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After enjoying fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruit from your own garden during the summer months, you may be disappointed when winter comes around. Of course, you can buy organic produce from many local markets. However, there is something enriching about the process of growing your own produce.

The reality is that you do not have to completely abandon growing your own produce in the wintertime. You can cultivate an indoor winder garden. What follows are some tips, suggestions, and strategies to grow vegetables, herbs, and fruit indoors during the colder months of the year.

Herbs

Herbs represent the easiest edible plants to grow indoors during the winter months. With that in mind, basil is the simplest of the herbs to grow indoors — and, if you are like most people, basil is likely one of your favorite herbs. Growing basil can be done successfully by planning seeds in a pot placed next to a south facing window.

Other types of herbs oftentimes can be better grown indoors if you start them from cuttings, rather than seeds. These include rosemary, thyme, parsley, and oregano. These herbs can be planted in a pot place in a south facing window as well.

Root Vegetables

You may have grown different types of root vegetables outdoors. You can grow some of these successfully indoors during the winter months.

Radishes definitely can grow in an indoor setting because this vegetable doesn’t root as deeply as other root vegetables. Certain varieties of carrots can also be grown indoors as well.

The key to cultivating radishes and carrots indoors during the winter months is to select a box or trough of an appropriate depth (deeper for carrots). Seeds should be planted any time from mid-autumn to late winter.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms can be grown inside during wintertime. You may be unfamiliar with cultivating mushrooms. Indeed, you may think that there is just something too mysterious about growing mushrooms. In fact, you can cultivate mushrooms fairly easily.

You need to have a draft-free, dark place in your home. A cupboard of pantry can work. Ideally, the space should be such that you can maintain a temperature between 50 and 60 degrees.

You do not need to begin the process of growing mushrooms completely from scratch. You can purchase special compost that contains mushroom spawn. All you need to do to start the process of growing your own mushrooms is to water the soil and then leave it in your predesignated space.

Leafy Greens

If you want a bit more of a challenge, you can cultivate certain leafy greens indoors in wintertime. This includes lettuce, spinach, and arugula.

Leafy greens require more sunlight than the other vegetables previously discussed. IN reality, leafy greens are likely going to need more sunlight that can be gleaned even in a window with a southern exposure in wintertime. Therefore, you need to seriously consider investing in fluorescent grow lights to supplement natural light. You will want to leave the grow lights on between 10 to 12 hours each day.

Beyond the issue with ensuring leafy greens get enough light, the rest of the process of tending to these types of vegetables is not hard. You begin the process by planting seeds in moist potting soil. You need to water your leafy green crop regularly.

Tomatoes

You do not have to abandon home-grown tomatoes in the wintertime. As with leafy greens, tomatoes to require a bit more effort when grown indoors during the winter months.

You do need to select smaller varieties of tomatoes. With that said, you will still want to stake the plants to ensure that the weight of the fruit properly is supported. You will also want to use a larger pot or container to accommodate a tomato plant.

Edible Flowers

You may not have yet had occasion to experiment with edible flowers. You might want to take the plunge to growing and using edible flowers during the winter months.

Two edible flowers are particularly easy to grow indoors in wintertime. These are impatiens and calendulas.

These two types of edible flowers are delicious addition to salads. They are perfect salad toppers, adding color and an additional dash of flavor.

As with most of the other plants recommended for an indoor winter garden, edible flowers can be placed in a south facing window in your home. The amount of natural light received each day via a window on the south side of your house should be enough to sustain the growth of edible flowers.

Jessica Kane is a writer for Grow Ace, your best online option for getting your new hydroponic grow operation up and running quickly and easily.

There are plenty of good cocktails out there—martinis, daiquiris, margaritas. But few are as versatile as the Moscow Mule. This cocktail can be enjoyed any time, any place. It’s refreshing and cool, perfect for summer, and, during the frigid cold of winter, the ginger spice will keep you cozy—the vodka doesn’t hurt, either.

The standard Moscow Mule—ginger beer, vodka, and lime juice—is excellent, to be sure. But there are also plenty of variations worth a try. With summer just around the corner, we couldn’t help but wonder what other fruits could be incorporated. Here, we’ve compiled some of the best and fruitiest Moscow Mule recipes.

1.Summer Mule (Courtesy of SheKnows)
Hosting a summer get-together, bridal shower, or birthday party? This is guaranteed to be a hit. The fresh berries are just the right amount of sweet, enhancing and not overpowering the existing flavors. The berries also give it a beautiful rosy pink color.

Ingredients:
½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
Fresh berries (4-6 per drink)
2 ounces vodka
3 ounces ginger beer
Soda water
Ice

Directions:
Muddle the berries with the lime juice. We suggest blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. The berries should break down quickly as you muddle them and create a syrup-like texture. Add the ginger beer and vodka. Pour over ice and top it off with sparkling water.

2.Spicy Mule (Courtesy of SheKnows)

If you love spicy foods, you’ll love this variation which incorporates jalapeno peppers. We know, jalapenos aren’t really fruit…but it’s too good to leave out. You can add as many as you like, though we’d suggest starting with 3-4 slices per drink and adding more to taste.

Ingredients:
Jalapeno pepper

1 ounce fresh lime juice

4 ounces ginger beer

½ ounce orange liqueur

2 ounces vodka

Ice

Directions:
Cut the jalapeno into thin slices. Muddle a few slices with the lime juice and orange liqueur. Stir in the vodka and ginger beer. Serve over ice.

3.The Mule Refresher (Courtesy of Drinkware Essentials)

This is another variation that incorporates fresh berries, making it optimal for summertime.

Ingredients:
12 blueberries
8 thinly sliced pieces of cucumber

6 mint leaves, plus a whole sprig for garnish

2 handfuls crushed ice, divided

2 oz. vodka

1 oz. fresh lime juice
½ cup ginger beer

Directions:
Put the berries, cucumber slices, and mint in the bottom of a cocktail shaker and muddle until the mixture is a thick, juicy pulp. Add one handful of ice, the vodka, and the lime. Shake well for at least 30 seconds. Put a handful of ice into the mug (or glass). Strain the cocktail into the mug. Pour the ginger beer on top of the cocktail mixture. Add remaining ice. Garnish with mint sprig.

4. Passion Fruit Moscow Mule (Courtesy of Pineapple and Coconut)

This tropical take on the Moscow Mule will transport your mind and tastebuds to a sunny island paradise. The recipe makes 2 servings, though there’s nothing wrong with having it all to yourself.

Ingredients:
4 oz. vodka (Pineapple flavor or plain)
6 Tbsp. passion fruit pulp—about 4-6 passion fruits’ worth, depending on the size
2 tsp. Barsmith Mix Lime Syrup (or fresh lime juice)
8 Ounces ginger beer
Ice
Mint for garnish

Directions:
Divide the passion fruit pulp amongst the glasses and pour 1 teaspoon of lime syrup (or lime juice) into each glass. Muddle gently. Add in 2 ounces of vodka per glass and top with the ginger beer. Gently stir. Add a sprig of mint for garnish. Serve immediately.

5.Strawberry Moscow Mule (Courtesy of Beautiful Booze)

Berries, like Moscow Mules, are one of the best summertime treats. Here’s another berry-filled variation that’s perfect for a warm afternoon. This one also makes 2 cocktails.

Ingredients:

3 oz. vodka

5 Strawberries
½ lime, juiced
½ bottle ginger beer (about 4 oz.)
½ to 1 cup crushed ice
1 strawberry for garnish

Directions:

Add ice, lime juice, muddled strawberries, and vodka to two serving glasses. Stir mixture. Top with ginger beer.

Once you’ve given these a try, let us know what you think by posting in the comments. Have another fruity favorite of your own? We’d love to hear it!

It’s that time of year when temperatures plummet and we’re faced with weather warnings of heavy snow and icy roads. With so much going on throughout December in the lead up to Christmas, it’s easy to forget about road safety. It’s during this time that we should take extra care when driving and ensure that our cars are in excellent condition to avoid a breakdown on the side of the road. Here are a few things to remember before you set of on your journey.

Check your tyres

Before any long car journey in the winter, it’s important that you regularly check your tyre pressure and for any punctures. Make sure your tyres have the right tread depth. The legal minimum is 1.6mm but safety experts say that it’s best to have at least 3mm. Another thing to remember is to check your spare tyre. The last thing you want is to have to pull over to change a bust tyre only to find out your spare is bust too. If you think your tyres are a bit worn then there are places like www.tyreplus.co.uk that can help you pick out the right tyres for your vehicle and if you are unable to go to one of their fitting locations, they will come out to you.

Check your vehicle’s liquids

Ensure your vehicle’s oil is topped up as it could start causing problems with the engine if it’s not. This is quite a common problem as people tend to overlook it. Other liquids you need to remember for your car journey are brake fluid, engine coolant and screen wash. During the winter weather conditions it’s vital that you have clear visibility of the road, so always make sure you have the right amount of screen wash.

Take extras emergency supplies

This seems like quite an obvious thing to remember but you’d be surprised how many people forget. Take an extra supply of water, snacks, flask with hot beverages and blankets with you so if you do get held up on your journey you have a good stock of essential items to keep you going. Remember to take the vital supplies too, such as ice-scraper, torch, phone and charger and a first aid kit. If you’ve checked your car thoroughly then it’s very unlikely you will breakdown but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you are travelling with children it’s best to take some travel games with you to keep them busy.

Remember to carry out these three simple safety checks the next time you are setting off on a long car journey and have a safe trip.

One confronts with various stressful events everyday. Stress can arise anytime from jobs, family, relationship problems, finances or anything. While a little stress is good for you, prolonged stress can be harmful for both you mind and body. It can not just cause various health issues but also disturb the lives of others surrounding you. To deal with it, other than keeping a positive attitude, one must also take measures to relieve stress because in a long term, it is very much needed. This being said, online bingo is one such tool that can help you reduce stress in the most upbeat way.

Bingo is not just a game that one plays for money. Its more than just that! Bingo is played across the globe, primarily as a form of entertainment and socializing. Back in the 50s where online bingo was just considered to be a myth, bingo halls were a place where people would gather to have a good time. It was their escape from the everyday chaos and chores, a form of relaxation therapy.

In the 21st century, a lot has changed yet a lot of good things remain the same. Online bingo has emerged and with changing times, people have adapted this new form of gaming. Not just the young ones, but online bingo has not even spared the oldies. You can witness 100s of new players joining the online gaming team everyday. The trend is too good to resist and the best game ever to relive stress.

Also, according to researches, bingo is proved to build cognitive abilities and help improve memory which is why it is used by doctors to help treat Alzheimer and other related health issues.

Online bingo sites like GameVillage have variety of bingo and other casino games to keep players engaged. Also, the online bingo no deposit offer lets players play some of the most popular games for free. They have various other awesome offers, you must definitely check out!

It has a great social community online. The forums and other chatting platforms like chat rooms, Facebook pages etc are the most engaging and keep the players going for good which ultimately helps to de-stress.

Bingo is a great way to escape from the daily problems and chaos and immerse in the world full of fun and entertainment. Even if it’s effective for just few minutes, it’s totally worth it!

A simple way in which you can up the market value of your residence is to enhance its curb appeal. You do not need to spend a fortune on improving the street appearance of your home.

One step that you might want to consider taking as a means of improving the curb appeal of your property is to add a front perimeter fence to your property. There are a number of factors to bear in mind when it comes to adding a front perimeter fence at your residence.

The Importance of Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is important when you have no plans to sell your home and want it to look tremendous. Curb appeal is vital if you want to put your home on the market for sale.

There is a saying that you can’t judge a book by its cover. That may work for reading, but it isn’t accurate when it comes to selling your house. The reality is that potential buyers are judging your house by how it looks from the curb. In fact, you may have an amazing interior, but if the front of your home is not up to par, you will lose potential buyers who will not even bother to set foot inside your home.

There are more simple steps that you can take to enhance the curb appeal of your home. This includes such things as giving your home a fresh coat of paint. In addition, you can give your landscaping an uplift as well. This includes dealing with problems with your lawn and making sure any plants on the premises look their best. As was mentioned, a perimeter fence should be considered as well.

The Focus of a Perimeter Fence

You need to contemplate exactly what you want the focus of your fence to be when it comes to the issue of curb appeal. For example, if your home is in a neighborhood that has had issues regarding crime, the focus of a front perimeter fence should be on protection and security. This type of fence sends a reassuring message to people who like your home but who may have heard about crime issues nearby.

Perimeter Fence for Decoration

Another primary focus of a front perimeter fence is decoration and enhancing the overall appearance of your home. In this regard, you have a myriad of options.

When it comes to a decorative front perimeter fence, you can head down the traditional path or you might have some sort of innovative idea of your own. With these points noted, you will want to make sure that whatever you select compliments and harmonizes with the design concepts of the house.

Perimeter Fence for Security

As mentioned a moment ago, a prime focus for a perimeter fence can be security. There are fences that are designed with a specific focus on security. These fences typically come complete with gates that activate via remote control, permitting you to drive onto the property without having to exit you automobile. Keep in mind that just because a perimeter fence has a focus on security doesn’t mean that it cannot be attractive in appearance.

Perimeter Fence for Privacy

A key consideration for many people looking to buy a home is privacy. Privacy concerns rise in a variety of situations. These include in neighborhoods in which houses are relatively close together.

When considering curb appeal, particularly with an eye to selling your home, adding a privacy front perimeter fence very well make your home far more attractive to potential buyers. In addition, adding a front perimeter fence with a focus on privacy works both ways. Yes, it likely will make your property more attractive to a prospective buyer. However, it also allows you, your family, and your guests the ability to enjoy all that your front yard has to offer. You are able to do this without the prying eyes of the neighbors or people motoring by.

Perimeter Fence for Multiple Purposes

Keep in mind that even if you have a primary focus for a perimeter fence, you are not resigned to having a single purpose front fence. Rather, you can construct a perimeter fence that covers all the bases, at least to some degree.

You can work closely with a contractor to convey what you really desire from a front perimeter fence. You will find that there are preexisting designs and products that likely meet your needs. In addition, there are fencing companies that will assist you in coming up with a customized option the specifically satisfies your needs.

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Jessica Kane is a writer for Viking Fence, the number on fence rental company in Houston.

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