I Swear, The Nonsense I'm Keep Reading About Rhaegar (or The Targaryens) Are Hilarious.

Uk govt getting awful clise to labeling itself extremest 💀

Sleeeeeeeeppppppppp

anger is like fire (it burns it all clean) by spearsndragons

15 years after the failed rebellion, the realm gathers in King’s Landing for a grand tourney. Summoned to the capital by his mother, Prince Viserys reluctantly returns to the place where he lost half of his family. As the festivities unfold, old wounds are reopened, secrets are revealed, and a mystery knight enters the final tilts.

AKA: a one-shot fueled by ​the rage i feel whenever i remember lyanna named her son with elia’s son’s name

loosely inspired by Years later by jasmina22; because i believe in their vision of a elia truther!viserys, r/l’s #1 hater idc idc 🫶🏼

Introduction to Gardening for Beginners

Gardening is a rewarding and therapeutic hobby that can transform your outdoor or indoor space into a thriving sanctuary of plants, flowers, and vegetables. Whether you aim to create an English cottage garden, grow organic flowers, or cultivate a vegetable garden, starting as a beginner can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the best way to start a garden, covering everything from selecting plants to understanding garden design principles.

Understanding Your Space

Before you begin planting, it's crucial to understand the space you have available. Whether you're planning an indoor garden, an English cottage garden, or a vegetable garden, the key is to assess the light, soil, and space conditions.

Indoor Gardens

For those interested in indoor gardening, consider the amount of natural light your home receives. South-facing windows are ideal for most houseplants, providing ample light throughout the day. If your space lacks natural light, consider investing in grow lights.

Outdoor Gardens

Outdoor gardening requires an assessment of your yard or garden plot. Observe how much sunlight different areas receive, noting which spots are in full sun, partial shade, or full shade. This information will guide your plant selection, ensuring you choose plants suited to your garden's conditions.

Choosing the Right Plants

Selecting the right plants is vital for a successful garden. As a beginner, start with plants that are easy to grow and maintain.

Easy Indoor Plants

Spider Plant: Hardy and adaptable, perfect for beginners.

Pothos: Low maintenance and can thrive in low light.

Snake Plant: Tolerant of neglect and ideal for low light conditions.

Succulents: Require minimal watering and are great for sunny windowsills.

Easy Outdoor Plants

Marigolds: Bright, cheerful flowers that are easy to grow from seed.

Sunflowers: Fast-growing and visually striking.

Lettuce: Quick to grow and perfect for salads.

Tomatoes: Popular and rewarding, providing fresh produce for your kitchen.

Garden Design Principles

Designing your garden involves more than just planting; it requires planning and understanding some basic design principles.

English Cottage Garden

An English cottage garden is characterized by its informal, densely planted flower beds. To achieve this look, mix various flowers, herbs, and vegetables, ensuring a continuous bloom throughout the growing season.

Plant Variety: Combine perennials, annuals, and biennials for a dynamic and colorful display.

Pathways: Create charming, winding paths using natural materials like stone or gravel.

Focal Points: Incorporate elements like arbors, benches, or birdbaths to add interest and structure.

Vegetable Garden

A vegetable garden can be both beautiful and productive. Consider the following tips:

Raised Beds: Ideal for beginners as they improve drainage, reduce weeds, and make planting and harvesting easier.

Companion Planting: Grow plants together that benefit each other, such as tomatoes with basil or carrots with onions.

Succession Planting: Maximize your garden’s yield by planting different crops in the same area throughout the year.

Gardening Tools and Supplies

Having the right tools can make gardening more enjoyable and efficient. Here are some essential gardening tools for beginners:

Hand Trowel: Perfect for planting and transplanting small plants.

Pruning Shears: Essential for trimming and shaping plants.

Garden Gloves: Protect your hands from thorns, dirt, and blisters.

Watering Can/Hose: Ensure your plants get adequate water, especially during dry spells.

Garden Fork: Useful for turning soil and mixing in compost.

Preparing the Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. Here’s how to prepare your soil:

Test Your Soil: Determine your soil’s pH and nutrient levels using a soil test kit.

Amend the Soil: Based on your soil test results, add compost, manure, or other organic matter to improve soil fertility and structure.

Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Planting Techniques

Understanding proper planting techniques will ensure your plants establish well and thrive.

Spacing: Follow the recommended spacing guidelines for each plant to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth.

Planting Depth: Ensure seeds and transplants are planted at the correct depth, typically indicated on seed packets or plant tags.

Watering: Water your plants thoroughly after planting to help them settle into their new environment.

Caring for Your Garden

Regular maintenance is crucial for a healthy and productive garden. Here are some tips for ongoing garden care:

Watering: Consistent watering is essential, especially for young plants. Water in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce evaporation.

Weeding: Regularly remove weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

Fertilizing: Feed your plants with organic fertilizers according to their specific needs.

Pest Control: Monitor for pests and diseases. Use organic pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects or using natural sprays.

Indoor Plant Care

For indoor plants, consider the following care tips:

Lighting: Ensure your plants receive the appropriate amount of light. Rotate plants regularly for even growth.

Watering: Avoid overwatering by checking soil moisture before watering. Most houseplants prefer to dry out slightly between waterings.

Humidity: Increase humidity for tropical plants by misting them or placing them on a humidity tray.

Repotting: Repot your plants when they outgrow their containers to provide more space for root growth.

Creating a Sustainable Garden

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in gardening. Here are some ways to create an eco-friendly garden:

Composting: Recycle kitchen scraps and garden waste to create nutrient-rich compost.

Rainwater Harvesting: Collect rainwater in barrels to reduce water usage.

Native Plants: Choose native plants that are adapted to your local climate and require less maintenance.

Organic Practices: Avoid synthetic chemicals and opt for organic fertilizers and pest control methods.

Inspiration from Botanical Gardens

Visiting botanical gardens can provide inspiration and ideas for your own garden. Here are some famous botanical gardens to explore:

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK): Known for its diverse plant collections and stunning landscapes.

New York Botanical Garden (USA): Offers a wide variety of plant species and themed gardens.

Singapore Botanic Gardens (Singapore): Features tropical flora and the iconic National Orchid Garden.

Butchart Gardens (Canada): Famous for its beautifully designed flower displays and themed gardens.

Connecting with the Gardening Community

Joining the gardening community can provide support, advice, and inspiration. Here are some ways to connect:

Local Gardening Clubs: Join clubs to meet other gardeners and participate in events and workshops.

Online Forums: Engage in online gardening forums and social media groups like the #houseplantcommunity or #gardeningtips.

Garden Shows: Attend garden shows and expos to learn from experts and discover new plants and tools.

Conclusion

Starting a garden as a beginner can be a fulfilling journey that enhances your connection with nature and provides a sense of accomplishment. By understanding your space, choosing the right plants, designing thoughtfully, using proper tools, and maintaining your garden diligently, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden. Embrace the learning process, seek inspiration, and connect with the gardening community to grow your gardening skills and enjoy the many benefits this hobby offers.

Additional Tips and Resources

To further assist you on your gardening journey, here are some additional tips and resources:

Gardening Books for Beginners

"The Vegetable Gardener's Bible" by Edward C. Smith: Comprehensive guide on growing vegetables.

"The Flower Gardener's Bible" by Lewis Hill and Nancy Hill: Detailed instructions on flower gardening.

"Indoor Gardening: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Grow Beautiful Plants in Your Home" by Leslie F. Halleck: Focuses on indoor gardening techniques.

Gardening Magazines and Websites

Garden Gate Magazine: Offers gardening tips, plant profiles, and design ideas.

Fine Gardening: Provides expert advice on all aspects of gardening.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): Wealth of information on plants, gardening techniques, and garden design.

Gardening Apps

PlantSnap: Helps identify plants and provides care instructions.

Garden Answers: Allows you to ask gardening questions and receive expert advice.

GrowIt!: Connects you with local gardeners and offers plant recommendations.

Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide

To summarize, here's a step-by-step guide to help you start your garden:

Assess Your Space: Determine light conditions, soil type, and available space.

Choose Plants: Select easy-to-grow plants suited to your environment.

Design Your Garden: Plan your layout, considering aesthetics and plant needs.

Prepare the Soil: Test and amend your soil to ensure optimal growing conditions.

Plant: Follow proper planting techniques for healthy establishment.

Maintain: Water, weed, fertilize, and monitor for pests regularly.

Learn and Connect: Continue learning through books, magazines, and the gardening community.

By following these steps and utilizing the resources provided, you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and thriving garden.

Dad For One Drabble

(Set in the Family Matters universe!)

cw: toddlers

All For One was thoroughly punishing his subordinates for an idiotic mistake - the team in charge of managing one of their largest Trigger production and distribution chains had accidentally leaked information to a police informant, leading to a raid and shutdown of the drug ring. Half of the lackeys lay on the floor in bloody, beaten, newly-quirkless heaps, the other half trembling from the knowledge that they would soon face the same punishment, when All For One’s phone started ringing in his pocket.

All For One’s eye twitched, annoyed at being disturbed while working, making the minions in the room shudder in fear for their lives. The villain pulled out his phone and jammed his finger against the answer button without looking at the screen.

“Speak,” he commanded in a near hiss, clearly annoyed to have been interrupted, but his angry expression melted away the instant the person on the other end began speaking.

“Daddy! I gotta tell you something!” a voice clearly belonging to a child said, excited and loud enough that even the minions on the other side of the room could hear it. Pangs of sympathy went through them for the child that would soon be reduced to smithereens, all because they had mistaken a villain’s phone number for their father’s.

“Izuku? What’s the matter?” All For One spoke quickly, the concern and love(?) in his voice startling the minions terribly. All For One…knew this child? Allowed himself to be called da- dadd- father? “Is everything alright at home?”

“I used the potty by myself!”

“That’s…that’s wonderful!” All For One was smiling brightly, the genuine joy on his face completely foreign to the minions on the ground. “Did you remember to wash your hands?”

“Yeah! I used the potty, and I sang the ABCs song, and washed my hands!”

“All by yourself?”

“Uh huh! I didn’t ask Mommy for help! And I flushed the potty too!”

“Well, you did a great job, bunny. I’m very proud of you,” All For One said fondly, although confusion briefly took over as he pulled away just long enough to look at his phone screen. “Izuku, did you ask Mommy if you could call me?”

“Nuh uh. Mommy’s sleepy. I got Mommy’s phone, and I 'membered Daddy’s number all by myself!”

All For One laughed (laughed!) softly (softly!) shaking his head. “My baby boy is so smart, but next time you need to ask Mommy for permission before calling me. Now, go put Mommy’s phone back, okay?”

“Don’t wanna!”

“Izuku,” All For One sighed, although it was clear that he wasn’t angry whatsoever (was it even possible for the villain to not be angry?!), “Daddy’s still at work, so you’ve got to put the phone back.”

“I don’t wanna!” Little Izuku shouted. Every minion in the room winced in sympathy for the little boy, they all knew exactly how All For One dealt with those who disobeyed him-

“Why not, bunny?” All For One said, already showing more patience than they had ever seen, even more so when the boy started loudly crying and the villain didn’t immediately hang up.

“I…I miss you!” Izuku sobbed out, “I want hugs, Daddy!”

All For One slapped a hand over his heart, making a face like he’d been shot, and it almost looked like there were tears in his eyes - but there was no way that was possible. All For One was the most powerful man in the world, he didn’t cry like…like that blubbering child on the phone!

“I miss Daddy! I want a hug!”

“Izuku,” All For One said firmly yet so lovingly, “I miss you too. I’m coming home very soon, and I promise to give you the biggest hug ever when I get home. For now though…how about you find your brother and ask him for a hug, okay?”

There was a brother?! All For One had another son?!?!

“Okay,” Izuku sniffled, “Nii-chan’s hugs are nice.”

“I know they are, baby. I’ll see you very soon, alright?”

“Okay. Love you, Daddy!”

All For One inhaled sharply, biting down on his fist and screaming into it, nearly making every minion in the room faint from shock. He composed himself in less than a second - although he was still grinning like an idiot - and was back to speaking to the child.

“I love you too. Now, go put Mommy’s phone back and ask your brother for a hug.”

“Okay! Bye bye Daddy! Love you!”

“Bye bye, Izuku. Love you too.”

All For One sighed happily as he ended the call, staring at his phone screen with a dopey grin, although it was immediately replaced by a scowl when he noticed the underlings watching him.

“Well, this is awkward,” All For One said in a way that made 'awkward' sound like code for 'going to end painfully and slowly for you', “I don’t like to mix my family into work, for obvious reasons, but you can never anticipate what a three-year-old will do.”

The villain rolled his head in a circle, the joints in his neck cracking menacingly. His arm began to swell with quirks being added to it, the underlings all sweating and trembling with fear.

“You heard my son. He wants me to come home early - which means we’ll be cutting this short.” All For One said while grabbing the nearest lackey by the throat, smashing him into the ground hard enough to make the floor crack, “Maybe if you tell me how adorable and smart my son is, I’ll let you live and leave with most of your limbs still intact.”

dream tiger

I'm so desperate for something sweet that I'm about to eat brown sugar.

So glad Doctor Who saw the "death of the filler" thing most series have going on and said "actually, fuck this, let's do an ep about aliens cosplaying bridgerton".

But he's so much quieter about it than trump!

No but thanks for pointing that out. It makes sense, American left is still far right, but I still didn't really clock it.

Though I still think trump would be worse. Are there third options in America? Or are you voting trump? (are you American?)

alright gang, let's do a fun little thought experiment.

which city would biden have to completely annihilate before you decide not to vote for him?

for the sake of this thought experiment, let's ignore actual real-world alliances between countries. it can be london, or paris, or athens, or barcelona, or rome, or berlin, or even an american city like new york or new orleans or los angeles or honolulu. this is all a hypothetical after all.

really consider it. if you're gonna bother to yap in my notes, at least try to engage with this question in good faith. imagine opening up the news, and you see that a bomb was dropped on this city, and then the bombs never stop. imagine you had a friend there. imagine you'd had a trip planned to meet them and see the sights. imagine every museum, every historical monument, every theatre, every university destroyed. imagine that one day, you lived in a world where this city existed, and the next, it has completely ceased to be. it's effectively been pompeii-ed out of our world entirely. there is no longer a big ben, or a parthenon, or a colosseum, or what have you. there is no longer that foreign musician you loved from this city. there are no longer sweet old grannies to share old family recipes from this part of the world. there is no longer the online friend you wanted to visit. there is no longer your vacation plans.

don't hit me with, "but it's netanyahu doing this," because israel would literally run out of ammunition in weeks without the US. don't hit me with, "but trump!" because that quite literally is not the fucking question.

which city has to completely cease to exist before you even consider that this system isn't ever going to work?

if you are still planning to vote for biden, then either a) biden could drop a nuke on any city on earth and it wouldn't be a dealbreaker for you, or b) in your mind, people and places are divided into ones that are acceptable to destroy and ones that are not. or at least, there are ones that are more acceptable to destroy than others.

come up with your answer and either realize you sound like a fascist and work to change it, or embrace that you are a fascist and stop lying to us about caring about people of color.