| How to Grow an Edible Pond Posted: 10 Apr 2019 01:00 AM PDT What's better than having a water feature in your backyard? Having a water feature that you can eat! There are many varieties of edible plants that you can grow in a simple water garden. With some preparation and the right background knowledge, you can have a pond, and eat it too. EditPreparing Your Pond - Select a water-safe container to create a small pond. Metal washtubs, preformed pond liners, and sealed ceramic pots are all great choices for your pond. A container that is in diameter and deep will give you enough room for 4-5 plants, which is a great size for a beginner garden.[1]
- Containers made of wood, like a barrel, can be used only if you line the inside with a pond liner.
- Plants do better in containers with dark interiors that do not reflect light away from the pond.
- The container does not have to be visible. You can bury it in the ground or surround it with rocks or decking.
- If you plan to bring your container indoors permanently, or just for the winter, make sure you select a container that you'll be able to transport easily.
- Build an outdoor pond if you want a larger water feature. Larger ponds are possible if you have the yard space to dig a large hole that is at least deep and wide. Building it to this size will help ensure the health of the pond water. Line it with a pond liner that is at least larger than the pond itself.
- Larger, in-ground ponds are complex ecosystems that can be difficult to balance and manage if you are new to pond management.[2]
- Choose a location that gets 5-6 hours of sunlight per day. The plants in your pond need sunlight in order to thrive, so choose a bright spot. You also need a spot where the plants have protection from the scorching effects of afternoon sun.[3]
- Afternoon sun is the most intense, so consider placement of your plants to maximize morning sun and provide a couple hours of late-day shade.
- Any size container of standing water can be a drowning hazard for young children, so keep this in mind when you are scoping out a spot for your water garden.
- Keep the pond away from trees that drop their leaves or flowers in large amounts. These can clog up the pond.
- Line the bottom of your pond with rinsed gravel. Gravel will provide a natural biofilter and substrate for your pond and will give you something to nest your potted plants into. It's important to rinse your gravel before you use it to make sure it is free from dust and other debris that can cloud your pond water.[4]
- of gravel is all you need.
- Fill your pond with clean water. You're going to eat the plants that grow in the pond water so make sure you are starting with water that is as free from harmful bacteria, heavy metals and, toxins as possible. High-quality tap water is usually the best option.[5]
- Distilled water is not a good option because it contains none of the minerals that are found in natural water sources.
- Rain water collected in a rain barrel can also be used, as your garden will be watered naturally by the rain anyway.
EditPlanting Your Edible Pond - Pot your plants in water-permeable containers. All plants need to be potted, even if they are capable of rooting out along their stems (like watercress). Use plastic pots that have plenty of holes for the water to go in and out of the root system. Line your pot with newspaper, then put in a scoop of organic garden soil. Once your pot is filled about halfway, place the plant's roots gently on top of the soil and then fill in the area around them with soil until the base of the plant is securely buried.[6]
- If you purchased your plants from a garden center they may already be in plastic, permeable containers. If this is the case, you can move on to the next step.
- You can find plastic planters and organic gardening soil at most garden centers.
- Spread a thin layer of gravel on top of the soil to keep the water clear. The gravel will help weigh the plant down and stabilize it. It will also help keep your water from getting muddy by creating a barrier between the pond water and the plant's soil.[7]
- Larger rocks can be used as needed to keep plants submerged.
- Submerge potted plants to create your water garden. Deep water plants, like the cattail, can sit on the bottom of most ponds as long as they are set less than deep. Submerged and emergent varieties generally do well with of water above the tops of the pots. Surface-cover and bog plants generally enjoy being only from the surface. You can set your plants down in their pots, right into your pond.[8]
- Use flat rocks or bricks to raise plants up if the pond is too deep for your plants to sit at the right level.
- Floating planters can help keep emergent and bog plants perfectly positioned. They also can help turn any pond plant into helpful surface coverage.[9]
- Design a visually-appealing garden. A pond garden is something you can eat, but it can also be a charming addition to a garden, deck, patio, or sunroom. For a striking display, place the tallest plants, like cattails, in the center of the pond with lower-lying, surface-cover plants around the outside.
- An alternative arrangement is to place taller plants along the back of the pond with shorter plants along the front edge. This layout works well if your pond backs up to a fence, wall, or patio edge.
EditGetting Your Plants - Buy a mix of plants from a reputable pond supplier in person or online. It's important to make sure you are getting what you want and need when you buy your pond plants. Read reviews about stores and their products before choosing where to make your purchases.[10]
- A reliable seller should be able to provide you with useful and accurate information about the best ways to care for your plants and how to prepare and eat them.
- Purchase deep-water plants to help oxygenate your pond. It's important to include at least one variety that is a submerged or emergent species. This means it will sit happily at or very near the bottom of your pond where they will help draw oxygen from the air into the bottom of the pond, improving the quality of your water.[11]
- The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an excellent plant for oxygenation and you can eat the petals of its beautiful flowers, roots, and leaves. These can sit at the bottom of your pond, as long as the leaves are above water.[12]
- Chinese water chestnuts (Eleocharis dulcis) will grow about to leaves in summer and die back to a corm in winter. These can sit below the surface of the water, submerged by about . You can eat the buried corms of the plant raw or in a stir-fry.[13]
- Cattails (Typha latifolia) are a quintessential water garden feature that you can also eat. Their young stems can be eaten raw or boiled (it is said that they taste like corn). The flowers themselves can be roasted and the leaves can be added to salads.[14] Cattails will grow in a pot set at the bottom of a pond and can thrive in depths up to .[15]
- Choose plants to provide 60-70% surface coverage for temperature control. These plants require pots for their roots, but will grow plenty of floating, leafy foliage to provide coverage from the sun. It's important to select one of these plants because they help prevent an overgrowth of algae and keep the water temperature cooler.[16]
- Common Watercress (Nasturtium Officianale) is a good choice for surface coverage. This grows quickly and is easy to care for. It can be added to salad, soup, sandwiches, and used as a garnish.[17]
- Water mint (Mentha aquatica) grows to about in height. Like other varieties of mint, it is easy to grow and will spread out to help provide cover for your pond. Use as any herbal mint, in teas or salads.[18]
- For shadier spots, plant Water Hawthorne (Aponogeton distachyos), a plant that will sit at the bottom of a pond, but which spreads it's leaves and edible flowers across the surface. The flowers reportedly taste similar to red leaf lettuce and can be used in salads or as decorative (and edible) garnish. This is a plant that does well in gardens with ample afternoon shade.[19]
- Buy a selection of bog-loving plants for variety. There are some great edible plants that will grow happily in your pond under bog conditions, which means they love water-logged soil but don't want to sit more than under the water. These plants will prefer to sit just at or slightly below the water's surface. Some good options include:[20]
 - Brookweed (Samolus valerandi), also sometimes called chickweed, thrives in wet, boggy soil and shallow water. You can eat the leaves raw or cooked.[21]
- KangKong (Ipomoea aquatica) is also known as water spinach.[22] It is a perennial that grows best in the warm weather. It's a popular and common ingredient in many Asian cuisines. Add the leaves and steams to salad or stir-fries.[23]
- Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a staple food source in countries throughout the world, including native Hawaiian cuisine, where it's used to make poi. People generally eat the corms, or tuberous roots, of this water plant but the leaves and stalks are also edible. It enjoys growing beneath the water's surface, with about of water covering the top of the pot.[24]
- Silk Stockings, or Sagittaria australis will grow happily in shallow water at a depth of about . The tuberous roots of the plant are edible and can be treated like other root vegetables. Ducks are fond of them too, which gives them their nickname of Duck potatoes.[25]
EditMaintaining a Healthy Water Garden - Fertilize your plants every 3-6 months. Use a water plant fertilizer or any solid pellet or tablet fertilizer that is safe to use around vegetables. Just remove your plant from the pond, scrape back the layer of gravel on top, and bury the fertilizer in the pot of your plant. Return the gravel layer and place your plant back into the pond.[26]
- Look for organic fertilizers to avoid introducing industrial chemicals into your edible garden.
- Install a fountain to aerate your pond. Find a small pond pump or fountain at a local garden center or online and place it in your pond. A basic fountain assembly consists of simple pump that sits on or near the bottom of the pond and contains tubing that can extend up to the surface. When connected to a power source, the pump helps circulate the water, mixing it with air.[27]
- Mosquitoes lay eggs and grow larvae in standing water and algae grows, depriving your pond of oxygen. A basic pond pump or fountain makes your pond less attractive to mosquitos and keeps the water oxygenated.
- Solar-powered fountains can be a great and simple way to add movement to your water garden without having to worry about plugging it into an electrical outlet.
- Adding a running water element can enhance the look and sound of your garden.
- Add helpful bacteria to control mosquitos once a month. The addition of a bacteria called "Bacillus thuringiensis," subspecies "israelensis," or Bti, to your pond water will keep mosquito larva from maturing into biting adults. This bacteria produces a larvicide that occurs naturally in the soil, but when applied to standing water will break the mosquito's lifecycle.[28]
- This bacteria and the toxin it produces are considered harmless for wildlife and humans and can be purchased in commercial forms from local garden centers or online.
- The standard commercial product available in most garden centers will treat up to of surface area for 30 days.
- When selecting plants, choose at least 1 variety that will sit at the bottom (submerged or emergent) and 1 that will provide surface coverage. From there, fill in the rest of your pond with varieties from any category that appeal to your palate.
EditThings You'll Need - Pond container (plastic or metal tub or ceramic pot)
- Edible pond plants like watercress and lotus
- Garden soil
- Plastic, water-permeable containers for potting your plants
- Flat rocks to adjust plant height
- Pebble-sized gravel
- Organic pellet or tablet plant fertilizer
- Bti for mosquito control
- Clean water
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| How to Wear a Cravat Posted: 09 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT Traced back to the military uniforms of 17th-century Croatian soldiers, the modern day cravat is a stylish alternative to the common necktie. Cravats are colorful pieces of fabric worn tied around the neck that can add visual interest to any outfit. With a few quick tips on tying and wearing cravats, you'll be ready to sport this sophisticated neck piece with confidence! EditTying a Cravat - Hang a cravat around your neck so that one end is longer than the other. Position the cravat so that it hangs unevenly. One end should extend slightly longer than the other.[1]
- Consider making whichever end is closer to your dominant hand the longer end to make tying a little easier.
- Wrap the long end around the short end. Hold the long end of the cravat in one hand and wrap it across the front of the short end as you hold it tight with your other hand. Continue wrapping the long end around the back of the short end until you have completed one loop.[2]
- Holding the cravat tightly as you wrap will help make the knot more secure.
- Wrap it around again, then thread the long end through the neckband. Wrap the long end around the short end again, following exactly the same method as before. As you complete the second loop, thread the long end up through the center of the neckband.[3]
- Pull the long end through the neckband just as you would with a regular necktie.
- Pull the long end down over the front of the loop. Lift the long end up and over the loop once it has been threaded through the neckband. Pull the long end down in front of the loop until it is hanging straight down the front of your shirt.[4]
- Be careful not to twist the fabric as you pull it over the loop in your neckband or it will not lie flat.
- Tuck the cravat ends into your shirt or waistcoat. Make sure the fabric is lying flat against your chest as you tuck it in to securely fasten the cravat. You can either tuck the cravat inside your shirt or wear it on the outside of your shirt depending on the type of occasion you are attending.[5]
- When attending a formal occasion such as a wedding, wear a formal cravat. Formal cravats are worn on the outside of your shirt and are tucked into your vest or waistcoat.
- For a casual look, tuck the ends of your cravat inside of your shirt after tying it.
EditChoosing a Fabric and Color - Choose a silk cravat to go with a tuxedo. Purchase a silk cravat to wear with a tuxedo at a formal event such as a wedding. Silk cravats can also dress up an ordinary suit if you don't have a tux.[6]
- Silk is a very delicate fabric so make sure to treat your silk cravat with care by following any specific cleaning instructions.
- Purchase a polyester cravat for everyday wear. Choose a cravat made of polyester that can be worn for everyday activities. Polyester cravats are more durable than silk and will hold up better to frequent wear.[7]
- Purchasing a polyester cravat doesn't mean you have to compromise on comfort. Most polyester cravats are just as soft and comfortable as silk!
- Due to the nature of the fabric, polyester cravats can also accommodate a wider range of printed or woven designs than silk.
- Match the color of your cravat to your vest. Wear a cravat that matches the color of your vest or waistcoat if you are wearing one. Choose a solid color for a formal look or consider a very subtle pattern.[8]
- If you are attending a wedding, consider choosing a color that matches the theme of the event.
- Choose a patterned cravat to add visual interest. Select a cravat with a pattern like paisley for an elegant look to dress up any casual outfit. Consider wearing a striped cravat for a classic look.[9]
- Avoid selecting a patterned cravat that might clash with your shirt or suit. If your shirt has a pattern, consider wearing a cravat with a single color.
- Match your cravat with a pocket square. Consider coordinating the color and pattern of your cravat with a pocket square placed in the pocket of your suit jacket. Match the colors exactly or choose a complimentary color to create a coordinated look.[10]
- Pocket squares add extra style and interest to an ordinary suit.
EditWearing a Cravat with Different Outfits - Swap a tie for a cravat with a business suit. Complete your business look with a cravat rather than a necktie to add a unique style that will set you apart. Cravats are a less common accessory and a great way to add interest to a plain business suit.[11]
- Cravats are worn more loosely around the neck than ties and are a cooler option during warmer months.
- Add a cravat to a casual polo shirt. Dress up a casual polo shirt with a plaid or floral cravat to add an extra dose of style. Tie a casual cravat and tuck the fabric inside the front of your polo shirt.[12]
- Unbutton the first few buttons of the polo shirt to expose more of the cravat.
- Wear a cravat untied around your neck like a scarf. Layer a cravat with a sports coat or blazer and allow it to hang untied around your neck for a relaxed look. The cravat will create visual interest by adding a unique texture and color to your outfit.[13]
- For a dressier look, wear a collared shirt underneath your sports coat and cravat.
- For a more relaxed and edgy look, pair a casual t-shirt with your sports coat and cravat.
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| How to Escape from a Straitjacket Posted: 09 Apr 2019 09:00 AM PDT Even though straitjackets were designed to restrain someone who's in danger of harming themselves or others, magicians and escape artists often escape from them as part of their acts. If you're trying to become like Harry Houdini, you may want to consider learning how to perform this trick, which was one of his most famous! Fortunately, although it may seem impossible, escaping from a straitjacket is a trick that almost anyone can learn how to do. EditGetting Your Arms Free - Pinch the straitjacket as you're being buckled up, if possible. Use one of your hands to inconspicuously pinch the front of the jacket as it's being put on you. This will end up giving you about of slack that will help you tremendously later on.[1]
- You may not be able to do this if you're being watched closely or you can't maneuver your fingers this way for some reason. But don't worry, this isn't completely necessary for escaping the straitjacket.
- Breathe in and expand your chest when the jacket is being put on you. Take a deep breath and tighten your muscles in order to make your upper body as big as you possibly can. Then, once the straitjacket is fully on, let the air out of your chest and loosen your muscles to put more slack in the jacket.[2]
- After the jacket's been put on you, try to make your upper body as small as possible. The smaller you are, the easier it will be to get out of the straitjacket.
- Push your strong arm up forcefully towards the opposite shoulder. Using the slack you've managed to give yourself, work your dominant hand up the other arm and towards the opposite shoulder. This will move the slack in your jacket to where you need it to be for the next step.[3]
- As your sleeves are pulled behind you, try to make sure your stronger arm is over your weaker arm. This will make performing this step a lot easier.
- If your dominant arm isn't above your weaker arm, simply perform this step with the arm that's closest to your head.
- Bring your strong arm up and over your head. Move your head down and towards your elbow in order to make it easier to move your arm over your head, if necessary. Keep your weak arm where it's at. Once your strong arm is over your head, pull it down to the front of your body.[4]
- Once you've done this, you should be able to move your arms around inside the straitjacket.
EditRemoving the Straitjacket - Unbuckle the sleeve buckle with your teeth. Once your arms are loose in front of you, bring the sleeve buckle up to your head and use your teeth to undo it. If you have weak or fragile teeth, you can also use your surroundings to do this.[5]
- For example, work the sleeve buckle against a nearby table or door knob to push the strap out of the keeper. Once it's out, use the same technique to get the tongue out of the hole in the strap.
- Use your free hands to unbuckle the buckles behind you. You don't have to unbuckle all of the buckles behind you; just the top and bottom ones. Simply put your arms behind you and work from underneath the canvas of the jacket to undo the neck and body buckles.[6]
- Your hands will not be out of the straitjacket by this point, so what you'll need to do is grip the buckles while your hands are still covered by the canvas of the jacket.
- Step on the sleeves to pull off the straitjacket. Bend your body forward and lower the sleeves of the straitjacket so that they're on the floor. Step on the ends of the sleeves, then pull your body upwards and backwards to remove the straitjacket.[7]
- Keep the person who helped put on the jacket close to you, just in case you can't escape and need help getting out.
- Never try to do this by yourself!
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