What Is Prickly Pear?

Prickly pear is a herb. It is used by the people that live in New Mexico and the southwestern part of the U.S.A. Adult-onset diabetics is very common in these cultures so prickly pear is used in their diets because this herb helps to maintain good blood levels.

Prickly pear is a perennial and a cactus. It grows in zones 6 - 11, depending on what species you have on hand or I am using myself. The flowers bloom in pinks and yellower, according to which species that I have planted in my garden. They bloom from late spring into early summer.

Prickly pears are desert plants and they grow from high mountain desert regions and also in the lower desert climates. The prickly pears rely on spring rains to help them through the dry summer.

I will need to simulate the desert environment by stratifying prickly pear seeds for 1 to 2 weeks. Just before, I am going to sow the prickly pear seeds, I will need to soak the seeds for 15 minutes in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Then sow immediately in a loose soil mix and keep the temperatures warm. As far as germination goes, the rates and time vary greatly from 10 to 70 percent, and 2 weeks to 3 or 4 months. Be patient and keep the seeds evenly moist. When the seedlings are one year old and well established, this is when I can transplant them outdoors. Water the seedlings very good and then wait for a few days before I will water them again. I make sure that I do not water to much. Some prickly pears will spread more aggressively than others. The plants need to be space 12 to 15 inches apart. I always water lightly when mature. Prickly pears prefers full sun and well-drained sandy soil.

When I am harvesting the pods, fruits, and flowers of the prickly pear I should always wear gloves while snipping it. I will need to singe the spines off the harvested plants by using a campfire flame or a butane lighter. After that I prepare the cactus for use.

Prickly pear is good for balancing blood sugar levels and some gastrointestinal complaints. Also it can be use as a skin herb. This is the  medicinal benefits.
Summary
 The prickly pear is a herb that is also a cactus. The parts used is aerial parts and use them fresh. It is a perennial.

What Is Rosemary?

Rosemary is a herb that is one of the best antioxidant. It is also good for enhancing circulation. This herb helps increase the oxygen supply to the brain and this helps in sharpening concentration and memory.

Rosemary is a tender perennial herbaceous which grows in the zones of 8 to 11. This herb can grow up to 12 to 36 inches, it can also grow a lot taller..

This herb can not go below 38 degree F. Rosemary blooms, blue flowers really well when you have cooler nighttime temperatures to set the flower beds.

Rosemary prefers hot temperatures and dry soil conditions. Rosemary also enjoys  having extra humidity. Rosemary is from the Mediterranean region.

 

When you are ready to prop age rosemary, you will need to propagate rosemary from tip cuttings. You will need to use a liquid rooting hormone to get better root formation. There are two things that rosemary has to have to be able to  grow and they are good air circulation and extra warmth. Rosemary's clippings need to be kept moist, but make sure it is not soggy until  the rooting structure gets strong. Rosemary likes full sun all the time. If you want to grow rosemary, you will need to keep the soil well-drained. With rosemary growing in clumps, the plants should be spaced 12 to 15 inches apart. Keep the rosemary water lightly to moderately.

These are some plants that  rosemary grows real good with in community  and they are California poppy, lavender, sonatina, and hyssop.

You can harvest rosemary anytime during the growing season. The part of the plant that you harvest is the aerial parts either fresh or dried.

You can sell fresh at farmer's markets and to chefs for medicinal food.

Rosemary is beneficial for the immune system and also for winter illnesses. Allot of the digestive tract, the respiratory system, circulatory system, brain health, and the skin.

Rosemary has allot of different ways that it can help people from one of the best sources of antioxidants along with many different ways.