10 Common Garden Pests: How to Get Rid of Them and Have a Healthy, Thriving Garden

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Every sustainable gardener should know how to master managing common garden pests. The majority of gardeners have a go-to pesticide that they use to get rid of these buggers. However, the problem with store-bought pesticides is that they are harmful not just to your plants but also beneficial bugs, the soil, and the surrounding ecosystem. So, the first step in making common garden pests go away is using natural pesticides.

Certain natural ingredients mixed repel pests from your garden while keeping your plants, yourself, and other surrounding organisms safe. We have prepared a list of the most common garden pests as well as tips on how to get rid of them.

Tips for Getting Started

Every different type of pest inflicts a different kind of damage. Some pests can kill your plants from the root. Others tend to ruin the leaves only. There are even pests that stay in your garden so they could feed on other pests. And, the worst kind of pests are those that spread diseases among the plants.

Before we dig any deeper, we just wanted to give you some general tips that will help you prevent garden pests from appearing at all in the future.

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1. Maintain a healthy soil. The best way to prevent pests from appearing is by using compost and manures that add nutrients to your soil and keep it healthy.
2. Use crop rotation. It is recommended to grow different types of crops in the same area. This reduces reliance on one set of nutrients as well as the appearance of pests and weeds.
3. Create a diversity of plant life. There’s no need to keep growing just one type of plant. Instead, combine vegetables with flowers to attract beneficial wildlife, such as caterpillar-eating birds and aphid-eating insects.
4. Avoid using toxic chemicals and sprays. Of course, these will help you kill the pests. But, they are harmful to your plants and also present a health hazard for birds and other wildlife that feeds on the pests.
5. Grow plants that are suitable for the site and soil. Make sure that you always grow plants that can thrive in your environment. Plants that struggle to grow will be weak and vulnerable to pest and disease.
6. Always be vigilant. Make sure to continually check your covers, traps, and barriers to keep the pests at bay.

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10 Most Common Garden Pests and How to Get Rid of Them

Birds

Believe it or not, birds are on the top of our list of the most common garden pests. Birds truly are lovely and majestic winged creatures, but all gardeners tend to struggle with them. Crows and robins are a well-known nuisance to gardens. Not only will they eat your ripening fruits and veggies, but they will also pluck seeds out of the ground. The best way to keep birds out of your garden is netting.

Aphids

Aphids are small, pear-shaped critters that have long antennae. These pests love hanging out on a wide variety of plants, including fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, flowers, and even shade trees. These sap-sucking insects cause foliage to distort and leaves to drop. The honeydew that they excrete on leaves supports mold growth. These pasts can also carry viruses and spread viral diseases.

You will know that your garden is infested with aphids if you notice your young shoots becoming weak and distorted. Aphids sometimes even kill the plant.

How to get rid of aphids:

• Wash your plants with a strong spray of water
• Apply hot-pepper or garlic repellent sprays
• For severely ingested gardens apply horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, or neem oil

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Cabbage Maggots

As you can conclude from the name, these very common garden pests tend to stick to cabbage-family crops. Cabbage maggots enter the roots, killing plants directly or by creating entryways for disease organisms.

Luckily, there is a way to control these destructive creatures. Here is what you can try to do to get rid of cabbage maggots:

• Use floating row covers
• Avoid first generation by delaying planting
• Apply parasitic nematodes around roots
• Burn the roots of harvested plants
• Apply wood ashes or red pepper dust around stems

Caterpillars

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Caterpillars are soft larvae with six legs in the front and false legs on the rear segment. These pests can be found on shade trees, ornamentals, and fruits and vegetables. These pests won’t cause any diseases among your plants. However, they tend to chew on leaves and some even tunnel into fruits.

Here is what you can do to deter caterpillars:

• Use floating row covers
• Hand-pick the harvest
• Encourage native predators and parasites

Cutworms

If you haven’t heard of cutworms, they are actually quite common garden pests that are active at night. Cutworms are widespread in the UK, and they commonly attack early vegetable and flower seedlings and transplants. These pests will chew through the stems at ground level. In spring months, they can even completely devour small plants.

Here is how can you control cutworms:

• Delay planting
• Try hand-picking cutworms that are curled below the soil surface
• Use cutworm collars on transplants

Alder Leaf Beetle

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Alder leaf beetles are quite recognizable thanks to their distinctive metallic navy bodies. These are quite common garden pests that love to feed on garden trees such as hazel, beech, hornbeam, and, of course, alder. Even though these beetles are unlikely to affect the long-term health of a tree, they will still bite and defoliate the leaves.

Here is how to get rid of alder leaf beetles:

• Use an organic insecticide that contains natural pyrethrins
• Pesticides can be used for tackling the bug’s bright yellow eggs and larvae

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Moles

Moles primarily feed on insects, grubs, and earthworms, so you don’t have to worry about them eating your plants. However, these underground animals can wreak havoc across lawns and gardens with their burrowing. They can also damage the root systems of growing plants. If you ever notice small piles of soil across your garden, then you have a mole.

Here is how you can get rid of moles:

• Plant marigolds, daffodils, alliums as they deter moles
• Anti-mole net is a great way to keep moles at bay
• If everything fails, call a specialist removal company

Flea Beetles

Why is a flea beetle called this way? Well, because it is a beetle, but it also jumps like a flea when disturbed. Flea beetles are common garden pests that tend to attack vegetable crops. These buggers chew numerous small, round holes into leaves that can cause severe damage to young plants. Larvae feed on roots.

To get rid of flea beetles, you can do the following:

• Spray your plants with kaolin clay or garlic spray
• Use floating row covers

Tarnished Plant Bug

These pasts are green or brown bugs that tend to move very fast. They have forewings with black-tipped yellow triangles. As all other common garden pests, tarnished plant bugs can be found on many fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Adult insects cause leaf and fruit wilting and distortion by sucking on plant juices.

To control these bugs, you should:

• Keep your garden weed-free, especially in spring
• Use floating row covers
• Spray young nymphs with neem oil

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Japanese Beetles

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Japanese beetles are invasive garden pests that appear only in some areas of the UK. Adult beetles are metallic blue-green bugs that tend to grow up to ½-inch. These pests tend to attack flowers, vegetables, and small fruit. Adult bugs will chew on flowers, skeletonize leaves, and even wholly defoliate a plant. Larvae feed on garden plant roots.

Here is how to control these pests:

• Use floating row covers
• Shake the beetles from plants every morning
• Spray the bugs with insecticidal soap
• Try using baited traps upwind of your vegetable garden

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Scales

These common garden pests will suck on your fruits, trees, and even indoor plants and weaken them. The plant will then become yellow, drop leaves, and in some cases, die. Adult female scales look like bumps on fruit, leaves, or stems. Males are minute flying insects, and larvae are tiny insects with threadlike mouthparts.

Here is how you can get rid of scales:

• Spray the plants with neem oil
• Use summer oil sprays or dormant
• Scrub scales from twigs with soapy water and rinse well
• Prune out infested plant parts

This was our list of the most common garden pests and tips on how to get rid of them. Have you ever had to deal with pests? How did you exterminate them? Also, which one of our tips do you find the most useful? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Should You Buy a Garden Shredder? 3 Reasons Why Garden Shredders Are a Great Investment!

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If you’re into gardening, then you must have asked yourself at one point or another, should you buy a garden shredder. It might seem like an unnecessary indulgence, but garden shredders can actually be quite useful and save you money in the long run. Also, they do a great job at reducing piles of everyday pruning into woodchips that can be used in the garden for mulching.

We have prepared a guide that will show you all the benefits of owning a garden shredder. And, if you realize that this machine is something you don’t want to live out anymore, this article will teach you a thing or two about the types of garden shredders as well as the most important features.

Keep reading to find out why gardening shredders make a great investment!

3 Reasons Why Garden Shredders Are Worth Buying

There is no way to decide should you buy a garden shredder without being fully aware of its benefits. Here are the top three reasons why this machine is a must-have for all gardeners.

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Tidiness

Everybody loves a tidy garden. But, to have such a garden, you need to put in a lot of time and effort into maintaining it, especially when it comes to overgrown hedges, trees, and shrubbery. They always need cutting back, and this results in an untidy clipping mountain that requires disposal. Let’s not even mention how cutting the hedges can end up in manually cutting the pruning so it would fit into tiny bags.

But, this is all a part of your dark, pre-shedder past. Once you get this amazing tool, you’ll be able to tidy up your garden in no time. A hard and time-consuming job can be done in no time with the help of a shredder.

And, what do you usually do with the prunings once you’re done clipping them? You throw them away, right? Wrong! A garden shredder can help you turn all of that into mulch and compost that will do wonders for your garden.

Mulch and Compost

Have you heard of mulching? It’s a lovely technique that can do wonders for your garden. Here are just a few benefits of mulching:

• Suppresses weeds and prevents pests from appearing;
• Keeps in moisture and reduces the amount of watering needed;
• Prevents soil erosion and makes the soil healthier;
• Protects the plants from too hot/too cold weather;
• Makes the beds and paths look tidier.

But, to be able to do it you need mulch or compost, which you’ll have to buy… only if you don’t have a garden shredder.
Using a shredder will not only make your garden look tidier, but also healthier. You can use it to shred branches and leaves and make your own mulch. It always takes a compost heap lots of time to rot down, but with the shredder, this process will be much quicker and more effective.

Saving Money, Time, and Effort

It is quite clear how a garden shredder can help you save time and effort when it comes to cutting shrubs, hedges, and trees. But how can it help you save money?

First of all, you will never have to pay a gardener to cut the hedge and dispose of the clippings. Also, at one point or another, you need to fertilize your garden. A garden shredder can help you save money on mulches and compost, and keep your garden healthier for free.

Shredded bark can help you keep the compost heap regularly fed. And your plants and flowers will be nourished with free mulch.
Still wondering, should you buy a garden shredder? Well, if you have hedges, trees, and shrubs in your garden that require regular maintenance, then the answer is yes!

Keep reading to find out more about the different types of garden shredders and their main characteristics.

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Types of Garden Shredders

There are two different types of garden shredders – impact and roller.

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Impact Garden Shredders

Impact shredders are also known as rapid shredders. They tend to be the most affordable option, but also the noisiest. These shredders have a blade mechanism that slices up garden material into very fine pieces and don’t block as often. They are a perfect choice for those who need to chop up leaves and lighter garden foliage rather than big chunks of wood. Also, impact garden shredders are lighter than roller models.

If you decide to go for an impact shredder, make sure to get the model that has more than one blade, as they will get blunt less quickly. It would be best if you also chose a model with a regular-shaped hopper as it will help you feed material into the shredder more easily.

Roller Garden Shredders

Roller shredders use a ridged roller to crush and cut garden debris. These models tend to be quieter but also heavier. The roller action draws material through the machine, which makes it easy to shred lots of waste. Unfortunately, these shredders do tend to get blocked by greener, more fibrous material, and usually are more expensive.

Before buying a shredder, make sure to check out its weight. These machines can be quite weighty, and you need to make sure that you can move it around. You should also check that you can adjust the gap between the roller and the plate. Not being able to do so could result in ineffective shredding.

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How Much Do Garden Shredders Cost?

You can find quality garden shredders for about £100. But, if you’re looking for a high-quality model with advanced features, then be prepared to pay about £400 or even more. Even though the starting price is around £100, we recommend spending around £200 to get a really good model.  Roller shredders cost from £150 up to £500.

Main Characteristics of a Garden Shredder

Fuel

The first thing you need to decide is whether you want a petrol or electric garden shredder. Most gardeners go for electric shredders since they don’t require you to buy fuel. However, you should make sure that the length of the cable is sufficient for your garden. Some brands skimp on cable length so that you might need an outdoor extension cable.

If you don’t have an outdoor power supply, then you should consider getting a petrol model. These garden shredders tend to be more powerful, but also more expensive. Also, they require regular servicing.

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Weight

Even relatively lightweight shredders can be tricky to move around since they weigh about 15 kg. The more powerful your shredder it is, the more it will weigh. That’s why it is recommended to get a model equipped with wheels.

Hopper Feed

Hopper is located at the top of the shredder, and it is used to feed in branches or any other material. A shredder with a funnel-shaped chute will facilitate feeding and speed up chipping.

Collection Box

A lot of garden shredder models come with a built-in collection box. Blade disc shredders are often equipped with an ejector chute at the front.

Noise Level

Noise level is indicated in decibels (dB), and most garden shredders produce from 85 to 105dB. Electric models are less noisy, especially those equipped with a rotor system. These models tend to turn more slowly than others, so they have a maximum noise output of around 88 dB. It is recommended to wear hearing protection whenever you use a shredder.

Ease of Use

Electric shredders are the easiest to start up since they don’t require any specific settings. When it comes to ease of use, blade disc and rotor systems will require the use of a push stick to feed the branches into the shredding system.

Ease of Storage

Garden shredders are tools that are used not so often, and storing them requires a fair amount of room. However, there are folding models available that make storing easier. You’ll appreciate the extra space if your garden shed is already packed to the brim with appliances such as hedge trimmers and lawnmowers.

And that is it! We hope that this article has helped you decide should you buy a garden shredder. Surely, it is a useful tool that comes with many benefits. But, if you don’t have to maintain hedges, shrubs, and trees frequently, then it maybe isn’t the best choice for you. Share your final decision in the comments!

The Ultimate Guide to Mulching and Why Your Garden Will Thank You for It

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As a gardener, you must have heard of mulching. This technique is an excellent and easy way to improve the health of your garden but also to reduce the amount of work you have to do. If you’re new to mulching, you might have lots of questions. You might be unsure about the right type of mulch for your garden and how thick to spread it. That is why we prepared this ultimate guide to mulching that will teach you everything there is to know!

So, let’s get started!

What Is Mulching?

Mulching refers to placing a protective and nutritional barrier around your flowers, trees, and plants to improve the health and the appearance of your garden. Manure, compost, pebbles, and even fabric are considered to be ‘mulch’.

There are many types of mulch that can be used, but we’ll get to that part later on. What is important to know at the beginning is that you can have a healthy garden without mulching. But, you’ll be surprised to se what difference can mulching make, especially if you use bio-degradable mulch. It is the best thing you can do for your garden, along with regular watering and pest removal.

Mulching comes with so many benefits, so, let’s check them out!

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The Benefits of Mulching

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There’s no better way to start off our ultimate guide to mulching than opening your eyes and showing you all the incredible advantages.

There are so many benefits of mulching your garden. First of all, it will help the ground retain moisture. This means that you won’t have to water your garden as often. Also, mulch will prevent the roots of plants from becoming too waterlogged. In addition, mulch can protect the soil from hot sunlight.

If you believe that your garden could benefit from sun, there are certain types of mulch that help absorb sunlight, such as black plastic. This is a great solution for gardeners who live in colder climates but would like to get a jump start on planting in the spring. In addition, mulch can be used to protect fragile plant roots from harsh winter weather.

Are you tired of having to deal with weeds? Mulch can help prevent weeds! When you add mulch to your gardening beds, light won’t be able to penetrate through the soil as much. And, less light means fewer weeds.

Since all mulch is made of organic materials, it can have great long-term benefits for the soil. As mulch breaks down over time, it will undoubtedly improve the structure, quality, and fertility of the soil.

And, the greatest part of mulching is that it will make your garden look nicer than ever before.
Here are some other benefits of mulching:

• Animals, rain, wind, and watering can wash soil from growing areas. Mulch keeps it in place and prevents erosion.
• Bio-degradable mulch releases a drip feed of nutrients which means your plants will grow steadily and surely.
• Mulch will not only keep the weeds at bay, but also some pests such as snails and slugs who prefer smooth surfaces instead.
• Mulch protects plant roots from frost and heat damage. Also, it keeps flowers and fruits away from the bare soil.
• Bio-degradable mulch will improve the soil texture as it breaks down over time. Worms love damp, nutrient rich soil and in return they aerate and feed your plants with nutrients of their own.

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What Are the Drawbacks of Mulching?

Mulching comes with no drawbacks when done the right way. Here are some tips that will help you mulch properly:

• Avoid direct contact with branches and stems as it can lead to rot, damage, and weaken the plants.
• Using cheap and low-quality mulch can introduce weeds or even disease.
• It is recommended to mulch around grown plants. Since mulch lowers the ground temperature, the growth of seeds and young plants might be slowed down.
• Bigger pieces of mulch, such as stone or bark, can provide a hiding place for pests such as snails and slugs.
• Sometimes, a white line of fungus can appear in bio-degradable mulch. But, don’t worry! This is beneficial saprophytic fungi. Even though it may not look pretty to you, it helps break down the organic matter and won’t hurt your garden.

What Type of Mulch Can I Use?

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There are many different mulches that you can use, but they are generally categorized into bio-degradable and non-biodegradable mulch. Both types will protect the soil from weeds, pests, drying out, and excess rain.

Bio-Degradable Mulch

This type of mulch is known for breaking down more slowly and releasing nutrients into the soil. Once the layer of the mulch rots down, it needs to be replaced.

Here are some benefits of bio-degradable mulch:

• Mushroom compost is an amazing feast of nutrients and a stray edible mushroom may pop up from it.
• Wood chippings are the slowest to decay and they also look the smartest.
• Rotted manure is a great source of nutrients but only when well-rotted.
• Straw rots down slowly and improves soil structure, but it can be easily blown away.
• Seaweed does wonders as a food source.
• Grass clippings can also be used but only if you haven’t used any weed killers. Also, make sure to keep the layer shallow so it doesn’t rot or get slimy.

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Non-Biodegradable Mulch

This type of mulch won’t add any nutrients to the soil. However, it will protect your garden and last for quite a while.
Here are the benefits of non-biodegradable mulch:

• Slate, pebbles, and shingle will improve the look of your garden. They are easy to lay and won’t wash off.
• Woven fabrics and sheets can save you lots of time. Choose permeable versions so the rain can soak through and cut slits for planting. Fabric suppresses weeds and holds moisture under the soil. To make it look less artificial, put stones or bark chipping on top.

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How Do You Mulch?

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This is the most important part of our ultimate guide to mulching. But, it won’t be too long. Why? Well, only because mulching is so easy and it doesn’t require any long, detailed, step-by-step guides. There are only a few things you should pay attention to.

If you decide to go for a nutrient-rich mulch such as manure or mushroom compost, keep in mind that it needs to be at least two to three inches thick to have an effect. Just place the mulch around your plants before or after frosts on damp soils. Don’t forget to weed first, otherwise you’ll have dandelions like triffids.

When it comes to non-biodegradable mulch such as fabrics and sheets, it might be tricky to put these in place once you’ve planted. So, make sure to use them when you’re creating a bed. When it comes to aggregates, such as pebbles and stones, you can place them at any time of the year. The same goes for bark chippings.

And, really, that’s it… Mulching is no rocket science and doing it is incredibly easy.

What Is the Best Time of the Year to Mulch?

Before we end our ultimate guide to mulching, we just want to give you one more tip. Even though you can mulch at any time of the year, it is recommended to do it first thing in the spring.

If you mulched your garden the year before, you should check on the mulched areas and touch up the beds to fill in any bald or low spots.

Besides spring, it is recommended to mulch late in the fall. Mulch can regulate soil temperature and protect it from the freezing winter weather. After the ground has frozen a couple of times, you can add a few layers of mulch as a protective barrier.

Adding mulch to your garden isn’t something you must do every year. But, there are so many benefits of mulching that missing out on it would be a major gardening misstep. Undoubtedly, mulching is the best tool you can have in your gardening toolbox.

Not only is mulch easy to apply, but it’s easy to maintain. Also, it will reduce all your gardening chores such as watering, fertilizing, and weeding. We hope that our ultimate guide to mulching has helped you understand the right way to mulch your garden.

What part of the guide did you find the most useful? Are you going to start mulching after reading this article? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Top 5 Sleep Enhancing Bedroom Plants that Will Change Your Life

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Many people don’t realize the importance of getting a good night’s rest. Lack of sleep doesn’t only make it harder for you to wake up early that day. It will also affect your energy, decision making, and critical thinking skills during the day. Long term lack of sleep can lead to deterioration of mental, emotional, and physical health.

Long-term lack of sleep can lead to lethargy, decreased motivation and productivity, and health issues. Lack of sleep is also frequently connected to anxiety and stress. If you tend to go to bed on time, but find it very hard to actually fall asleep, we have a solution for you. Believe it or not, there are 5 sleep enhancing bedroom plants that can help you combat insomnia.

Sometimes people say that it is not wise to keep plants in the bedroom because they produce CO2. But, in reality, plants produce so little CO2 that they can’t affect your health. On the contrary, keeping plants in the bedroom is even recommended as they can actually improve air quality, raise the humidity, reduce outdoor noise, and also help you sleep at night.

Keep reading to find out what are the 5 sleep enhancing bedroom plants and how can they help you out. Also, we prepared a few other bedroom plants that can improve your quality of sleep and life.

Top 5 Sleep Enhancing Bedroom Plants

1. Valerian

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A valerian plant will look gorgeous in any bedroom because of its small white and pink flowers. In addition, the plant has a very sweet scent. But, the most important benefit of the valerian is that it can do wonders when it comes to sleeping. Inhaling the scent of valerian root turns out to induce sleep and also improve the quality of sleep.

Besides placing this plant in your bedroom, you can also add a few petals to your bath or just sniff the plant before going to sleep. Keep in mind that valerian needs six hours of sun a day to thrive, so place it on a sunny window sill.

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2. Lavender

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Lavender is one of the most popular plants in the world and people love it because of its wonderful smell. But, keeping lavender in your home comes also with a few health benefits. Namely, this plant is known for inducing sleep and reducing stress and anxiety.

It was proven that a lavender plant can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels, making it a perfect addition for your bedroom. In addition, a study carried out by the Miami Miller School of Medicine showed that lavender bath oils calm babies down and send them off into a deeper sleep. It is recommended to keep the plant on a sunny windowsill and to water it sparingly.

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3. Jasmine

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Jasmine is a beautiful white flower that will add a touch of elegance to any room. And, it also deserves a spot on our top 5 sleep enhancing bedroom plants list for several reasons. First of all, this flower is known for its anxiety-reducing properties. The plant gives off a sweet scent that is connected to reducing anxiety levels and improving sleep quality.

Then, it is also shown that jasmine improves people’s mood right after they wake up. So, not only will this plant help you fall asleep more easily, but it will also boost your mood in the morning! Maintaining a jasmine flower is very easy. Just make sure to place it on a windowsill and water it regularly.

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4. Snake Plant

Image Courtesy of Exotic Flora

Snake plant also has a popular second name, ‘mother-in-law’s-tongue.’ But, despite its slightly scary name, the plant makes a great addition to any bedroom. This plant is a natural air purifier. It emits oxygen at night and removes some harmful chemicals from the air such as benzene, toluene, xylene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde.

Sleeping in a room with purified air will undoubtedly result in better sleep quality and improved mood upon waking up.

‘’People are so busy today, they are continuously sleep-deprived. It affects them tremendously, usually in small ways before it starts showing grand symptoms and causing even grander everyday problems. My little secret lies in this wonderful snake plant. It felt silly to buy it for this purpose, but it actually works,’ explains Clarence Pierce, a writer for Assignment Geek Australia.

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5. Peace Lily

Image Courtesy of Pro Flowers

The peace lily is the last one on our top 5 sleep enhancing bedroom plants list. But, that doesn’t make it any less valuable than the previously mentioned plants. As a matter of fact, placing this tree in your bedroom is recommended even by NASA scientists, since the plant does a great job of reducing pollutants in the air. In addition, the peace lily can increase indoor humidity by 5%, which is great for improving sleep quality.

According to Apartment Therapy, “Low humidity causes static electricity, dry skin and hair, increased susceptibility to colds and respiratory illnesses, and can allow viruses and germs to thrive.”

What’s even better about peace lilies is that they don’t require much maintenance. The plant will bloom even if it doesn’t receive much sunlight. And, its white flowers will remain constant even with ample light, making this plant an ideal choice for rooms with small windows.

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Other Plants for Your Bedroom

The 5 sleep enhancing bedroom plants we just mentioned are the perfect choice for every bedroom. Not only will they improve your sleep quality, but they will also increase room humidity and reduce stress and anxiety levels. But, there are also a few other plants that will beautify your bedroom and also improve air quality.

Golden Pothos

Image Courtesy of Patch Plants

Also known as “Devil’s ivy,” this plant is recognizable thanks to its marbled, heart-shaped leaves. And, it is a perfect choice for all those who want to decorate their home with hanging baskets, due to the way golden pothos grows.

Devil’s ivy is also great for families with small children or pets since it will remain out of their reach. Besides its ability to beautify every room, golden pothos is also an excellent air purifier. And, looking after this plant is incredibly easy. It needs very little sunlight and should be watered once a week.

Aloe Vera

Image Courtesy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac

There’s no need for buying expensive air purifiers because none of them will do a better job than aloe vera. This is a medicinal plant and it is not used for decorative purposes only. The gel from aloe vera leaves can be used to treat small cuts, burns, insect bites, and even dry skin. Also, it is known for its incredible air-purifying properties since the plant produces oxygen at night.

Aloe vera is a succulent, meaning that it doesn’t need much watering since it can maintain moisture within its leaves. It is recommended to keep the plant in a sunny place.

Gardenia

Image Courtesy of Southern Living Plants

Just one look at this flower should be enough to convince you to get it for your bedroom. Gardenia comes with large, white flowers that come in the form of many petal roses. Combined with the dark green, glossy leaves, the flowers look like a masterpiece that should be placed in every bedroom.

Besides its gorgeous appearance, gardenia is known for its grand scent as well. It will give every room a lovely smell, making the time you spend there quite relaxing and enjoyable.

Spider Plant

Image Courtesy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac

The spider plant is not on our list of 5 sleep enhancing bedroom plants because that is not its main purpose. However, it is on NASA’s list of the best air-improving plants. The spider plant is known for its air-purifying purposes. It can remove the chemical xylene from the air, which is a headache-inducing component. In addition, multiple tests showed that this plant can remove up to 90% of this harmful chemical from the air.

The spider plant is very resilient and easy to care for. It requires bright but indirect sunlight and moist soil. You can hang it in any room, near a window.

English Ivy

Image Courtesy of Patch Plants

English ivy is a popular plant known for its ability to filter out airborne toxins. It does a great job of removing ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air. This plant is also a perfect choice for all those who suffer from asthma and allergies since it does a great job of removing airborne mold and faeces. English ivy needs medium to bright filtered light and regular watering to thrive.

Did you know that plants and flowers could have such remarkable advantages? Not only can they transform a space in terms of its looks, but they can also improve your living quality. Our 5 sleep enhancing bedroom plants are known for improving creating a relaxing environment that will help you fall asleep more easily. In addition, they will undoubtedly improve your sleep quality and some of them are capable of boosting your mood right after you wake up. Which one of these are you looking forward to placing in your bedroom?

10 Creative Garden Design Ideas to Transform Your Outdoor Space

Image Courtesy of Garden Lovers Club

Would you like to start a garden, redesign your current yard, or you just want to fill an empty plot of land? Lucky for you, we came up with a list of incredible garden ideas that you can use for inspiration. Ranging from small, simple gardens to those that integrate pergolas or even streams, this collection of designs will definitely help you kickstart your next garden project.

Our list of garden design ideas contains something for everyone. If you’re just interested in growing flowers, then you’ll find some ideas on how to adorn your yard. All those who have a small backyard will also be able to find something to transform their outdoor space. Last but not least, those who want to want to plant herbs, fruits, or veggies will also find the ideas they are looking for.

But, before we get to the creative part, here are a few things you should pay attention to.

Things to Consider When Coming Up with Garden Design Ideas

1. Define Your Style, Preferences, and Needs

Before you start looking at our garden design ideas, you need to be sure of some things such as who is going to use the garden and for what. Are you looking to transform your outdoor space into a place for relaxation? Or, do you need a space for inviting friends and family over? In that case, you will also need a garden dining set.

Once you decide on this, you will be able to choose a garden style that will suit your needs.

2. Always Keep the Walkways Safe

It is easy to get carried away when coming up with your own garden design. Sometimes, people even forget the basics. So, we’re here to remind you to always keep your walkways safe. By this, we mean to make them safe and easy to walk on. Make sure to choose appropriate materials and even out any slopes, to ensure that people don’t trip. And, if you notice any issues with your walkway, make sure to address them right away.

3. Plan Out the Space for Pergolas and Arbors

Would you like to add a pergola or arbor to your garden? Well, before doing anything make sure to measure your garden and to find enough free space for the structure. You don’t want tree branches coming in and your guests hitting their heads. And, if you’re in need of some inspiration, check out our list of amazing pergola ideas.

4. Be Patient

When you come up with some amazing garden design ideas, you’ll probably want to make them come true overnight. But, the truth about designing a garden is that it usually takes a while. Smaller projects can be finished within a week or two, but larger ones may take even several months. It is important to stay patient throughout the process. In the end, all your hard work will pay off and you’ll get to enjoy spending time in your garden.

10 Creative Garden Ideas for Your Home

1. Small Garden Ideas

Image Courtesy of Planted Well

Many people who don’t have much outdoor space think their garden is unusable. It truly is a difficult task to make the most out of a small space. But, it is possible. Just think of what you would like to have in your garden and get creative.

Want a place where you can drink coffee in the morning? Well, you may not be able to fit a big table and an outdoor sofa in your small garden. But, you may be able to place a chair and a small end table there!

2. Multi-Purpose Garden

Image Courtesy of Remodelista

Is it possible to come up with garden design ideas that will include something for every family member? Yes, of course, it is! And, this photo is a perfect example. Creo Landscape Architecture came up with this garden design. They included dining and seating spaces for adults combined with a grassy part for the children. The outdoor space was used smartly and the end result is a safe, engaging, and attractive garden for both parents and children.

3. Extended Living Space

Image Courtesy of A Blade of Grass

Are you looking for interesting garden design ideas that will help you extend your living space into your yard? Well, here is an idea for you! This outdoor space was designed by A Blade of Grass. The team of designers thought of reconfiguring the porch to step down to an adjacent raised bluestone patio. Then, a series of outdoor rooms were created, including a living room, a playroom, and even a koi pond.

4. Garden Transformation

Image Courtesy of Jane Harries Garden Designs

Let’s say that you had a grassy garden filled with children’s toys. But, now your children are all grown up and you want to create some outdoor space for yourself. Well, Jane Harries Garden Designs has an idea for you. The house owners preferred minimalistic garden design ideas, so they removed all the oversized trees. Then, they decided to reconfigure the law to create larger borders and an informal planting design with a romantic feel. Last but not least, a children’s swing was replaced with a porch-style swing settee.

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5. A Cozy, Intimate Garden

Image Courtesy of Kate Eyre Garden Design

Are you looking for garden design ideas that will help you transform your outdoor space into a hidden oasis that allows you to escape from everything? Well, making that idea come true is incredibly simple, and you won’t need to invest too much money. You just need to plant flowers or bushes near your fence so they could provide more intimacy and also beautify the space. Add some outdoor furniture (a simple bench will do) and, you’re done!

6. Relaxing Garden Design Ideas

Image Courtesy of Joanne Winn Garden Design

If you don’t worry about other people disturbing you, there is no need to create a secluded outdoor space like in the previous example. If you only care about relaxing in peace, then get a few garden lounge chairs and place them anywhere in your garden. To beautify your surroundings, you just need to make sure to maintain the lawn regularly. You can also add a few flower beds. In this case, not only did flowers add some color to the garden but also provided a transition between the lawn and the patio.

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7. Vegetable Garden Design Ideas

Image Courtesy of @backyardgardener

Do you have some extra space in your garden? You should use it to plant vegetables. Not only will you get to eat fresh and healthy produce, but the geometry of a vegetable garden becomes an interesting design element. And, don’t limit yourself to vegetables only. Plant a few trees as well. Sure, it will take them some time to grow, but they will provide the perfect shade during hot summer months.

8. Modern Garden Design Ideas

Image Courtesy of Kargosha

Does your home feature a contemporary design and you would like a matchy garden? Well, feel free to use this idea as your inspiration. This contemporary garden features a patio, spa, outdoor kitchen, and a swimming pool. In addition, softscape plants add greenery to the yard. Of course, your garden doesn’t have to incorporate all these features. Just placing items that imitate the straight, square edges to match the lines of the home would have done the trick.

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9. Flagstone Patio

Image Courtesy of Pinterest

Does your patio desperately need a makeover? Take a cue from this photo. The homeowners covered theirs in flagstone and then they added built-in wood seating to create a small dining area. The plants they used for decoration are ferns and Japanese maple, which are shade-tolerant plants. Garden design ideas such as this one are perfect for small urban landscapes that look the best when decorated with patio surfaces and potted plants.

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10. Modern Outdoor Dining Area

Image Courtesy of Houzz

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Gardens like this simply take your breath away every time when you look at them. But, if you pay more attention to the photo, you will realize that you could easily transform your garden and make it look like this one. The emphasis here is on the simple and clean design. And, to imitate it, you will need to take advantage of the square geometry, so all the different areas could blend in smoothly.

These were our garden design ideas that are so simple yet so creative that they will completely transform your home. Which one did you like the most? Share your favorite in the comments!

11 Incredible Ways How Gardening Benefits Your Health

Image Courtesy of The Conversation

Many people take up gardening because it makes their house look good. Also, gardening can provide plenty of organic fruits and veggies for your dinner table. Let’s not even mention the bountiful bouquets you can use for decoration. But, are you aware how gardening benefits your health?

Many people are not aware of the fact that gardening can do wonders for their wellbeing. Since this activity includes some physical exercise, it can be very useful for maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure levels. And, the benefits don’t stop there. Gardening can also improve your mental health and current mood.

According to Gwenn Fried, the manager of Horticulture Therapy at NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation, ” nature has a huge impact on health and wellness.” He says that gardening can even affect cortisol levels as they tend to ” go down in a calm, green environment.”

Do you love spending your mornings or afternoons in your garden? Or, are you one of those people who always wanted to start digging and planting, but you need some extra motivation? Well, here is some motivation; keep reading to find out all the ways how gardening benefits your health!

11 Ways How Gardening Benefits Your Health

1. Your Body Gets Some Extra Vitamin D

So, let’s start with the most obvious benefit. When you spend a lot of time outside, you expose yourself to the sun and vitamin D. This vitamin is very important because it increases your calcium levels, ensuring that your bones and immune system stay healthy. And, there is even a 2014 Italian study that proves that older adults can get adequate vitamin D levels by being exposed to sunlight.

Image Courtesy of Business Insider

2. Gardening Is Great for Your Heart

Everyone who thinks that maintaining a garden is easy obviously had never done it before. To keep your garden in top-notch shape, you need to do a lot of digging, planting, and weeding. And, maybe you didn’t realize it before, but that is some serious exercise that burns calories and even strengthens your heart.

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3. Gardening Equals Aerobic Exercise

As we just mentioned, many people don’t even recognize that gardening is actually one type of aerobic exercise. Mostly because gardeners are so engrossed in their work, they don’t even notice that they are breaking a sweat. But, just think about it, all that twisting, bending, digging, pulling weeds, and reaching for tools requires some physical effort. And, even though it may not seem as much to you, that physical effort has a great impact on strength, stamina, and flexibility.

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4. Gardening Decreases Risk of Dementia

One amazing thing about this hobby is that gardening does not only improve your physical but also mental health. And, according to one study from 2006, gardening can lower the risk of dementia up to 36 percent. The study tracked about 2,800 people who were over the age of 60 for 16 years. The results of the research show that physical activity, especially gardening, can reduce the occurrence of dementia.

Image Courtesy of USA Today

5. Gardening Can Help You Lose Weight

There are many different ways how gardening benefits your health, and one of them is weight loss. For all those struggling with a few extra pounds, gardening is a great way to finally get rid of them. As already mentioned, gardening is very similar to aerobic exercise. But, did you know that just one hour of light gardening can help you burn more than 300 calories? This is significantly more than walking for one hour.

According to one study published in the American Journal of Public Health, people who took part in a community gardening program had much lower BMIs (body mass indexes) than their neighbors.

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6. Spending Time in the Garden Can Boost Your Mood

Did you notice that, after doing some work in your garden, you feel much better and more relaxed? Well, this is just another example of how gardening benefits your help. According to one study carried out in the Netherlands, gardening is one of the most effective hobbies for fighting stress. The participants were given a stressful task and then they would relax inside by reading a book or by gardening. Those who did gardening reported much better moods. Even their blood tests recorded much lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

7. It Lowers Blood Pressure

It is a well-known fact that 30-minutes of physical activity a few times a week can do wonders for those who struggle with high blood pressure. And, as you probably concluded by now, gardening is one of the best physical activities you can get. Another way how gardening benefits your health is that it can lower your blood pressure. And, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, gardening or raking leaves for up to 45 minutes a few times a week is a great way to reach the recommended weekly exercise.

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8. Growing Food Improves Your Diet

Some people do gardening so their yard could look prettier. Others love it because they can grow their own food. Besides all the physical exercise, here is another great way how gardening benefits your health. You will be exercising and supplying fresh and organic produce in your diet.

It is recommended to consume two cups of vegetables and one and a half cups of fruits on a daily basis to provide your body with the necessary nutrients and reduce the risk of chronic disease. But, only 1 in 10 people meet these recommendations. But, if you have your own garden, you won’t let the fruit of your labor go to waste! Instead, you’ll be consuming much more fruits and veggies than before.

Image Courtesy of Good Housekeeping

 9. Gardening Combats Loneliness

Once people are retired, they don’t get much opportunity to socialize. And, believe it or not, gardening can help out with that as well. Community gardens are very popular and not only do they provide benefits to a certain neighborhood, but they also provide seniors an opportunity to engage with others.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describe community gardens as “collaborative projects on shared open spaces where participants join together in the maintenance and products of the garden, including healthful and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.”

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10. Gardening Helps Develop a Growth Mindset

You’re not that good of a gardener? Well, that is a good thing! One of the ways how gardening benefits your health is that it can help you develop a growth mindset. Let’s say you plant some flowers, but they wither. Many would think of that as a failure. But this actually gives you a chance to grow.

When things don’t work out as you hoped, you should rather perceive such experience as an opportunity for learning, rather than a mistake. So, if you fail to grow fruits, veggies, or flowers, make sure to try again instead of giving up.

11. You Can Reduce Stress with Gardening

Even though gardening requires physical effort, it is quite a relaxing and stress-reducing activity. More importantly, gardening turned out to be very helpful to those who are battling with anxiety and depression.

As a matter of fact, some hospitals use planting as a form of rehabilitation for people who are recovering from surgeries, strokes, injuries, and other conditions.

And, these are all the ways how gardening benefits your health. As you could notice throughout the article, gardening can help you improve both your physical and mental health. In addition, nowadays people are so busy and tend to spend too much time interacting with electronic media. Gardening is a perfect way for everyone to escape the screen and find some respite in nature.

Would you like to reap all these benefits of gardening, but have no idea how to start? Keep reading, we’ll help you out.

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How to Get Started with Gardening

Image Courtesy of The San Diego Union

Ready to start your own garden after reading how gardening benefits your health? Here are a few tips that will help you get started even if you know nothing about gardening!

1. Just get started. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know much about gardening. The most important thing is to start. What’s the worst thing that can happen? You can fail? Well, they say people learn the best through experience. Learning from mistakes will help you get closer to having a perfect garden.
2. Take it slow. Whenever people take up a new hobby, they get too excited. When it comes to gardening, the excitement can lead to planting too much and having a hard time maintaining all the plants. This might make you feel overwhelmed and discourage you from moving on. So, when you decide to get started with gardening, make sure to start with a few plants only. You can always add more plants to your garden over time.
3. Pay attention to your soil. Successful gardening starts from the ground up, literally. You should make sure to use soil that is healthy. And, to have healthy soil it is a must to avoid synthetic chemicals. Instead, you can use organic material such as compost.
4. Grow what you want. Many articles or books on gardening recommend certain plants that are a good choice for beginners. But it is actually much better to plant fruits and vegetables that you like eating or flowers that you like looking at. However, if you’re looking for plants that you can’t fail with and that grow quickly, we recommend lettuce or radish.
5. Research your plants’ needs. To make sure that your planting attempt succeeds, make sure to learn something about your plants beforehand. You don’t have to do much research. Just reading the plant tag to find out whether it likes shade or wet ground will do the trick. Providing proper environment is enough to make the plants thrive.
6. Pay attention to your plants. You don’t have to spend too much time in your garden. But you should have a look at your plants every day. This way, you can notice any problems and prevent them from turning into something bigger. After all, spending time in the garden can only benefit you, so don’t be lazy!

And, there you go! Starting and maintaining your garden is not too difficult. And, after reading how gardening benefits your health, you would be crazy to miss out on this hobby!