STYLE GURUS AND TREND WATCHERS PREDICT

IS YOUR HOME OR OFFICE POISONING YOU?

Substances such as plywood, carpeting, upholstery, cleaners, plastics and adhesives can emit toxins. 

- Tightly sealed buildings - which were built for heating and cooling efficiency - trap gases from these materials.
- Tenants experience respiratory irritations, coughing, sore throats and allergies.
- Headaches and frequent illness have also been reported in ‘sick buildings’
GROW YOUR OWN FRESH AIR
- Research shows that houseplants are the best filters of common pollutants such as benzene, ammonia and formaldehyde.
- Since good air is vital for good health, it makes sense to look at houseplants as an inexpensive air purifier.
- Indoor plants also enhance the decor of any space and preserve our link with nature

CONTAINER GARDENING

The smallest balcony or patio can boast a container garden! Follow these tips to create yours!

- Start with a perennial which has interesting foliage colour and add complementing annuals
- Make sure your pot has drainage holes
- Use a good quality potting mixture and add compost 
- Regularly apply a commercial fertilizer
- Combine plants with different shapes or textures
- A vertical accent plant positioned towards the side is a good idea
- Deadhead spent flowers regularly 
- Don’t mix sun and shade-loving plants

PERENNIALS

Towards the end of the month lift and divide perennials such as agapanthus, day lilies, penstemons, ajuga and red-hot pokers. Make sure you replant them into well-composted soil.

A perennial is a plant with a lifespan of more than one year. In our current economic circumstances planting perennials makes sense. They save time and money, combine well with trees, shrubs, bulbs, grasses and the annuals you planted last month. They also provide interesting colour and texture even when not in bloom. Colourful Nursery Group has produced a beautiful bookmark with useful and comprehensive information on perennials. Please make sure you get one from the cashiers or salespersons so that when you open your latest book to read, you will be reminded of the beauty your garden has to offer if you have given it some TLC!

Each nursery has wonderful displays expounding the virtues of perennials. With the help of your bookmark you can choose the ones perfect for that special spot in your garden and then enjoy them for a long time! Remember to mark the position of your dormant perennials so that you do not over plant. To judge by the amount of compost that we sold last month, I am sure your garden beds are now friable, rich in humus and just waiting to receive your new perennial plants!