| How to Fertilize an Apple Tree Posted: 30 Apr 2021 05:00 PM PDT Do you want to grow apples at home? Harvesting your very own apple crop is a rewarding, delicious way to get the most out of your yard. If you aren't totally sure how to start fertilizing your tree, we've got you covered. Keep reading to get all the answers to your frequently-asked questions. You're one step closer to tasty, hand-picked apples! [Edit]Do I have to fertilize my apple tree? - If your tree is thriving on it's own, you really don't need to fertilize it. Each year, your apple tree should grow an extra . You don't need to fertilize your apple tree if it's already growing at least a year. However, if your tree isn't growing that much, it probably needs fertilizer.[1]
- Fertilizing too much can actually stunt the growth of apple trees, so it's important to evaluate growth first.
[Edit]When should I fertilize my apple tree? - Nourish 1-to-2-year old trees twice a year—in the spring and summer. Experts recommend fertilizing your apple tree right after you plant it, and then a second time in early summer. During the second year, experts suggest fertilizing once in early spring, and a second time in early summer.[2]
- Fertilize mature apple trees once a year during the spring. Unlike other fruits, apple trees don't need to be fertilized multiple times each year. If your tree is more than 2 years old, you only need to apply fertilizer once in the springtime to kickstart growth.[3]
[Edit]What fertilizer should I use? - Do a soil test to see what your soil's needs are. Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all fertilizer for apple trees. Instead, it really depends on where you live and the current soil conditions. A soil test will help you pinpoint which nutrients your soil needs so you can choose the right fertilizer.[4][5]
- Buy soil test kits online or at your local home improvement store.
- Pick a fertilizer based on your soil test results. Your test results will list a recommended NPK ratio—this is the percentage of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash that your soil needs. Write down this specific ratio, and head to a garden supply store. Then, buy a fertilizer with the same NPK ratio as your test results.[6]
- For instance, if your test results recommend a fertilizer with 15-5-10 NPK, buy fertilizer with a 15-5-10, 3-1-2, 9-3-6, or 12-4-8 ratio.
- If the nutrients in the soil are pretty even, some experts suggest going with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer.[7][8]
[Edit]What other fertilizers can I use? - Try applying a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for mature trees. Apply of pure nitrogen for every year of your tree's age. Once your tree is at least 8 years old, cap off the nitrogen fertilizer at .[9]
- The rule applies to pure nitrogen. You can also use a 21-0-0 or 16-16-16 fertilizer, or a more organic fertilizer, like rabbit or steer manure. However, compared to the pure nitrogen, you'll need to use 5 times as much 21-0-0 fertilizer, 7 times as much 16-16-16 fertilizer, 35 times as much rabbit manure, and 70 times as much steer manure.
[Edit]How much fertilizer do I need for each application? - Apply of fertilizer for newly planted trees. After you first plant your apple tree, wait 3 weeks for the soil to settle. Then, spread of fertilizer around the tree to kickstart growth.
- Use of fertilizer for every of trunk width after that. In the following years, apply an extra of fertilizer for every of tree trunk. Cap off the fertilizer once you're using every year.[10]
- Some experts suggest adding an extra of fertilizer for each year of life. For instance, a newly planted tree gets a of fertilizer, a 2-year old tree gets , a 3-year old tree gets , and so on.[11] Pay attention to your tree's growth and adjust, as needed.
[Edit]How do I apply the fertilizer? - Spread the fertilizer on the ground beneath the tree. Don't place the fertilizer in a mound or put in on the actual tree trunk, or else your apple tree might get damaged. Instead, scatter the fertilizer evenly around the tree trunk.[12]
- You can water the soil after spreading the fertilizer.
[Edit]Why is my apple tree not fruiting? - You pruned or fertilized your tree too much. When you over-fertilize and over-prune, your apple tree spends more time growing its wood, and the tree doesn't yield any flowers or fruit. This can happen when you fertilize the grass near your apple tree, and your tree ends up absorbing some of the extra nitrogen.[13]
- Frost might be the culprit if you live in a cold area. If temperatures drop below while the tree is flowering, your apple tree might not produce fruit. To prevent this, plant your apple tree pretty close to your home, or on a more elevated section of land in your yard.[14]
- Pollen might be a factor. If your apple tree isn't pollinated very well, it might not produce any fruit. Experts recommend cross-pollinating apples and pears together. You could also plant crabapples and ornamental Bradford pears near your apples, as well.[15]
- If you live in the northeastern United States, consider applying 0.5 oz (13 g) of borax to each apple tree every 3 years. In this area, the soil is notoriously low on boron.[16]
- If your apple tree isn't getting enough zinc, spray it with a mixture of 1 tbsp (52 g) of zinc sulfate and of water. In the fall, spray the zinc all over your tree until it's dripping wet.[17]
[Edit]References |
| How to Save a Screenshot Posted: 30 Apr 2021 09:00 AM PDT Most devices allow you to take a photo of everything that appears on the screen by entering a quick shortcut. Screenshots can be used for troubleshooting, instruction, reference, or for showing off. The process for taking screenshots varies depending on the device you are using. This wikiHow teaches you how to take a screenshot on popular computers, phones, tablets, and gaming consoles. [Edit]Windows 10 - Press at the same time. You may need to also hold down the Fn key while to activate the PrntScn button, depending on your keyboard. This will dim your screen for a second and save an image of your entire desktop to a folder called Screenshots inside your Pictures folder.
- To find your screenshot, press the Windows key + E together to open File Explorer, double-click Pictures in the left panel (you may have to expand "This PC" first), and then click Screenshots.
- If this didn't work for you, or if you want to select a certain area of the screen to screenshot instead of the entire screen, keep reading.
- Press at the same time. Pressing these keys at the same time opens the Snip and Sketch tool, which dims the screen and displays an icon menu at the top-center.
- This tool comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and is meant to replace "Snipping Tool." If you're used to using Snipping Tool, you can still use it, but, Microsoft recommends using Snip & Sketch instead.
- Hover your mouse over each icon to learn its function. The icons on the toolbar aren't labeled, so this is important:
- The first icon is the rectangular snip, which lets you draw a rectangle or square around the part of the screen you want to capture.[1]
- The second is the free-form snip, which lets you draw freehand around the desired part of the screen.
- The third tool is window-snip, which lets you take a screenshot of a single window.
- The fourth tool is full-screen snip—this one takes a photo of the entire screen (a traditional screenshot).
- Capture the screenshot.
- If you want a full-screen screenshot, clicking the full-screen button automatically captures the screen and saves it to your clipboard.
- To select part of the screen, select either the rectangle or free-form tool and click and drag around the part of the screen you want to capture. As soon as you lift your finger, the screenshot will be saved to your clipboard.
- To capture just a window, select the window snip tool and click the window you want to capture. This saves the screenshot to your clipboard.
- Open the Paint app. You'll find it in the Start menu, or by typing into the Search bar.
- Click the icon. It's in the upper-left corner of Paint. This pastes your screenshot into Paint.
- Click the menu and select . The File menu is at the top-left corner of the screen.
- Choose a location and click . You can also rename the file if you'd like. Your screenshot is now saved.
[Edit]Windows 8 - Press at the same time. You may need to also hold down the Fn key while to activate the PrntScn button, depending on your keyboard. This will dim your screen for a second and save an image of your entire desktop to a folder called Screenshots inside your Pictures folder.
- To find your screenshot, press the Windows key + E together to open File Explorer, click your Pictures folder, and then click Screenshots.
- If this didn't work for you, or if you want to select a certain area of the screen to screenshot instead of the entire screen, keep reading.
- Open the Snipping Tool. An easy way to do this is to press the Windows key on the keyboard to open the menu, type into the search, and then click Snipping Tool. This opens the built-in screenshotting tool.
- Click the down-arrow next to "Mode." This expands a list of options for taking a screenshot.
- Click the type of screenshot you want to take. Here's how the different options work:
- Free-form snip lets you draw a freehand line around the area you want to capture. As soon as you lift your finger from the mouse, a preview will appear.
- Rectangular snip lets you draw a square or rectangle around an area to capture. When you lift your finger, you'll see a preview of the screenshot.
- Windows snip lets you screenshot the contents of a single window only. After selecting this tool, click the window you want to capture to immediately screenshot it and display a preview.
- Full-screen snip captures everything currently on the monitor screen. This will capture the screen as it is now and display a preview.
- Click the disk icon to save. It's in the toolbar running along the top of the screen.
- Select a saving location and click . This saves your screenshot to the desired folder.
- Take a full-screen screenshot by pressing . You'll hear a shutter sound if your speakers are on. The screenshot will be saved to a file on your desktop in the PNG format.[2] The image's name will be the date and time it was taken.
- To copy the screenshot to your clipboard instead of creating a file, press Command + Ctrl + Shift + 3.
- Take a custom-sized screenshot by pressing . The cursor will change into a crosshair. Click and drag to create a box on your screen. Everything inside of the box will be captured when you release your mouse button.
- Press Esc to exit the screenshot selection without taking the picture.
- To copy the screenshot to your clipboard instead of creating a file, press Command + Ctrl + Shift + 4.
- Take a screenshot of a window by pressing . Press the spacebar to turn the crosshair into a camera. Click the window that you want to capture. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
[Edit]Android - Press the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time for one to two seconds. On most Androids, doing this will quickly capture the contents of your screen and save the image to your gallery.[3]
- There are many different Android models, so the key combination can vary. Typically it's either Power + Volume Down or Power + Volume Up.
- If that doesn't work, keep reading.
- Press and hold the power button for a few second and select . If you weren't able to take a screenshot by pressing Power + Volume Down, try this. After holding down the power button for a few seconds, lift your finger when you see a menu that contains the "Screenshot" option. When you select Screenshot, the image will save to your gallery or photos app.
[Edit]iPhone / iPad - (If your iPhone/iPad has a Home button) Press the Home and power (sleep/wake) buttons at the same time. When you release your fingers, you'll see the screen flash. The screenshot you took is now saved to the Screenshots folder in the Photos app.
- If you want to edit the screenshot, tap the preview that appears on the screen to open it in Markup.
- (If your iPhone/iPad doesn't have a Home button) Press the side and volume-up buttons at the same time. When you release your fingers, the screen will flash, indicating that you've taken a screenshot.
- If you want to edit the screenshot, tap the preview that appears on the screen to open it in Markup.
[Edit]PlayStation 4 - Press and hold the Share button to take the screenshot. Your game will pause, and the Share menu will open.[4]
- Not all content supports screenshots. You may not be able to take screenshots when playing movies or during video game cutscenes.
- Select . This captures the screenshot and saves it to your gallery.
- Select an upload option. If you want to share your screenshot online, you can now select an option, such as Activities (to share to PSN as an activity) or Facebook to share online friends.
[Edit]Xbox One - Start up the game you want to take a screenshot of. You can't take screenshots of the Xbox One menu.
- Press the Xbox button when you want to take a screenshot. This opens the guide.[5]
- If you're using one of the new wireless controllers, you can take a screenshot quickly by pressing the Share button (the curved arrow) on the controller. This saves the screenshot immediately.
- Press the button to take a screenshot. If you have a Kinect, you can also say, "Xbox, take a screenshot".
- Find your screenshots. You can find all of your screenshots in the Upload Studio app, under "Manage Captures". You can then share them to various social networks or save it to your OneDrive.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Feel Better Posted: 30 Apr 2021 01:00 AM PDT When you're feeling down, it can be really hard to feel like things are ever going to get better—but they will! Everybody gets the blues sometimes, so don't be too hard on yourself for feeling sad, angry, lonely, or depressed. Whether you're dealing with a momentary funk or your feelings are persisting long-term, we've gathered a list of a few time-tested tricks that can help you change the momentum and start feeling better. Taking control of your own state of mind can be tough, but you can do it! [Edit]Do breathing exercises to steady yourself in the moment. - Take several slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system. When you're feeling anxious or upset, your body has a physical reaction to those emotions. When you notice yourself starting to feel tense, stop what you're doing and focus on taking a few long breaths. Once your body starts to relax, it will be easier to work through your thoughts.[1]
- As your breathing slows, it will stop the fight-flight-freeze reaction happening in your nervous system, so your body will slowly return to normal.
- Sometimes it can be hard to inhale deeply, especially if you're experiencing anxiety. If that's the case, start by exhaling as slowly as you can.
[Edit]Figure out what's getting you down. - Acknowledge what's really making you feel bad. If you notice you're in a bad mood, take a few moments to check in with yourself—did something happen to trigger those feelings? You might already know exactly what's bothering you—like a recent breakup, trouble at work, or a fight with someone you love. Sometimes, the issue is a little harder to pinpoint, like feeling inadequate or being overwhelmed by the state of the world. Either way, it can be surprisingly helpful to simply acknowledge what it is that's really bothering you.[2]
- If you can't seem to figure out the problem, try asking yourself the opposite: What would it take for you to feel happier?[3]
- Once you figure out what's wrong, start thinking about whether there's anything you can do to make the problem better. If there is, brainstorm a few steps you might take to start changing that.
- If you're feeling sad but there doesn't seem to be a certain reason why, you might be experiencing depression. It's a good idea to talk to your doctor if you think that might be the case.
[Edit]Be compassionate with yourself. - Show yourself the same love you would give a friend. Practice paying close attention to the thoughts you have about yourself. When you notice that you're thinking negatively, ask yourself questions like, "Would I say that to my best friend?" or "What would I say if I heard my best friend say that about themselves?" Then, challenge yourself to speak to yourself kindly, the way you would talk to that friend.[4]
- For instance, instead of thinking, "I failed that test—I'm so worthless," you might think, "I'm going to make a plan to study better so this doesn't happen again. I know I can improve this grade."
- This can be really hard at first, but it gets easier with practice. Start by just learning to notice your thoughts, then work up to replacing them with more hopeful, positive statements.[5]
- Our thoughts have the power to transform the world around us for either the better or the worse. Happy people aren't necessarily the ones with the best circumstances; they are the ones with the best attitudes.[6]
[Edit]Open your windows or go outside. - Get some sun for a quick pick-me-up. If you can, try to spend some time in a natural setting, like a park, the woods, or even your backyard. It's more than just a fun way to spend an afternoon—being in nature actually helps ease stress and anxiety![7] If you can't get outside, though, open your curtains or blinds to catch some of the sun's rays—you'll still get a boost.
- It's thought that sunlight affects your mood by boosting your levels of vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with depression—but even 10-20 minutes in the sun can help your body start making more of this important nutrient.[8]
- Remember to wear sunscreen if you're going to be outdoors.
[Edit]Laugh your way to a better mood. - Watch or read something that always makes you chuckle. It can seem like you need to already be in a good mood to laugh, but laughing can actually make your body and mind feel better. When you laugh, you take in more air and your brain releases endorphins, so you feel more physically relaxed and happy. Try watching a silly movie, standup video, or TV show for a quick mood boost.[9]
- You might also read a funny book, comic strip, or magazine.
- For an in-person laugh, go to a comedy show or trade funny stories with a friend.
- If nothing else works, force yourself to fake laugh. Try laughing in different silly voices, too. It usually won't take long before this turns into full-fledged giggles.
[Edit]Get creative in the kitchen. - Cheer yourself up by cooking or baking a delicious treat. When you're feeling down, cooking and baking can be a great way to lift your spirits. Measuring ingredients and following a recipe can give you a sense of control over your environment. You also have to focus on what you're doing, which can help get your mind off of what's bothering you. And at the end, you'll have something really tasty to enjoy![10]
- Many recipes have some room for you to improvise, so you get a chance to express your creative side. For instance, you might experiment with how much rosemary or garlic to put in a pasta recipe, or you might get artistic when you're decorating a cake.
[Edit]Plant a garden or houseplant. - Play around in the dirt for a mood boost. Science shows that the smell of dirt can actually help cheer you up, so channel your inner child and get your hands dirty. If you have a yard where you live, consider planting a flowerbed, a fruit tree, or an herb garden—talk to someone at a nearby garden center about the best plants to grow where you live.[11]
- Even if you don't have much space, you can still repot a houseplant, start a windowsill garden, or put a pretty flower in a pot near your front door.
[Edit]Reach out to someone you can talk to. - Fight the urge to isolate yourself when you're down. It can be hard to admit when you need someone to lean on, but it's a really brave thing to do. If there's someone in your life who makes you feel comforted, let them know you could use a shoulder. That can be anyone—like a family member, friend, teacher, or coworker. Ask them to meet you for coffee, go with you on a walk, or even video chat.[12]
- Talking to someone else can help give you perspective on what you're going through. It will also strengthen the connection you have with the people you're talking to.[13]
- If you feel like you don't have anyone you can talk to, try taking a class or joining a club to meet new people. You can also talk to a therapist—hearing a professional opinion on your situation can be really refreshing.
- If there's anyone in your life who makes you feel bad about yourself, limit your time around them, if you can.[14]
[Edit]Write about your feelings in a journal. - Put your thoughts on paper to help you sort through them. Journaling can be a really powerful way to organize your thoughts and get some clarity. It's also really helpful if you're dealing with something that's too private to talk to other people about, or if you feel like there's no one you can talk to.[15]
- Your journal is just for you—you can keep it forever, or you can tear up the page as soon as you're finished writing.
- Don't worry about being a perfect writer. Just sit down and start writing down your thoughts as they come to you—free writing is a great form of self-expression.
[Edit]Remember what's good in your life. - List the things that you have to be grateful for. If you're feeling down, it's probably because you feel there's something missing in your life. However, everyone has at least a few things to be thankful for. Try writing these things down, and look over the list when you need a reminder of the good things in your life.[16]
- If it's hard to think of something you appreciate right now, start small, like that you had enough to eat today or that you're safe and warm. You can even be thankful for happy memories or certain people in your life.
- If you acknowledge these on a regular basis, it can actually become even easier to notice other good things in your life.
[Edit]Do something you find really relaxing. - Take some time to unwind. Sometimes, stress builds up to the point that it affects your whole mood, even if you don't realize it. Take a little time that's just for yourself—maybe you can only spare a few minutes, or maybe you can clear your schedule for a whole day. For instance, you might:[17]
- Take a long bath[18]
- Listen to music (sing along if you want!)[19]
- Play with a pet
- Spend time in nature
- Read a book
- Knock a few (small) things off your to-do list
- Put together a puzzle
- Do yoga[20]
[Edit]Make time for a hobby you love. - Spend more time doing things that you genuinely enjoy. If you never have time for the things you love, it's almost inevitable that you'll start to feel down! Find time on the weekend or after school or work to do things you're passionate about. It's best to do something that occupies 100% of your attention and forces you to be in the present moment—watching TV and surfing the web don't count.[21]
- It could be an outdoor activity like golf, tennis, swimming, or hiking, an artistic activity like music, painting, or photography, or a philanthropic activity like volunteering at an animal shelter. Take a day trip.[22]
- You don't necessarily have to do the same thing every day. Write out a list of things you like to do or stuff you've always wanted to try. Then, choose something from that list to try each day.[23]
[Edit]Do something nice for someone else. - Shift your perspective by showing kindness to others. Even a small gesture that helps someone else can help you feel better. Not only will you feel good for what you did, but it can also help you see what you're going through in a different light. For instance, you might:[24]
- Donate money or items to charity
- Do volunteer work
- Write a note to encourage someone who's struggling
- Surprise a sick friend with lunch
- Call to chat with a lonely relative
[Edit]Get your body moving. - Boost your mood with exercise. When you're feeling down, it can be really hard to motivate yourself to get up and going. However, being active for even just 10-20 minutes can actually help release chemicals in your brain that will make you feel happier and more energetic.[25] You don't have to hit the gym—if you find something you really enjoy doing, you'll be more likely to stick to it. Try something like:[26]
- Walking outside
- Dancing to upbeat music
- Following along with a fun workout video
- Swimming
- Doing martial arts
[Edit]Eat a balanced diet to improve your physical and mental health. - Make healthy choices and eat meals at regular times. When you follow a healthy diet, your brain and body will both feel better. In addition, feeling good about the choices you're making can help boost your self-esteem and make you feel more in control of your life. Eat a meal every 3-4 hours, sticking mainly to healthy choices like lean proteins, plenty of fruits and veggies, and whole grains.[27]
- Avoid eating foods that are high in sugar or refined carbs. These can cause your energy to crash after a few hours, which can affect your mood.
- A deficiency in certain B vitamins can actually lead to depression. Be sure to include plenty of leafy greens, chicken, eggs, beans, and citrus fruits, which are all high in these nutrients.
- Omega-3 fatty acids can also help stabilize your mood, so eat fatty fish like salmon, tuna, herring, and mackerel.[28]
- Craving a sweet treat? Enjoy a piece of dark chocolate, which might help improve your mood while lowering your stress levels.[29]
[Edit]Get plenty of sleep every night. - Aim for 7-8 hours a night so you'll be well-rested. Being sleep-deprived can have a huge impact on your overall mood. If you're finding it hard to sleep at night, give yourself about an hour of device-free time every night before bed, and do something relaxing to wind down. Also, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—your brain will find it easier to shut down if you're keeping a regular routine.[30]
- It will also help if your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet. If you need to, invest in things like a sleep machine, fan, and room-darkening curtains to create a calming environment for yourself.
[Edit]Talk to a therapist if you need more help. - Get help if you feel like you're just getting worse. If you're struggling with feeling down more often than not, you might be depressed, or you might have unresolved issues in your life that you're not coping well with. It can help a lot just to have someone to talk to, and a therapist can help you learn strategies to manage your stress, balance negative thoughts, and deal with tough personal relationships.[31]
- There's nothing wrong with getting help for your mental health. In fact, it takes a lot of strength to admit when you could use an outside perspective to help you feel better!
[Edit]Warnings - If you're experiencing persistent feelings of hopelessness, anger, or emptiness, among other symptoms, you could have depression.[32] Depression is a legitimate health concern and may require treatment beyond the advice provided in this article.
- Avoid self-medicating with alcohol or drugs—these will just make it harder to cope with your feelings in the long run.[33]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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