Does Flower Pollen Help with Prostate Health?

Pollen extract is also called bee pollen. It is a great way to help naturally manage different health conditions that are linked to prostate and urinary health issues. There have been links to good prostate health and pollen.

Pollen, generally, has numerous nutrients that are great for the body. You can have access to antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids when you take pollen from supplements like Pure Encapsulations’ ProstaFlo, for instance. Keep reading to learn more!

Can pollen extract heal enlarged prostate symptoms?

Studies show that pollen extracts are capable of reducing the size of the prostate. It helps with combating the symptoms that come with an enlarged prostate. It makes sure that your prostate health is top-notch.

Some scientists are of the opinion that there are compounds in pollen that make the urethra relax. This means that urine can pass normally. It also helps the bladder to contract when urine is leaving the body.

Can pollen extract heal prostatitis?

These extracts are known to possess anti-inflammatory features. This is great in reducing the symptoms that come with prostatitis. Studies show that over 36 percent will be totally cured with this. Forty-two percent will notice a great improvement.

If you have this problem, pollen extracts may work, but you should first consider discussing this with your doctor.

Can pollen extract treat urinary tract infections?

It is common to see some men using pollen extracts to treat urinary tract infections, and it seems to be effective. If you have urinary tract infections that lead to increased urinary urgency and urinary frequency, you could try out pollen extracts.

Can pollen extract help on recover from prostate biopsy?

If you just underwent a prostate biopsy, pollen extract may help you to recover. This is because they have intense anti-inflammatory properties. This has made them an awesome option for those that had a prostate biopsy. This will stop complications that may rear their heads.

Sometimes, a prostate biopsy could lead to infection. You can use natural solutions like pollen extract to take care of this.

The fact that pollen extract is a hub of nutrients means that men that underwent prostate biopsy can take it to reduce the chances of complications creeping up later.

One complication that someone that underwent biopsy may face is trouble urinating. It can be so annoying. Why not save yourself the trouble and try out pollen extract?

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How to Keep Dogs Out of Vegetable Garden

We all love our dogs, but they always find a way to ruin our vegetable gardens. We all love our vegetable gardens too. We can't give up either, meaning that a compromise has to be reached. Are you looking for solutions on how to keep dogs out of the vegetable garden? We have created some tips that can help below.

5 Solutions of How to Keep Dogs Out of Vegetable Garden

They are not a fan of spicy things.

If you are looking for a home to keep dogs out of the vegetable garden, you should consider mixing powdered mustard with crushed dried peppers and spraying it in your garden.

Put it in your garden, and voila, dogs won't disturb it. It is great for those places that are dry. For wet places, it may not work well.

They don't like bitter things.  

If you are looking for how to keep dogs out of vegetable gardens, you should consider mixing coffee with oranges. This can work in places with excess rain. Put bitter orange on used coffee grinds. It won't dissolve, because bitter orange tends to be oil heavy when compared to mustard and pepper.

They don't like being poked.

You could set up a barrier to prevent dogs from entering your garden and causing havoc. This can also work for annoying diggers such as rat terriers and beagles. Dogs can't stand poky things. You can put spiky twigs in your gardens and in no time, the dogs will let them be.

They don't like other critters.

You can make use of animal decoys to chase off the dogs. You can go for coyotes, owls, racoons and so on. You can search online for helpful inanimate animal forms that can chase away your dogs. Before you know it, your dogs will be scared to go to your garden. Your garden will be able to breathe and live. We all know that our dogs trample on the bushes and destroy them.

They don't like showers.

Dogs are not fans of taking a shower. If you want to shower them, you will see them running away, as if you are about to harm them. If you have dogs like mine, shower time will not be easy. We have to pursue them before they agree to shower.

Since they hate showers, you can use it as an advantage to keep the dogs out of the garden.

There are other creative ways that can be used in keeping your dogs away from your garden. In some cases, you may win. In other cases, the opposite is common. Good luck either way! And happy gardening!

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How to Clean Artificial Plants

Artificial plants are a core aesthetic element in home décor – both interior and exterior. They add life and freshness to your space, so many homeowners are doing more of artificial plant touches lately. They are so well made that you may not be able to tell them apart from real plants. They are a great decorative accent that can instantly brighten and liven any space.

Artificial plants may not require water, but they certainly require cleaning to keep their best appearance. They need to be regularly cleaned to remove layers of dirt and grime from the surface. This will prevent them from fading.

A good thing about artificial plants is that once you are done cleaning, they look as good as new, and cleaning isn't difficult. You can clean your artificial plant in the following ways.

Dirt Removal

Start cleaning by removing debris, dirt, and dust from your artificial plants.

Run a paintbrush/ feather duster over it. A feather duster is light and effective at dusting off elements of dust and dirt from the surface of your plant. A paintbrush or feather duster is suitable for delicate artificial plants like silk. Get a paintbrush and start cleaning the plant from the top to prevent dirt from falling onto already cleaned foliage. Brush piece by piece. Use the paintbrush to clean the nooks of the plant. Cleaning with a paintbrush is the safest option and it is particularly safe for delicate products.

Use a damp cloth. Cleaning with a damp cloth is effective for removing marks and stubborn dirt from the foliage. Wipe each piece of foliage with a damp cloth, after which you can remove shiny water sheen using a kitchen towel. This method should be avoided for delicate products like silk, as it may cause the color to fade off.

Shower your artificial plant. This is great for silk plants. Rinse off the dirt from your plant and lay them upside down to drain out the water and air them. You don't need a special cleaner for this, just hose the dirt off.

Clean with compressed air. Spray compressed air along each piece of foliage. You are advised to do this outside because compressed air blows dust everywhere, so you should better that your plant outside for this.

Clean flower with salt. This is a much simpler and effective cleaning method for your artificial flowers. Pour salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake the bag vigorously for the salt to wash off the dust and dirt on the flowers, leaving them looking new again.

Drying

After cleaning your plant using any of the dirt removal methods above, you need to dry your plant. Dry the leaves, stems, and pot before keeping it back in position. Drying is especially important if you hosed or submerged your plant in water.

Plant Brightening

You can brighten your artificial plant by wiping the foliage with furniture polish. Dampen a soft cloth with furniture polish to wipe the foliage. You can use olive oil or coconut oil in place of furniture polish. This will keep your artificial plant shiny and beautiful.

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How to Prune Strawberry Plants

Sweet and juicy strawberries are one the simplest and fastest fruits to grow. They do not require rigorous maintenance to bud into succulent, edible fruits. Strawberry plants also do not require heavy pruning, but the light pruning needed is just as important as in any other edible plant.

It is important to prune strawberry plants, as it helps to stimulate strong growth, maintain the size and shape of the plant, and overall quality of your fruit. Strawberry plants put out runners that take a grip once in contact with the soil. You would want to leave your runners to grow if you want a strawberry patch. However, the new plants suck energy from the adult bush, leaving you with smaller or less desirable fruits.

To maintain a well-pruned, neat, and easily harvested strawberry patch, you should follow these pruning techniques.

How to Grow and Prune Strawberry Plants

1. Start Prunning in the First Year

Pruning should start early so that the plants can have quality growth. Pinch off the blossoms/flowers that form on the strawberry plant in the first year. Doing this will ensure that energy is stored for the plant to produce fruit for the next season. Also, remove weeds that may choke the strawberry seedlings before they are firmly rooted.

2. Trim Runners

Runners are shoots and trails sent out from each mother plant. These runners grow to be overbearing as they drain essential nutrients that should go to the main plant. For the strawberry plant to produce fruit (maximize production), you need to trim the runners.

Leave the first set of runners to grow until the space between the main rows is 12 inches wide. Remove all runners, leaving out 6 secondary runners from the first runner growth. Trace this by locating the main stem where the runners branch off, then pull it off carefully.

This is important so you don't lose control of the strawberry patch and to prevent the quality of the fruit from declining.

3. Root the Secondary Runners

Use runners to plant new plants. Realign the secondary runners from the first growth so that they are 10 inches apart. Tertiary (third set) runners soon start to grow. Press the stems and leaves of the secondary runners ½inch into the soil, securing them with bent twigs. This will serve as roots for the tertiary tubers, which will give off strawberries.

4. Pull of New Runners

New runners will soon begin to grow from the tertiary runners. Pull of these new runners that may form around the strawberries. This will help to maximize fruit production.

5. Old Growth Should Be Replaced With New Runners

You should dig up old/fading vines every 2 to 3 years and replace them with secondary or tertiary runners. This will help maintain and keep your strawberry patch productive.

Try Strawberry Oolong Tea

There is no better way to enjoy the goodness of tea than settling down to drink a cup of strawberry oolong tea. TeaSource infuses the goodness of luscious Strawberry and Oolong just for your satisfaction. A cup of Strawberry Oolong Tea by TeaSource is all you need to start your day.

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How and When Should I Prune Strawberry Plants?

In the summer months, juicy sweet strawberries are one of the best delights you could have. Although these plants do not need serious pruning as other berry bushes do, they require simple maintenance in the summer towards the end of the season as they grow.

The strawberry plants give out runners with plantlets at the end, which end up getting a root whenever they touch the soil. If you want your berries to grow in patches, then free the runners and let them grow.

But if you want these new plants to get their power from the adult bush, then you will end up getting smaller fruits that you may not like.

Tips for Pruning Strawberry Plants

First Season Pinching and Trimming Back of Strawberry Plants

Get rid of the flower stalks of the strawberries, which grew out in June. You should get more berries if you let the plants grow in size before the fruiting. Let the flowers get fruit for the period of the season. Get rid of the flower stalks patiently with your forefinger and your thumb, and try as much as possible to prevent spoiling the stalk of the strawberry plant.

If you’re not sure of the type of strawberry you are pruning, you need to ask any berry pruner around for you to be specific.

Trimming the Runners

Cut back the runners from behind. These runners are little shoots and trails from the main berry plant. Cut these back to the original plant. This is necessary, so the important nutrients are not drained. Some berry pruners prefer to allow the runners to remain on strawberries from June. These work also, but a lot of the strawberry patch could be lost in their control and the quality of your berries would decline at a high rate.

Runners could also be used. When the runner begins, it would start rooting. And after it has properly rooted, lose it from its mother plant.

Post Season Trimming

At the end of the season of production, the strawberry plants should be pruned back to the end. Trim them about an inch higher than the soil, then run the streets with a lawnmower. Arrange the mower high so the plants will not be ripped from the roots.

This would keep them productive through the pruning season. Settle down and prune roots that are damaged, and cut very long roots to about 5 inches.

Winter Protection for the Strawberries

After mowing the berry plants, to protect the berries from injury through the winter, a huge layer of mulch is necessary. If the plants are not protected, the low temperatures from winter could easily kill the buds of the fruit and destroy the crowns and roots.

And this is how and when you should prune strawberry plants.

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How to Manage Outdoor Allergies When Working in Your Garden

We all want to have a perfect garden, but some of us have different allergies, which could be affected by the pollen around. Some tricks could help you in controlling the allergies you have when you are making the best landscape ever.

Ways to manage your outdoor allergies include the following:

1.              Getting the right plants. Get plants that have fragrant and bright flowers. These flowering plants are normally pollinated by insects instead of those pollinated by the wind. Their pollen is not so big and it doesn't get in the air to cause allergic symptoms.

2.              Get native plants. These are very easy to grow because they easily adapt to the environmental climate. Non-native plants have issues with the release of pollen, because they are stressed and don't easily adapt to the climate around.

3.              Female trees should be requested. A lot of the pollen comes from male trees. They are usually advertised as fruitless or seedless. For easier breathing, it is best to get a female tree. This is because they won't release pollen.

4.              Get rid of high pollen trees and plants from your garden. Get all plants and trees that have pollen far away from your doors and windows. This prevents their pollen from getting inside. Have it in mind that this would not save you from the pollen which comes from the trees of your neighbors.

How to Get Ready for your Gardening

Get medicine for your allergy medicine. Start taking the allergy medications about a week before the season of your allergy begins. For natural allergy relief, try MediNatura’s ClearLife Allergy Relief.

Go for gardening when there are low pollen counts.  Around late evenings are the best times to go gardening. This is because pollen counts are lower at this time of day.

Make sure you look at the forecast. On cloudy, damp or cool days, pollen counts are very low. On windy or dry days they are quite high.

Make sure you wear the necessary gear. Get like a shirt with long sleeves and pants, which would shield your skin from all the allergens. Get sunglasses, gloves, and googles too. A dusk mask would be extremely nice.

Don't touch your eyes and face while at the garden working.

Get someone to mow the lawn. This gets pollen into the air, which could cause your allergies. Get a family member to handle it, or pay someone to handle it for you.

Take a bath after gardening. After your done gardening, you should have mold and pollen on your clothes and body. To reduce issues, get rid of these triggers and clean up immediately after you’re done. A nice bath should do the trick.

When you’re done gardening, leave all tools outside. This way, no triggers follow you inside your home.

How do you manage your allergies when working in your garden?

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Indoor Plants: Wick and Grow (How Does It Work?)

You could decide to go on vacation and leave your plants behind while you are away on your trip. But how will they stay watered so they don’t die? There is a new “invention” called Wick & Grow, which is a type of planter and plant set-up that allows the plant to slowly seep up water from a reservoir below inside its own planter pot, so it stays hydrated.

What is Wick & Grow?

With the use of cotton strips planted in the soil of each plant, they slowly wick moisture and water components up through the soil to the roots of the plant. During this process, the root zone remains moist without being soaked. Creating such a setup is quite easy and it is not as expensive as getting someone to stay in your apartment while you go on a vacation.

You might want to drop your plants under a tray of water, so they would keep getting water, but this is a bad idea because continuous watering in your absence would drown the roots in no time.

The roots are fans of oxygen, so if you sop wet soil, it could easily rot, catch an infection or mold too. Making use of a simple wicking system would allow the right amount of moisture to get to the dirt to keep your plants alive.

How to Wick & Grow:

Items Needed:

The things you need to create your own indoor wick and grow planter includes the following:

A house plant, cotton fabric, scissors, a large bowl of water taller than the container of the plant, and a small bowl of water.

Directions:

You should prepare the wicks by cutting the cotton fabric into strips of about 1″ wide by 12″ long. Then you just lay an end of the strip into the soil. Gently wrap it around the base of the stem of the plant, loosely. Then you use one of your fingers to dig into the ground without touching the roots. Gently bury the end of the strip into the soil.

From here you get the tall bowl with water and put it close to the plant. Get the other end of the strip into this large bowl of water. Make sure the cotton strip is taller than the plant bowl. Then the water would slowly wick from the tall bowl into the ground. Making use of the cotton strip.

Or, you could first tie the wick around the stem of the plant not tightly like the previous method and then bury the stem in the ground.

Then get the free end of the wick into a bowl of water which is smaller than that of the plant pot’s width.

Get the pot of the plant and put it into a bowl of water. The aim here is for the plant to rest inside the bowl and a huge amount of water under it. Then the water would wick up through the cotton strip from the little pot under the plant.

You can also find premade wick and grow plants and planters at your local gardening center, such as at Lowe’s or Home Depot from brands such as Costa Farms. Happy planting!

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