If you like having barbeques and cookouts on a pleasant Sunday afternoon, or you own a restaurant that specializes in outdoor cooking, you have a lot of choices in equipment and even more options to consider in each.
Depending on the type of cooking you want to do, you can choose from the many options given below:
Setup on covered decks or patios, and you can steam, fry, or boil large quantities of food items. You can use cast iron cooking utensils and large stock pots to cook meat, fry a whole turkey, steam a large number of vegetables, make a large pot of stew, brew beer, or just simply heat a large bowl of water. Look for higher patio stoves with a higher British thermal unit (BTU), but read the specifications. A higher BTU does not always mean faster or better cooking. If you will be using heavy cooking utensils, choose a shorter, square stove for stability.
If you specialize in smoked items, invest in a large smoker. This equipment gives you fine control over smoking, letting you adjust temperature and humidity levels and other settings. Large smokers let you hang meat or fish inside on hooks. Outdoor Fryers: These are larger versions of kitchen fryers. They can have multiple fry tanks and can come with multiple baskets for each tank. This lets you fry multiple batches of similar items in each tank.
If you are looking for an outdoor grill, consider your cooking style and how often you will be using it. If you only intend to use the grill in favorable weather, buy a portable grill that you can disassemble and store away during winter. If you want to use the grill throughout the year, consider a built-in grill that can be installed on your covered deck or patio.
Most grills are now made of stainless steel, but some use other metals like Aluminum or porcelain coated steel or cast iron. Aluminum is rustproof, making it suitable for use in coastal regions. Porcelain coated metal is only good as long as the coating lasts. Once it wears off, the steel or cast iron underneath is exposed to the atmosphere and may soon begin to rust. Look for 304-grade stainless steel construction as it is commercial quality as well as highly rust resistant and long lasting. Grade 443 is a new rating, but this is less expensive and of similar quality to that of 304-grade stainless steel. The 443-grade stainless steel body grill is more than adequate for home use.
The burner is the heart of the grill, pay attention to the BTUs, which is used to measure the heating capacity. The heating style might be standard or infrared. In infrared burners, the heat generated is much higher compared to standard burners. It may be best suited for cooking steaks, but will not work so well for slow cooking needs.
The material used in burners may be the old style cast iron. It is sturdy and can retain a lot of heat, but is prone to corrosion. Stainless steel tube burners are made of good-quality stainless steel that has been cast into tubes. Cast stainless steel is also high-quality stainless steel, flatter in construction, and welded together to form a solid piece of a metal burner. Brass burners are completely rust proof and can spread heat evenly.
Flame tamers form a barrier between the burners and the grid. They protect the burner from potential damage that is caused by food drippings from the cooking grid. They can also give the food a smoked effect by catching the drippings and burning them into smoke. These barriers can be ceramic or metal prices. Ceramic tamers absorb grease and create a smoked effect, but they are harder to clean. Stainless steel tamers are tough and longer-lasting and can be cleaned easily. Stainless steel flame tamers can come in two types according to size: burner width or full width. Burner width tamers are angled metal pieces that go over each burner. Full-size tamers cover the whole grill surface, and they may be perforated or solid pieces. They provide better protection for the burners and also ensure uniform heat distribution.
This is where you do all the cooking, of course. Choose a high-quality material that is not prone to binding with the food items placed on them. You don’t need to buy a non-stick grid, but do some research to find out if the particular grid is prone to excessive sticking. Grids can be made of materials like porcelain coated metal, iron, or stainless steel. Porcelain coated grids may not be of the best quality, but they have one advantage, they are non-stick grids. If the coating wears off, the metal underneath can start to rust. Cast iron grids are heavy-duty grids that retain heat. They also leave nice grid marks on the food. Stainless steel rod grids are high-quality low-maintenance grids. Choose thicker grids for better cooking.
Most modern grills use propane or natural gas as fuel, but you can also buy charcoal or wood chips to burn grills. Charcoal grills may come with fewer options than gas grills, but they can generate more heat, they are ideal for adding a smokey effect on food, and help add rich flavors that make the food tastier.
The choices in grills and outdoor cooking gadgets are wide, so pick the apparatus according to your need. Look at reviews and ratings for various equipment before choosing a brand or model. Take a look at the warranties and the accessories provided as well.
A person excited about agriculture would understand the joy of seeing the first little bud or a blooming flower. The positive effects of gardening go beyond enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home – they work wonders on a person’s respiratory health. They are associated with mood enhancement and stress reduction. Gardening is a long-term activity demanding commitment and an understanding of each plant’s requirements. Some common gardening mistakes that one must avoid are listed below.
Using too much or too little mulch
Mulch is essential for plants to obtain the required nutrients for healthy growth. However, adding too much or too little mulch can prevent the plant from thriving, as mulch contains nitrogen, and excessive nitrogen levels can harm plants. In contrast, adding too little mulch can deprive the plant of the required nutrition. Thus, gardeners should understand the amount of mulch plants need for healthy development.
Treating all plants the same way
A common mistake several gardeners make is to treat all their plants equally. One size doesn’t fit all, even when it comes to plants. It is important to know the differences in each plant’s requirements and cater to them accordingly. For example, some houseplants, like lucky bamboo, survive in dryer conditions and should not be watered every day, whereas others, like dwarf rose, must be watered daily to survive. Seasoned gardeners understand what every plant needs.
Not considering the climatic conditions while choosing plants
The growth and blossoming of plants depend mainly on the climatic conditions of an area. For example, poppies, European roses, and Alpine plants will not be able to survive in tropical climates, as they require cold climatic conditions to thrive. In contrast, other plants like okra, tomatoes, peppers, and basil require abundant sunlight and cannot sustain in cold conditions. Thus, gardeners must consider the climatic conditions of their area while deciding what plants to grow.
Choosing the wrong spot to grow plants
Some areas of a garden or balcony may not receive the same amount of sunlight as others. Choosing the wrong spot to grow plants can cause them to become weaker with time and eventually wither due to insufficient sunlight. So, it is imperative to designate a spot with adequate sunlight to ensure that plants remain healthy.
Not removing the weeds frequently
Weeds can take up space in the garden and compete with the plant for sunlight, water, and nutrients. With time, weeds may cause plants to grow weak and lack essential nutrients. Therefore, gardeners should remove weeds from time to time. One can set reminders for removing weeds if required.
Avoiding crop rotation
Crop rotation helps retain soil nutrients without needing synthetic fertilizers and other inputs. Therefore, it should be an essential process in gardens to enhance soil health and increase biodiversity.
Not planting flowers that attract pollinators
Pollination is an essential process for plants to produce fruits and seeds. Bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies are common pollinators attracted by plants like sunflowers, lavender, cuphea, and calendula. Gardens should include at least 2-3 plants that attract pollinators.
Not leaving sufficient space between plants
Growing plants in congested environments can hamper plant growth and prevent each plant from receiving adequate nutrients. It can also increase the susceptibility of plants to contracting diseases. Therefore, growing plants 18-24 inches apart in gardens is advisable to ensure the space is not congested.
Placing plants too deeply into the soil
When transferring plants from pots to the garden, it is important to plant them only as deep as they were rooted in the pot. If mulch must be added, it should be placed an inch above ground level. Planting them too deeply in the soil can cause them to weaken and die early.
Pruning too early
While pruning is an essential aspect of gardening, over-pruning or pruning before time may cause one to remove the buds off their branches. Consequently, there may be no flowers in the plant during spring; therefore, it is important to be patient and prune only during spring.
Using too many chemical fertilizers
Chemical fertilizers may help ward off pests and insects; however, they may destroy the plants over time and harm health if any part of such plants is eaten. Therefore, it is advisable to replace chemical fertilizers with organic ones and use fertilizers only if the plants require them.
Working on wet soil
According to experts, working on wet soil can destroy its structure, requiring long recovery periods. So, it is important to wait for the soil to dry a little and begin working it when it is moist but not too wet.
Not harvesting ripe fruits, vegetables, and flowers
It is best to harvest fruits, vegetables, and flowers on time when they are ripe and ready. Leaving them on the plant can cause them to wither or rot eventually and become food for birds and insects.
Not experimenting with different gardening styles and plants
Stepping out of their comfort zone can help gardeners understand the skill better, as each plant has specific gardening requirements. It can serve as an enriching learning experience for gardeners and help them master the skill of gardening “on the field.”
Maintaining a healthy home garden is a hands-on task. You need to consider everything from the ideal weather to the best supplements for stimulating plant growth. This also includes getting rid of weeds—plant killers that can be a nuisance and prevent you from maintaining a lush, green outdoor space. So, you should keep an eye out for weeds and stop their growth. Here are 6 useful tips for managing and preventing weed growth:
Identify the type of weed
You may think all weeds are bad and should be removed. But it is important to identify the type so that you can choose the most effective countermeasures. For instance, many types of weeds are unaffected by pesticides and sprays. So, to avoid wasting time, first, you should try to identify the type of weed growing in your backyard. For example, broadleaf weeds grow flat and are not grassy or needle-like. Common examples here could be dandelions, clovers, or ground ivy. Grassy weed is a more common type that resembles regular grass but is easily identifiable due to its distinctive growth pattern. If you spot triangular or tube-like weeds that are not as flat as the blades of the grass, then these are regular wild creepers.
Use a potent spray
Some growths, like crabgrass, persist and dominate the entire garden. Crabgrass is an annual weed that thrives in hot and humid weather and targets barren spots in the garden. The weed can ruin the look of the garden and potentially produce over 150,000 seeds for a single plant during the growing season. One of the best ways to target its growth is by using Preen® Lawn Crabgrass Control. This product comes with pre- and post-emergent action to counter crabgrass overgrowth. The dual action formula comes in a granular form and is potent for 4 months after it has been applied. Alternatively, if you are looking for the best plant killer sprays, you can try the Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns, which is effective against 470 different types of weed growth. The spray covers up to 5,000 square feet and works well in both warm and cold climates. You can find several crabgrass killer products today intended for use in different temperatures and climates.
Manually pull out the weeds
Many types of weeds are resistant to chemical sprays. Here, manually yanking the overgrowth by the root can prevent the weeds from sprouting seeds and germinating. There are many techniques you can choose, like hand pulling—a popular technique where you identify the patches of weed growth and pull out the baby plants before they mature. But this is the most labor-intensive technique and is advisable only if you are dealing with smaller patches of weed growth. Alternatively, you can also use a weeder tool to get more control and exert minimal force while pulling out the weeds. Or, a scuffle hoe can help you tackle larger patches of overgrowth. Scuffle hoes can burrow deep and cut the plant at the roots while pulling a large patch of overgrowth in a single action. You can save time and effort by using such tools in the process. You can even apply a layer of herbicides or plant-killer sprays to tackle leftover roots.
Use organic herbicides
Herbicides are potent sprays that can control the growth of weeds around plants. These liquids come in handy in places where it is not possible to manually remove weeds. It is better to use organic herbicides that naturally kill the weed plants and avoid damaging any other growths in the vicinity. Corn gluten is a popular compound used to control the overgrowth of crabgrass and different types of lawn weeds. You can also consider a white vinegar-based herbicide to counter fast-growing weeds.
Try flame weeders
If you tend to your garden often, then a flame weeder to destroy weed growth can be a suitable option. This tool is designed to wipe out excess weed growth by torching the grass and burning off the excess in small patches. But the technique does not destroy the roots, so you will have to use the flame weeder several times in a growth cycle to properly tackle and address the problem. On the one hand, burnt weeds can be used as a supplement as it replenishes the soil with nutrients to aid the growth of healthy plants. Flaming also gets rid of pests that can thrive among the weeds.
Water just the cultivated plants
One of the common mistakes among first-time gardeners is watering the entire garden. But here, you are simply providing additional nourishment to the weeds along with the plants. Weeds mostly grow in patches, so you can strategically deprive these growths of all forms of nourishment. Over time, the weeds will wither away, leaving behind a clean patch ready for new plants. You can place drip soakers around plants and vegetation and deprive the weeds of any nutrition. While this does not ensure the complete removal of harmful weeds, it will still them from growing and starve the smaller weeds before they mature and deprive healthy plants of all nutrition.