| How to Grow Lentils Posted: 04 Sep 2017 05:00 PM PDT Lentils are a super food that can give you a huge protein boost. Luckily for potential gardeners, they are also easy to plant and maintain. Start with quality seeds or dried lentils. Plant them in a container or garden location that gets plenty of sunlight and ample water. With any luck they should be ready to harvest in around 100 days. If you are interested in just the sprouts, you may want to consider growing them in a glass jar for a quick turnaround.[1] EditSelecting a Planting Space - Get seeds or dry lentils. It may be difficult to find packaged lentil seeds at your local garden center. You may need to go to a specialty garden retailer or purchase from an organic seed business online. However, for planting purposes, any dry lentils that you find in the grocery store will work just fine.[2]
- Rinse and sort the seeds. Place the seeds into a colander and rinse them with a bit of water. Pick out and throw away any that are broken, cracked, or discolored. Quality lentil seeds should have a light brown, sometimes greenish, tint.[3]
- Plant in the early spring. Lentils thrive with the cool, crisp weather of March. Then, they reach maturity in the hot temperatures of summer. To keep your seeds alive, the ground temperature will need to be at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) when you plant. If you have a frost after planting, don't worry as most seedlings will survive this, even if they have to restart from the roots.[4]
- If you want more flexible planting options, lentils can also be planted indoors as long as the room temperature is kept around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). In colder seasons, some people use indoor garden lighting to maintain a consistent temperature.[5]
- Choose a sunny, well-drained location. Lentils grow well in both open gardens and containers. The key is to provide the plant with plenty of full sunlight. It helps to plant them alongside low lying plants so that the lentils are not overshadowed. Make sure that the soil stays moist without accumulating standing water on the top, as that can rot out the roots.[6]
- If you choose to plant your lentils in a container, choose one that is at least 8 inches deep to allow for full root maturity.[7]
- If you are concerned about the quality of your soil, get a quick pH test from the garden store. Lentils grow well in the pH range 6.0-6.5.
- Grow them in a jar if you want a limited amount of sprouts. Measure out approximately one cup of whole, rinsed lentils. Let them soak in cold water for 8-12 hours. Drain and place the soaked seeds into a glass jar. Cover the opening with some cheesecloth secured by a rubber band. Two times each day fill the jar with water and drain it out through the cheesecloth.[8]
- Check that the jar is only one third full with seeds, so that they will have room to grow. You should see sprouts in just a few days.
- Once you see the lentils sprouting you can keep watering for 4-5 days more and then the sprouts should be close to ready to harvest.
EditPlanting Lentils - Pretreat with an inoculant. Before you plant your seeds, sprinkle or spray them with a healthy mixture of bacteria, also called an inoculant, purchased from your garden store. A general use inoculant labeled for peas and beans will work just fine. This pretreatment helps your lentils to sprout additional nodules, or extensions, in their roots. This will make them more resistant to weather changes and will produce a better harvest.[9]
- Plant seeds at least one inch deep. If your soil is moist and in good condition, plant the seeds at a depth of one inch. If your soil is drier on top, then go to a maximum depth of 2.5 inches (6.4 cm). Don't exceed this as the seeds will not be able to sprout if they are buried too deep.[10]
- Follow a planting arrangement. In a container, try to spread your seeds out at least one inch (2.5 cm) apart. If you are planting in rows follow this same guideline and keep the rows six inches (15 cm) apart as well. With this planting sequence it is possible to yield around one pound of dry lentils per each 100 square feet (30.5 meters).[11]
EditCaring for Your Plants - Add a trellis for mature plants. Fully grown lentils can stand over 2.5 feet (76 cm) tall. If they droop, then their flowers and seed pods can break off or touch the ground. Add a low trellis to support them and wind the plants through the gaps. Or, secure them to bamboo supports with cotton string.[12]
- To create a quick trellis, get a few bamboo stalks. Stick them into the ground near the lentils. Hook the lentils to the stalks with cotton string. Then, attack the stalks to one another using cotton or nylon cord.[13]
- Water them twice a week. Like other plants that enjoy the heat, lentils are fairly drought tolerant. But, they'll grow the best if you water them just to the point of moistening. If you press your finger against the soil, it should come away damp but no water should rise from the pressed area.[14]
- Weed and thin the planting area regularly. Lentils can be quickly killed off and blocked out by competing weeds. To prevent this, spend a bit of time each week picking out any weeds from your planting area. If the lentils are growing on top of one another, take this opportunity to thin them out as well to protect your final harvest.[15]
- More air circulation will also lessen the possibility of fungus and other disease that thrive on stagnant soils.
- Remove any pests. Tiny, pear-shaped, sap-sucking insects called aphids, in particular, are drawn to lentils and may eat them. If you see any aphids, get a bottle and spray them with water until they fall off. If you see weevils on your crops, then pull out any affected plants and discard them quickly.[16]
- If deer or other animals begin to intrude on your lentil patch, them create a fenced in area or place a light netting on top of the plants.
- Harvest them 100 days after planting. Go through your lentil patch and cut the plants off at the soil line when the pods toward the bottom of the plant begin to sound shaky when rattled. They may also look yellow-brown in appearance. Then, break open the pods to remove the seeds from the interior. Let them air dry for a bit before rinsing them out.[17]
- You can store the harvested lentils in an airtight container until you plan to use them.
- You can make a variety of recipes using lentils, including many savory soups and salads. They can also be used as a soil enhancer if you grind them up and mix them in prior to planting.
- Lentils grow best when planted alongside cucumbers or summer savory vegetables. Avoiding planting them next to aromatic plants, such as onions or garlic, as this can impact their final flavor.[18]
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| How to Deal With a Bad Grade Posted: 04 Sep 2017 09:00 AM PDT If you receive a bad grade, don't let it get you too down. Everyone receives a lower grade than they had hoped at some point in their lives. What's most important is that you deal with it effectively. If you take the right steps, you can actually make that bad grade beneficial in the long run. By coming to terms with your bad grade, figuring out what went wrong, and planning effectively for the future, you can turn your bad grade into a positive learning experience. EditComing to Terms with Your Bad Grade - Don't be too hard on yourself. Receiving a bad grade isn't the end of the world. Don't think one bad grade represents your overall worth as a student. The very fact that you are concerned shows that you are motivated and have high expectations for yourself.
- Remember that a "C" is usually considered average, a "B" above average, and an "A" exemplary.[1] Putting it into perspective, maybe your grade isn't as bad as you thought.
- Take some time to process your reaction. You may feel anxious, frustrated, or even confused. It's okay to be upset. Let it out. Suppressing your emotions will only make you feel worse down the line.[2]
- Put some distance between you and the grade for a while. Dwelling on it further while in a heightened emotional state will just make the problem seem worse than it is.[3] Try to do something that takes your mind off of it.
- Exercising, talking with friends, listening to music, or doing fun things you enjoy are all healthy ways to relieve anxiety.[4]
EditFiguring Out What Went Wrong - Look for patterns of error. Finding a pattern in your mistakes is a good way to isolate and overcome your problem areas on your own.[5]
- Was there a subject, like math or English, that you didn't do well on? If so, study more frequently in those areas.
- Was there a group of related test questions you missed? If so, try to categorize them and figure out what subject you could study harder in.
- Did you continually show up to class late? If so, try to be more punctual.
- Ask your teacher for detailed feedback. They know your strengths and weaknesses, so don't be afraid to ask for help.[6]
- Instead of asking, "why did I get a bad grade," ask, "how can I restructure my answers in a way that would earn me a better grade?"[7]
- Seek advice from classmates. Ask others if they're willing to share the grade they received. If they all received similar grades, maybe the problem is with the material and not you. If they did better than you, ask them what kind of strategies they think led to higher grades.
- Sometimes teachers curve the grades in a class in which many students are struggling. If a lot of students did poorly, a low grade won't be as detrimental as you thought, and you can rest easier knowing that.[8]
EditPlanning Effectively for the Future - Commit to your goals for improvement. Once you've recognized areas where you need to improve, you can take the steps to do so. Make positive changes in your life where necessary:
- Write out a study schedule and follow it routinely. A regular schedule can significantly reduce anxiety and improve performance.[9]
- Get more sleep. The amount of sleep you get heavily affects your mood and ability to absorb and retain information. [10]
- Don't procrastinate.
- Eliminate distractions. Prioritize the things that matter most.
- Seek extra credit opportunities to make up lost points. Often times, teachers just want to see that you're willing to put effort into your work. Ask if they'd be willing to let you improve your grade by completing extra assignments.[11] If you can't change your grade, maybe you can supplement it.
- Be mindful of helpful resources at your disposal. Tutoring centers, teacher office hours, and study groups all exist to help you succeed.[12] Consider restructuring your future study habits by incorporating some of these resources into your routine.
- Move on. While you may not be able to change the grade you've received, you can take the necessary steps to improve. Try to consider it a learning experience. Forgive yourself for your mistakes. One bad grade isn't going to determine your future, and it isn't going to define your aptitude as a student either.
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| How to Get Marilyn Monroe Curls Posted: 04 Sep 2017 01:00 AM PDT Retro Marilyn Monroe curls are a gorgeous style for many hair lengths. To get this classic look you only need styling products, curlers or a curling iron, and bobby pins or clips. Begin by making medium sized curls to frame your face, pinning them to set, and then styling your curls. You can also add pretty accessories. Depending on the look you want, you can also brush out your curls for old Hollywood style waves. EditPrepping for Your Curls - Choose a curling device. You'll be making many curls in one-inch (2.54 cm) sections. Decide if you'll be more comfortable making multiple curls in several sections using a curling iron (either clipless or with a barrel) or rollers. Choose rollers that will wrap around the hair at least 1.5 times for maximum effect. You can use hot rollers or any other type of roller.[1]
- Start with freshly washed hair. Wash your hair as usual. Use a conditioner that will protect it from heat if you'll be using a curling iron. Towel dry your hair if you wish before using curlers. You need to keep it damp for using curlers.
- Blow out your hair to make it smooth. This step is only necessary if you'll use a curling iron. Spray it with heat protectant spray before you blow it out. Cover your hair from roots to ends with the spray. Make a part as you blow it out if you want a part in your final hair style.[2]
- You can also spray your roots with a little hair spray before blowing it out to create more volume.
- Apply texturing or anti-humidity spray. Start at your roots and work the ends of your hair. Spray on liberal amounts of the product. Finger comb it through your hair.
- If you are using hair rollers, you can use mousse or gel instead, but these are not good products if you are styling with a curling iron.
EditCurling Your Hair - Curl your hair in 1 inch (2.54 cm) sections. Spray each section with hairspray or smooth on more gel or mousse for extra hold. Do this immediately before winding the section in rollers or your curling iron. Work from the top of your head down. Put the hair in the back of your head in a ponytail while you work on the front.
- Wrap your front sections first if you're using rollers.
- Roll the curls in the front toward your face. If you part your hair, roll the curls away from your part. Wind the curls in the back away from your face toward the crown of your head and the nape of your neck. Use an asymmetrical rolling pattern for a more natural look. Make tighter curls on top and bigger curls in the back for a more retro look. [3]
- Get tighter curls with smaller rollers and bigger curls with bigger rollers.
- If you want more curls, you should curl smaller sections of hair.
- Pin each curl to your head. Use hair clips or bobby pins. Pin each curl immediately after making it with the curling iron. Leave all rollers in your hair until you've put them all in. Pin your curls as you release them from the rollers.
- Leave your hair pinned for at least 20 minutes to let your curls set. This will also give hair time to cool if you used a curling iron or hot rollers.
EditStyling Your Curls - Release your hair from the pins or clips. Let it fall around your head. If you want looser curls, wet your fingers and gently comb them through your curls. This will separate the curls. You can stop working the curls near your face at this point.[4]
- Brush your curls lightly for a smoother look. Use a paddle brush or a wide-toothed comb. Group your curls into larger sections. Brush two or three curls together for a curlier look and a larger number of curls - about five -- for a wavy look. Brush out all of your curls for a smooth Marilyn Monroe wave.[5]
- Pull the brush in the direction that you rolled the curls. Brush the curls near your face in the direction of your face, and the curls near your neck towards your nape. Gently pull the brush through each section from the roots. Only brush a few times and then let the curls drop naturally into place.[6]
- Spray each section with hairspray after brushing for additional hold.
- Too much brushing may make your curls frizzy. Only use a few strokes of the brush.
- Finish your bangs. If you have bangs, brush them together. Pull the brush upwards first and then curl your bangs under for a dramatic sweep off your face. Pin a section of your bangs to keep them in place. Spray them with hairspray.[7]
- Tuck a curl behind your ear and pin it in place for a nice flourish.
- Attach a hair accessory, such as a bow or flower, over the tucked, pinned curl for extra glamour.
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