Eat Papaya Fruit

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

     You should eat papaya to derive numerous health benefits from it. The list of nutritional benefits is quite long that is contained in this yellow or orange colored pulpy fruit. To begin with, papaya is rich in antioxidants, carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, pantothenic acid, folate and fiber. All these nutrients are essential for the smooth functioning of various systems of your body. The vitamins and minerals present in papaya act as great boosters for metabolism. Since its regular intake accelerates the rate of metabolism, your body utilizes fat deposits fast to generate energy. In the process, loss of fat cells imparts you a leaner and more toned body.

     As has been mentioned, papaya has a high content of fiber. Because of its fiber content, you feel full for a long period of time. This keeps you satisfied and prevents you from eating more than required. This is another way that papaya assists you in losing weight. Therefore, eat papaya to lose weight. The vitamins present in papaya are essential for maintaining the health of your skin and strengthening the immune system of your body. Eat papaya everyday to get glowy skin. With a strong immune system, your body is able to fight and resist various diseases and illnesses. Papaya contains a digestive enzyme called papain. It helps in curing digestive system problems, wounds and allergies. Thus, now you know that papaya is surely a wonder fruit that can help you lead a healthy life for long. Let’s learn how to eat papaya fruit. Read more on papaya health benefits and papaya enzyme benefits.

     How to Eat Papaya Fruit [Read more...]

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Growing Watermelons

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

    A watermelon plant thrives best in a warm and humid climate. Watermelon plants need good sunlight and have to be well watered. You could either sow the seeds or buy saplings from a nursery. Some of the popular varieties of watermelon include Charleston Gray, Triple Crown, Crimson Sweet, Sugar Baby and Black Diamond. Here are a few tips to grow watermelons in your backyard.

     When you plan to cultivate watermelons, choose an area that has good sunshine and is protected from winds. However, make sure there is ample air circulation in the space you have selected.

     Next important step is to make the soil fertile by adding organic fertilizer and tilling it well. A sandy, fertile loam that retains moisture, yet is well drained is the best soil for the cultivation of watermelons. You prepare the soil by adding manure, compost and leaves and blending it well with the soil by tilling. Water the patch regularly to keep it moist. This is the done prior to either sowing or transplanting the watermelon saplings.

     If you are using seeds, soak them in compost tea for a few minutes prior to sowing. Make small hills in the watermelon patch. Plant a couple of seeds in each hill by making a hole of 1-inch depth. However, if you are transplanting the saplings, remove them from the polythene cover in which they were initially grown. Slowly place them in 1 to 2-inch deep holes. Remember to allow space between two plants. [Read more...]

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Kiwi Fruit – Facts about Kiwi Plants

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

     The Kiwi fruit, also known as the Chinese gooseberry, has its origins in Yangtze River valley, and the coastal Zhejiang Province in China, from where it was brought to New Zealand and then to the other parts of the world. The Kiwi fruit is scientifically known as Actinidia deliciosa, whereas the name kiwi originated from a native bird of New Zealand, which is called kiwi. Today the fruit is cultivated and consumed in several countries across the world. The Kiwi fruit has a hairy, brown skin and contains a white pulpy center surrounded by a refreshing green flesh embedded with tiny black seeds. The fruit has a sweet and mildly tangy taste.

     Kiwi fruit plants are suited for temperate climates and places that have sufficient heat during summers. Kiwi fruit plants are vines and hence need to be grown on sturdy support. Kiwi plants are dioecious, which means that plants are either male or female. The male plants pollinate the female plants and only the female plants bear the fruit. Not just that, the pollination process is extremely difficult since the flowers are not very attractive for the pollinating agents. The Kiwi fruit plants bear fruit after one year however the vines require vigorous pruning. The production of the fruits declines as the cane grows old and hence canes should be pruned off and restored after third year.

     Kiwi Fruit – Nutritional Facts [Read more...]

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Grape Planting

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

     The genus vitis is subdivided into two categories; Euvitis and Muscadinia. Euvitis grapes are elongated clusters, harvested together at maturity, growing on loose barks, while Muscadinia grapes are small sized and thick-skinned growing in small clusters on simple tendrils, smooth bark with lenticels. They are usually harvested individually. Grapes grow in clusters of 20 to 300, and depending upon the cultivar can be seeded or seedless, and in colors of black, deep red, crimson, dark blue, yellow and green. The vines are woody and need support (trellis) to trail upwards. The leaves are a bright green, and even with no fruits on them can be an interesting addition to your landscape. Read more on life cycle of the grapevine.

     Grape Planting Instructions
     Planting and taking care of grapes requires patience and skill that has been acquired with practice. So give yourself time, and try to get it right, well, until you get them to grow well. Before you begin the actual process of planting, figure out why you are growing them; juice, jelly or jam, fresh or dried use, etc, once you decide upon this requisite, choose the grape variety. Grapes are propagated through seeds, cuttings, layering and grafting. Grape seed planting Involves hardening off the seeds at least a month before sowing them in good potting soil. Most experienced gardeners advice one to pick some good quality grapevines (or roots) from reputed nursery. Besides, grapevines, one also need a trellis system, and as the vine grows some wires and a wire cutter. Learn more about growing grapes from seed.

     How to Plant Grapes [Read more...]

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