6 Air Purifying House Plants

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1. Bamboo Palm It removes formaldehyde and is also said to act as a natural humidifier.

2. Snake Plant It absorb nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde.

3. Areca Palm One of the best air purifying plants for general air cleanliness.

4. Spider Plant Great indoor plant for removing carbon monoxide and other toxins or impurities. Spider plants are one of three plants NASA deems best at removing formaldehyde from the air.

5. Peace Lily Peace lilies could be called the “clean-all.” They’re often placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms because they’re known for removing mold spores. Also know to remove formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

6. Gerbera Daisy Not only do these gorgeous flowers remove benzene from the air, they’re known to improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen over night.

How To Plant A Tree In Your Yard by Guest Writer Philip Brown

How To Plant A Tree In Your Yard

Planting a tree is not just a matter of digging a hole and dropping it in. If you want your tree to have healthy growth, then that will require patience and careful preparation. Take a look at these steps for how to grow a strong and healthy tree in your yard.

  • Choose the species carefully and plant at the right time of year. Select a species that is native to the area. Plant your tree during its dormant phase, which is usually over the winter, somewhere between late autumn and early spring. This will allow it to establish itself in time for the growing season.medium_4975718208
  • Choose a site for your tree. Make sure to avoid any cables or pipes and to choose a sunny area. Dig a hole that is about 5 times the width of the tree’s root ball so that it has plenty of space to spread its roots. Dig the hole with a raised section in the center for the root ball to sit on – this will keep it out of any water that may collect and in turn stop the tree from drowning. Loosen the dirt around the edges of the hole to allow the roots to spread out more easily.
  • Remove the tree from its container by gently tipping it out of the pot or cutting the side of the bag from the roots. You can leave a mesh container on as the roots will grow through the holes and it will help keep the soil together. Remember, you want to keep as much of the existing soil on the root ball as possible. As you are handling the tree, be sure not to leave the roots exposed to the sun or wind as they may get dried out and damaged.
  • Plant the tree. Place the tree in the hole and check the height. All of the roots should be covered, but the trunk should remain fully exposed. Add some manure into the hole to feed the tree as it grows, and add water. Mulch around the tree to keep weeds away and moisture in, but take care not to touch the tree trunk with the mulching or it could rot. Water again after an hour or so. Then water regularly until the tree is fully established.

With a little bit of planning and some care, you will have a tree that will last for many years.

About the Author: Philip Brown is a lover of green, healthy lawns. A former lawn care professional, Philip now spends his time sharing what he knows with others and blogging about it at The Lawn Enthusiast.

Using An Eggshell For A Tiny Pot

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Jeffrey Scott Thomas 117

Magic Jelly Beans

555114_478480305534822_1906957858_nAs the weather gets nicer outside I am dieing to get out and garden. I found this great little planting treat on Face Book on $5-10 Dollar Meals- Cheap Eats. Grab a handful of Jelly Beans and plant them in the garden with your children. Have them water them thoroughly and talk to them about planting and how something that starts from seeds can grow and provide us with food to eat. Do tell them though that these Jelly Beans are a fun magical experiment and that if they plant them and nourish them carefully something might grow that they will love. In a couple of days after you see them watering and caring for their magical beans – when they are not looking – take the beans out and “plant” a huge lollipop. They learn something about the process of gardening, doing a little work pays off and may want to help more in the garden.

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Flowering Shrubs Guide By Guest Writer FlowersByPost.Org.UK

Flowering Shrubs GuideThere are quite a few flowering shrubs which can make your garden look particularly pretty and any landscape much more appealing. If you live in a temperate region, it’s easier to grow and take care of such a shrub. The following list is based on the seasonal interest of each flowering shrub. This interest is not only based on the blooms of the shrub, but also on their shape, branching pattern and any other striking peculiarity. The blooming times of the following shrubs vary depending on the region they are growing at. Most people purchase flowering shrubs that they can enjoy all year long so this is the main focus of the list as well.

Spring Flowering Shrubs: There are many lovely shrubs which are in bloom in spring, so it won’t be hard to pick one. Forsythia is a shrub with bright yellow blooms which will beautify your garden from the very first days of spring. Some growers even use methods for forcing the flowers to bloom before spring has come. Some of the most famous flowering shrubs are azaleas and rhododendrons, with some of their types being evergreen. Another popular choice is the lilac, which is a late-comer, but it’s one of the perfect heralds of spring. The lilac has a lovely scent, whose aroma floats in the air everywhere around it and it’s quite recognizable all over the world. Its pretty petals will make your garden a true fairytale spot.

Summer Flowering Shrubs: If you live to the south, you can enjoy the blooms of the mountain laurel, a symbol of the transition from spring to the warmest season. In areas Flowering Shrubs Guide2where the laurel is native to, it can be mostly found in the forests. Another flowering shrub for the summer is the Rose of Sharon, which is in bloom in the second half of summer. The shrub is related to the Hibiscus, but its blossoms are not as large.

Some of these flowering shrubs double in fall and winter too – not devoid of interest. With outstanding autumn colours they add beauty to every landscape.

Fall Shrubs: Shrubs may be smaller than trees, but in autumn it rarely matters, as these following types look lovely. The Viburnum shrub produces white blooms in spring and attractive fall foliage too. They also have clusters of bluish berries which makes them even prettier. The Oakleaf Hydrangea is all about its beautiful clusters of white flowers during the summer. In Fall, on the other hand, its foliage turns purple, red or orangey-bronze – the perfect autumn colours for your garden.

Winter shrubs: Perhaps winter is not the best season for plants, shrubs and flowers, but it shouldn’t result in you neglecting your garden. In terms of landscape interest it’s quite poor, so the focus is usually on the unusual branching patterns. One of the examples of a winter shrub with Flowering Shrubs Guide3a peeling bark is the oakleaf hydrangea, thus making the shrub a triple winner – popular in summer, fall and winter. Another shrub worth a mention is Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick. Because of its rather unusual branching pattern this shrub is often called “contorted filbert” and “corkscrew hazel”. Many people who have this shrub in their garden his shrub in their garden decorate it for Christmas and New Year’s. It’s a good prop for hanging Halloween lanterns and decoration as well.