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Air- Purifying Plants

Adding air-purifying plants to your home can have numerous benefits. These plants not only add beauty and life to your living space, but they also help to improve the air quality by removing harmful pollutants and chemicals. This results in a cleaner, healthier, and more inviting environment. Not only are these plants easy to care for, they can also be a natural and affordable way to promote wellness in your home. Whether you have a green thumb or not, incorporating air-purifying plants into your home décor is a simple and effective way to create a healthier living space. Below is a list of 4 easy houseplants to add to your space and help clear the air.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Known for its ability to remove formaldehyde and xylene from the air, the spider plant is one of the easiest to care for. It thrives in bright, indirect light and only needs watering once the soil has completely dried out.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): This beautiful plant is effective at removing benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and ammonia from the air. Peace lilies are low maintenance, preferring moist soil and partial shade.
Aloe Vera: Not only does aloe vera provide a soothing gel for minor cuts and burns, it is also effective at removing formaldehyde from the air. This succulent requires bright, indirect light and infrequent watering.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): Often called the “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue”, the snake plant is known for its ability to remove nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, and benzene from the air. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate low light and infrequent watering, making it ideal for those with a busy schedule.

Next time you are looking to add a plant for your indoor space try adding one from the list above.

Create color in your garden

Spring is the perfect time to add some life to your front yard with a beautiful garden bed. Here are a few inspiring ideas to get you started:

Welcome the Season with Color: Choose brightly colored spring flowers such as tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths to create a cheerful and inviting garden bed.
Create a Mixed Border: Plant a variety of perennials, shrubs, and bulbs in a naturalistic style for a charming and low-maintenance garden bed.
Embrace Textures: Combine plants with different textures, such as fine-leaved ferns and the broad leaves of hostas, for a rich and dynamic garden bed.
Use Edibles: Consider adding a vegetable or herb garden to your front yard. A raised bed filled with tasty edibles like lettuce, radishes, and herbs is both functional and beautiful.
Play with Height: Use plants of varying heights, from short ground covers to tall grasses, to add depth and interest to your garden bed.
Go Wild: Create a wildflower garden filled with native species that will attract pollinators and provide food and shelter for birds.

No matter which direction you choose, remember to have fun and be creative! Your front yard is an extension of your home, and a beautiful garden bed is a great way to make a statement and add value to your property.

Air Plant Care

An air plant, also known as Tillandsia, is a type of plant that grows without soil. Instead, they derive their nutrients from the air, moisture, and debris in their surroundings. Air plants have specialized scales on their leaves called trichomes that absorb water and nutrients from the air. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and can be grown in a range of environments, including on trees, rocks, or in containers. They are low-maintenance and make great indoor plants, as they do not require soil and only need occasional watering. There can be different methods to watering an air plant to keep it healthy and flourishing after you bring it home from the garden shop.

Soak method: Soak your air plants in a bowl of water for 15-20 minutes once a week.

Mist method: Mist your air plants with water 1-2 times a week.

Drip method: Place your air plants in a tray of water and let them absorb moisture through the bottom for about 30 minutes.

Also ensure good drainage: Remove excess water from the base of the plant after watering to prevent root rot. Consider the environment: The frequency of watering will vary depending on the environment, such as temperature and humidity levels.

It is best to use rainwater or distilled water: Tap water can contain minerals that can build up in the leaves of the air plant over time.Fertilize occasionally: Air plants can benefit from a light application of fertilizer, especially during the growing season.

Using these tips and a little knowledge about air plants can help you along the way to a successful plant.

You can find live air plants at your local garden shop or at our Etsy shop: http://www.printhousedesign.com

How to build Raised garden bed

Its almost time to think about creating a garden. One type of garden you can create is a raised garden bed. It can be used to grow a wide variety of plants, as they provide good drainage and control over soil quality. Some plants that tend to do well in raised beds include:

Vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, leafy greens, and root vegetables such as carrots and radishes.
Herbs: basil, thyme, rosemary, and chives.
Flowers: sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, and daisies. It is important to note that the best plants for your specific raised bed will depend on factors such as the size of the bed, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the specific climate you live in. In general, it’s a good idea to choose plants that are well-suited to the growing conditions in your area. Building a raised garden bed is a simple and effective way to grow a variety of plants, vegetables, and herbs. Here are the basic steps to build a raised garden bed:
Choose a location: Select a spot in your yard that gets plenty of sunlight and has good drainage.
Measure and mark the area: Measure out the area where you want to build the raised bed and mark the perimeter with stakes and string.
Prepare the soil: Remove any weeds or grass from the area and loosen the soil with a spade or garden fork.
Build the frame: You can use a variety of materials to build the frame, such as wood, stone, or brick. If using wood, make sure to use rot-resistant lumber, such as cedar or redwood.
Fill the bed with soil: Once the frame is in place, fill the bed with a mixture of topsoil, compost, and any other soil amendments you may need, such as peat moss or perlite.
Plant your plants: Once the bed is filled with soil, you can start planting your plants, seeds, or seedlings.
Water and maintain: Water the plants regularly and add compost or other soil amendments as needed to keep the soil healthy and nourished.
That’s it! With these basic steps, you can build a raised garden bed and start growing your own plants, vegetables, and herbs.

Sowing seeds for 2023

One question that I get asked a lot from our shop customers is …

Can I use leftover seeds from last year?

So the answer is Yes, you can use leftover seeds to plant this year as long as they are still viable. The viability of seeds decreases over time, so it’s important to check their viability before planting. There are a few ways you can do this:

The “float test”: Place the seeds in a cup of water. If they sink, they are still viable. If they float, they may not be viable.
The “fold test”: Take a small sample of seeds and fold them in a damp paper towel. Place the towel in a plastic bag and leave it in a warm place for a few days. If most of the seeds have sprouted, they are still viable.
The “germination test”: Plant a small number of seeds in soil or a seed starting mix and keep them moist. If most of the seeds germinate, the rest of the seeds are likely still viable.

If the seeds pass one of these tests, you can plant them as you would any other seeds. It’s a good idea to plant a few extra seeds to compensate for any that may not germinate.

You can follow our shop link to see herb and flower seed packets: http://www.printhousedesign.com