Health Benefits of Mushrooms

Description:

Mushrooms are classified as vegetables in the food world, but they are not technically plants. It is produced by fungi and certain mycobacteria found in soils. It produce spores, similar to pollen or seeds, which allows them to spread or travel by the wind. The rest of the mushroom then matures, typically living in soil or wood. Mushrooms are good sources of protein, fiber, B vitamins (especially niacin), vitamin C, calcium, minerals, and selenium. Some of mushrooms also contain antioxidants that are unique to mushrooms.
There are many different types of mushrooms such as button, oyster, porcini, chanterelles, Cremini, Morels, Portobello, Enoki, Shiitake and so on.

Health Benefits:

1. Mushrooms have a lot of nutritional value with few calories and little fat. They also contain two types of dietary fibers, beta-glucans and chitin, which increase satiety and reduce appetite.

2. Mushrooms are great for high cholesterol.

3. It protects us from cancer such as breast cancer, prostate cancer.

4. There are no fat and cholesterol found in mushrooms, it contains low quantity of carbohydrate and huge quantity of protein. Thus it is very helpful to prevent diabetes.

5. Mushrooms are also a good source of calcium which is beneficial to healthy bone.

6. The most important element of mushrooms is selenium, this essential nutrient is a powerful antioxidant, which rids the body of free radicals and generally strengthens the immune system.

7. Mushrooms are very rare food which have no side effect. And it helps in weight loss.

8. Some of mushrooms can use in the replacement of meat.

Potato Cultivation , Growing ,Care Use and its Health Benefits

Description:

The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop, come from the perennial nightshade Solanum tuberosum family. Potatoes are edible tubers, available worldwide and all year long. The crop typically grows ugly and shapeless in almost all of its varieties. But the approximate appearance of a potato is round,oval to long and the size small to medium. Out side of a potato is delicate thin white or tan skin and white flesh inside.

Health Benefits:

1. Potato contains huge quantity of iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, all help the body to build and maintain bone structure and strength.
2. Potatoes are the good source carbohydrates which is very helpful to gaining weight.
3. The presence of a good amount of carbohydrates in potatoes predominantly helps digest the food.
4. The essential quantity of minerals like potassium, magnesium and calcium,are all present in the potato. And these have been found to decrease blood pressure naturally.
5. Potatoes contain good amounts of fiber. Fiber helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease.
6. Potatoes are a great source of vitamin B6. This plays a vital role in energy metabolism, by breaking down carbohydrates and proteins into glucose and amino acids.
7. Potatoes are good for maintain healthy skin as the minerals like magnesium,phosphorous, zinc and potassium function like beauty agents and use to prevent aging signs.
8. Potatoes are extremely beneficial for reducing external and internal inflammation.

Garlic - Herb Plantation ,Growing ,Care Use and its Health Benefits

Description:


Garlic is a pungently odoriferous member of the allium family. Garlic is a delicious aromatic herb that is not only used in cooking, but it also boosts your health. It has been used as a medicine to prevent or treat various diseases and conditions for thousand of years. The whole garlic is called a 'head' or 'knob'. Each small, individual segment of a garlic head is a clove.

Health Benefits:-

1. Garlic contains numerous vital nutrients – flavonoids, oligosaccharides, alliin and allicin and also high levels of sulfur.

2. It is a good source of vitamins B1, B5, B6 and C, as well as calcium,iron, manganese,phosphorous and zinc.

3. Aged garlic extract stimulates white blood cells (lymphocytes, macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils) by increasing glutathione. White blood cells help fight infections by attacking bacteria, viruses, and germs that invade the body.

4. Have a clove of raw garlic in the morning before your morning walk or morning run to keep cardiovascular diseases miles away.

5. Garlic is most well-known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. They help control bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast and worm infections.

6. Aged garlic extract reduced the severity of colds and the flu by increasing the number of immune cells and by boosting the immune system.

7. Consume raw garlic instead of the cooked bulb, therefore help to lower the blood sugar levels.

8. Garlic is used in the prevention and treatment of breast, colon, rectal and prostate cancer.

9. Garlic reduces breast pain, menstrual pain, premenstrual syndrome and lumpy breast tissue in cases of fibrocystic breast disease.

10. Simply putting some crushed garlic clove directly on the affected tooth can help relieve toothaches due to its antibacterial and analgesic properties (Be aware - that it can be irritating to the gum).

11. Garlic inhibited cell growth and selectively killed HIV-infected immune cells.

12. Garlic protects the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation by stimulating immune cells in human body.

Eat a small bowl of plain yogurt, or drink a glass of milk. Both cause a discernible reduction in garlic breath. Or if you dip the garlic clove in curd for overnight, and it will produce smell-free garlic at morning.
Taking too much garlic can lead to stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea. Also, since the garlic is released on your sweat, you might end up smelling like garlic whenever you perspire.

Spiny or Karol ,Kantol Germination Care Use and its Health Benefits

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Description:

Spiny Gourd or Kantola is a vegetable, also popular as Teasle Gourd. It is mostly cultivated in the mountain regions of India. Spiny Gourd is comes from “Cucurbitaceous”.  It has tiny spines all over its body. These are dark green in color and change color when get ripe from light green to yellow. Size of Spiny Gourd is normally 2-3 cm diameter. One cannot deny the health benefits of this vegetable.

Seed Sowing and Germination

Kantola does not need much effort, in a 20 liter pot you can grow 3-4 plants. The distance between plants needs to be approximately 4-5 inch, so that roots of all plants can spread well in all directions. For sowing the seeds it is a good idea to soak the seeds over night with warm water . Soaking seeds helps in faster germination, but is is not a compulsory step. Mark your spots where you’ll be sowing your seeds in the pot. Now make 3/4 inch to 1 inch holes in the soil using one of your fingers. Place the seeds on their side in the holes and them cover them loosely with the potting soil. Water the pot gently. Be careful not to disturb the soil. Check the moisture in the soil everyday. Don’t let the soil dry out any time. In about 3-5 days you should see happy seedlings looking out from the pots.

An optimum temp. of 27 to 33 ‘C is considered as the best temp for better development of Kantola plant.

Sowing Season

In India, Spine gourd or Kantola farming can be done in summer and also in monsoon. It is sown in the month of July to Aug.

Sowing and spacing

Sow seed 2 cm deep inside the prepared bed, 2-3 seeds per bed for better farming.

However, keep proper spacing to obtain a good result in any commercial crop. Row to Row distance about 2 m and Planting plant 60 to 70 cm apart from each other is supposed to be the best spacing for commercial spine gourd farming.

Irrigation for Spine Gourd Cultivation

Timely and proper irrigation in Kantola farming helps you to raise your production. After sowing of seed, give water immediately with  any diluted fungicide water.

But, give water as they need and is also vary from region to region and climate condition. In summer, frequent water is necessary and there is no need of water in monsoon. However, give water if required.

Organic fertilizers

Cow dung manure is  very  ideal. Apply it at land preparation time or at last plow.

Inorganic fertilizers

To achieve maximum yield, your soil should have sufficient nutrition and also have a good fertile power. However, in Kantola farming, application of N, P, K with a ratio of 120:80:80 kg per hectare before sowing seed or planting with the help of tubers on the field is considered as the best soil treatment.

But take care while application of it. Phosphorous and Potassium should be applied at the single time and apply nitrogen in two equal doses; half at a flowering time and the remaining at vining.

Weed Control in Spine Gourd Cultivation

Removal of weed in Spine gourd farming is should be done on the regular basis like at an interval of seven days.

Pest in Spine gourd Cultivation

Nematodes & fruit flies are the common pest that is found in the Kantola farming.

Health  Benefits:-

1. Spiny Gourd is great source of phytonutrients and low in calories. Spiny Gourd contains only 17 cal per 100g. It also contains other nutrients like dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins & anti-oxidant.

2.  One of the causes of cancer is presence of excess toxic free radicals in our body. Fresh dark green pods of spiny gourd are source of vitamin-C, which is itself known as the excellent natural antioxidant. Vitamin-C hunts down excess toxic free radicals from our body to reduce the chances of cancer.

3.  As we know this vegetable is high in phytonutrients, polypeptide-P, plant insulin and charantin that boost the glycogen synthesis in the cells of liver, muscle and adipose tissue.

4. If a pregnant mother include fresh green pods of Kantola in her meals during the pregnancy period, then it reduces the chance of neural tube defects as Kantola has about 72 mcg/100g of folates.

5. Spiny gourd also has different benefiting flavonoids such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthins that are known as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species. All these compounds will help you to look younger by working as the anti-aging compound. It helps you to keep your skin healthy.

6. Coughing is the common problem that seen in the children and adults due to instant change in climate or due to virus and bacteria. If you are suffering due to coughing, then you can take 3 grams of powdered kantola thrice in a day with water to control the non-stop coughing.

7. It contains high amount of Vitamin A that is very necessary for better eyesight. You can also eat spiny gourd in their season to improve your eyesight.

8. Daily drinking of 10 g of spiny gourd power and 1 glass of milk or water can also decreases kidney stone of kidney and bladder.

Kakrol Or Spine Gourd ,Cultivation ,Care, Use and its Surprising Health Benefits.

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Description:

Spiny Gourd or Kantola is a vegetable, also popular as Teasle Gourd. It is mostly cultivated in the mountain regions of India. Spiny Gourd is comes from “Cucurbitaceous”.  It has tiny spines all over its body. These are dark green in color and change color when get ripe from light green to yellow. Size of Spiny Gourd is normally 2-3 cm diameter. One cannot deny the health benefits of this vegetable.

Seed Sowing and Germination

Kantola does not need much effort, in a 20 liter pot you can grow 3-4 plants. The distance between plants needs to be approximately 4-5 inch, so that roots of all plants can spread well in all directions. For sowing the seeds it is a good idea to soak the seeds over night with warm water . Soaking seeds helps in faster germination, but is is not a compulsory step. Mark your spots where you’ll be sowing your seeds in the pot. Now make 3/4 inch to 1 inch holes in the soil using one of your fingers. Place the seeds on their side in the holes and them cover them loosely with the potting soil. Water the pot gently. Be careful not to disturb the soil. Check the moisture in the soil everyday. Don’t let the soil dry out any time. In about 3-5 days you should see happy seedlings looking out from the pots.
An optimum temp. of 27 to 33 ‘C is considered as the best temp for better development of Kantola plant.

Sowing Season

In India, Spine gourd or Kantola farming can be done in summer and also in monsoon. It is sown in the month of July to Aug.

Sowing and spacing

Sow seed 2 cm deep inside the prepared bed, 2-3 seeds per bed for better farming.
However, keep proper spacing to obtain a good result in any commercial crop. Row to Row distance about 2 m and Planting plant 60 to 70 cm apart from each other is supposed to be the best spacing for commercial spine gourd farming.

Irrigation for Spine Gourd Cultivation

Timely and proper irrigation in Kantola farming helps you to raise your production. After sowing of seed, give water immediately with  any diluted fungicide water.
But, give water as they need and is also vary from region to region and climate condition. In summer, frequent water is necessary and there is no need of water in monsoon. However, give water if required.

Organic fertilizers

Cow dung manure is  very  ideal. Apply it at land preparation time or at last plow.

Inorganic fertilizers

To achieve maximum yield, your soil should have sufficient nutrition and also have a good fertile power. However, in Kantola farming, application of N, P, K with a ratio of 120:80:80 kg per hectare before sowing seed or planting with the help of tubers on the field is considered as the best soil treatment.
But take care while application of it. Phosphorous and Potassium should be applied at the single time and apply nitrogen in two equal doses; half at a flowering time and the remaining at vining.

Weed Control in Spine Gourd Cultivation

Removal of weed in Spine gourd farming is should be done on the regular basis like at an interval of seven days.

Pest in Spine gourd Cultivation

Nematodes & fruit flies are the common pest that is found in the Kantola farming.

Health  Benefits:-

1. Spiny Gourd is great source of phytonutrients and low in calories. Spiny Gourd contains only 17 cal per 100g. It also contains other nutrients like dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins & anti-oxidant.

2.  One of the causes of cancer is presence of excess toxic free radicals in our body. Fresh dark green pods of spiny gourd are source of vitamin-C, which is itself known as the excellent natural antioxidant. Vitamin-C hunts down excess toxic free radicals from our body to reduce the chances of cancer.

3.  As we know this vegetable is high in phytonutrients, polypeptide-P, plant insulin and charantin that boost the glycogen synthesis in the cells of liver, muscle and adipose tissue.

4. If a pregnant mother include fresh green pods of Kantola in her meals during the pregnancy period, then it reduces the chance of neural tube defects as Kantola has about 72 mcg/100g of folates.

5. Spiny gourd also has different benefiting flavonoids such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthins that are known as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species. All these compounds will help you to look younger by working as the anti-aging compound. It helps you to keep your skin healthy.

6. Coughing is the common problem that seen in the children and adults due to instant change in climate or due to virus and bacteria. If you are suffering due to coughing, then you can take 3 grams of powdered kantola thrice in a day with water to control the non-stop coughing.

7. It contains high amount of Vitamin A that is very necessary for better eyesight. You can also eat spiny gourd in their season to improve your eyesight.

8. Daily drinking of 10 g of spiny gourd power and 1 glass of milk or water can also decreases kidney stone of kidney and bladder.

Kohlrabi Seeds Germination ,Growing ,Care Use and its Health Benefits

 

SOWING KOHLRABI SEED INSIDE:

This is the easiest method for a spring sowing although for an autumn crop the seed should be sown directly.

Instructions:

• Over fill the seed module tray with good quality multi-purpose compost with the lumps removed.

• Firmly tap the tray on a solid surface to settle the compost. Scrape away the excess compost from the surface so that the compost is level with the top of the modules.

• Use a pencil or your finger to make a hole in the compost of each module about 2cm deep.

• Drop one seed into each hole and sprinkle in a little compost over the seed so that the compost is again level with the top of the module.Water the compost.

• Place the seeds on a windowsill or any light and airy position where the temperature is in the range 50°F / 10°C to 80°F / 27°C, room temperature is ideal. Kohlrabi seeds will germinate in temperatures as low as 40°F / 4.5°C.

• The seeds will germinate in about 10 days and be ready for planting outside in four weeks.

HARDEN OFF KOHLRABI SEEDLINGS:

The plants will be ready for hardening off about four weeks after sowing seed. Hardening off is simply the process of gradually acclimatizing the plants to outside conditions and should take a week or so. The plants will be about 8cm high when they are ready for planting out.

PLANTING OUT KOHLRABI:

Tip the plant out of the module and plant it in the ground (in the soil media) gently firming the soil around it. Each plant should be 30cm / 1ft apart and if planting more than one row, the rows should be 25cm / 10in apart. This is particularly important because the edible part of kohlrabi is the stem just above soil level which swells into a small ball shape. If the stem where the ball forms is partially or fully below soil level it will rot.

SOWING KOHLRABI SEED OUTSIDE:

Kohlrabi can be sown outside either for an early summer or an autumn crop. Kohlrabi has an excellent germination rate even in cold conditions so there is no need to sow the seeds densely. Before sowing prepare the soil media. Make a groove in the soil about 1 to 2cm deep and sow one seed every 5cm / 2in. Cover with soil with compost and sprinkle water.

TAKING CARE OF KOHLRABI:

Do water the plants in dry weather conditions because lack of water will lead to woody stems. They need more water compared to most other plants.

To help with water retention a mulch around them will do wonders. Grass cuttings are an ideal and cheap solution which will slowly rot down and provide a small amount of nitrogen feed.

Pumpkin Germination ,Growing ,Care, Use and its Health Benefits.

Pumpkin is a very common vegetable. It is a hot seasonal plant and it requires from 90 to 120 frost free days.Growing a pumpkin is easy, fun and rewarding.

SPECIFICATION OF PUMPKIN



Height: vining
Environment: partial shade
Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.8
Sowing Temperature: 20-25 C
Growing Temperature: 18- 38 C
Spacing: 50*60CM
Height when growing up: Sprawl
Grow up / Flower days: 90 days
Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
Fruit colour: green, yellow
Depth: 1/4 inch
Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 8 - 12 inches

PUMPKIN SEED GERMINATION

For high yielding choice a site with full sun (to light shade) and lots of space for sprawling vines. Vine varieties need more area. Pumpkins are sown end of February eastern India and this is to make sure that the ground temperature is warm enough for germination.Make few holes and pure with manure.Sow three seeds in a  hole. Cover the seeds with side soil to maintain moisture in the soil. Seeds take 4 to 5 days for germination.
 

 Soak the seeds overnight and sowing direct on the prepared  soil.It will takes  4 to 5 days for sprouting.Pumpkin seeds won’t germinate in cold soil. Mound the soil in the centre of the chosen location up a bit to help the sun heat the pumpkin seeds. The warmer the soil, the faster the pumpkin seeds will germinate. In the mound, plant three to five pumpkin seeds about 1 inch deep.
As it is vine you need  to get support them .No need to do on the ground .So, on ground  sow 3 seeds forone and keep distance 4  feet between two  plants.Pumpkins should dig deep soil ploughing of 25-30 cm because of the plants with deep root systems. Should leave the soil exposed 5-7 days to kill pathogens and weed it. Should manure or compost To improve soil conditions incoherent. And increase the fertility of the soil.

FERTILIZING
Pumpkins are fast growers and heavy feeders and benefit from regular applications of fertilizer. Mature trees may require as much as 1/2 pound actual nitrogen per year. Apply fertilizer monthly, just prior to heavy pruning.

Bottle gourd Germination ,Growing ,Care, Use and its Health Benefits.

Bottle gourd is an climbing annual vine plant. It has large leaves and it looks very lush as it grows.Bottle Gourd is mostly available in tropical countries.

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GERMINATION GUIDE


Bottle gourd is a very common vegetable plant and its very easy to grow in any where. Only one thing you must notice that your soil should be moist and the drainage pattern must be well. It can be sowed directly in the soil.
[Grow in hills as you would pumpkins. Train onto fence or trellis. Harvest gourds before frost. Dry fruit thoroughly in warm, dark place.]
climate:
Bottle Gourd requires hot and moist climate for its cultivation.

Soil:
Sandy and a wide range of soil require.

Soil preparation:
Bottle gourd can be grow in wide range of soil. But it thrives well in sandy loam soils , the land or main field should be prepared thoroughly by 6-7 ploughings and pH range in should be fom 6-8 in bottle gourd cultivation. This vegetable requires good drainage. Adding organic matter of farm yield manure will make soil rich.

Brocccoli seeds germination

Broccoli is one of the vegetables of cabbage family.It is not only a vegetable it also contains many vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and also regards for cancer-fighting food.It contains antioxidants which help the body to fight disease.

SPECIFICATIONS OF BROCCOLI

pH range :6.0 - 6.8
Light : Full Sun
Soil type: light, dry, well-drained soil
Life cycle: Annual
Zones : 3 to 10

GERMINATION OF BROCCOLI



Most important: Avoid Rainy day or a cloudy weather for sowing the seeds.
You will definitely get nothing unless you wait for the bright sunny day and clear weather.

• Please check the forecast before sowing the seeds on the following website :
• http://www.msn.com/en-gb/weather?wealocations=wc:inxx0038
•  Select your Area
• Check the local weather. It will let you know whether forecast for about 7 days of your city

GERMINATION GUIDE

Use a flat seedling tray and its deep will be 10 centimetres, and fill seedling mediator within 3/4  of the rim with a sterile potting soil or sieved vermicompost. Fill the tray with diluted fungicide water (2gm in 1 litre water). Make sure you have plenty of holes in it for good water drainage. And  Allow the soil in the flat to absorb the water through the bottom drainage holes until the soil surface becomes moist.

 Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before average last spring frost. Keep soil warm (about 75 F), until germination. Then keep plants around 60 F. Provide direct sun so plants don’t get leggy.

Can sow directly on the ready  soil as soon as you can work the soil. Will germinate at soil temps as low as 40 F. Plant ½ to ¾ inch deep, about 3 inches apart. Thin to final spacing by plucking few plants from the bed.

Broccoli grows best in full sun and where the soil is slightly acidic—with pH between 6.0 and 6.8—fertile, and well-drained, yet consistently moist and rich in organic matter. The right pH and the organic matter help ensure that nutrients, particularly essential micronutrients like boron, are readily available.

The Broccoli usually sprout within seven to 10 days.Transplant when plants have four or five true leaves about 4 to 6 inches tall. Plant at them 15 to 17 inches apart on the ready ground with same depth were they growing at previously. When planted in the garden as a seedling plant Broccoli grows well. For gardening in rows, set the transplants 18 to 24 inches apart within the row and space the rows 24 to 36 inches apart. Be sure to set transplants slightly deeper in the ground than they were in the pot.Water the seedlings when the soil surface feels dry.

Use low nitrogen fertilizer at planting but too much nitrogen fertilizer may cause hollow stems. As Broccoli is a  heavy feeder, so work in two to four inches of rich compost before planting.
Plants have shallow root systems. Avoid even shallow cultivation. Mulch to protect roots, reduce weed competition and conserve moisture.Use floating row covers to help protect from early insect infestations.

Row covers may be used on small plantings to help protect plants from early damage and this protection from pest insects, but the best protection is to grow healthy plants. A hard stream of water can be used to remove aphids from plants. Wash off with water occasionally as needed early in the day.Putting a hot cap on the plants gives them a good start in the spring and will protect them from a hard freeze.Once the plants get well rooted, they grow fast in the cool spring temperatures.

 BENEFITS OF BROCCOLI

1. Broccoli helps to reduce cholesterol.
2.Broccoli works as anti-cancer in our body.
3.It contains high-level calcium which is very helpful for bone problems.

Benefits of Growing LADY'S FINGER

Description:

Okra is better known by its common name as lady's finger or Gumbo. This  vegetable is known for its high soluble and insoluble fiber content. This vegetable is usually used in many recipes and is also a part of many nutritional diets, as it is beneficial to the heart. Let us quickly look at some of the key okra health benefits.



USES and BENEFITS OF LADY'S FINGER:

Ladies finger pods are rich in dietary fiber that controls cholesterol and constipation.Folic acid decreases the risk of neural birth defects in embryos.Okra is also a great source of Vitamin C that improves our body’s immunity levels.

1. Tender lady fingers are widely used to prepare pickles; after the completion of process its colour turns into yellow and softens.

2. In Japanese culture, slices of Lady finger is often served with sushi.

3. In Indian culture, variety of dishes are prepared using Lady finger like stuffed okra, okra fry, okra gravy and many more.

4. Raw okra is widely used due to its medicinal values; many also prefer it in the raw form .

5. It contains high amount of insoluble dietary fibers which helps in cleaning out the whole digestive system especially the intestinal tract thus it plays a great role in preventing from the colon cancer. It also reduces the risk of occurrence of other type of cancers in the body.

6. Okra is known to aid in prevention of diabetes. It is rich in Fiber which helps in the prevention of this disease.
3.It improves digestion process by regularizing the bowel movements.

7. Another important benefit of lady finger is that it contains Vitamin C which helps in improving immunity.

8. The Vitamin A and beta carotene present in lady finger may be helpful in improving eyesight.

9. It contains very low calorie and low sodium which are very much beneficial for the people tending to lose weight.

10. The dietary fiber content of okra/lady’s finger is known to be high, and hence, many health specialists recommend it for digestive benefits. The fibers aid the process of digestion in the body by facilitating proper bowel movement.

11. Vitamin K is a co-factor in the blood-clotting process. It also plays a major role in strengthening the bones in our body.