Herbs are a type of seed-bearing plant and dies down to the ground at the end of their growing season.

Unlike trees, herbs are vascular plants with no persistent woody stem above ground. Although most of them are perennial, these plants can also be annuals or biennials.  

Herbs are versatile: Not only do they offer fantastic medicinal values and lots of vitamin types, but they are also one of the most important spices for flavoring and aromatic purposes in culinary.

For those of you who want to grow herbs in your garden, (instead of going to the supermarket to shop around), below are six perennial herbs experts highly recommend for you.  

Basil

For quite a long time, basil has been used as a traditional, herbal treatment for respiratory issues like bronchitis.

Besides, this antiseptic herb is also one of the only vascular plants that provide no calories, and thus, basil is the go-to choice for those who are going on a diet.    

With its small size, growing basils in your garden is a brilliant idea as all you have to do is to make sure these plants have enough sunlight they need.

Cumin

You may know cummin under the role of a flavorful spice with the fantastic capability to deodorize the fishy smell in seafood.

What you don’t know is that this herb is also a rich antioxidant and beta-carotene supplier. Besides, cumin is also an excellent cure for cough and the common cold.

According to her posts, cumins are easy-to-farm plants. You need to provide an environment with lots of sunlight, sow the seeds, water, and take care of your pots.

Linda Claire of Growherbsgarden.com also recommends that you should start harvesting after 30 days of growth.

Mint

For your information, mint leaves offer a great source of vitamin A. You only need two tablespoons of mint leaves to consume enough vitamin required for the whole day.

Besides, mint also does excellent benefits for your breath and digestive system, prevents nausea, headache, respiratory disorder, asthma, and tooth decay.

Recently, many research has shown the benefits of mint oil towards most sports and physical activities, especially in adjusting your breathing rate and blood pressure.

Also, growing mints is effortless. They grow quite fast in both indoor areas where enough sunlight is provided or in your garden outside.  

Shallot

Shallot is a wonderful herb helping to strengthen your immune system.

Many studies revealed that combining shallots with herbs of Allium group like green onion, garlic, will help to prevent cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and gastric cancer. This combination also benefits cancer patients a lot.

When it comes to gardening, the shallot is one of the most easy-to-plant herbs you can find. Unlike those above, this plant doesn’t require lots of sunlight, doesn’t take up many areas, and doesn’t need to be watered every day to grow well.  

Cilantro

Not only does cilantro gain its fame for being one of the most popular spices in culinary, but this herb is also a great supplier for dietary fiber, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K.

Thanks to that, cilantro helps to purge your body and get rid of toxins inside your body.

Also, since this herb doesn’t need much sunlight to grow, you can either plant it in your kitchen or out in your garden.

But keep in mind that cilantro root is often quite deep; therefore, you should grow cilantro in a high pot with lots of soil or directly in the ground.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a popular herb used in Western culinary with aromatic smell and the benefits of relaxing and improving your memory.

In recent research carried out by the University of Northumbria in England, the result of the memory quiz was much better when participants sat in the room with rosemary smell.

To have the best outcome, you should grow rosemary in areas that are full of sunlight as well as water them daily. Also, to get the rosemary smell, all you have to do is to give them a soft touch on their leaves.    

To close the topic,

And that is it for today. We hope that with this post, you can get yourself a garden full of useful herbs. Not only is it much more convenient for your daily cooking task, but it’s also a great way to boost up your health.

If you still have questions related to growing herbs, you can always contact us or leave a comment in the box below. We’ll reach you as soon as possible!

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here

Do have a home garden or you buy all your foodstuffs from groceries? In this era, many people want to spend their time indoors. They do not have time to plough pieces of land or plant vegetables. Particularly, for people living in cities and suburbs, growing vegetables is not a priority. A large number of malls and green groceries that offer one an opportunity to access any vegetables is killing the home garden culture.

While concerns are rising on the dangers of using GMO products, only one out of three households in America grow foods in their home gardens – this is according to research by Farmer Foodshare. Owning a garden can be a good idea for your health. But how? Here are four health benefits of a garden you need to know:

• Opportunity to grow pure organic products

Having a home garden is the surest way of consuming organic products. While you can find products labeled as organic, you’re not sure whether they are pure. With your garden, you have total control of any plant and material used to grow crops. For instance, you can replace chemical pesticides with natural ones. So, in the end, you’re certain that your foods have zero toxins. You can enjoy your tomatoes, potatoes, and vegetables without fear of harsh impacts on your body. A homegarden is the only guarantee that what you consume is organic.This way, you can avoid toxins from chemicals that save you from dietary health issues.

• Enhances your mental workout and wellbeing

In this era, living indoors is a lifestyle. Most people spend over 60% of their time working on computers and watching television. Or else, working on indoors chores. These activities lead to fatigue and other health issues. For instance, the lack of natural lights can lead to insomnia. Your brains become exhausted resulting in sleepless nights. A home garden is a good remedy for mental relaxation. As you and your family spend time in this garden, you have a chance to workout your mind and breath fresh air. Also, you enjoy gaining Vitamin D. all these elements boost your mental wellness.

• A good way to enhance respiratory health in your home

If you have been in a science class, you understand the relationship between plants and air cleansing. Plants use carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as a by-product of the photosynthesis process. With this relationship, you can confirm that plants are an essential part of human life. Having a home garden enhances your air cleansing. As you breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, the plant have a reverse process. Hence, your garden enables you to retain fresh air rich in oxygen which promotes your respiratory health.

• Reliable sources of healthy diets

Eating healthy is the objective of every human. Everyone needs a balanced diet that enables them to maintain their body weight and size. However, you can only claim to be a healthy eater when you have full information about the products you’re consuming. Having a home garden is the best assurance of this objective. With your garden, you know every input used.  You can avoid ones that contain health risks. As such, a home garden is a reliable source of natural and healthy diets.

Conclusion

As you can see, having a home garden has many benefits. So, if you do not own one, it is high time you think about it.

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here

For those of us who live in densely populated cities, air quality can be a growing concern. The concerns are certainly well-founded, a London once again hit its air quality values for the whole year in a matter of just over two months in 2019. Its air quality is so poor that a number of deaths are attributed to the problem every year in the UK.

If you live in a city then, you will want to take measures to ensure the air around you is as filtered as possible. There are a number of plants that can help you to do this.

Colourful gerbera daisies

You can include a whole array of coloured on your quest to be greener! A recent study by NASA has provided a few colourful blooms for gardeners keen to clean the air. Gerbera daisies are bonny, beautiful blooms that come in many different colours; white, orange, red, pink — whichever you pick, they’ll give your garden a splash of colour. These flowers love direct sunlight and a bit of space, so make sure not to leave them in a shady corner of your garden.

That’s not all. NASA states that these wonderful flowers are also great for dealing with multiple air toxins, such as benzene.

Filtering with conifers

Looking for a garden border option that will also help with air pollution? Hedges are great for combatting air pollution, and Homes & Property recommends conifers for the job. Specifically, the western red cedar hedge is named as an ideal conifer to plant in your garden. But if your garden is a little smaller, the publication also names the yew as a great alternative, citing its evergreen nature and easy trimming.

Scaling up your green game with ivy

There’s something so picturesque about ivy. A classic climbing plant, you might already have the hedera helix climbing up the walls of your house. Though it has a bad reputation in the States as being a weed, it can be a lovely addition to your garden if tended to. The plant offers benefits for wildlife and for the air – Goldsmiths, University of London, states that the wide leaves of the common ivy traps particulates, which makes it a great choice for purifying the air.

Not a wallflower to be overlooked

The Erysimum, more commonly known as the wallflower, is a colourful way to bring more air-filtering properties to your garden. Goldsmiths also names this plant as being akin to the common ivy for its particulate-cleansing power. These flowers have a bright display of petals during the first half of the year. You can grow wallflowers in many colours, with purple and yellow popular choices.

Greener methods

Keeping your garden green extends beyond the plants you pick. You have to consider how you are tending to your garden as well. SmilingGardener offers five great ways to reduce pollution in ways beyond planting shrubs and flowers:

• Avoid pesticide use. This one is probably a given, but if you can avoid using chemicals on your garden, please do.

• Consider composting. You can turn many waste products into compost to stop it going to the landfill.

• Don’t use corn gluten meal. SmilingGardener notes this meal is made up from genetically modified corn, so best to stay away from using it, if possible.

• Opt for silent/quiet equipment. This one’s more for noise pollution, but it’s certainly an added bonus for the pollution-conscious gardener to take note of!

• Look inside as well as outside. As well as planting outdoor plants to combat air toxicity, consider bringing in some houseplants to cleanse the air in your home.

Sources:

https://www.smilinggardener.com/introduction/5-unique-ways-to-decrease-pollution/

https://www.gold.ac.uk/news/phyto-sensor/

https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/home-garden/gardening/clean-air-save-your-home-from-harmful-pollution-with-clever-garden-hedge-choices-a114961.html

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/reduce-your-exposure-to-air-pollution/

http://www.itv.com/news/london/2016-10-12/how-london-is-embracing-the-vertical-garden-or-living-wall/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/11035106/Green-walls-how-to-grow-a-garden-vertically.html

https://www.londonair.org.uk/LondonAir/general/news.aspx?newsId=2clsQZWiKLVkYFiScEAp8s

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/growing-gerbera-daisies.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedera_helix

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/11278.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/25.shtml

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here

Summer Maintenance Tips For A Thriving Garden

The Common Sense Gardening initiative found that the UK is eager to get out into their gardens, with a 29% increase in millennials enjoying gardening. Summer is the perfect time to do some general maintenance in the garden, from clearing out the guttering to sweeping the patio, sorting out the shed, painting the fence and deadheading your flowers to keep them blooming for longer, resulting in a beautiful garden that you’ll love spending time in.

Have a tidy up

Even if you had a spring clean your garden will have seen many rainy days since that will have led to lots of growth, which includes those pesky weeds. Start by pulling up weeds and sweeping patio areas. These small jobs can make a big difference to the overall tidiness of your garden. Summer is also the perfect time for checking and clearing your guttering and drains for any buildup of debris that could cause blockages. Blockages can be caused by the wind blowing leaves and sticks into it, particularly guttering that’s near trees, so these can be cut back, along with any other trees, shrubs and bushes that are starting to look untamed.

Reorganise your shed

The shed is a perfect storage solution, and not always just for garden essentials. Over the winter and spring, the garden shed tends to become a mess as more and more odd bits are stored in there and then forgotten about. Summer is the perfect time to take everything out and sort what you’re going to keep and what can go. While the shed is empty, give it a thorough clean and then organise where everything will go back in it. You should be able to access everything easily and know where everything is, if not you may need to be a bit more ruthless about what you’re keeping. Decide what you keep based on when the last time you used it was and how likely you are to use it again.

Repaint the fence and any other woodwork

Painting your fence, shed, benches, and anything else in the garden made from wood is essential for making it last a long time, as well as keeping it looking its best. Over the winter it’s likely your fence has faced detrimental weather conditions. It may need some minor repairs and can then be painted. A coat of Creosote or a similar treatment can give it extra protection it needs from the hot sun. Using a spray gun can make this a quick and fairly effortless job, instead of it feeling like a chore every year. If you decide to change the colour of your fence and any other woodwork you’ll probably need several coats before you can see the difference.

Do some deadheading

Summers means lots of flowers will be blooming, which means deadheading is an essential job to keep the flowers coming through while keeping your garden looking tidy. Everything from bedding plants to roses look better and grow better when they are regularly deadheaded. Try to do some deadheading regularly, even if it’s only for five to ten minutes at a time. The only exception to this is varieties of flowers that produce colourful hips, which shouldn’t be deadheaded. Applying a second dose of fertiliser at the end of June will also help to boost blooms. Deadheading is the perfect way to give your back a rest from all the other garden jobs too.

Having a thorough tidy up can make your garden look a lot better and can usually be done within a day or two. Tidying up your shed and giving it a paint, along with the fencing and any other woodwork, will brighten the garden up and weatherproof it. All these little jobs will help your garden to look its best.

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here

Buying gardening tools is not a simple task. There are so many brands, and types of tools in the market to choose from, which could lead to confusion when buying. The cost implication of purchasing the wrong device is enormous.

So, what should you consider when looking for the right gardening tool?

What do you need it for?

Before going shopping, know what you need the tool for. For instance, what tools would you need to lay Go Artificial Grass properly? There are many places you can buy you tools including specialty stores, online shops, supermarkets, amongst others. Do proper price comparisons before deciding on where to buy.

Is the tool easy to use?

Check how useful and comfortable is the tool when you are using it. The best way to know is actually to test how it feels in your hands. If you are buying online, take note of things like weight, height, and shape.

Do you have the necessary skill to use it?

Have a proper, honest grasp of your skill level.  There are some tools that a beginner cannot use without training.

Take note of the design

A poorly designed tool may break because of brittle material or even shoddy workmanship. Consider buying a forged tool and not one that has a tang and ferrule. The latter tend to separate, but one that is forged from handle to end; it may give you longer usage because they rarely break.

Your garden tool should have an excellent grip to avoid blisters. Ergonomic handles are comfortable and help reduce user fatigue. Test the tools for weight, height, and grip; the larger the handle, the better the grip.

Check the shaft length of the shaft for tools like shovels, hoes, and rakes. A short shaft will lead to poor posture and eventually back problems.

How much do you want to spend?

How much have you put aside for buying the tools? Even if you want to save, we would recommend purchasing high-quality tools because they last longer and you will eventually justify the high cost.  

Check the type of material used in the construction of the tool

For metallic parts, a high quality, durable material is essential. Rust free stainless steel that is easy is the best.  Forged steel is best for durability, and lightweight easy to use tools are constructed using carbon fiber, plastic, and aluminum.

Brand and user reviews

Buy tools from companies that have a reputation for the quality of their devices. Do your research and pay attention to review from other users.

A brand with a warranty is a sure indication of the manufacturer’s confidence in his product.  If the company offers after-sale services, the better for you as you will not have to worry about maintaining the tools.

Type of tool

Are you looking for a manual or powered device? Powered tools are efficient and allow you to handle a large amount of work in a short time. They are however more expensive and require quite a bit of maintenance.

Final thoughts

Finding the right gardening tools will allow you to enjoy the gardening experience so much more.

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here

Making sure your garden is spruced up in time for Summer!

The rise of entertaining at home is apparent in the UK. Therefore, there’s a need to keep your garden space clean and tidy at all times. Admittedly, we aren’t all gardening experts and we can often neglect our spaces during the colder months. In fact, the British public are wasting up to £672 million each year as we don’t know how to best look after our garden space.

Here, with plenty of time to make sure you have your space in the best condition for the warmer climes, we look at how best to spruce up your garden.

Is your garden prepared?

This may seem an obvious point to start, but it can sometimes seem like a tough task. If you have decking boards, start by sweeping away any fallen leaves or debris. Then, use a high-pressure cleaner to wash away any remaining dirt. Once you’ve done that, you can scrub the deck where required to bring it back to life in time for the sunshine. The same applies for any concrete or tiled areas. Make sure you replace any broken or chipped tiles and give it a thorough clean. As this area is usually the most walked-on area, it’s important to keep on top of maintenance here.

If you’ve let your garden go, simply tidying up and removing weeds can make your space so much more appealing. Set aside those expensive plans to enhance your yard with water features or a cabbage patch for now, as it will still look messy if you don’t take care of the essentials first. Weeding may seem like an endless task but removing them will make your garden automatically look a whole lot cleaner and presentable.

If you have fencing or a shed, you may find it useful to give it a fresh coat of paint. The change in weather throughout the year may see them looking a tad tired and in need of brightening up.

You may also notice it’s a good time to remove any clutter from your shed. Sort out any items inside into ‘keep’ and ‘don’t keep’ piles and get rid of anything you don’t need. While people may not often see inside your shed, the build-up can get messy very quickly if you don’t keep on top of it.

Flowers and plants

Unless you’re an avid gardener, chances are your plants and flowers won’t survive the winter months. Be sure to check the optimum time of planting any seeds to make sure your display is up and running and ready for the wow-factor this summer. Why not take the next step and grow your own vegetables?

It’s also important to plan ahead when it comes to perfecting your bloom. It’s never too early to start getting your garden in shape. For example, hanging baskets can bring some colour to your garden all year round. To perfect your hanging basket displays in time for the summer months, you should ideally be planting them in April. However, be prepared to protect them from any potential frost well into May. Calibrachoa is a good choice to add to your basket, alongside blue petunias – a flower which is known for being weather resistant.

Furniture and utensils

If you have a bare garden, make the most of your space by introducing garden furniture. It doesn’t matter what size garden you have, somewhere to relax is essential. For those with limited space, add a hammock, while for those with more ground to play with, a table and chair set can be used to help you create the perfect living area. Indoor portable gas heaters are the perfect addition to keep your guests warm and toasty!

You have to think about where you’d want to spend those sunny days relaxing, or indeed how you’d want to entertain any guests. Aim to position this furniture towards the bottom of your garden to give it the illusion that it’s bigger than it actually is. Mounting a mirror is another sure-fire way in which to make your space look larger. If you do choose this, though, make sure you position a mirror so it has something that it can reflect, such as a nice floral display.

With entertaining in mind, think about adding a BBQ to your back yard too. Charcoal, electric or gas BBQs can turn your personal space into a home entertainment haven. While the UK may have unpredictable weather forecasts at times, as soon as the sun shines, the public clamour for a good BBQ. Make your spot the place to go and show off your garden space.

Doing all the tasks listed above will make your area look so much more appealing this summer – perfect to unwind in, or even for hosting those late-night garden parties. Happy gardening!

Sources

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/how-to-grow/the-british-love-to-garden—but-havent-a-clue-what-to-do-and-en/

https://www.propertypriceadvice.co.uk/home-improvements/6-tips-make-small-garden

https://www.lovethegarden.com/community/ideas-inspiration/getting-your-garden-ready-summer

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here

When spring is on the horizon, most gardeners’ minds turn towards tidying up their garden. The GardenAdvice team have created a few pointers to help you save time and improve the look of your garden.

Compost heaps

It is tempting to dive into your compost heap at this time of year for mulches and planting. But just spare a thought for the wildlife in your garden that might have been overwintering in your compost heap such as hedgehogs and grass snakes that often lay the first clutch of eggs in a warm compost heap. So, before you dig into your compost heap, be sure to check first.

Lawns 

After cold or wet winter lawns benefit from a good raking with a wire rake or light scarification by machine. Over the winter the grass gets pushed down and matted, and fungal disease can start to take hold. Raking or scarification helps air to circulate around the grass plants and has an effect called “tillering” that allows the grass plants to produce additional shoots per grass plant making for a thicker lawn in the summer. Early spring is a good time to feed a lawn but hold out on using fertilisers that are high in nitrates. Try to choose a more organic lower nitrate food.

Flower borders  

Most gardeners in early spring focus on flower borders. It’s a good idea, before your perennial plants start to shoot, to weed and top up with a mulch such as spent mushroom compost or bark. One great tip for giving your borders a smart look is to re-cut the border edges that are against lawns to provide them with a sharp, stylish look.

Glasshouses  

Early spring is an excellent time to clean your glasshouse before you start to use it for seedlings and other plants. Wash the glass, frame and staging with disinfectant and then use a sulphur candle to help kill all the overwintering pest eggs and disease spores.

Garden ponds 

Early spring is a good time to tidy up your garden pond. Cut back the dead growth from pond plants like bull reeds and yellow iris and take the time to thin out pondweed. Care must be taken not to disturb your pond’s wildlife – frogs will lay their eggs in early spring.

Another crucial task at this time of year is to clean the filters and remove any pondweed that surrounds submersible pumps for water features and ponds.

Vegetable gardens 

Normally, late spring is the best time to start sowing seeds in your vegetable garden. But you can get your vegetable garden ready at this time of year by weeding and covering areas with black plastic to collect the sun’s heat and start to warm up the soil before you start sowing seeds.

Fruit gardens 

At this time of year, most of the work in your fruit garden should be already completed, but your fruit trees and bushes will benefit from a spring feeding and the sowing of companion plants like marigold seeds.  They’ll help to support beneficial insects such as lacewings.

Roses  

Now the harsher weather has passed, you can inspect your roses for any broken or diseased stems that need to be cut back. You can also feed and apply mulch to your roses.

Conifers and other evergreen plants

Pruning and trimming your conifers and evergreen plants in the winter is never a good idea because the frosty freezing weather can damage the cut end but now that the weather is starting to warm up it’s the ideal time to carry out this task.

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here

Road noise is one of the several cons you have to deal with when living near civilization. Even the most expensive and most beautiful properties in the neighborhood have to deal with traffic/road noise. This is anything from screeching tires, car horns, loud stereos, or even the sound of rubber (tires) running against the pavement/asphalt.

To some, the sound of traffic is relaxing. Most people however find traffic noise irritating. Many people living near roads choose to invest in indoor water features or even white noise machines to help muffle the noises. If you find road noise irritating, simple landscaping can help reduce the noise levels. Outlined below are a few tips and ideas on the matter and if you want more details check out this piece on how to reduce road noise at home..

1. Erect Solid Barriers

While this may sound cliche, solid barriers provide a cheap and effective way to deflect sound away from the business, home, or garden. A solid wall about 2 meters tall would be the perfect solution for anyone looking to reduce traffic noise. This option might however costly for you, or not even feasible within your area. If that’s the case, you can then choose to go with solid wood fencing. This option takes up less space, is affordable, and even easier to put up.

The solid barrier doesn’t necessarily have to be 2 meters high.  A waist-high solid wall is equally effective if erected close to the source of the sound, e.g., road. This may however be practical if your house if farther away. A large and high enough solid barrier might be the only solution for such a case.

2. Plant Some Vegetation

If a tall wall isn’t an option, you might then want to introduce tall vegetation to act as a barrier. Vegetation works notably better than a solid wall. One of the advantages of using vegetation is that it acts as a physical barrier between you and the source of the sound, hence deflecting sound waves away from your ears. In addition to this, the soft leaves and vegetation absorb much of the sound, thus reducing its effects significantly. If any noise manages to pass through, it will be mild and something you can handle. This however isn’t the case with solid walls that produce echo should the sound pass through.

While soft vegetation may not be as effective as a solid wall or fence, it should help reduce dampen the noise.  You also do not need to get permission to plant vegetation around your property. This also provides a cost-effective way of dealing with road noise.

Using both a solid wall and vegetation provides a practical solution to road pollution. The wall will deflect the sound while the vegetation absorbs any that passes through. This reduces the risk of echoing.

3. Masking

There are instances where introducing tall vegetation, or even erecting a solid wall aren’t an option. Masking the noise might work particularly well too.  As mentioned earlier, most people choose to use white noise machines, as well as water features to help mask noise. Indoor water features mainly come in handy in absorbing and even creating soothing sounds that dampen external sounds. Waterfalls, water fountains, etc. are good examples of water features you can use to mask road noise.

Using plants around the property can also help mask road noise. Pampas grass and bamboo are good examples of vegetation that duces audible but soothing noises at the smallest breeze. The rustling sound of leaves should help reduce and even mask the noise significantly.

4. Trellis

Trellis or a string garden wire can also help mask road noise. Introducing a climbing plant, e.g., jasmine or honeysuckle to weave around the mesh also helps create a sound barrier. Jasmine and other climbing plants will not only help mask the noises but also produce a sweet natural smell that helps neutralize odor and other kinds of air pollution/

5. Acoustic Fencing

If you have some money to work with, you can then invest in acoustic fencing for the best performance. The thick solid fence is a good sound barrier which also reflects sound waves. This leaves your garden peaceful and quiet, just the way you like it.

It is almost impossible to get rid of traffic noise from your home or garden completely. This, however, doesn’t mean you cannot get the tranquility and peacefulness everyone needs in their homes. The solutions and ideas outlined above should help you deal with road noise effectively.

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here

Dicentra spectabilis – great plant for early season colour in containers for balconies.

Many people these days live in apartments and flats, but that does not mean that they cannot be involved and enjoy doing some gardening on their balcony. Recently we discussed planters on the patio and many of the points of creating balcony gardens are similar when creating balcony planters as well.

Conditions of Balcony Planters  

One of the more important things that you need to remember when you are planning which outdoor planters are the best for your house is the weather conditions. That is critical since it directly affects the species that are able to survive as well as thrive on balconies.

Sunlight

What amount of sunlight does your balcony receive on a daily basis? If the area gets plenty of sunlight you will have a different selection of plants that are available for you to use compared to if the area gets less sunlight. Maybe part of your balcony receives more sunlight than the other parts. In that case, you will need to plan which garden planters to put there. Planters that are fixed to railings or hung will likely receive more sun and will need to be watered on a more frequent basis, especially in the summer.

Wind  

Depending on the exposure and height of your building you might find that your planters are affected by winds that can dictate the option of plants that are available for you. If your balcony is especially exposed to high winds then mesh or screen can be used to block it somewhat. Doing that can help to create a micro-climate to offer a broader range of range that can survive in it.

Natural Water

Unless you happen to be on your building’s top floor you will frequently have an overhanging building or balcony that can limit how much rainwater that your balcony planters receive. If that is the case then you need to be aware of watering the balcony planters frequently and that it’s possible that you might need to add some plant food because of the limited nutrients that tap water contain.  

Different Kinds of Balcony Planters

Hanging Planters

If you have a very small balcony, then you will have to maximize your available space. If your balcony is similar to this then you may want to consider using hanging planters that go well on railings or maybe from the ceiling is there is an overhanging from the floor over you. It is worth it to note that if you have a weight restriction that you can buy lightweight compost and soils that are made for this specific reason.

Potted Planters

This one is the most obvious choice and is similar to what you see on garden patios. Containers and pots come in many different sizes and shapes and you can choose the ones that suit your taste the best. If you are choosing heavy balcony planters you should place them near load-bearing joists or walls.

Vertical and Stacked Planters

We discussed recently how to create vertical gardens, and that can come in very handing when making a balcony garden. There many different space-saving ways and enjoy an entire range of plants like attaching window boxes on the wall, or use wooden pallets or old furniture to bring your balcony completely to life.

What Are the Best Types of Plants to Use for Balcony Gardens?

Plants That Are Weather Tolerant

The result of likely added wind and sun exposure means that it is very important to find plants that are wind and drought tolerant. If your balcony happens to be susceptible to those conditions then the best plants for you to use may include Cordylines, Wollemi Pines, and Cedars. If you are unsure then choose low growing plants since they are all wind resistant for the most part.  

Evergreen Plants

Deciduous plants are less tolerant of wind and heat, but they are also are not that aesthetically attractive during the winter. If you are considering using your balcony during the wintertime with an outdoor heater and comfortable seating, and it is preferable to having some year-round greenery to keep things interesting for you.  

Well-Suited for Potted Life

It might appear to be obvious, but you have to keep in mind that your plants will be in planters for their entire lives, so they need to be well-suited for this purpose. At a minimum, you should choose slow-growing plants that are able to be pot bound for many years. Using a soil based compost for planting is a good idea as this will help to retain moisture.

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here

Building a garden office is not the same as converting your cramped spare bedroom into a home office that you can run your business from or a side hustle. The key difference is that you can invest in a garden office at a sensible budget.There are various benefits of an affordable Garden Office

You Can Get a Garden Office at A Sensible Budget

One of the greatest benefits you can accrue from garden offices is their affordability. Visit Urban Pods to find a Garden Office that suits you. Creating a home office on a limited budget can be a daunting task. Plenty of companies go out of business very early due to overspending in the early stages of the business life, even before money starts coming in. However, if you invest in one of the affordable garden offices you get to save a lot while enjoying a great product.

It Allows You to Separate Your Domestic Life And Your Professional Life

As you might appreciate, working from home can be a daunting task. There are plenty of distractions all around. It could be your dog that wants to play all day, a TV show that seems interesting, or even a pre-recorded game that lingers in your mind. The distraction level goes a notch higher when you have small kids who always seek attention. Concentrating on the work at hand is difficult.

The best way to concentrate on your work is to somewhat seclude yourself from all the distractions. Having a private office space separated from the main house means you do not have to hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign. Every distraction will simply have to wait for you to finish your business.

If you want additional tips on attaining better and deeper focus, read Deep Work a business book by Cal Newport.

Leave the Spare Bedroom for Friends and Family

When you have a spare bedroom, not in use by your kids yet, you are tempted to use it as a spare bedroom. However, converting the spare bedroom to an office space leaves nowhere for your friends or family to stay when they visit for Christmas, birthdays, and other events. They end up staying at an expensive hotel or your local B&B.

Having a spare bedroom for your friends or family members to stay can be great for both of you, allow to spend more time together and connect. As such, if you host your family or friends, you should consider keeping the spare bedroom as it and instead invest in an office garden. That way, everyone stays happy

You Can Use a Minimalist Office Environment to Enhance Your Focus on Work

The minimalist philosophy is catching on owing to the simplicity it comes with. The more stuff you have around your office space, the greater the clutter. Moreover, things get messy very fast when you cram your office with stuff. To avoid this, you can opt for a minimalist office.

To this end, you can invest in tools that perform more than one specialized task. For instance, your printer should have a flatbed scanner too. You should store only essential items in your office. The combination of these strategies will keep your office well organized and compact.

Wireless Communications Between Your House and Garden Office

Wired internet connection is best used for fast internet connection. However, the advent of Wi-Fi and the improvement of the N class and AC wireless network support, the signal strength has increased tremendously. Moreover, you can use signal boosters to improve the quality and strength of the signal over long distances.

For your phone connection, you can forward a dedicated business line to your mobile phone. This means you do not have to invest in communication installations. You can extend what you already have to your garden office, helping you keep in touch with your clients.

Enjoy A Relaxing Aroma and An Outside View

When you convert a bedroom to an office, you get an office space that is not optimized for working. The view can be that overlooking the road or your neighbours. On the other hand, with a garden office, your view is your garden. In fact, the office is in some ways an extension of the garden. You can open the office doors and windows and be in nature. You get to enjoy the trees, the grass, the flowers and you readily take in the relaxing aromas they ooze.

Increasingly, people are deciding to set up side-hustles or create full-time businesses from their home. You might offer consulting services, trade in stocks, or work part-time at home, the home office is an important tool. While finding an office can be tricky, with a garden office, it is no longer the case.

One Day Gardening Course in your own garden or a GardenAdvice venue     Our one day gardening courses are run in your own garden or at a GardenAdvice venue by one of our gardening experts teaching you about your own garden and how to develop is making it more colourful and easier to maintain. Our courses are tailored to the requirements of the individual and come in three basic formats - New to gardening, Growing your own fruit and vegetables and wildlife gardening. All our short courses include a number of basic elements and wide ranging aspects such as garden design and practical gardening. Our one day gardening courses also come with a years membership to our MyGardenTeam service to support you for 12 months For further details  click here