| How to Make a Grass Pot for Cats Posted: 18 Apr 2019 01:00 AM PDT Cats chew on grass to help get healthy vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, but an indoor cat doesn't have access to your lawn. Luckily, cat grass is very easy to grow indoors so you can provide your cat the nourishment it needs. Cat grass is usually a mix of wheat, oat, barley, or rye, and can be grown in soil or with a water substrate. Once you have the grass pot set up, your cat can enjoy eating it whenever it wants! EditGerminating Seeds in Soil - Fill a pot with planting soil until it's from the rim. Use an organic potting soil so it's safe for your cat to dig into. Choose a pot with a wide opening on top so the grass can spread out as it grows.[1]
- Avoid using any fertilizers in your pot since cat grass grows and dies within a few months.
- Scatter seeds in the pot and cover them with a thin layer of topsoil. Spread the seeds evenly across the soil until it's completely covered. It's okay for the seeds to overlap since the grasses' root systems don't take up much room. Once your seeds are in the pot, cover them with about of soil.[2]
- Cat grass seed packs can be purchased from your local pet store or online.
- You may soak the seeds in a bowl with water 1 day before you plant them to help speed up germination. The seeds will absorb the water and are more likely to sprout within a few days.[3]
- Mist the soil until it's moist. Put water in a spray bottle and gently mist the topsoil. Keep spraying water onto the soil until it feels damp to the touch. Don't leave any standing water on the surface or else your seeds may not grow.[4]
- Don't pour water directly into the pot since it might drown the seeds and prevent growth.
- Cover the pot for 2-3 days with plastic wrap and keep it in a cool, dark place. Plastic wrap helps maintain a humid environment and encourages your grass to sprout quickly. After you cover the pot, use a toothpick to poke a few holes into the plastic wrap so air can circulate. Store the pot in a cool and dark place, such as a kitchen cabinet or closet. After 3 days or when you see sprouts, remove the plastic wrap.[5]
- Move the pot so it gets natural light and wait 10 days for the sprouts to grow. Set the pot in an area of your home that gets direct and indirect sunlight throughout the day, such as a windowsill. After about 10 days, the grass will be fully grown and ready for your cat to chew on.[6]
EditStarting a Grass Pot without Soil - Fill a glass bowl or jar two-thirds full with grow stones. Grow stones are used in many hydroponic systems and work well to provide nutrients to the water. Use a shallow glass bowl or jar and put the stones inside. Leave a third of the container's space empty on top.[7]
- You can buy grow stones online or from your local gardening store.
- Set a paper towel or coffee filter on top of the rocks and spread your seeds. The paper towel or coffee filter acts as a barrier between the grow stones and the seeds. After putting the filter in, evenly spread a thin layer of seeds on top of it. It's okay for the seeds to overlap or be on top of each other.[8]
- Make sure the paper towel or filter you used is unbleached or else it could damage your seeds.
- Pour water in the bowl or jar up to the layer of paper towel. Slowly add the water to the container so your seeds aren't disturbed. Keep filling the container until the water just touches the filter. The filter will absorb the water and keep your seeds moist so they can germinate.[9]
- If you notice the water level ever drop below halfway, refill the container back up to the filter.
- Wait 10-12 days before letting your cat eat the grass. After 2-3 days, your seeds will form sprouts, but the grass won't fully form until about 10-12 days. Once the grass is about tall, your cat can chew on it.[10]
EditMaintaining the Cat Grass - Keep the pot in an area of your home with natural light. Keep the pot on a windowsill or on the floor near a glass door. Make sure the spot is in an area where your cat frequently goes. The light will help your grass grow quickly after your cat eats it.[11]
- Water the grass regularly so it stays moist. If you have a soil substrate, feel the topsoil to see if it's moist to the touch. If not, use your spray bottle until it's damp but not so much that it forms pools of standing water. If you're using grow stones, check the water level inside your container. If it's below half full, fill it with water so until it's just below the filter.[12]
- Be careful not to overwater your grass since it could die if there's too much.
- Trim the grass between when it gets too long. If your grass gets too long, your cat may be able to pick up the plants and destroy the grass pot. Use a pair of gardening snips to trim the grass until it's tall.[13]
- Plant new seeds when the grass starts to yellow or wilt. Cat grass doesn't reproduce or stay alive for much more than 2-3 months. When you see your grass turning yellow or drooping, remove it from the pot and replace it with new seeds. Within a few days, you'll have a new pot that's growing healthy cat grass![14]
- You don't need to replace the grass after your cat chews it all since it will grow back quickly until they start to die.
- Overwatering your grass can cause it to die. Only water when it's necessary.
EditThings You'll Need EditGerminating Seeds in Soil - Pot
- Potting soil
- Spray bottle
- Plastic wrap
EditStarting a Grass Pot without Soil - Glass bowl or jar
- Grow stones
- Paper towel or coffee filter
EditMaintaining the Cat Grass EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences
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| How to Write a Haiku Poem Posted: 17 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT A haiku (俳句 high-koo) is a short three-line poem that uses sensory language to capture a feeling or image. Haiku poetry was originally developed by Japanese poets. They are often inspired by nature, a moment of beauty, or poignant experience. To write a haiku, start by brainstorming ideas for the poem. Then, write the poem with strong details and detailed imagery. Make sure you polish the haiku and listen to how it sounds out loud so it is at its best. EditSample Haiku EditBrainstorming Ideas for the Haiku - Go for a walk in nature. Many haikus are inspired by objects in the natural world, such as trees, rocks, mountains, and flowers. To get ideas for your poem, take a walk in a park nearby or go for a hike in the woods. Head to a mountain trail or a body of water like a river, lake, or beach. Spend some time in nature and observe it so you can get ideas for the poem.[1]
- If you can't go outside for a walk in an area with nature, try looking at nature photographs and art in books or online. Find a particular nature scene or object in nature like a tree or flower that inspires you.
- Focus on a season or seasonal event. Haikus can also be about a season, such as fall, spring, winter, or summer. You can also focus on a natural event that happens at a certain time of year, such as the blooming of the cherry blossom trees in your neighborhood or the salmon run in the river near your house.[2]
- Seasonal haikus often focus on a specific detail about the season, naming the season in the poem. Writing about a season can be a fun way for you to describe a particular detail you love about that time of year.
- Choose a person or object as your subject. Haikus do not all have to be about nature or the seasons. You can also choose a particular person or object as inspiration for the poem. Maybe you want to write a funny haiku about your dog. Or perhaps you want to write a thoughtful haiku about your childhood toy.[3]
- Try to only focus on one person or one object in the poem. Haikus are short and you may not have enough space in three lines to write every thought you have about the person or object.
- Read examples of a haiku. To get a better sense of the genre, read haikus that are well known and considered good examples of the form. You can find examples in books or online. Read haikus that are about nature and other subjects. You may read:[4]
- Haikus by the Japanese poet Matsuo Basho.
- Haikus by the Japanese poet Yosa Buson.
- Haikus by the Japanese poet Tagami Kikusha.[5]
- Haikus by American poet Richard Wright.
- Focus on an event in your past or something that is troubling you. Try finding a resemblance to nature or a metaphor that expresses your feelings shortly. An example may look like this:
- Boom, boom, boom, bam, bam!
- My head is a battleground
- With countless outbursts
EditWriting the Haiku - Follow the line and syllable structure of a haiku. Haikus follow a strict form: three lines, with a 5-7-5 syllable structure. That means the first line will have five syllables, the second line will have seven syllables, and the last line will have five syllables.[6]
- The poem will have a total of seventeen syllables. To count syllables in a word, place your hand under your chin. Then, say the word. Every time your chin touches your hand, this is one syllable.
- A haiku does not have to rhyme or follow a certain rhythm as long as it adheres to the syllable count.
- Describe the subject with sensory detail. Haikus are meant to give the reader a brief sense of the subject using the senses. Think about how your subject smells, feels, sounds, tastes, and looks. Describe the subject using your senses so it comes alive for your reader and feels powerful on the page.[7]
- For example, you may write about the "musky scent of the pine needles" or the "bitter taste of the morning air."
- If you are writing a haiku about a particular subject, such as your dog, you may describe the "clacking of its nails on the tile" or the "damp fur of wet dog."
- Use concrete images and descriptions. Avoid abstract or vague descriptions. Instead, go for concrete images that are easy for the reader to visualize. Rather than using metaphor or simile, try describing the subject with details that are particular and unique.[8]
- Avoid wordy descriptions or elaborate language. Try using simple language so you can stick to the syllable count required for a haiku.
- Do not use cliches, or phrases that have become so familiar they lose their meaning. Instead, go for images and descriptions that feel unique.
- For example, you may write, "Fall leaves brush the road" or "Dog chases a bright blue bird."
- Write the poem in the present tense. Give the haiku immediacy by using the present tense, rather than the past tense. Using the present tense can also make your lines simple and easy to follow.[9]
- End with a surprising last line. A good haiku will have an ending line that is intriguing and leaves the reader hanging. It may leave the reader with a surprising last image or reflect on the previous two lines in a surprising way.[10]
- For example, the haiku by Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa has a surprising last line: "Everything I touch/with tenderness, alas/pricks like a bramble."[11]
EditPolishing the Haiku - Read the haiku out loud. Once you have a draft of the haiku done, read it aloud several times. Listen to how the haiku sounds. Make sure each line flows easily into one another and that the lines follow the 5-7-5 syllable count. The haiku should sound natural when read aloud.[12]
- If you notice any awkward or choppy lines, adjust them so they sound smooth. Replace any words that are too long or complicated. Make sure the haiku sounds pleasant when read aloud.
- Show the haiku to others. Get feedback from others about the haiku. Ask friends, family members, and peers what they think of the haiku. Pose questions about whether the haiku embodies a moment in nature or a season.
- If you wrote a haiku about a particular subject or object, ask others if they think the haiku does a good job of exploring it.
- Center the haiku on the page when it's done. Place the haiku in the center of the page and center the lines so it forms a diamond shape. This is how haikus are traditionally formatted.[13]
- You can also add a short title at the top of the haiku, such as "Autumn" or "Dog." Avoid long, wordy titles.
- Many haikus do not have titles. It is not absolutely necessary that you title your haiku poem.
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences EditQuick Summary
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| How to Cook Banana Posted: 17 Apr 2019 09:00 AM PDT Bananas are often thought to be a boring fruit that you can only peel and eat raw. There are a variety of ways you can spice up and enhance the flavor of the fruit by cooking it. You can add different ingredients to the banana to enhance its flavor or you can add it to another meal. The best ways to cook your banana are by pan-frying it, baking it in an oven, or microwaving it. EditIngredients EditPan-Fried Bananas - 2 ripe bananas
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or butter
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
Makes 2 servings EditOven Baked Bananas - 2 ripe bananas
- Soft brown sugar
- of orange or lemon juice
- Whipped cream
Makes 2 servings EditMicrowaved Bananas - 2 ripe bananas
- of honey
- of lemon or lime juice
Makes 2 servings EditPan-Frying Bananas - Peel your bananas. Use recently ripened bananas with no black spots or bruising on the peel. To open the banana peel, pinch the end opposite the stem and pull it apart. It's much easier to open a peel this way. There's also a smaller chance of damaging the banana itself.
- Cut your bananas into thick slices. After you've peeled your bananas, slice them into thick segments with a knife. It can be quite tricky to slice a curved banana evenly but do your best to slice the bananas as evenly as possible.[1]
- Add your ingredients to a pan and heat the pan for 3 minutes. Put your honey, cinnamon, salt, oil or butter, into the pan and heat it so the oil or butter warms up. It's up to you what oil you want to use here. The best oils to use are coconut oil or butter.[2]
- You can use any neutral oil in place of coconut oil or butter.
- Add the banana slices to the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. When the bananas start to get sticky and turn a brownish gold in color, the banana slices have started to caramelize. Frequently stir the bananas as they cook to prevent burning.[3]
- The bananas are burning if they start to turn dark brown and lose their gold color.
- Electric stoves are less powerful than gas stoves. Turn your electric stove to medium high heat. Gas stoves should work fine at medium heat.
- Remove your slices from the pan and serve. Once the bananas have caramelized, remove them from the pan and place them as a topping on another food or serve them as they are on a plate.[4]
- You can eat the caramelized bananas in a sandwich or on French toast.
EditBaking Your Bananas - Preheat your oven to . If you have a gas oven, gas mark number 6 should preheat your gas oven to the same temperature. Preheating your oven to will ensure that your bananas are properly baked when they are placed in the oven.[5]
- Place your unpeeled ripe bananas on a baking tray. It's vital for this method that you don't peel your bananas beforehand. Make sure the bananas aren't touching each other on the tray.[6]
- The peel acts as a coating and ensures that your bananas get well baked in the oven.
- Put the tray in the oven for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes are up, take your bananas out of the oven using oven gloves. Lay the tray down for 1 minute to let the bananas cool down.[7]
- Peel the bananas and sprinkle them with sugar and drizzle with juice. Peel the bananas while they're still hot. Lightly sprinkle the peeled bananas with your brown sugar. A quick sprinkle of your chosen juice should be enough to add some taste.[8]
- Don't add more than of juice.
- Serve your bananas with whipped cream. Place your bananas on a plate and either spray the whipped cream on the side of the plate or on top of the bananas.[9]
EditMicrowaving Your Bananas - Peel and slice your bananas and place them into a bowl. Remove the peel by pinching the opposite side to the stem and peel the skin away. Slice your bananas into thick pieces.[10]
- Add your honey and juice to the bowl. Pour all of your honey and either your lemon or lime juice to the bowl to enhance the flavor of the banana. Try to ensure that the honey and juice are evenly spread across all of the banana slices.[11]
- You can use orange juice if you'd like. Be wary of the stark contrast in flavor between orange juice and the banana.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrapping and microwave it for 90 seconds. Make sure your bowl is suitable for microwaving. Put the microwave on at either medium or medium-high heat.[12]
- To find out if your bowl is safe for microwaving, check underneath the bowl for symbols with wavy lines. These symbols indicate that the bowl is safe to use in a microwave.
- Serve after allowing the dish to cool or serve hot. If you're serving the bananas hot, add some vanilla ice cream to the bowl to enhance the taste and provide a contrast to the heat.[13]
- It's up to you what you add to the bowl. You can add roasted nuts, maple syrup, whatever you'd like to make it suit your tastes.
EditThings You'll Need EditPan-Fried Bananas - A knife
- A frying pan
- A gas or electric stove
EditOven Baked Bananas - A gas or electric oven
- A baking tray
EditMicrowaved Bananas - A microwave
- A microwave-safe bowl
- A knife
- Plastic wrapping
EditReferences EditQuick Summary
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