Garden Wellness

Growing a wide range of plants and flowers looks beautiful and is very rewarding. But did you know that some common garden plants are poisonous? That means you should take extra care around them. It’s worth knowing which plants in your…

Whether it is in your home or office, palm house plants add beauty and several health benefits. Aside from cleaning the air, palm plants can make more oxygen available in the room. Palms are slow-growing, particularly as potted plants. It…

When you gift a plant to someone, whether it is family, friends or even coworkers, it means something special – you are giving them a living plant, full of life, instead of a bouquet that will wilt and die in no time. Research shows that…

When planning your garden, gardening experts, websites and magazines suggest conventional guidelines like say, for instance, choosing colours that complement one another. The problem with rules is that they stifle your creativity. Sometimes…

There are many different factors that go into keeping your garden healthy including nutrients, pest control, disease and fungus control and even pH. Calcium is as much a necessity in people and animals to build and maintain strong bones and…

Although blue roses don’t exist in nature, florists can produce blue-hued flowers by placing cut roses in dye. Also, in a painstaking 20-year effort, biotechnologists had made a blue rose through a combination of genetic engineering and…

Part of the charm of any garden is seeing a wide variety of wildlife. Many creatures will make your garden their home, from birds to butterflies and all kinds of bugs. Of course, some creatures are not as welcome as others – few gardeners…

Hanging plants are a wonderful addition to your living space. Not only do they bring fresh colours into the room, but they also provide health benefits. So, if you’re interested in beautiful, low-maintenance indoor hanging plants, here are…

Great garden furniture can take the comfort and looks of your garden to the next level. Buying outdoor furniture is not very different from buying indoor furniture, but there are some additional considerations as well. Here are a few things…

From being attacked by a cat to flying into a window, there are many reasons why a bird might become injured and it’s natural to want to help. But would you know what to do if you found an injured bird in your garden? Assess the situation…

The Mediterranean look is one that many gardeners aspire to create in their own garden. And the good news is, with so many different plants, herbs and decorations; it’s easy to recreate the look in a variety of climates. Mediterranean…

Our gardens are home to a whole host of insects, bugs and creepy crawlies. Many play an important part in our local eco-system and are beneficial for creating a healthy and thriving garden environment. Meanwhile others are not so friendly…

After a busy morning in the garden, there’s nothing quite like sitting down with your favourite beverage. But there’s plenty you can do with tea and coffee in the garden besides simply drinking it. If you take the time to make a pot of…

Bees are vital for the planet’s ecosystem and over 80% of crops grown for human consumption rely on bees and other insects for pollination. Despite the vital role they play, we know that honeybee populations are declining at an alarming…

If you’re searching for inspiration for your next garden makeover, a great place to start is by looking to garden trends found in other countries. And one country famed for its distinctive gardens is Japan. Japanese gardens are renowned…

If you don’t have a lot of horizontal space and yet want to have your own garden, try vertical gardening. Great to look at, these vertical gardens also do a good job of covering an unattractive wall. Any wall will do, and unless you have a…

Ponds and water features are usually associated with large gardens but you can still enjoy a ‘pond’ in a small space by creating one from a washing-up bowl or similar sized water-tight container. Introducing a mini pond to your garden is…

Gardens at the front of the house don’t always get the same love and attention lavished on them as back gardens. Often viewed as simply a route from the street to your front door, the front garden can be restricted by practical…

Garden hedges look attractive and are a great way to create a boundary between properties. But many people struggle to maintain a garden hedge, particularly if it’s very high or long. Here are our tips for healthy hedge maintenance. How…

From planting and weeding to pest control and pruning, there’s always something to do in the garden. If you have a busy lifestyle, finding the time to tend to your garden is a challenge, but a few smart short cuts mean you can have a…

There are many reasons why it’s good to have plants in your home or office. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen as well as helping to clean the air by absorbing pollutants. A study from Kansas State University showed that…

Aphids and similar pests are the bane of many a gardener’s life. These destructive pests can wreak havoc on gardens and farm crops alike, and their effect on carefully cultivated plants may tempt you to reach for the pesticide. But if…

There’s nothing more satisfying than growing your own vegetables but perhaps you are looking for a way to increase your yield, or grow healthier vegetables. Well, if you’re not already practising crop rotation, you’ll be amazed at the…

When planning your garden, so many books suggest conventional guidelines such as choosing colours that complement one another. The problem with rules is that they stifle your creativity. Sometimes it can be fun to tear them up and try…

As modern living accommodation becomes more compact, many people no longer have access to a garden of their own. Perhaps you live in a flat or apartment without any outside space or maybe your outside areas are paved or concreted. But just…

Bonfires are a great way to deal with garden waste and people love the thrill of gathering around a bonfire with family and friends. However, if you are planning to light a bonfire in your garden, it’s important to plan ahead as many…

What better way to enjoy outdoor life than by inviting friends or family round for a tasty barbecue? With so many types available, from small kettle versions to gas-powered barbecues and tin disposables, there’s one to fit any size garden.…

There’s no substitute for fresh air and outdoor play to help children feel healthy and happy. Interacting with nature is invaluable to a child’s development in terms of self-esteem, self-confidence and good health. Children, increasingly,…

It’s natural to assume that gardening is one of the most eco-friendly pastimes. As long as you don’t go crazy with pesticides, artificial fertilisers or weed killers, then surely nothing could be greener than raising a few flowers and…

Several times a week, Annikki Egolf, a Child & Youth Care worker with the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre Association (CDC) in Canada, goes outside with different groups of children, planting vegetables and flowers in their…