Tag Archives: Garden

How To Reconnect With Nature And Its Immersive Benefits

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These days, it’s not uncommon to be so overwhelmed with various work assignments and chores around the house that we simply don’t have any time for ourselves. While pampering can come in all sorts of shapes and forms, spending time in nature can do wonders for the body, mind, and soul. So, if you’ve lost touch with the great outdoors, here are several ways how you can reconnect with it and experience all the wonderful benefits it comes with.

Spend more time outdoors

One simple thing you can do, regardless of how much time you have, is spend a little bit of time outside. Just 20 minutes a day outdoors can have many perks. You will get plenty of fresh air and your body will get a chance to produce more vitamin D, which is vital in fighting depression and having quality sleep. So, if nothing else, consider walking to work if it’s not too far or cycling to a friend’s house – it will do you good.

Bring the outdoors in

Something else that can be very beneficial is adding houseplants to your living area. Not only will this bring you closer to nature, but it can also purify the air in your home. No matter the gardening skills you might possess, there is a plant for you. So, for example, some low-maintenance plants you can consider include the snake plant, pothos, and ZZ plant. They don’t require much care so you’ll be able to enjoy some nature even if you’re a bit forgetful.

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Start a garden

As your gardening skills improve, you can also consider starting your own garden. While you can have one indoors as well, it might be better to start an outdoor one if you have the space. That way, you will have a reason to go outside every day, as you will need to check on your plants’ progress, water, feed, and weed them. In time, you can start producing your own food too, which will certainly give you a sense of accomplishment. Furthermore, gardening will provide you with a great workout.

Go on a great outdoor adventure

If you have the time, consider going on a longer outdoor adventure. Find a camping site that’s safe and enjoy being surrounded by the trees or gazing at the moon. If you love the beach, just visit a local one and sunbathe while listening to the sound of water. Try mountain biking if that’s something that’s always interested you – it can be great for your mental health. With a bigger budget, you can think about some international trips as well. For example, forest zip-lining in Chiang Mai in Thailand or mountain climbing in Oman will certainly help you feel at one with nature. Opportunities abound if you keep your mind open and are willing to explore new things that will help you reconnect with the planet.

Connect with interesting wildlife

A big part of connecting with nature is also feeling connected to all parts of the environment, such as the animals that have been on this planet for thousands of years. With that in mind, you can consider adopting a pet that will always be by your side and help cheer you up if you’re feeling down. Then, you can also consider volunteering in a local shelter that is in need of assistance. Regardless of whether you have experience or not, a helping hand is always appreciated. On the other hand, spotting and encountering animals during your travels is another possibility. For instance, if you travel to Western Australia, you can look for interesting whale watching tours where you can see humpback whales, blue whales, killer whales, and southern right whales. In Africa, you can find eco-conscious safaris where you can see and learn more about lions, elephants, and wild dogs.

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Escape to a retreat

Another option to consider is going to a quiet and secluded retreat. If you’re not about that adrenaline and prefer something a bit more tranquil while enjoying nature, you’ll be glad to hear that there are countless options to choose from, no matter where you’re from. Whether you prefer to find a cabin in the woods that you can rent for a few days or travel to a spa that comes with various treatments while surrounded by gorgeous vistas, this is an amazing way to escape the everyday hustle and bustle. Moreover, you can also think about having a digital detox while there, to prevent negativity from the news and social media from ruining your experience.

Make your fitness routine green

In case you’re a big fan of fitness, you should not have any problems incorporating nature into your workouts. For example, simply walking and jogging outdoors is beneficial. If you want to take it up a notch, consider hiking, mountain climbing, and cycling. However, you might prefer exercising at home. If you have a yard, why not do it there? A HIIT session, stretching, and yoga can all be done outside as well.

Learn to slow down

In the wake of COVID-19, people are reconsidering what is most important to them. They often realize that learning to slow down and take in the world around them helps them feel better in countless ways. With that in mind, don’t let work overwhelm you. Set some time aside for yourself and do what makes you happy. Live in the present moment and really immerse yourself in your environment.

In conclusion, no matter if you prefer working with animals, exploring the wilderness on a mountain bike, or relaxing on a beautiful beach, there are countless ways that can help you feel connected to nature once again. Find what makes you feel good.

Gardening Mistakes to Avoid

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Gardening is an amazing and fun way to provide produce for your family. But when you don’t know what to look out for it can be quite frustrating. For those who don’t want to be frustrated and grow their gardens with nothing but love, here are some mistakes you must avoid.

Don’t Plant too Early

Different types of seeds will have their own optimum temperature at which they will sprout. For example, if you plant a seed that sprouts at warm temperatures in earth spring, it will either not sprout or freeze over and die. Another possibility is that your seeds go dormant, which means that you can store them and replant them later because they can be in that state for a very long time. The most important thing is to determine when your seeds need to be planted. Once you have done that, get a soil thermometer so you know what temperature the soil is at that period. Never plant them if it is too cold nor too warm.

Don’t Plant too Late

Just like you shouldn’t plant your seeds too early you shouldn’t plant them too late either. Every plant that you are growing in your garden will have its maturation point which is the number between its planting and first harvest. If you do things too late in the season they will freeze over before the plants mature. But if you have a garden that has a steady temperature or you can cover them by floating covers, your plants can either freeze or get burned.

Not Correcting Your Soil

Not a lot of people have been blessed with having loam soil in their yard. Loam soil is a well-balanced mix of silt, sand, clay and other organic matter. That is why you will need to know what your soil type is. The next thing you will need to do is ask yourself how to improve it. If you have soil that is heavy in clay you will need to balance it out and add sand and organic matter.

Don’t Plant Your Plants Too Close To Each Other

As you can probably see for yourself seeds are much smaller than transplants. So that makes it really easy to plant them too close to each other. When you plant your seeds too close to each other they will have poor air circulation, suffer from nutrient deficiency as well as have to compete for sunlight and moisture. The best option if you don’t want to risk anything is to have vertical gardens. They are much easier to maintain and if you combine it with a hydroponic farming kit you will create the best version of a garden.

Never Let the Weeds Get Out of Control

One of the worst beginner mistakes you can make is letting your weeds go out of control. It doesn’t have to be intentional, all you need to do is not have a plan of attack up and ready. Let’s face it no one wants their garden full of weeds.

Don’t Choose the Wrong Plants

The faster you accept that some plants will simply not grow in your area the easier it will be. Different types of plants will thrive in different zones. If you live in a drought-prone area, plants that require a lot of moisture won’t be able to survive. Another thing to think about is how long the seasons are where you live. Luckily, we live in such an advanced world that nearly every type of vegetables and fruits are developed so they thrive under almost every condition.

Improper Watering

Another very common mistake that we often see, is overwatering or underwatering their plants. Even though most people tend to over water their plants because they are scared that they will dry out, some will have the opposite fear. Plants need to have a lot of oxygen so if you have soil that is not draining well because you are overwatering it will suffocate the plants. But if you are underwater in them, they will dry out. The best way to check if they are watered property is to dig down a bit to check if it is wet enough or if you are flooding them. 

Don’t Add Too Many Chemicals

Especially if you are growing your own produce you want your soil to be healthy and fertile. But in the process of making them healthy people can add to much pesticides, fungicides as well as other chemicals. If you are looking for protecting them maybe try using natural ways. They are just as good and they won’t kill your plants.

Gardening is something that will take time and experience in order to become something extravagant. It is not hard, but as a garden owner, you need to be aware that plants can be quite unpredictable and uncooperative.

Beautify Your Flower Garden with These 7 Tips

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A garden is a constant job as well as a source of beauty and peace in your yard. Flower gardens are a beautiful addition to any landscape design. It is also a great way to help your local flora and fauna, as well as bees that keep the flora alive. Bees love native flowers, and they are most attracted to them. It’s very easy to beautify your flower garden, so read on to see our 7 tips.

1. Plan out your garden design

If you are starting fresh, it’s best to make a plan of action first. Planning the look of your flower garden will help you make the best use of your space. It is also a perfect time to research which flowers and plants are native to your area. Native plants are the easiest to grow and take care of, as they don’t need special treatment to survive in the native climate and soil. If you are planning to have exotic and non-native flowers, take your time learning how to take care of them and make them thrive. Mismanagement can make them wilt, or never grow at all.

2. Decide on the shape and size

If you are dealing with a large plot of land, you will have more room to make a garden of your dreams, but at the same time, you may feel overwhelmed with the possibilities. Flowers and flowers beds can be arranged in many different shapes and sizes. You can sketch out how your garden is going to look. A more practical approach is to take a long rope and outline the shapes and size of your flowerbeds. This way you can check if every part of your garden is the right size and accessible.

3. Choose the flowers

This is the fun part. A good idea is to choose your favourite flowers – you will want to spend a lot of time in your garden this way. Some of the flowers may be either difficult to obtain or they are not suited for specific climates. Try to create a balance between the flower you like and the ones that can actually thrive in your garden. If you are not confident in your gardening skills, choose flowers that are easy to maintain or that are native to your area.

4. Focal points and show-stoppers

A flower garden that has flowers of only one height or colour can look plain or as a flower field. A variety of shapes, colours, and heights is what will create interest and focal points in the garden. Choose show-stopping flowers that will become a focal point in the garden. They can be tall shrubs that will tower over other flowers or a bright colour that stands out. Consider blooming times of every flower, and seasons in which they look the best.

5. Check blooming times

Since you are paying a lot of attention to the visual aspect of your garden, you don’t want your efforts to go to waste because of bloom times. This can include flowers that only bloom in the summer and are bare the rest of the year, or flowers that have different blooming times but are planted in the same flowerbed. It creates an uneven and unpleasant look. It’s best to choose flowers that are in bloom for a longer period of time, as well as look good when not in bloom.

6. Watering and taking care of your garden

Besides choosing beautiful flowers and foliage, it’s important to properly take care of your garden for it to look its best in the long run. Some flowers are only annual, and some have a longer life. Every flower has different needs to thrive and look its best. Make sure to water your garden when it’s not too hot outside, in the morning or evening, or they can burn in the sun. For easier watering, installing hose reels will help you keep your hose neat and easily accessible. Make sure you can provide needed supplements for your flowers so they can grow healthy and beautiful.

7. Add garden decoration

You can spice up your garden with decorations that can also act as focal points. Birdbaths can have a simple or intricate design and add interest to your garden. Lighting is necessary, and you can place hanging lights from trees or solar lamps on the sides of pathways. Arbours can be decorated with wines and act as a small resting area.

The combination and diversity of a flower garden are endless, with many variations of colours, fragrance, and types of flowers and plants. Remember to enjoy the process and that your garden can be ever-evolving and you can change it up with seasons. Take proper care of your garden to enjoy it for a long time.

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Bio: Patrick Adams is a freelance writer and rock-blues fan. When he is not writing about home improvement, he loves to play chess, watch basketball, and play his guitar. More than anything, he loves to spend his time in his garage, repairing appliances and creating stuff from wood.

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Disney Lovers Garden Idea

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Almost all of us have a special place in our hearts for all things Disney. Here is an idea to spread the love to our garden with just a little effort, time and expense. Layout enough circular bricks to make Mickey’s head (or Minnies). Mark the area and remove the bricks. You need to dig out this area to free it from grass and weeds and all the roots that you don’t want springing up in your new display. When you are done digging and cleaning the dirt in this area replace the bricks. To the cleaned out soil you will want to add potting and garden soil and office shredding if you have them. Here garden gnomes that depict Disney characters and a nice flag was added. Then plant flowers or annuals or whatever you like. What a conversation starter.

4 Different Ways To Get Started With Gardening

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Gardening is so rewarding. Not only do you get to experience the joy of bringing a seed to life, but you can also stock your kitchen with homegrown treats and elevate your home decor!

To the uninitiated, beginning a garden can seem like a daunting task. The truth is that you don’t need a huge yard or years of experience to get started. If you’re interested in developing your green thumb, try these beginner-friendly gardening ideas.

  1. Pallet Garden

If you don’t have a lot of outdoor space to work with, a pallet garden is a wonderful option. Whether you live in a dense city or you’re looking for a unique way to make the most of your side yard, you’ll find that the vertical nature of a pallet garden is absolutely perfect for tight quarters.

As you might assume, the structure of your garden comes from an ordinary wooden pallet. The pallet acts as a frame, holding whatever plants you decide to stuff it with. The best part of pallet gardens is that you can be so creative with it. Stain the wood and fill it with herbs for a rustic, bucolic look, or paint it your favorite color and load it up with flowers for a fun spring/summer vibe.

  1. Bins, Buckets, and Barrels

 

If you’re interested in adding some greenery to your life, but you don’t want to bother with repotting plants as they outgrow their pots, try using some oversized storage containers. Buckets, barrels, and bins are all great choices that are easy to find and have plenty of room for growth. Simply fill them with soil, plant your seeds, and follow some basic gardening tips, and you’ll have your own self-contained garden in no time!

The great thing about this approach is that it’s easy to customize and expand over time. The containers give you a self-contained version of a large garden so you can decide if gardening is for you without committing to the real thing just yet. Growing plants in oversized containers is kind of like a cross between potted plants and a real garden—it’s the best of both worlds!

  1. Your Special Corner

For many would-be gardeners, the idea of starting and maintaining a garden is just too big. If you feel overwhelmed, just find a small, outdoor corner, dig it up, throw down some soil, and then put down some stone garden markers to make it official. If you have any pets, be aware of any potentially poisonous plants, and consider putting up a fence.

Even if your corner only has enough space for a person to sit down, you might be surprised by the amount of plant life you can grow. This approach works well because you can really focus on each individual plant. After all, you’re not a full-blown farmer just yet! Your little corner is a backyard oasis where you can get your feet wet without making a major commitment. Maybe next year, you’ll have two corners!

  1. Tin Cans in the Window

All you need is some tin cans, seeds, soil, and sunlight to start your very own indoor herb garden! If shoveling and raking isn’t your cup of tea, you can still enjoy the magic of gardening from the comfort of your couch.

Herbs need to be grown in containers that provide good drainage, so drill a few holes in the bottoms of your cans (or any other small container you prefer). Try using a variety of shapes and sizes—coffee cans make great centerpieces alongside classic tin cans. You can paint them or remove the label for a surprisingly elegant metal look. Prevent water leakage by placing a liner, saucer, or even paper towels underneath the containers.

Now, you simply fill your containers with soil, plant your seeds, label them, and place them in your windowsill. Make sure you check each herb’s water and sun requirements. Most will need at least around 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, and most should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. Here are some of the most popular herbs for growing indoors all year-round:

  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Tarragon
  • Thyme
  • Chives
  • Chervil

Have Fun and Be Creative

There you have it—four easy garden ideas that are simple to start and maintain. The best part about gardening is that you can put your heart and soul into it. It’s not just about having some pretty flowers or tasty veggies to enjoy. Savor the journey. Gardening is your chance to wield the power of nature and create something truly unique and beautiful. Let your personality shine!

Author Bio: Katie Tejada is a writer, editor, and former HR professional. She enjoys writing about events, travel, decorating trends, and innovations for the home, but also covers developments in HR, business communication, recruiting, real estate, and finance.