6 gardening mistakes to steer clear of

6 gardening mistakes to steer clear of
Nothing compares to the excitement of growing your own food, especially if it’s the first time! The idea of sowing a tiny seed and watching it develop into something that may wind up on your kitchen table will make you smile. But gardening doesn’t always turn out as expected. Most amateurs make gardening mistakes that impact their produce. Here, we’ll explain some of these mistakes and how to correct them. Too much exposure to light Plants require sunlight to grow, but too much exposure is dangerous. The leaves of a plant can grow pale, turn brown, and eventually die when exposed to direct sunlight for too long. So, shield them from excessive sunshine, especially during the hot summer. Notice how the light conditions in your garden vary as the seasons change to avoid making this typical error. Watering excessively or insufficiently Consistent watering is necessary for successful harvests. Most crops thrive when they receive roughly an inch of precipitation every week. So, get a rain gauge to track the rainfall. If your garden has stagnant water puddles, the crops might suffer, and the leaves may turn yellow. To prevent that, add several inches of organic matter to your soil. Mulching will also help maintain a stable soil moisture level.

9 toxic foods to never feed the cats

9 toxic foods to never feed the cats
While their feline friend’s constant leaping and jumping might be a menace at times, cat parents cannot imagine their lives without the constant purring and meowing, and that’s why their cat’s well-being is every pet parent’s top priority. Besides ensuring adequate nutrition and regular vet visits, taking specific safety measures around cats is essential to avoid potential mishaps. For instance, certain foods, although seemingly harmless, can be toxic to cats and must be avoided: Citrus fruits All citrus fruits, including lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and limes, should be kept away from cats. These fruits contain citric acid and essential oils, which can cause severe digestive and other health issues, including central nervous system depression if consumed by cats over long periods. Grapes and raisins Grapes can be toxic to cats, even in small quantities, though the exact reason for their toxicity to cats is unclear. A cat typically vomits within 12-24 hours of having grapes or raisins and may also exhibit other signs of toxicity, such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, and decreased urine output. Chocolate Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which can trigger digestive problems like nausea and vomiting among cats. Increased thirst, muscle tremors, high body temperature, and irregular heartbeat are other poisoning symptoms due to chocolate among cats.

8 simple tricks every gardener should know

8 simple tricks every gardener should know
There is a lot to learn about gardening, but there are some crucial gardening tips that every beginner should know about when it comes to planting, trimming, and feeding. All you need to know is where to start, and no horticultural degree would be necessary. Apart from picking the right plant as per the weather conditions, here are tricks every gardener should know to help you build the garden of your dreams. Add coffee and tea grounds Instead of tossing away old tea and coffee grounds, use them to enrich the soil in your flower beds. They help raise pH levels and improve soil texture. You should wash them first to eliminate any milk or sugar residue. Then, about once a month, sprinkle 1 1/4 of an inch of coffee or tea grounds around acid-loving plants like azaleas, blueberries, and rhododendrons. Use sponges Water pooling at the bottom of pots can cause root rot. To fix this, cut up old sponges and add them to the bottom of the pot. The sponges absorb moisture while creating the necessary air space. They also help keep water from draining out the bottom. The sponge acts as a water storage tool and helps keep the soil moist.

5 foods to eat to keep eczema at bay

5 foods to eat to keep eczema at bay
An inflammatory condition that affects the skin, eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, affects one in four adults. In severe cases, it causes itchy rashes, dry patches, skin irritation, and oozing blisters. The cause of eczema is usually credited to environmental factors and genes. Those with eczema usually have food allergies as well. Thus, food and nutrition play a major role in managing eczema. Here are a few foods that can help prevent eczema flare-ups. Berries Berries such as raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries contain quercetin, a plant-based flavonoid. This is where fruits, flowers, and vegetables derive their rich colors from. Quercetin is an antihistamine and antioxidant. It prevents cell damage and helps combat inflammation. Eating berries is useful in avoiding eczema flare-ups.  Yogurt Rich in live culture, yogurt is one of the best probiotic foods to consume. It strengthens the immune system. Moreover, it prevents allergic reactions. This way, it lowers the intensity of eczema flare-ups. Eating probiotic foods is one of the most effective ways to manage eczema symptoms and itchy skin. Other probiotic-based foods that can add a variety to one’s daily meals include kefir, kombucha, miso soup, sauerkraut, and tempeh. Naturally-fermented pickles and sourdough bread are also good options.

10 most popular tourist destinations in Ireland

10 most popular tourist destinations in Ireland
Located off the coast of Europe, Ireland is a picturesque country rich in culture, luscious green landscapes, and delicious food. Travelers often visit the place to explore its charming small towns and countryside. Those who wish to visit Ireland will find no dearth of adventure and leisure spots, from luxurious beachside cities and quaint mountain retreats to bustling urban cities with vibrant nightlife. Here are some of the must-visit places and attractions in the country. 1. Donegal Donegal, a cozy town at the mouth of the River Eske, is known for its beckoning 15th-century Donegal Castle, expansive Donegal Bay, stunning northwest coast coastline, and charming 1700s food and drinking places to explore the local cuisine and culture. 2. Dublin Ireland’s capital, Dublin, sees much hustle and bustle and is a must-visit. It is also known for its street entertainment, culture, arts, and music, with the National Theater of Ireland and plenty of festivals and museums to explore. Grafton Street is the historic shopping center of the capital city, Dublin, and is sought after globally by shopping enthusiasts. One can also visit the 22-acre St. Stephens Green Park, which has a beautiful Victorian layout and stunning flower beds. It is especially worth visiting from early spring to late autumn.

5 simple ways to improve air quality indoors

5 simple ways to improve air quality indoors
Indoor air pollution is a growing problem in American households. Excessive clutter, poor cleaning hygiene, and lack of ventilation are all factors that can affect air quality. Dust, microscopic spores released from the mold, pet dander, and even chemical gases are some of the major allergens that can compromise healthy living. But worry not as the following simple lifestyle changes and preventive maintenance ideas can quickly turn things around indoors to improve breathable air quality. Change filters and install air purifiers Air conditioners filter out most of the pollutants before cooling and recycling the air indoors. You must regularly change the filters and get the appliance serviced to enhance efficiency. It is also advisable to use a good quality air purifier with high-efficiency particulate absorbing or HEPA filters. HEPA eliminates nearly 99% of the pollutants in the air, including common VOCs, smoke, carbon dioxide, spores released by molds, and even pet dander, among common allergens. These appliances help improve air quality and make the environment more breathable for anybody suffering from respiratory disorders. Proper ventilation The air quality indoors cannot be improved without proper ventilation. Open the windows and doors in each bedroom at least once a day to allow fresh air to flow freely.

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Black Friday 2023 – Top 10 Smartphone Deals to Watch Out For

Black Friday 2023 – Top 10 Smartphone Deals to Watch Out For

Even during non-festive periods, smartphones sell like hotcakes in online and offline stores. Most tech enthusiasts routinely feel the need to get their hands on the latest models of their favorite smartphones. With Black Friday 2023 still several weeks away, shoppers can check out the features of their favorite smartphones. All the estimated deals listed in this article are based on the existing retail discounts, and buyers can expect similar bargains this Black Friday. High-range smartphones 1. Different variants of Apple’s iPhone make up the top 4 of the bestselling smartphones in the country. On many retail sites, devices such as the Apple iPhone SE 5G are being sold with discounts that range from about $200 to $250. This means that there is a high percentage chance that similar or better deals will likely emerge for such devices when Black Friday looms closer. The Apple iPhone SE 5G offers fantastic features such as lightning-fast processors, 5G connectivity, 4K video recording capability with 60 FPS, the unique Dynamic Island display, IP67 water resistance, and many more. 2. Samsung’s Galaxy devices come second in the sales pecking order after Apple’s iPhones when it comes to the smartphone market leadership. With the presence of Black Friday looming on the horizon, users can expect great deals on their favorite Galaxy smartphones. For instance, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available on many retail sites with existing discounts ranging from 10% to 15%. Shoppers may possibly find such (or better) discounts during the upcoming sale period. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a one-of-a-kind foldable phone packed with incredible features such as a massive display, dual-app viewing, immersive gaming experience, super AMOLED screens, and many other niceties. 3. A device that is likely to offer massive discounts during Black Friday is the Google Pixel 7.
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10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

Laptops combine the power of desktops with the portability of smartphones, making them suitable for several tasks. But this is also why they tend to be pricey. Unsurprisingly, many wait for sales like Black Friday to buy the model of their choice. Below are ten types of laptops and the Black Friday 2023 deals one can expect on them in the coming months. The discounts listed are based on last year’s sale and current prices. 1. Dual-screen laptops Unlike older dual-screen models, newer ones are much more efficient and non-gimmicky. They have secondary displays with anti-glare capability that perfectly complement the primary screen. A great option is the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo UX581. It comes with a 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen glossy main display, a cutting-edge Intel Core i7-9750H Quad Core Processor, and a 14-inch 4K matte touchscreen for seamless scrolling and usability. Last year, Amazon sold specific variants of the Zenbook Pro Duo for a discount of 15% in the run-up to Black Friday. 2. Gaming laptops Gamers need laptops that are responsive, less prone to overheating, and armed with high-end graphics cards. In short, they seek devices that will not leave them high and dry in the middle of a high-octane, graphics-heavy game by being laggy and annoying. Thankfully, several gaming laptops tick these boxes, an example being Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming 3. The device has incredible features, such as the latest AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors, GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs, and Rapid Charge technology to boost battery by 40% in just 15 minutes. Amazon reduced the price of specific IdeaPad Gaming 3 models by $300 last Black Friday, so gamers can hope for similar savings in 2023. 3. Chromebooks Those who prefer the ultra-reliable Chrome OS can check out Acer’s Chromebook 315. It has a powerful Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core processor, a full HD IPS touchscreen, and over 12 hours of battery life!
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