Garden Toolkit HD - £2.49 / $3.99

It has to be said: no keen gardener should be without Gardening Toolkit HD. This little app is great value for money, given the endless array of features packed into it. Get location-based growing advice and an integrated to-do list, or search through the enormous database to identify plants and species. Share tips with other app users, and receive advice every month with 'What to Sow Now'. For an all-round gardening app, there's really nothing better. Find it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gardening-toolkit-hd-easy/id444035675?mt=

RHS - Free

It was only a matter of time before the Royal Horticultural Society brought out their own app. This 'Grow Your Own' application helps you to choose and grow fruit and vegetables, no matter how much space or time you have at your disposal. The base application covers the 20 most popular varieties of fruit and vegetable, but you'll have to pay extra for specialised bundles. Find it here: http://www.rhs.org.uk/iphone

Landscaper's Companion - £3.99 / $5.99

It's not cheap, but you'll appreciate the sheer volume of information on offer in Landscaper's Companion. It serves as an encyclopaedia for thousands of plants, with categories spanning perennials, shrubs, annuals and even house plants. There are thousands of photos included too, so you'll never be short of advice when you need information on the go. Find it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/landscapers-companion-gardening/id333180074?mt=8

Met Office - Free

You've started to plan your garden and you know what you want to grow - but it could all end horribly if an unseasonably early ground frost creeps in. The weather's an integral part of keeping a healthy and beautiful garden. With the Met Office app at your fingertips, you'll know what the British weather’s going to do next, and can react accordingly. Find it here: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/met-office-weather-application/id331122086?mt=8

For U.S. users, weather.com has their own handy app: http://www.weather.com/mobile/pda/iphone/

The Plant Doctor - £1.49 / $1.99

You’ve planted your seeds and watered them as per the instructions, so why are the fruits of your labour looking limp and lifeless? The Plant Doctor will offer an on-the-spot diagnosis by listing the ten most common plant ailments. And if you can't find the answer you're looking for, you can fill out a form and send it to a plant pathologist. Find it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-plant-doctor/id306625566?mt=8

Garden Safari - £1.49 / $1.99

When the flowers start blooming and wildlife comes flooding in, Garden Safari will help you to identify those visitors. From bees to butterflies, Garden Safari provides information on around 150 insects, using close-up photography and a detailed encyclopaedia. There’s also an ‘Insect of the Month’ newsletter, asking you to keep an eye out for rare species. Find it here: http://www.gardensafari.net/appsupport/index.htm

Herbs+ - £1.99 / $2.99

Herbs+ is a great little app that provides you with information on different herbs. Under each type, you'll find information on how to grow and cook with them, and even find out about their medicinal uses. Find it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/herbs/id332584732?mt=8

National Trust(UK) - Free

If you like visiting the National Trust’s great historic gardens, there's no better app out there. Locate nearby National Trust properties, and plot your journey with GPS and Google Maps. There's also an A-Z list of all National Trust locations, with information on when they open and how much it costs to get in. Find it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/national-trust/id360792792?mt=8

Google Search - Free

This may be stating the obvious, but Google Search is an amazing tool. The official app gives you access to Google Goggles, which allows you to identify just about any plant you see. Whether you're strolling around a park or notice a flower whilst walking the dog, reveal its identity by taking a simple picture. Snap blooms, leaves and even mystery bugs - Google will find similar images, and lead you to the answer you seek.

Gardening Mama - £4.99 / $6.99

If all else fails, just download Gardening Mama and grow yourself a virtual garden instead. It allows you all the pleasures of gardening but from the comfort of your own sofa. Find it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gardening-mama-us/id391337788?mt=8

1. Choosing how to color

You can either paint the walls in white or design the other way round coating the fixtures in white instead. A number of fitting like the cabinets, countertops, furniture, backsplash or the lightings fitted in the kitchen can be in a white color. Furthermore, there are so many different shades of white to choose from; you can go for a pure white, an antique one or even cream or ivory.

2. Kitchen cabinets

Add white colored cabinets to make your cookery look neat and striking. You can give a grand, easygoing, vintage or even an industrial touch to the cabinetry by installing different types of fittings and knobs. Cup styled handles, steel pull-outs with straight lines, ornate and curvy knobs are all an excellent idea. While, patterns like crown molding will give your kitchen a contemporary look.

3. Marble fitting

All white marble fittings look exquisite and magnificent. A marble countertop is a great idea and you can also fit in open shelves made from the luxurious stone. Marble flooring will definitely add a touch of finesse to the kitchen.

4. White countertop

Installing an all white island will give a swish touch to your cookery. You can have the island made out of white granite, marble or go for the latest fad and set up a stainless steel countertop.

5. White furniture

Another great option is to do up your kitchen with white furniture. You can have a dining set in white or just arrange white colored chairs and stools around the place. Barstools in the pearly tints are absolutely riveting. You can also opt for furniture made from white metals. Otherwise, you can just buy slip covers or seat cushions in milky tints for your cook house.

6. Appliances

Gadgets in white look spotless and render a pure vibe to the kitchen. Settle on equipment that is painted in white or pieces made from white metal.

7. Accessorize thoughtfully

Pick out add-ons that go well with the white hue used around the kitchen. Warm woods, lustrous metals and glistening glass will blend well into such a setting. Pops of color against the predominantly white backdrop will look really smashing - go for colorful ceramic tiles, rugs, art work, oil paintings or designs made using spray paint on the walls. Silver will give it an extremely grand touch.

Graceful and easy on the eyes, white is an excellent pick for the kitchen. The best thing about white is that it will easily mingle with different interior styles, be it vintage or modern. Also, white will not go out of fashion, so you will not have to splurge on a new paint color every now and then. White can be made to look simple, grand, elegant and even classy – design your kitchen any you want with white.

However, urban pollution doesn't mean that you should abandon urban gardening altogether. In fact, most of the air pollution itself is fairly harmless. You just don't want to be using your fire escape as a herb and lettuce garden if it is lining a busy highway. When planting your garden, you want to make sure that you plant it in an area that is farthest away from highways frequented by tractor-trailers and mass rush hour traffic. Otherwise, your garden should be okay from air pollution. You'll just want to make sure that you are thoroughly washing your produce prior to consumption.

For years, the pesticides and certain fertilizers used on crops were a huge concern for gardeners. However, advancements in crop protection agents, which came about through research performed by firms such as Huntingdon Life Sciences Inc, have made these agents more safe for both humans and the environment – even though pesticides are still not a preferable control method for urban gardeners.

What is actually a bigger concern for urban gardens is any pollution that may reside in the soil. Many apartment buildings and homes are built on reclaimed soil in areas that were once industrial. For areas that were once industrial or for those that are near current industrial areas, you will want to have your soil checked prior to planting anything. The pollutants in the soil are actually more likely to be harmful to you and your produce than any air pollution or chemicals you may use to keep pests away.

What should you do if you're apartment or home is right alongside a busy highway or has questionable ? Don't grow. While there are several treatments used to protect crops from diseases such as blight and from certain pests, there isn't really anything you can do about pollution. Instead of risking growing contaminated foods, become a part of your local food crop.

In numerous urban areas, there are community gardens and food co-ops, which for a small fee, you can join and enjoy fresh produce without all the hard work or hassles. You simply join and get fresh produce generally once a week or every two weeks. You'll get great produce, support a local organization, and you will know that your food is safe.

As a paste applied topically, it can draw out poisons from an insect bite lie spiders, bees or wasps.  It is also good to apply whenever you have an attack of gout. But be careful when applying activated charcoal to broken skin as it may leave a tattoo effect on the skin.  To play it safe, apply  activated charcoal as a poultice,  if in doubt, to the skin.  Additionally, it is the BEST thing to use to whiten your teeth.  Simply put your regular natural toothpaste on your brush and dip it in some powdered activated charcoal, slightly moisten it and brush as usual,  Within a short amount of time it will substantially whiten your teeth and even help remove long standing plaque.  It is great for booth teeth and gums and will not harm either.  We personally recommend activated charcoal for tooth whitening over over the counter whitening strips and even baking soda which can be somewhat hard on teeth and the delicate tissues of both mouth and gums.  Sometimes we use a Q-tip with activated charcoal on it to scrub the teeth seriously and to avoid the potential of damaging the gums with the tooth brush bristles. Ir is also used as a facial to help oily skin.

Taken internally, it can also remove the uric acid build up which causes gout and remove some  heavy metals like mercury and lead.   It will help whenever you overeat or over drink and adsorb the toxins and aid in controlling acid reflux and other gastrointestinal distresses.  It can eliminate gas, vomiting and diarrhea. Simply take the charcoal until the symptoms disappear.  Sometimes you have to experiment to see how much works for you.  There is no danger of overdosing on charcoal.  The only thing we would recommend is the the amount of water intake be increased to help prevent constipation when taking activated charcoal.  There is no evidence that activated charcoal interferes with your body's ability to use  vitamins and minerals from food. However, it is best taken away from foods as food in the stomach will slow down the effectiveness of the charcoal.

It is safe for pets and livestock too .  it is advised that you contact your vet before administering a dose to check on the amount needed.  The usual recommended dose of activated charcoal for all species of animals is 1-3 grams of charcoal per 1 kg body weight.

It is great to destroy household odors.  The best way is to make sachets filled with activated charcoal or punch holes in a car or jar and fill with charcoal.  For such intensive use, it would be beneficial to buy activated charcoal in bulk powdered form

We have personally administered charcoal to ourselves here on the homestead for many reasons and can personally attest to its effectiveness.  And our resident vet, Jordanne, has successfully administered charcoal to our menagerie of animals to relieve their suffering for many illnesses..

If you are interested in buying some charcoal, this link may help you
http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Charcoal-Activated-280-mg-100-Capsules/1846?at=0

Use Our code JUL 275 for $5 off your first purchase at iherb.com.

 NOTE:  Please note -- Charcoal may reduce the effectiveness of certain medications. Consult a physician before taking this product with other medications.

Gardeners may be overjoyed when a particular plant has a high yield, but what to do with the excess?  If you don’t give it away or can’t eat it all, it’ll spoil.  So why not can a big batch and munch on it all season?

Canning is not just for pickles and jams. Most fruits and vegetables are delicious when canned with the right flavors.  I recently tried picked watermelon rinds that were simply delicious.  And, to think I usually just throw those away!  First time canners should read through canning instructions thoroughly and perhaps enlist a friend to help with the process.  It’s more fun that way anyway.

Let’s be honest about tomatoes for a second.  They are only edible in season.  Unless you are growing them hydroponically in your greenhouse, don’t even bother getting ones at the store in the dead of winter.  That’s ok, though. Canned varieties of red and green tomatoes are delicious and can be seasoned in a variety of ways to be served cold on sandwiches or warm as a side dish.

Beets are another canned favorite, spiced sweet or sour, golden or red.  I prefer canned beets to fresh ones.  If you want to make a beet salad, you have to go to all this trouble to prepare the beets before you get creative with other ingredients. Canning a bunch of beets in one day will stock you up to be able to make beet salads whenever you want in about 15 minutes!

Canning also allows you to ensure the quality or organics of all the ingredients.  Use non-GMO vinegar and all natural herbs and spices for healthy, delicious canned goods that will make you feel as good as they taste!

For  those who  have taken on beekeeping, the benefits of keeping bees are truly enormous. However, for this one post, I am focusing on the bee product propolis.

Propolis is the sticky, usually brown resin that bees collect from various sources such as buds and barrk.  It is metabolized by the bees into a substance they then use to make the hives stronger using it as a cement for the hive.  It also sterilizes the hives and makes the bees themselves healthier as it is a germicide. It has been said the hives, because of the propolis factor, can be more sterile than a hospital  operating room!  Bees can usually  get rid of invading insects on their own and remove them from the hive.  But, for larger invaders, such as mice who may have died in the hive, the bees simply  wrap the carcass in propolis  to ward off any danger as the dead mouse is simply too big for them to haul away!.

If you are fortunate enough to have your own hives, you can buy a propolis trap which would enable you to collect  the propolis from your own hive.  But the process after that for making the propolis suitable to use is rather labor intensive.  For most homesteaders, like with everyone else, when all else fails and time is a of a premium, just go buy propolis at the store.  We use iherb.com.  If you want, you can use our referral code to get $5 off for your very first purchase at iherb (http://www.iherb.com). Just type in JUL 275 in the appropriate section of your shopping cart with your first purchase,

So, what can you  use the propolis for?  Everything!  It is great for boosting your immune system and keeping all sorts of illnesses away.  It is great for burns, cuts, sore throats, acne, canker sores, sinus infections, female infertility, warding off cancer and for teeth and gum problems. It also can help ward off cancer.   It is Nature's very own natural antibiotic which kills only the bad bugs while allowing the good bugs to live.

We have personally experienced wonderful results with propolis for any tooth or gum problems.  When one member got a very painful gum infection, which made for sensitive teeth, propolis fully restored the health of the gums and made all sensitivity in teeth go away.  Simply apply propolis to a clean cotton ball and hold it against the sensitive or aching  part.  Pressing firmly sometimes helps.  It also helped receding gums to grow back.  However, sometimes due to the nature of propolis and its dark color,   one's teeth can be temporarily stained an ugly brown.  No worry.  Simply use your favorite whitening toothpaste (natural, of course--we use a Xyliwhite which is amazing bought from iherb (http://www.iherb.com ) and use baking soda periodically for even faster results. Result?  Squeaky clean teeth!  Using propolis will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease and make teeth stronger.

For anyone suffering from tooth decay, it has been said that adding propolis to the decaying part  of the tooth  will stop any further decay and kill the decay dead in its track. Just make sure that all food particles are removed first before you seal your cavity with propolis.  It is advised by most that you still see a dentist.  And if you choose to go to dentists and need a tooth extracted, propolis will assist in the healing of the gum tissue for a speedier, infection free experience.

Does it also help your city livestock?  You bet it does.   More to come....

When you think of "Baking Soda" everyone thinks of "Arm & Hammer®" right?

We all know that baking soda is indispensable for keeping a clean house but did you know that it is one of the wonders for staying in good health or helping you to return to a healthful condition?

Baking soda is excellent as a paste for any sort of hives, insect stings, or as an addition to bath water for chicken pox and poison ivy. It does remarkable things for hair used occasionally as a shampoo alone as a shampoo type rinse or added to your shampoo. Anecdotal use includes a testimony by a friend who put a paste of baking soda religiously on a cancerous skin lesion which caused the lesion to disappear. Baking soda is alkalizing and thus is beneficial in some cases. To restore an over acid body condition to normal, a small amount of baking soda dissolved in water can relieve many stomach issues. However this is best to use only when needed and not overuse especially for those with high blood pressure as the sodium will elevate your blood pressure even more.

Baking soda will help heal sore and receding gums. It will immediately relieve the pain that occurs form gum problems. Put a paste made of baking soda on your gums and then wait for relief. It will kill any bacteria and help strengthen your gums Another effective treatment is to make a paste, spread it on your gums, then pour some apple cider vinegar on the spot which will cause it to foam like crazy. The combination will not hurt your teeth but we recommend that you use this treatment only as needed, in case and rinse your mouth out after treatment in order not to hurt your tooth enamel with the vinegar and just to play safe. This treatment worked so fast for us that we were astounded. it helped the gums go back to its normal healthy condition. Adding Propolis (Order from iherb.com with the $5 coupon code: "Jul 275") to the gums at night helped them to "regrow" back to its normal condition. But in case the Propolis temporarily stains your teeth, then baking soda will remove the staining.

Baking soda makes an excellent toothpaste and will help kill any tooth decay and prevent it from ever starting in the first place. Making a paste of baking soda with hydrogen peroxide and push it up the gumline. This will also keep the gums healthy , Use as needed and do not overdo as sometimes baking soda may irritate the sensitive gum tissue. There is nothing like it for whitening the teeth. And rinsing your mouth out in a solution of baking soda and water will freshen your breath and help re-mineralize teeth. More to come on keeping healthy on the Urban Homestead.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Information and statements regarding health related benefits of certain ingredients are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided is not meant to substitute the advice provided by your personal physician or other medical professional. Do not use the information found within this website to self-diagnose any medical conditions or treat any health problems or diseases. The information provided is not intended to prescribe or be taken as medical advice. If you have or suspect that you have a medical condition please contact your health care provider immediately.

© Raycan | Dreamstime.com

Do you know that there is a way to clean your stove without any chemicals?  I  learned a trade secret form a trendy housecleaning service that kept this little nifty trick "under wraps."   They had been hired to clean an upscale kitchen.

The owner was dismayed because she could never get the burned on black spots that inevitably happen to all of us when cooking. Try as she may, even with certain chemical cleaners, nothing did the trick. However, this cleaning company got these ugly and unsightly back spots off with one simple device--a glass scraper! All you have to do is get one (or a razor if you can be careful) and you can just flick the spot off in one simple move! It won't scratch or harm the surface of the stove.

Well, there was one pleased and shocked customer who could not believe her eyes and begged for the secret, which, of course, was kept hidden from her. It also really works well for any hard to remove spots both inside and out of the stove. No more "black freckled" stove tops or hard to remove black gook inside! I try to never be without one and is the only way to clean a stove.

For the past 2,500 years, honey has been highly regarded by many cultures for its health benefits as well as its sweet taste. Here are just some of the amazing benefits of honey.

1.Anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties

Honey (in particular propolis-containing raw honey) is renowned for its anti-septic properties. It is simultaneously anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal, providing all-round protection from micro-organisms.

Honey is also an anti-oxidant, protecting the body from the carcinogenic effects of free radicals and boosting the immune system.

2.Wound care

Honey is often used in the first aid treatment of cuts and burns and is now used in modern medicine to aid with the healing of wounds. Applying honey to a wound stimulates the damaged tissues and promotes healing. It also minimizes scarring, reduces swelling and helps in deodorizing foul-smelling wounds. Honey promotes a process known as “autolytic debridement”, the painless self-digestion of dead skin.

3.Weight loss and skin care

Honey is one of nature’s own sweeteners; typically consisting of over two-thirds glucose and fructose, it can be added to anything you would normally add sugar to. It may seem a contradiction, but despite containing over four times the calories of sugar (over 60 calories per tablespoon), honey can actually help with weight loss. This is due, in part, to its fat-digesting properties.

Honey is also effective in improving the endurance and all-round performance of athletes. Not only is it rich in energy (both quick-release glucose and slow-release fructose), it also maintains healthy blood sugar levels. Honey efficiently restores glycogen levels (the way the body stores sugar) and aids with muscle recuperation, leading to less muscle fatigue. Of course, you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from these advantages: anyone can take honey, or give it to their children, to boost flagging energy levels.

Honey has also been lauded for its skin-care properties. Used in various health spas, honey and milk in equal combination both cleanses and protects the skin, leaving it looking radiant.

4.Gentle on the digestive system

Honey is a well-known tonic for the digestive system, helpful in controlling a host of digestive complaints, from diarrhea and indigestion to gastroenteritis and stomach ulcers.

5.Vitamins and minerals

The actual vitamin and mineral content in honey depends on which flowers have been visited and how the honey has been processed. Excess processing strips nutrients, especially phytochemicals, so raw honey is always a better choice. Organic honey also claims to be free of pesticides and antibiotics, although the extent to which bees can really be protected from contaminated flowers is a subject for debate. The main nutrients to be found in honey are vitamin C, Calcium and Iron.

With so many valuable properties, it is no wonder that the list of ailments that honey has been used to treat is so extensive. Athlete’s foot, halitosis, sleep disorder, acne, conjunctivitis, alopecia, arthritis and yeast infections are just some of the complaints that honey is claimed to alleviate. Christie Hospital, near Manchester, UK, is even trialling the use of honey in assisting the recovery of cancer patients.

So the next time you stir a spoonful of honey in your cup of tea, remember that you are experiencing one of nature’s miracle foods. Why don’t you just pour yourself a cup of honey sweetened tea right now!

Go ahead, enjoy!

You can grow practically anything to meet any dietary need, regardless of if you have allergies to certain foods or you require gluten free bread. All of this can be done quite simply, but it does take time to put a garden together. One favorite garden project is called a potato tower, and they are incredibly cheap to construct. Instructions for starting one include:

Getting the Materials

First, you'll need to get four tires, and it doesn't matter what kind. They can be large or small or new or old. If you have access to them, use old tires. Not only are they cheap, but you will also be reusing them which is environmentally friendly. Once you have the tires, you should wash them clean of any chemicals or toxins that may be on them.

Next, you'll need to get soil and seed potatoes. You can use old potatoes, but this isn't advisable. There are usually too many pesticides on regular potatoes, and they won't produce a very good crop. They have a tendency to rot as well. Once you purchase crop potatoes, you'll want to cut them up into chunks and then let them dry out for a few days. Once they are dry, you're ready to plant.

Planting

The tires will be stacked vertically as the plants grow which provides the dark climate potatoes need to grow wonderfully. This is also a great option for people who are working with limited space. So once you're ready to plant, take one of your tires and securely place in where ever you want your potatoes to grow. Then place several of the potato seed plants at the base of the tire. Once you do this, cover it with soil. The soil doesn't have to be high quality. That's the beauty of potatoes; they'll grow in almost anything. Once you've covered them in soil, fill the tire to the top and let it go. In the space of a couple weeks, you'll then see tiny leaf sprouts starting to come up from the soil. Once you see this you're ready to add another tire.

Stacking

As you see the sprouts hit the dirt's surface, add another tire and more dirt. Continue the above process until you use all four tires. Meanwhile there are several pounds of potatoes growing in each tire. Once all of your tires are full, you can then work backwards and start harvesting them from top to bottom. You'll have potatoes all summer and fall.

Even though potatoes are really cheap, this is still a great way to cut down on food expenses and give you a project at the same time. There's lots of other space saving gardening techniques that you can add to your urban gardening arsenal so look online for other ideas. It's cheap, easy, and fun to grow you own food while becoming more sustainable in the process.