting options are not dependent on conventional electricity. So you don’t have to worry about power outages during the winter season. Aside from convenience and comfort, an outdoor light fixture fulfills other needs.

Outdoor light fixtures provide bright light for the external premises of your home. This illumination serves as a form of security because it can scare away home invaders or burglars. In addition, it enhances the ambiance of your outdoor surroundings for parties. It can also make you feel safe during strolls around your yard at dusk.

After carrying out some research into the subject, we’ve come up with a list of lighting fixtures that can illuminate your surroundings without electricity.

Before we do that, let’s first consider factors that should influence your choice.

Choose the Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

There are some essential factors to consider when choosing outdoor lighting fixtures. They include:

Outdoor Lighting Cost or Budget

Before deciding how to power outdoor lights, consider the cost of light fixtures and how much you can afford to spend on them. Outdoor light fixtures come in different types and have a wide range of prices.

Have a spending plan for your lighting project. Without budgeting, you may buy what you don’t need or spend more than you planned to. Budgeting gives you control over how much you spend and helps you buy what you can afford.

Color and Style of the Outdoor Light Fixture

What color and style of light fixture do you need on your premises? There are cool light fixtures and warm light fixtures. The color and style of your light fixtures influence the mood or ambiance of your premises. So first, determine what kind of ambiance you want.

Some colors provide illumination. On the other hand, other lighting colors provide illumination and give your outdoor settings a relaxing atmosphere. Cool light fixtures are ideal for this.

If you want to use your outdoor space for hosting a party, a warm light fixture will serve you best.

The durability of Outdoor Lights

Certain light fixtures last longer than others. For durability, we recommend going for LED lights. An LED light fixture can provide sufficient outdoor lighting and also save you the cost of frequent replacements.

This helps you save money. LED lighting is also a popular lighting option, and it’s used in many households.

Positioning of Light Fixture

Consider where you’re going to install the wireless outdoor lighting. Placing your light strategically can beautify your outdoor space. It will also add character and make it an appealing sight to onlookers. Good lighting placement also helps in preventing certain accidents.

Depending on where you want to install outdoor lighting systems, you can go for garden lights, path lights, porch lights, etc. First, consider the kind of lights that are ideal for your placement strategy.

Some lights are installed on the ground, some are installed on the wall of your home, and others are hung on tree branches.

Wattage

Outdoor lighting varies in wattage. So go for the one that meets your needs. If you’re installing lighting for decorative, ambiance, or accent purposes, go for lighting with lower wattage.

However, if you aim to light up the dark parts of your premises at night, go for lighting with higher wattage.

How to Power Outdoor Lights Without Electricity?

Solar Stake Lights

Solar lights are one of the best options to illuminate your premises without increasing your monthly utility bills. It draws its energy from the sun and converts it to electrical power through photovoltaic cells.

During the daytime, it uses its solar panels to accumulate enough power to provide night-time illumination for your premises. A cost-effective solar lighting option is solar garden lights.

Aside from the primary function of providing illumination at night, they also enhance the ambiance of your settings because they are accent lights.

Solar-powered lights are pretty easy to install because they don’t require electrical cords or wires. They are also lightweight, which is an added advantage. We advise you to install your solar-powered lighting where you’re likely to spend more time when you’re outdoors. Good examples are dining and seating areas.

Once the sun sets, your solar power feature lights will detect the absence of the sun and automatically switch on. It’s an intuitive lighting system.

Solar Outdoor Chandeliers

An outdoor chandelier powered by solar energy gives you unlimited options for decorating your patio, deck, gazebo, and other outdoor areas. Outdoor chandeliers are energy-efficient and eco-friendly lights. It’s accent lighting, adding aesthetic effect to your premises. It will also highlight outdoor features as well as your outdoor furniture.

Most outdoor hanging chandeliers are ambient lights. One unique advantage that comes with it is that you can install it anywhere. You can use it to provide lighting for a sculpture and enjoy the view at night. It can even offer aesthetics for an outdoor party.

This ambient light is weatherproof and safe to use during the rainy season. It also comes with rechargeable solar batteries.

Solar String Lights

If you want to install new light fixtures in your compound, this is an excellent option. String lights provide a warm glow. It’s an ideal outdoor lighting design if you’ll be hosting guests or parties frequently.

You can install this battery-operated outdoor lighting system anywhere. For instance, on your lawn, rooftop, or your furniture. You can choose a light string with LED lights to illuminate far corners of your premises. This way, you won’t need an extension cord.

Also, a light string connects to your phone like a smart home system. This makes it easy for you to operate or configure it. We also recommend you go for waterproof string lights so that illumination won’t be a problem when there is snow or rainfalls.

Battery-Powered Outdoor Lights

This is another ideal option for outdoor lighting without electricity. We recommend going with battery-powered lighting that is durable and can reach expansive areas.

Also, go for brands that use weather-resistant materials to design outdoor lighting. Please consider the duration of illumination, too. Good batteries can last for up to 10 hours for a session.

Some of these lights are equipped with a sensor responsive light. The motion sensor lighting switches on when it detects movements. This wireless functionality is excellent for security purposes.

We recommend switching off the light manually when you’re not using it to make the battery last longer.

Battery-Operated Outdoor Chandelier

This battery-powered outdoor lighting is lightweight and easy to install. It provides purely practical security and ambiance. Furthermore, it’s also cost-effective. With the flip of a switch, it can shine brightly on your outdoor premises.

Several of these battery-powered chandeliers come with teardrop-shaped bulbs to provide aesthetic lighting. They add glamour, style, and class to where you sit and dine outdoors. An added advantage is that you can hang this battery-powered outlet anywhere you choose.

No matter where you install the battery-operated chandelier, it will have a strong aesthetic effect. It’s a great choice if you frequently entertain your guests till the wee hours of the morning.

Solar Garden Globes

This is arguably the most aesthetic outdoor lighting option. It can be installed as a permanent fixture in your garden, and it doesn’t require electrical outlets, wires, or even solar panels.

This light comes with replaceable batteries, and it’s a buyers’ favorite because you can create a pattern of your choice. For example, you can decide to spread the globes or clutter them in a particular area.

This lighting is best placed on your patio and deck, besides your swimming pool and garden path. The color emissions from this lighting can make the appearance of your garden a view you can’t get tired of.

They can be installed with screws, and most of them are weatherproof. So you don’t have to worry about the weather when you’re installing them. They are versatile lights and can be installed anywhere on your outdoor premises.

Wax/LED Candles

This is old-fashioned for outdoor lighting, which is precisely where its appeal lies. They are incredibly affordable and easily accessible. Aside from providing illumination, you can use LED or wax candles to enhance the mood or create a romantic setting.

There are house owners who love old-fashioned lighting but don’t want the naked flame. For this category of buyers, we recommend flame-flickering LED candles. They resemble real wax candles, but they’re safer because their wax doesn’t drip.

So you can decide to go for LED or real candles. For wax candles, we recommend going for candles of various sizes. Use old but clean jars to place them, creating homemade lanterns in the process. You can even add some citronella oil to the wax to make a natural mosquito repellent.

There’s this lovely feeling that comes with seeing your garden already blooming. However, let’s face reality. Waiting a long time for your garden to produce can be quite discouraging.

The good news is you can start your gardening experience with some of these fast-growing seeds to fill your empty plant beds.

Is Gardening Worth the Stress?

Owning and tending to a garden can be frustrating. It’s tough to live in an urban area and know you can get these vegetables and flowering plants from the nearest grocery store.

Well, don’t give up yet. Did you know you can cultivate several fast-growing seeds and see results in 30 days? Yes, there are!

So maybe you’ve had to wait for a long time before your garden produces because you’ve been cultivating the wrong plants.

Having a steady supply of produce almost all year round is excellent, especially when you plant seeds that can be grown quickly.

Here are eight plants you can cultivate and harvest in a month.

Radishes

Looking for a plant that starts showing green shoots less than a week after they’ve been planted? Well, you’ve got the radish!

You can choose to cultivate the Heirloom radish for a variety in flavor and colour. They are a great option for short-term produce because they are a fast-growing crop. If planted every week, you’ve got a steady supply of radishes all year.

Lettuce

Everyone knows lettuces are the most common vegetables to plant if you start harvesting in less than two months. If you want a vegetable that can start producing in 30 days or less, you should consider planting lettuce. They grow super-fast and can continue to produce almost all year long.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are among the most beautiful flowers ever, and seeing a garden of them can be breathtaking.

Luckily, they are one of the fastest flowery plants to grow. All they need is loose soil coupled with adequate sunlight, and in a month, you’ve got yourself a beautiful view of sunflowers scattered around your garden.

Spinach

Spinach is another fast-growing plant that grows almost as soon as it is planted. They are a special staple great for spicing up your meals and salad. Fortunately, this vegetable can be harvested within 30 days after cultivation, so you’ve got yourself a supply of this useful green to spice up your casserole, stew, salads, and other meals.

However, you must use the right water for this plant, as spinach can easily wither and die off if it doesn’t get adequate water.

Marigolds

Something about Marigolds puts you in a cheerful mood, and having a garden filled with these bright beauties is worth it. If you’re looking for a plant that will sprout easily within a month of cultivating, then get yourself some marigold seeds. The sad news is, Marigolds tend to wither and die during the cold season.

Arugula

Arugula is a popular peppery green used in salads, so there is usually a great rush. If you own a garden, you can have your supply of Arugula as they are very easy to grow. When cultivated, you can start harvesting your Arugula as early as 20 – 25days after planting.

Cucumber

Cucumbers are a great choice of vegetables to plant in your garden for quick production. It takes less space when planted, and its growth is so fast that you can start harvesting your blooming cucumbers 30 days after planting. For an extremely quick harvest, you can either plant the Northern Pickler or Picklebush variety of cucumber.

Petunias

If you ever need a flowering plant that would add the perfect blast of bright colours to your garden, then consider getting some petunia seeds. They grow fast and can withstand almost any weather condition. Aside from that, they also add a sweet scent to your garden and make your garden a paradise of colours.

Anxious to see your garden in full bloom all summer? Then these plants are some of the best choices for you if you want to have that perfect garden variety and get instant satisfaction for your planting efforts.

Rodents are a problem for Canadian farmers, gardeners, and keepers of chicken. They are very good at hiding and they reproduce faster than most of us can keep up. Besides the messes they can make, it is important that you keep rodents away from your livestock because they are carriers of disease. Rodents spread harmful pathogens that can infect both humans and animals.

Mice and rats are attracted to barns and chicken coops for their warmth, security, and easy access to food. If you’ve started a hobby farm, you may be wondering how to keep them out. The key is to physically exclude them from the coop and to keep food out of reach. The following lists what you can do to keep rodents and other creatures out of the chicken coop, so your chickens can be safe.

1. Exclude the chicken coop

The first thing you should do when managing rodents is to block the pests out of the coop. Seal up any gaps you find in the structure of the coop so that mice and rats cannot get in. Remember that mice can squeeze through gaps only 6mm wide. Use caulking or mesh to fill in the gaps.

Ideally, your chicken coop should be above ground. Rats are burrowers that dig tunnels to get around. Dig a trench around your chicken run, then secure a mesh along the sides of the fence. Ensure the mesh is at least a foot deep into the ground to prevent rats from digging through. Use a quarter-inch, 16-gauge, galvanized steel mesh or similar. Bury the mesh when you’re done. For bonus protection, you can cover the ground with concrete.

2. Store feed in sealed containers

Proper feed storage is a must. Store feed in airtight containers and keep them in a shed, out of reach. The better the seal, the less it will smell to rodents. Use heavy plastic or metal containers that cannot be chewed through and place the containers above ground, in a cool, dry place. Remove feed from the chicken run at night so you do not attract predators.

3. Switch to an automatic chicken feeder

Some feeders are designed to reduce waste and lessen the risk of a pest problem. Check out covered automatic feeders that open only when they are triggered. It is only when a hen steps onto the platform that the feeder’s lid opens, and the chicken can feed. These feeders require a little training upfront for the chickens to understand, but they will get the hang of it in no time.

4. Clean regularly

Every night, remove wasted and extra feed and throw it out or use it for compost. Pick up spilled feet as best as you can. You should also clean up droppings from your dropping boards every day and clean up the floor of your run if you have one. Rodents are just as likely to eat droppings as they are to eat feed. Deep clean the coop every 6 months and keep it clean.

5. Maintain the yard

Mice and rats love clutter and foliage where they can hide. So, it’s important that you maintain the exterior of the chicken coop as well. Pull weeds, mow the lawn, rake the leaves, and keep the yard and garden as tidy as you can. Keep woodpiles away from the chicken coop. If you grow fruits and vegetables, cover them in an ultra-fine mesh to help keep pests out. Harvest your produce on time and don’t let anything rot on the ground.

6. Use proper fencing

Rodents, raccoons, and other animals can tear through chicken wire. If you want to keep rodents out, the best fencing consists of welded, galvanized steel mesh. Use a 16-gauge, quarter-inch mesh so that rodents cannot chew through. Use this same material to secure the perimeter of the run, one foot underground.