The Odd Splash of Colour Amongst the Green

If you’re like me, you’ve ruined more than one pair of shoes in the garden.You know how it happens – you’re dressed to

Today’s guest, Erik Keller, has practiced horticultural therapy for more than 20 years, using plants and nature to help clients from cancer patients to special needs children and disabled seniors, to help them cope and to make positive life changes. He’s also author of“A Therapist’s Garden: Using Plants to Revitalize Your Spirit” (affiliate link).Erik’s a master gardener and manages the gardens and horticultural therapy program at Ann’s Place in Danbury, Connecticut, an organization assisting cancer patients and their families.We don’t need to be in a formal horticultural therapy program, though. Erik wants to remind each of us of the power of what we

John Bessler

Asian greens are leafy vegetables, popularly cooked or used in salads in Asian countries, like China and India. For the fresh, homegrown taste, Growing Asian Greens in your garden is a great idea. Let’s have a look at the best ones!

When you think of the ultimate girls’ trip, beach getaway destination, Miami is always one of the spots that comes to mind. Especially with summer upon us, it’s understandable to fantasize about the dive bars and boat days this seaside city is known for—but if a trip isn’t in the works (at least not yet), setting up a staycation inspired by the coastal city is easier than ever now that Miamicore is taking over as a home decor trend. 

Anastasiia Krivenok / Getty Images

Spurred on by TikTok food trends and digital recipe sharing by all-star chefs and mixologists, food and drink innovations seem to be popping up at an increasingly rapid clip. As we share, swap, and riff on concepts, creativity seems to be climbing to new heights, as well. In the drinks space alone, as recipe developers are seeking new ways to make their mark, we’re seeing a flurry of cocktail recipes that are a mash-up two drinks (ahem, Matcha Martinis), are variations on the classics (Parmesan Espresso Martinis) and are serious time-savers (we’re looking at you, freezer door cocktails!).

With warmer weather finally on the horizon, it’s time to think about how we want to enjoy our outdoor spaces and if there are any updates we’d like to make. One new trend that’s on our radar is using woven pendant lighting to create ambiance without breaking the bank.

Plants have special super powers: the benefits of living with plants at home in general, and in bedrooms in particular, are countless. They make a room look more alive, and your bedside table brighter. Taking care of your plants can also help you wind down after a busy day. Studies have even shown that by simply touching the leaf of a plant for two minutes, you reduce your stress levels! For a healthy bedroom regime, don’t rely on plants alone, however: Good ventilation, fresh bed linens, a comfortable mattress, good pillows, and an extra blanket, if needed, help you sleep better and improve your overall well-being. But not all bedrooms are bright enough to grow healthy plants: maybe there is only one small window or you don’t have a window sill, or maybe you don’t like taking care of even more plants. If that’s the case, or if you don’t want to wake up surrounded by plants (really: who are you?), you may want to rely on some help for healthy fresh air in the bedroom. And that’s where Briiv comes to the rescue! Briiv is an air filter that uses plant power to purify the air. Briiv is as powerful as 3,043 medium size houseplants. So you can enjoy the benefits of having plants in your home without the hassle. 

Dark, damp, depressing, just the weather to escape into the greenhouse. Not got a greenhouse then get your skates on this is the time to start the horticultural year. Seeds, cuttings, bulbs, all can be started over the next few weeks, they may need some encouragement with a heated propagating frame, or some encouragement with heated bench cables or even a free standing heater but an early start will reap huge results and put you in the right position to have your plants ready for Spring. If that not enough then here’s four more reasons to buy a greenhouse. Don’t delay start today. The following

The Greenhouse as Art Regular readers will know that I am rather keen on art that is about – or features in some way – anything of horticultural relevance. So to have this glowing and gorgeous stained glass greenhouse a 5-minute walk away from home is very exciting indeed.

The Most Beautiful Object at the Hampton Court Flower Show Lucy’s Smith’s exquisite stoneware Kingfisher Pool stopped me in my tracks.  Look closely and you will see that not only is the watchful kingfisher perched on the rim, lurking in the depths there is a fish.  It’s not often that I covet an object quite as much as this – but with a price that justifiably reflects that it is a work of art rather than a garden ornament, I’d better start saving.