Wellness Ideas, Tips & Guides

Lungworts, Pulmonaria, are low-growing, spring-flowering herbaceous plants that thrive in shade. Named after the mottled leaves of some species, which were thought to resemble lung (pulmonary) disease, lungworts were traditionally used to treat lung infections. You can buy ‘lungwort complex’ to treat lung, stomach and urinary tract issues today, however there is no scientific evidence that lungwort complex has any health benefits at all.

Did you know that you should probably be using fertilizer for your vegetable garden? We know it can sometimes be difficult to figure out when to fertilize your vegetables and even how much fertilizer to use but luckily, we've got you covered. Read on to see what happens if you don't use fertilizer for your garden and why it's an essential part of keeping your plants and produce healthy and thriving.

While common, terracotta pots are not a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to your green friends. According to gardening experts, many plants will actually struggle when placed in terracotta pots.

While home gardeners are often plagued with too much sunshine during the dog days of summer, downpours are another thing to be concerned about.

For those of us who garden in small spaces, container gardening strikes an ideal balance between structure and flexibility. Potted plants can be rearranged as often as necessary, which makes it easy to accommodate new additions and to ensure that each plant gets the sunlight or shade it requires. Compared to traditional in-ground beds, container gardens also give us a bit more control over factors such as water, weeds, and pests. I’ve spent the past few decades creating designs for roof decks, balconies, courtyards, and patios in San Francisco. Through this work I have discovered that the key to container gardening success is always the same: finding a mix of appealing plants that are well suited to each garden’s specific climate and light conditions. Using my home garden as a testing ground, I’ve developed some strategies that anyone can use to create lush urban jungle and cohesive container displays that truly stand out from the crowd. 

Even though pineapples are considered a fruit (and a fruit generally comes from trees—unless it’s a berry), pineapples actually grow on a plant close to the ground. Each pineapple plant bears exactly one pineapple. So where did pineapple come from in the first place?

Gardening can sometimes be quite heavy on the pockets! So, if you love growing plants but are not well financially, don’t sweat it! Here’s how to save money without compromising on leafy friends. Check out these cheap and affordable garden and backyard ideas if you’re on a budget.

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The biggest and most expensive purchase most people make in their lives is buying a house. Families and individuals plan for years, sign off on decades long mortgages, and empty their savings account to acquire their own home. But the homeowner headache does not end when you sign your name on a piece of paper (or hundreds and hundreds of pieces of paper, let’s be honest with ourselves); a purchased home does not always mean a livable home. 

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

If left untouched, this lovable houseplant can turn into a gentle giant! But you don’t always have to get your shears out, as there are smarter ways to handle its size issues. Read on to discover secret hacks to shape your overgrown pothos into a thing of beauty!

There is so much material to choose from in the garden and there have been more than a few warming Monday vases of late, but I particularly wanted to include a couple of seed successes whilst the opportunity was still there. I have grown gomphrena from seed before, but with minimal success, so this year’s three plants (right) were par for the course, each bearing a single bloom. Although supposedly mixed colours, the only variety I could find at the time, all three are this fiery orangey-red. Emilia javanica ‘Irish Poet’ (left) is new to me and has been very much an eyecatcher since early June, with its tiny fluffy orange blooms. I shall certainly grow it again.

Brie Williams

Saturday has come around again ridiculously quickly, meaning it is time for another contribution to Jim’s weekly meme at Garden Ruminations; also coming round quickly is a new month, with an end-of-month post noticeably lacking…hey ho!

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Summertime heat is at its peak, and it's normal to worry about upkeep with your lawn. If you notice your grass is getting dry, turning a dull color instead of a lush green, or isn't growing very well, you may be watering your lawn at the wrong time.

More greenery means more oxygen! But did you know some plants even filter out contaminants and allergens? They create a space that is easy on the eyes, lungs, and mind. We share the best outdoor plants that improve the quality of the air you breathe!

Herbs and vegetables often need plenty of sunlight and space, which is seldom the case in urban homes and apartments. But we have whipped up a selection of edible plants anyone can grow easily, even in low-lit, compact spaces inside your home. Check it out!

A verdant garden in Corfu with views all the way to Albania

If you're aiming to design a contemporary looking bathroom, you will want to make an effort to steer clear of the six following features, which professionals say will instantly make the space look dated.

The flowers of spider lilies emerge on bare stems between August and September. Named spider lily because of its long arched stamens, which resemble spiders legs, these flowers are exotic and bold, perfect for a late summer border.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a deciduous shrub in the olive or Elaeagnaceae family. It grows naturally in Asia and Europe, including Britain where it’s considered native to the sand dunes of the east coast. It’s been introduced elsewhere in the country, often to stabilise dunes, but has spread and become invasive. It retains its foliage until late into autumn and tends to shade out other plants. This is a particular problem in the UK on sand dunes, where thickets of sea buckthorn can outcompete the local flora. As a nitrogen-fixing plant, sea buckthorn also enriches the soil in dunes, making it less suitable for other dune species that have evolved to grow in soil conditions with low nutrients.

We have selected beautiful foliage plants like hosta that grow well in shade, both in the garden and indoors. Perfect for livening up dull, dim corners, windowsills, and landscapes, these plants emerge in myriad hues apart from a simple, straightforward green. Check it out!

Edmund Barr

Deadheading your hydrangea blooms can help your plant use its energy to produce more flowers and new growth. This is why it is essential to know how to do it the right way, which is what this article is about.

Whether you’re interested in flipping or upcycling a furniture piece for personal use in your home or to resell as part of a side gig, you’ll want to avoid these common mistakes that professional flippers see fledgling DIYers make time and time again.

There may be no French cheese more familiar to Americans than brie, also appropriately known as the “Queen of Cheese.” Its popularity can be credited to its versatility, its visually appealing look when plated, the delightful way it oozes appetizingly when sliced, or even its charming name—it’s a lot more fun to say than, roquefort (though gouda is almost as entertaining).