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How to save your plants from ants in your ecological garden

How to save your plants from ants in your ecological garden

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If the ants are near the plant, the plants will no longer grow and will slowly collapse. If they settle below the fruit tree, they can dry it in 2-3 years. At the place where they settle down, the acidity of the soil increases, and this affects the plants negatively. The ants always find a place on the untreated soil to make a home. They do not like harassment. If they have already chosen your garden or an anthill pot, then it’s time for you to take action.

Ants do not tolerate strong and sharp smells like parsley, larvae, anise, tomato leaves, oregano, garlic, cinnamon, lavender, marigold, vinegar, coffee pot, lemon, cucumber, tobacco. Various types of ants react differently. Sometimes it’s enough to crush the tomato branches or the leaves of the parsley deep into their home and they will leave it.

Ants

Ants do not like the scents of vegetable oils. You should combine 10 liters of water, 2 cups of vegetable oil, a little detergent for dishes or shampoos and a little vinegar, and thus overflow the scattered ant. The procedure should be repeated after a few days.

Natural preparations useful in the fight against ants:

Tomato preparation

The preparation of young leaves or tomato sealants is an excellent tool for treating ants from the garden. The ants do not like tomatoes so much that they never build ants near the tomatoes.

Preparation of hot peppers

Corn pepper will act as an antelope repellent. It’s enough to spray the place where the ants come with a solution of hot peppers.

Wormwood preparation

First 300 g of fresh leaves and flowers should be immersed in 10 liters of water and left to stand for 3 days. After that, the preparation should be poured there where you have ants.

Sugar and yeast

The yeast is naturally found in the soil and the ants regularly rout it from it. In order to accelerate the development of yeast, we can fill their home with an aqueous solution of sugar or a mixture of yeast, sugar, and water. It is necessary to leave this solution for some time to let the yeast activate and then pour it all over, and then the anthill should be restless. Make sure you dug a little into the earth so the solution will fill all the gaps. This will force the ants to stay away.

What plants should you cultivate on your terrace

What plants should you cultivate on your terrace?

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The ideal garden on the terrace would consist of vegetables, spicy and medicinal herbs. It is desirable to insert a flower pot, for the bees, and they will pollinate to improve yields. That is not hard to do, just put in some sunflower, a riverbed, and they will regularly come to you on the terrace and pollinate your vegetables.

Vegetables from the terrace

Depending on what you like, take into account the depth and size of the pots, because the different plants have different depths of the root so you need to choose carefully which plant and vegetable will go in wich pot. The salad is advised to plant on several occasions and not ripen at the same time, so when you eat one of them, you could latter again have some ready salad in your garden. It is recommended to cultivate cherry tomatoes because it is easy to maintain them and they only need a little more water.

The vegetables you can plant into your terrace garden are cucumber, radish, paprika, tomatoes, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry and many more. You just need to be careful how you choose pots and places for them where they will spread and grow.

Medicinal and spicy herbs

Of medicinal plants, parsley, marjoram, oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil can be cultivated, but remember that oregano, rosemary, and basil like a pause in watering. That’s why it’s better to plant them in one pot, so when they are watered, it’s done once. Then you should skip for four to five days, and then water again, while parsley prefers moist soil, and it needs to be watered more often.

Make homemade compost

When it comes to a substrate, you can make your home compost from household waste. There is mainly waste when vegetables or fruits are peel. They will be placed in a bucket in which you should drill holes to make water leak. Sometimes water is poured, and you can insert leaves of flowers or wood. Egg shells can also be inserted. So, all you have in the kitchen, put it in that bucket to decompose. It would be ideal to insert a handful of Californian worms as they speed up the process. Compost is broken down for 12 months.

Another option is to find someone in the countryside and buy it from them. These are the two most natural and best variants. It is not recommended to buy a substrate, and if you really need to, you can buy a classic vegetable substrate, which is available in several packages.

Herbs

Plant protection on the terrace

For the protection of plants, you can use a nettle, which can be sprayed on leaves and also by a daze preparation. Whoever wants to protect plants can use various herbal mixtures, for example, to smash the hot peppers in the water and thus spray plants. Everything needs to be tried, in the best case, it is best learned. We advise future gardens to experiment.

Application of solar energy in the household

Application of solar energy in the household

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Solar energy is the energy that is obtained from the Sun. It is an abundant and renewable source of energy. Since ancient times, solar energy has been used in various ways. Nowadays, due to concerns about global warming, climate change and the constant rise in energy prices, new ways are emerging and new technologies are being developed to use this energy in the best possible way.

Passive utilization of solar energy

Solar energy

Passive utilization of solar energy involves not using any mechanical or electrical devices, but using solar energy in a passive way, for example, the orientation of the house towards the south. The system for passive solar energy recovery most often relies on south-oriented windows that act like a collector and collect solar energy. The energy collected is distributed according to the basic laws of thermodynamics, which say that heat passes from warm to cold surfaces and spaces.

Active use of solar energy

Active solar energy utilization systems use additional devices and additional energy sources for starting the fan, pumps or other equipment necessary for solar energy to collect, preserve and convert to heat or electricity. When solar energy is absorbed, that energy is stored so it can be used later. Smaller solar systems can supply households with electricity and hot water, while larger solar systems can be used to supply electricity and hot water to entire cities.

Active systems are much more complex in the way of functioning is from passive ones, but their installation and application are simple and highly reliable. Solar panels and solar collectors are used in active solar systems. Solar panels are used to produce electricity and solar collectors for water heating.

By combining solar panels, solar collectors, and other equipment we get solar systems. There are several types of solar systems: stand-alone photovoltaic systems, network-connected photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, hybrid solar systems. Solar power plants are also a type of solar system but are not intended for household use but for the sale of electricity produced.

Solar photovoltaic systems

They are used to produce electricity when it is necessary to provide complete autonomy and independence. They consist of solar panels, voltage controllers, solar batteries, inverters, and accessories. They are ideal for distant objects such as cottages, boats, watering systems and the like.

Network-connected photovoltaic systems

They are used for electricity generation but are also connected to the electricity distribution network. For their installation, it is necessary that the building is connected to the mains power supply network. They are mainly used to reduce the electricity bill. They consist of solar panels, network inverters, and accessories.

Solar thermal systems

They are used for domestic hot water heating, household heating, pool heating … They consist of a solar collector, solar water heater, solar controller, circulation pump and related equipment.

Hybrid solar systems

They are combined systems for electricity production and water heating. In practice, there are actually two independent systems, one solar thermal for water heating and another standalone photovoltaic system or a network-connected photovoltaic system for producing electricity.

How many solar panels do you need for your house?

How many solar panels do you need for your house?

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Many people believe that the number of solar panels they would need for their household is determined by how much their house is big. But that is not true. The required number of solar panels is not calculated on the basis of the square of the house, but on the basis of current consumption. This is explained through the example:

Solar system Imagine two identical houses, which are exactly the same. Then imagine that in the first lives a man of 30 years, alone without a family. In the morning he goes to work, he returns in the afternoon. When he comes home he normally opens the refrigerator to eat something, showers and then turns on the TV. Always went to see her friends. In the house is rarely when cooking and storing food and besides TV. He regularly uses a computer and charger for the phone.

In the second house, there are a man, a woman, and three children. The man in the garage holds a workshop with many electrical machines that he uses daily, a woman keeps children and prepares meals daily, and besides a fridge, they also use a freezer for storing food, children use their laptops and the boiler is always on. From this story, you yourself see that the family consumes far more power than one man, although they all are living in two identical houses.

How many panels do you need?

How many solar panels do you need for a household depends on which devices you use and how often do you use them in the household – the size of the house is not important. On the basis of monthly electricity bills, you can see how much you spend an average on electricity, so the system is tailored to your needs. When you calculate how many solar panels your household will be needed, you can buy either that whole number so you can live free from an electric bill, or you can buy a smaller amount of panels which will help you lower your electric bill. Either way, your household will become more eco-friendly.

How do solar panels work

How do solar panels work

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Solar panels are used to generate electricity from solar radiation. Many people mix solar panels and solar collectors designed to generate heat from solar radiation. Solar panels collect solar radiation and convert it into electricity. They are able to exploit only a part of solar radiation and convert it into electricity.

The efficiency of solar panels is only significant if the object is limited by the roof or another surface where the solar panels are installed so it is necessary to extract as much energy as possible with as little surface as possible, if there is enough room for the installation of more solar panels, efficiency is not so important. For example, a 250W solar panel with an efficiency of 20 percent will be physically smaller than a 250W panel with a 15 percent efficiency but will produce the same amount of electricity.

Weather conditions

The extent to which solar panels produce electricity will have the greatest impact on weather conditions. Tropical climates are ideal for solar panels, and they will produce more electricity when exposed to direct sunlight than when it’s cloudy. However, solar panels can be used in all climate zones. Solar panels require direct sunlight when it’s more exposed to direct sunlight, more electricity it will produce.

Another important thing in determining how many solar panels will produce electricity is the length of the day. For example, summers are much longer than in winter. This is actually the main reason why solar panels in winter generate less electricity than in summer, although it’s a common misconception that this is due to heat. Solar panels do not work on heat but solely on solar radiation.

Solar panels on building

An orientation of solar panels

Ideally, the solar panels should be placed on the south side. On this side, the sun’s light is the longest during the day. If they are located east or west, the utilization is almost twice as low as in the south.

What does it mean when we say that the solar panel has a 250W?

Each solar panel has its maximum power which indicates how much power (W) will produce in ideal conditions. This is called maximum power. The amount of sunlight is different and of course, it varies depending on the period of the day, the season, the weather conditions. For these reasons, solar panels give output power which is less than the maximum output power.

What are complete self-sustaining households

What are complete self-sustaining households?

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Self-sustainability is a lifestyle that aims to reduce the individual or social use of natural and personal resources. Self-sustainability methods try to reduce the emissions of carbon compounds by changing the mode of transport and use of energy and food. Those who advocate for self-sustainability live lives in accordance with the “ecology of nature”, following its cycles.

Self-sustaining life is an ability and practice in securing all personal needs and needs of households without taking any help or resources beyond that household. It relies on a multitude of skills and knowledge, as well as on the desire of the individual and the community towards autonomy.

“On the spot”

From a socioeconomic point of view, such “bioconstruction” is more profitable than a house built by conventional materials, because raw materials from the face of the place are cheaper while creating the need for more labor. Maintenance costs of these structures are reduced because its materials are natural and adapted to changes in temperature and humidity. Savings in this way of a building are over 35 percent.

Building materials are everywhere. Their transmission from large distances is not environmentally sound, as it requires excessive energy consumption. Building materials must be easily accessible to an ordinary person and their use must have a small impact on the planet’s energy situation. The process of its modeling in the form of use should consume little or no energy.

Thermal mass

In order to maintain a favorable temperature for the lives of people and plants, a self-sustaining house with its construction and materials must be like a battery for energy storage. The materials must be charged and massive to maintain the temperature.

self-sustaining house

Stamina

Wood is organic and biodegradable. It disappears over time, and we have devised a variety of toxic chemical products to “mend” its longevity. In your surroundings, you should look for materials that can last in their nature. Wood is a good material where the mass does not play a role and where it will not be exposed to destructive factors, so it does not need to be secured further.

Resistance

Earthquakes are a major problem in many parts of the world. As earthquakes cause horizontal shifts or chiseling of the structure, highly resistant materials or those with sufficient flexibility to move with these movements are recommended. Fragile materials such as concrete, are prone to cracking and breaking.

How to get a garden on the terrace?

How to get a garden on the terrace?

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In order to have a garden on the terrace, we need to answer several questions, and among the first is – how much space do we have. It can be assessed by anyone, to see if there is room for vertical shelves, or to hang something on the fence. With a good layout, you can plant everything. If you are well organized on your terrace almost everything can be cultivated: vegetables, fruits, spices and medicinal herbs. Vertical gardens are an excellent solution for small courtyards and balconies.

Determine how much sun you have on the terrace

The second thing to determine is how much sunshine you have on the terrace. Not all plants need the same amount of sunlight. This is related to how much heat the selected space receives. On this basis, certain plants are selected. The amount of heat depends on the material of the paved terrace and whether it is closed, open or semi-open. An open veranda is always the best solution, although each has its advantages and disadvantages. If you want to cultivate edible plants, you need to know – vegetables require more sunny hours than other plants. Also, we can not grow them in any kind of pots, they need more care and water.

How much wind is there?

Gareden on terraceThe next thing is whether the terrace is windy, which is important, because the wind can drain the earth and the plants to die, and sometimes it is necessary to water them several times a day. It’s important when the winter comes to know how cold is it because maybe you wish for your plants to stay on the terrace during winters. It is certainly better to choose multi-year plants that can survive outside.

How much attention can you give?

How much attention and care are you willing to provide to plants, is the next question that you should ask yourself. What if you travel a lot, so you will not be able to water them regularly? For a start, buy a dozen plants and see if you like gardening enough.

How to choose the right type of solar system for your home

How to choose the right type of solar system for your home

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There is a whole set of things to account for in order to determine the final price, say the type of solar system, then the position and distance of the object, the type of roof, the need for the grid and construction…

If we assume that we determined how much electricity is spent in the house, it is still necessary to select a type of solar system. Solar panels are used for the production of electricity, which can be connected to a stand-alone system or a network-connected system. The prices of stand-alone systems are higher because these systems use solar batteries to store energy.

The difference between these two systems is that the autonomous systems are completely independent and have absolutely nothing to do with the distribution, while the network systems connect to the electricity distribution network and use it to “store” energy. Therefore, for the installation and operation of a network-connected system, you need to be connected to the power distribution network, and you will continue to receive an electricity bill, only that it will be reduced because you will use solar panels for some or for all of your needs.

But which one is for you?

Now you’re probably wondering which system is right for you? If you are already connected to a power distribution network then your network connected solar system is certainly more profitable, if you are not connected to the electricity distribution network then you should consider installing a standalone system. Also important is the amount for which you want to reduce your electricity bill, so you have an option to reduce the part of the account, or to reduce all of it. You can also start with a smaller system and later expand it. The final price depends on your wishes, but if you are not sure, it may be the best to first reduce your monthly bill to a half.

Solar System

Installation of a solar system

This includes the costs of the assembly itself which is individual for each object and can not be counted as fixed. So the distance of the object on which the solar system will be set determines how much the cost, in the end, will be. The type and orientation of the roof on the building depend on which construction or possible sub construction for solar panels will be used and, of course, the price depends on it. The cost of the installation itself is not large and is usually fixed. But all the other factors are specific for each household and should be negotiated directly with a company you will hire to help you install your solar system.

Why choose wooden ecological furniture

Why choose wooden ecological furniture?

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Wooden ecological furniture is made of solid wood. When finishing, no lacquers, even water-based, are used, but only vegetable oils or waxes. Wooden ecological furniture is made of solid wood. The most common types of wood are oak, beech, ash, and fir.

There are several basic reasons why it’s good to decide on wooden ecological furniture. When creating products, the health of workers participating in various production processes is not compromised. It is especially important to emphasize that, since there is no finishing of varnishes – there are no toxic vapors in the atmosphere. In this way, the environment is already protected at the time of production itself. Furthermore, when it comes to an office or home, wooden ecological furniture is a source of health because it comes from a healthy forest.

wooden furniture

Quality and characteristics of ecological furniture

The product is extremely long-lasting, and in a certain way “saves” further use of a wood raw material. It can also serve as a moisture regulator. After all, since they do not use artificial materials – there are no hazardous radiation and vapors in the room, as is the case with furniture from a chipboard and lacquered media pan panels. Wooden furniture finished with vegetable oils has the possibility of future restoration. In the event of damage, it is very easy to repair it without major interventions.

Eco-design

The design, which is referred to as “eco-design” in this case, has the following task: to shape a natural form into something that we will use on a daily basis. At the end of its life story, wooden ecological furniture is fully recyclable because it is biodegradable, which of course is not the case with furniture from artificial materials. It returns completely back to nature from which we just borrowed it.

Asian origin

Beautiful, comfortable, easy to maintain and move, furniture from bamboo and rattan has been among the most sought after for years, not only for furnishing cafes and terraces but also for decorating your home. Natural materials of Asian origin have many advantages over wood or plastic, and their exploitation does not disturb the ecological balance. Unlike wood, bamboo and rattan are quickly renewed.

Bamboo

Due to the wooden stem, it is suitable for making furniture. Convenient and simple, the products of this material are extremely sturdy, elastic and light so they do not visually load the space. Bamboo is also used to produce floor coverings that are longer and more flexible than many types of wood, while at the same time they look exotic and elegant.

Rattan

This is especially popular for garden sets because it is extremely humid. Rattan is easily shaped and well received, so it can be found in all nuances. It is suitable for making furniture of simple shapes, but skilled masters can create gorgeous forms that capture original beauty. Rattan furniture is easy, so it can be easily moved from one place to another, it is long lasting and resistant to climate change.

Characteristics of organic and permaculture gardens

Characteristics of organic and permaculture gardens

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Organic and permaculture gardens have similarities, but also differences. While organic farming focuses on growing food, permaculture is a much wider concept and permaculture food production is just one segment.

What connects these two gardens is high respect for environmental principles, non-use of synthetic resources, production with the application of natural processes and materials, development of a sustainable agriculture system, rationalization of the use of natural resources, conservation of natural diversity and environmental protection.

Growing food – the same goal

Both gardens have the same purpose – growing food. Precisely in this way of cultivation is the key difference between organic and permaculture gardens. In both gardens, the use of mineral fertilizers and chemicals for plant protection is not allowed.

In organic production there is a smaller variety of plants, sowing or planting is carried out every year. Most of the solutions used in conventional or integral agriculture exist in the organic. Thus, we encounter heavy machinery for soil treatment, irrigation systems, and more. There is a large share of human labor, especially on small surfaces.

Permaculture is a much wider concept of the concept of organic gardens and represents a further approach to nature. In permaculture, all human activity tends to fit into the environment, so that everything becomes a whole. The permaculture garden uses organic and agricultural practices that do not disturb the environment.

The focus on biodiversity

While organic farming involves growing food with a lot of work invested, permaculture agriculture can be called “lazy agriculture”. Permaculture is a focus on biodiversity, perennial plants. This means that this garden should be periodically maintained and that we are not obligated to perform planting every year.

Irrigation systems are not channels or hoses that are the only function to supply water for irrigation. Rainwater is used, lakes are being dug, which aim to provide reserve water, passive irrigation and at the same time use as ponds.

The biggest difference is land treatment

The greatest difference between conventional and integral agriculture and organic and permaculture is in land treatment. In conventional and integral agriculture, the soil is a substrate for crop growth, while in organic agriculture and permaculture the soil is treated as a living organism.

By adding high-quality organic material, the soil becomes more fertile every year, and therefore the need for fertilizers is no longer needed. Land exploitation ceases and works in cooperation with nature.

land treatment

The advantage of natural self-regulation

Permaculture is much more diverse in terms of plants grown. In this garden, a lot of self-grown vegetables and other plants are grown. We can say that the garden is permaculture if there are many self-rooted vegetables and perennial herbs.

In an organic and permaculture garden, “there is no panic” when an insect or some other pest is detected. The advantage is given to natural self-regulation and balance. In the case of plant protection, priority is given to preventive methods, plants are treated with plant preparations that strengthen the resistance and health of plants.