Tag Archives: Garden

What is Permaculture? Exploring the Basics of Permaculture Gardening

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Permaculture gardening is deeply rooted in the principles of sustainability and aims to harmonize the growth of plants with the local environment. In 1978, Australian ecologist David Holmgren and environmental psychology professor Bill Mollison coined “permaculture” from “permanent agriculture,” later expanding its meaning to include “permanent culture.” Permaculture gardening primarily emphasizes the gradual enhancement of soil quality with nutrients, aiming to continually revitalize the earth while nurturing plant health. Its core ethics include prioritizing care for the Earth, for people, and ensuring equitable sharing, returning any surplus.

Designer: Robert Hutchison Architecture and Javier Sanchez Arquitectos

What is the primary goal of Permaculture?

Permaculture advocates aligning with nature, emphasizing mindful actions to avoid widespread negative impacts. It stresses preserving and restoring natural systems and settlements, highlighting their irreplaceable value. The goal is to achieve objectives with minimal environmental disruption.

What is Permaculture farming?

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Permaculture farming means growing crops in a way that takes care of itself and the environment. It learns from nature and creates farming systems where different crops help each other grow. This way of farming is diverse, strong, and lasts a long time, just like nature does.

What are the benefits of creating a Permaculture Garden?

The benefits of creating a Permaculture Garden includes:

Protects Natural Resources

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We can optimize natural resources by harvesting wild medicinal plants, growing anti-pollutant plants for indoor air quality, and strategically planting trees for summer shade. It’s essential to minimize waste and promote material reuse.

Avoid Tilling the Soil

In permaculture, it’s preferred to avoid tilling vegetable garden soil. Instead, natural insect processes, aided by mulch, are encouraged, as tillers or cultivators can harm underground insect populations.

Promotes Biodiversity

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Unlike conventional agriculture, permaculture embraces nature, drawing inspiration from its diversity and working in harmony with it to derive benefits.

Connects Humans with Nature

Permaculture links humans with nature, fostering harmony by working in tandem with natural processes. This approach to gardening can deeply affect our spiritual well-being.

Low Maintenance

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Permaculture gardening offers low-maintenance benefits, making it ideal for those with limited time or less gardening experience.

Avoids Use of Pesticides

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Permaculture avoids all pesticides and insecticides, organic or not, to protect biodiversity, relying on natural self-regulation and abstaining from herbicides and chemical fertilizers. Gardeners may accept some crop loss to pests rather than resorting to chemicals.

Saves Space

Producing ample yields in a confined space reduces the need for more area, allowing for extra activities. An essential element of permaculture gardening is maximizing space efficiency. Permaculture gardens vary in size, but in limited spaces, employing strategies to uphold permaculture principles is key. For instance, consider cultivating plants vertically using trellises or similar structures.

Supports Local Wildlife

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Permaculture’s ethics and practices naturally draw wildlife to outdoor spaces. Follow permaculture guidelines to turn your backyard into a flourishing haven for birds, pollinating insects, and other creatures. Tips include avoiding pesticides, using vegetation to attract specific animals, hanging bird feeders, keeping dead logs and leaf litter, and planting trees and shrubs for wildlife shelter.

However, there are a few downsides to permaculture gardening. It can initially be more expensive to implement its practices. Although, the upfront costs are usually justified by long-term benefits. Some may find the initial workload overwhelming, despite its eventual rewards. Moreover, there may be concerns about potential odors from composting, managing a garden that utilizes all resources, and dealing with pests and bacteria without pesticides.

How to design a Permaculture Garden?

Use these tips to create your own Permaculture Garden:

Know your Surroundings

Get to know your environment by familiarizing yourself with the native flora, fauna, and predators in your area, while also noting the sunny and shady spots in your garden. Identify any unique features that could be advantageous for your permaculture garden.

Choose Your Plants Wisely

Select plants suited to your local conditions, researching which species thrive annually and perennially. Utilize companion planting to attract beneficial insects, deter pests, and enrich soil naturally. Opt for butterfly-attracting flowers, pest-repelling herbs for fruit trees, and nitrogen-fixing green manure crops to gradually enhance soil fertility. Opt for edible crops like fruits, veggies, herbs, seeds, and fruit trees, as they provide sustenance with minimal resource use.

Design the Garden

Once you’re familiar with your surroundings and the existing plant life, you can better design your garden. Consider light, water sources, and landscape when situating plants. Utilize plant stacking for efficient space use, with ground cover herbs, shrubs, and trees organized accordingly.

Create Garden Beds

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Build raised beds, ideal for permaculture gardening as they preserve soil nutrients without tilling, placed six to 12 inches above ground. Alternatively, use sheet mulching, and layering compostable materials over grass to build soil without disturbing tillage.

Plant the Permaculture Garden

Plant your permaculture garden, prioritizing taller plants to offer shade for sun-sensitive ones. Group together plants with similar water and sunlight requirements for optimal growth.

Add Mulch

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Use organic mulch on topsoil instead of chemical weed killers in line with permaculture principles. Apply it after planting to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Options include leaves, newspaper, straw, wood chips, shredded bark, and grass clippings.

Add Compost

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Add compost without disturbing the soil, favoring natural options over chemical fertilizers. Utilize materials like manure, kitchen scraps, earthworm castings, and worm tea to enrich the soil with organic matter and beneficial microbes.

Efficient Water Irrigation System

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Use a sustainable watering system, minimizing water consumption for optimal garden health. Choose a low-waste drip irrigation method to directly hydrate soil and collect rain runoff from roof gutters for recycling into your watering system.

What is the difference between Permaculture and Organic Farming?

Organic Farming

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Organic farming, initiated in the 1940s, is denoted by the term “organic,” indicating products grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, and growth regulators, spurred by J. I. Rodale.

Permaculture Farming

In the 1970s, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren introduced permaculture design, an agricultural system mirroring nature and addressing human needs like food, shelter, and energy consumption.

Here is how Permaculture differs from Organic Farming

• The primary difference between organic farming and permaculture is their approach to sustainable practices. Permaculture centers on preserving natural resources and conserving the planet, ensuring current needs are met without compromising those of future generations.
• Permaculture prioritizes energy conservation by locally growing and selling food, minimizing carbon footprints, while organic-labeled produce is often transported globally.
• In organic farming, the focus is on eliminating chemical residue from the food supply while protecting pollinators, while in permaculture, it’s environmental protection, ultimately benefiting humans.
• Permaculture farming promotes zero waste through recycling and reusable packaging, while organic food often uses disposable containers, contributing to landfill waste.
• Permaculture emphasizes integrated design, where each element serves multiple functions, contrasting with organic farming’s focus on a limited range of commodities. For example, chickens in permaculture not only provide eggs but also help control pests, fertilize the soil, and contribute to soil aeration.

In conclusion, permaculture yields numerous benefits: waste reduction, efficient resource utilization, and pollution prevention. It fosters ethical land management, enhancing both homeowners’ lives and ecosystems. Moreover, permaculture paves the way for sustainable systems that safeguard habitats for humans, animals, and plants, ensuring a healthy planet for the future.

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How To Design Your Backyard Garden From Scratch

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Starting a garden can be a fun as well as a meditative experience where you care for, nurture, and enjoy watching your plants grow and produce fruits or vegetables. Since starting a garden from scratch can feel overwhelming, let’s simplify it into manageable steps to maximize your space and enjoyment. While gardening fundamentals vary based on location, season, microclimate, soil, and plant preferences, here are some general steps to begin your first garden from scratch.

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1. Consider Your Planting Options

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Before starting your journey of creating and nurturing your private garden, it’s important to understand whether you want a vegetable garden, a herb garden, or a flower garden. Whatever you decide, it’s good to grow vegetables your family enjoys, and for flowers, choose between annuals for long blooms or perennials for longevity. It’s always wise to start small and grow gradually until you feel comfortable.

2. Choose a Sunny Spot

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Observe sunlight patterns in your garden to determine plant needs for full sun, part shade, or full shade, and consult online resources for suitable species for your unique conditions. Most vegetables and flowering plants require 6-8 hours of full sun daily, so assess your yard’s sun exposure to identify suitable spots. Even if your yard is mostly shady, certain plants like impatiens and begonias can thrive. Select a flat area for your garden to avoid dealing with slopes, which can be more challenging and costly. Ensure convenient access to a water source for your garden’s requirements and consider the accessibility of your garden space for watering, harvesting, and tending to your plants.

3. Gardening Tools

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Essential gardening tools are important to ensure the successful cultivation of plants. Pruning scissors are important for maintaining plant health, enabling precise trimming and removing dead parts. For soil preparation and planting, a spade, trowel, and garden fork are essential, allowing for efficient digging and root clearance. Watering equipment includes a garden hose for larger areas and a watering can for delicate plants, ensuring optimal hydration without damaging young growth. Combatting weeds necessitates tools like a forked trowel and gardening knife, enabling efficient removal to maintain the vitality of the garden.

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Start by clearing the area of weeds and sod, which refers to a layer of grass and the soil beneath it that is held together by roots. For quick results, cut out the sod using a spade.

4. Test the Soil

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Consider a soil test for insights into your soil’s composition, including nutrient deficiencies and recommended remedies, or opt for DIY kits offering basic insights. Based on your soil test results, amend your soil by adding necessary nutrients or adjusting pH levels to create the optimal growing conditions for your plants. Add 2-3 inches of compost to new beds during preparation or apply it to existing beds, allowing earthworms to incorporate it over time, improving soil structure and nutrient availability for plants.

5. Prepare the Planting Bed

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Loosening the soil in new beds before planting aids root growth and nutrient absorption. Opt for manual digging, especially for smaller beds. Work the soil when moist but not overly wet or dry, about 6-8 inches deep, mixing in organic matter. Note that healthy soil contains numerous bacteria, fungi, and microbes, allowing plant roots to penetrate easily due to their suitable texture and structure, which is determined by the proportions of clay, sand, and silt in the soil.

Another way to garden is called no-till gardening. First, clear away any debris and grass. Then, spread a thick layer of compost over the area, at least four inches deep. If you’re dealing with tough weeds, you can try sheet mulching. This involves using cardboard to compost the weeds while keeping the soil intact. It’s also a good idea to keep your garden beds no wider than 4 feet so you can easily reach the center.

6. Choose Your Plants

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Opt for plants suited to your climate, soil, and sunlight conditions. You can also browse the internet for plant options. Here are a few beginner-friendly choices:

• Annuals: Marigolds, Petunias, Snapdragons, Impatiens, Zinnias, Geraniums
• Perennials: Black-eyed Susans, Daylilies, Hostas, 0Coneflowers (Echinacea), Sedum
• Vegetables: tomatoes, Peppers, Lettuce, Carrots, Cucumbers, Squash (zucchini, yellow squash)

7. Plant with Care

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Most seed packets and transplant containers come with basic planting instructions. Once you’ve done the groundwork, begin planting. For seeds, follow guidelines such as planting them three times as deep as their diameter or as specified. Be cautious with seeds needing light for germination, ensuring they’re not buried too deeply. Transplants are usually planted at the same depth as in the pot, with exceptions like tomatoes. Wait until the danger of frost has passed to heat-loving plants. Young plants may require protection or hardening off before being planted outdoors.

When planting seeds, sow them at the specified depth on the packet, firming the soil gently, and water when the soil surface dries out. Some plants prefer cooler temperatures and can be planted in autumn or late winter, while others thrive in warmth and should wait until after the risk of frost has passed. Mid-spring and mid-autumn are optimal for planting perennials. Annuals can be directly sown in the garden or started indoors a few weeks before the last frost date. Alternatively, purchase young plants for transplanting into prepared beds and ensure proper watering after planting.

8. Start Watering

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Water seedlings daily to prevent them from drying out, adjusting frequency as they grow. Newly transplanted seedlings need watering every other day until their roots are established. Afterward, water once a week, considering soil type, humidity, and weather conditions. Clay soil retains moisture longer than sandy soil. Test soil moisture by feeling 3-4 inches below the surface; if dry, water slowly and deeply. Water in the early morning to minimize evaporation.

9. Add Mulch

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Apply a couple of inches of mulch to the soil for moisture retention and weed suppression, choosing from materials like shredded bark, straw, or river rock. Organic mulches, such as bark or compost, enrich the soil as they break down. Avoid covering seeds you want to grow; opt for quickly decomposing mulches for vegetable gardens, and longer-lasting options like bark chips for perennials. Mulch acts as a protective cover, aiding in moisture retention, soil cooling, and weed suppression, while enhancing the garden bed’s appearance. As organic mulches decompose, they enrich soil fertility. Covering the soil with rocks and organic matter inhibits weed germination and maintains soil moisture and warmth while providing nourishment for beneficial soil organisms. Match the right mulch with each crop: wood chips for fruit trees and shrubs, and lighter options like straw or leaves for delicate vegetables.

10. Maintain the Garden

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Regular maintenance involves watering plants before they wilt, removing weeds before they seed, and clearing away dead or diseased vegetation. Support tall plants with trellises or stakes, and harvest vegetables promptly when ripe. Garden maintenance follows a seasonal rhythm; for instance, in spring, prevent weeds, while summer requires vigilant watering, and fall is meant for pruning and cleanup. Throughout the growing season, attend to your plants’ needs: remove yellow or deformed leaves, stake plants for support, and prune dense growth to improve sunlight and air circulation.

Happy Gardening!

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How To Make Compost At Home

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Composting is an aerobic procedure that requires oxygen and transforms organic substances into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer or mulch via the process of natural decomposition. Microorganisms consume materials in the compost pile, utilizing carbon and nitrogen for growth, water for digestion, and oxygen for respiration, resulting in compost—a dark, crumbly material with an earthy smell. Composting is nature’s method of recycling naturally, helping in reducing waste, combating climate change, and enhancing the quality of the soil. The biggest advantage is that one can compost kitchen food scraps along with dry leaves and woody debris from your yard at home.

Designer: Otis Oat

What are the benefits of composting?

• Composting allows one to recycle food scrap and manage waste more sustainably.
• It helps in reducing the volume of materials that may get disposed of in landfills or trash incinerators, thereby reducing the emission of powerful greenhouse gases.

Designer: Homesteading Where You Are

• Composting requires minimal effort and is a cost-effective way to produce high-quality soil amendments while reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Another advantage is that composting is that it creates nutrient-rich soil, prevents soil erosion, conserves water, and improves plant growth.

What are the different types of composting?

Composting can be broadly classified into backyard composting and vermicomposting.

Backyard Composting

Backyard composting includes carbon-rich materials or browns like dry leaves, twigs, plant stalks, nitrogen-rich materials, or greens like grass clippings and food scraps. Composting involves the presence of water and oxygen, where carbon-rich materials serve as food for microorganisms, and nitrogen-rich materials generate heat in the pile.

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• For backyard composting, the first step is to decide on a method for gathering and storing browns outdoors and collect fruit and vegetable scraps in a sealed container either on your kitchen counter, under your sink, or in your fridge or freezer.
• Identify an accessible, well-draining space in your yard for a compost pile, and select a bin type, that can be constructed from materials like wire, wood, cinder blocks, or enclosed options such as barrels and tumblers.
• Chop and break down the browns and greens into smaller pieces before adding them to the pile to expedite the decomposition process.
• Construct the compost pile with a four- to six-inch layer of substantial browns, like twigs and wood chips, to absorb excess liquids, elevate the pile, and facilitate air circulation at the base. Follow by layering greens and, add a bit of water to moisten the pile. Note that the browns should be at least three times the greens.
• As the compost pile decomposes, the center temperature initially rises. One can speed up decomposition and aerate by turning and mixing the pile with a garden fork. Monitor moisture, odor, and temperature, adjusting as needed. Adjust the compost by moistening and turning if it’s too dry, adding browns and turning if there’s an odor, mixing in greens, and turning if it’s not heating up.
• Once your compost pile stops heating up and shows no visible food scraps after mixing, let it cure for at least four weeks, relocating the oldest compost if desired. Note that after curing, the pile will be reduced to about one-third.
• Well-maintained compost is ready in three to five months, looking dark, loose, and crumbly with a soil-like smell. Screen or sift the finished compost to remove undecomposed materials, such as twigs or fruit pits, and add them back to the active or new pile if desired.
• Well-constructed and properly maintained compost piles, whether in bins or open, should not attract pests or rodents. If using a bin, reinforce it with a lid and potentially a floor, ensuring no holes or gaps larger than ¼ inch. Cover and bury food scraps in the pile, and avoid adding meat, dairy, or greasy foods.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting employs specific earthworm species to enhance the organic waste conversion process, utilizing microorganisms and earthworms in a mesophilic environment. Earthworms consume organic materials, producing granular excrement known as vermicompost, which, in simple terms, improves soil’s biological, chemical, and physical properties. The earthworm’s digestive tract secretions aid in breaking down soil and organic matter, enriching the castings with readily available nutrients for plants. Various organic residues, including straw, husk, leaves, stalks, and livestock or poultry wastes, can be transformed into vermicompost, with earthworms reducing waste volume by 40–60 percent.

Types of Compost Bins

Here is a curated assortment of innovative compost bins.

1. Handheld Composting Machine

Designer: Shihcheng Chen

The ReGreen is a compact handheld device simulates the look of a miniature waste-disposal machine and incorporates an aluminum grinder that efficiently crushes and pulverizes waste while promoting quick biodegradation. The device features a top opening for waste input, a rotating arm that facilitates gentle pulverization and its base allows water drainage for compost drying. After waste is processed, one can introduce enzymes to speed up composting and convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.

2. Plant Cultivator and Compost Bin

Designer: Robin Akira

Paradise is an automated plant cultivator and compost bin designed to decrease domestic waste via the use of integrated technology that notifies users about compost and plant care needs. Inspired by the pandemic-driven shift to home-centric living, designer Robin Akira created Paradise to integrate greenery into interior spaces while addressing the global rise in domestic waste with its composting features and odor-sealing lid.

3. Compost Bin cum Indoor Garden

Designer: Chaozhi Lin

In a changing world where sustainability is a personal commitment, KAGURA, a self-sustaining indoor gardening system created by Chaozhi Lin, facilitates composting and vegetable cultivation. Consisting of a food waste container, elevated light structure, and three soil pots, KAGURA transforms scraps into compost, nourishing plants with an attractive, compact light fixture. Designed to fit any kitchen or living space, this system caters to environmentally conscious individuals in urban settings, addressing the challenge of limited yard space and making sustainable living feasible for city homes.

4. Compost Sleek Bin

Designer: Alp Çakın

Homepost, an innovative composting station, addresses waste challenges in office environments by accelerating the composting process, containing odors, and providing additional storage space. Its efficient design allows for the transformation of diverse organic waste, including plastics, paper, nutshells, teabags, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps, and eggshells. The system’s environmentally friendly construction, made from sustainable green polyethylene, absorbs carbon dioxide during production. Featuring a rotating arm for easy transportation, Homepost’s modules nest efficiently for minimal space occupancy during transit.

5. Composting Machine

Designer: Jinhwi Bang

Reencle tackles the escalating food waste issue in the USA by efficiently breaking down household food-prep waste, bones, peels, leftovers, and expired products into compost within 24 hours. Roughly the size of a trash bin, Reencle features an automatic opening lid and a control panel, with microorganisms inside its chamber facilitating the composting process. The mechanical churning system reduces waste volume through vigorous mixing, and any emissions are filtered to release trace amounts of water vapor and clean air. This at-home solution transforms food waste into nutrient-rich compost for gardens or disposal, mitigating environmental harm caused by landfill decomposition.

6. Stainless Steel Compost Bin

Designer: Adrian Moro

Kamoro’s Compost Bin is crafted with a streamlined airflow design that both dries out waste and provides essential oxygen for microbial survival, ensuring the effortless cultivation of a healthy compost batch. Its double-walled construction consists of an outer stainless-steel container and an inner plastic bucket. The stainless-steel container incorporates a perforated base to establish an airflow pattern, and an activated carbon filter on top effectively filters outgoing air, reducing any odors generated during the organic breakdown process.

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Find Tranquillity in City Life with this 3-in-1 Smartphone Friendly Mini Garden

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In today’s fast-paced urban lifestyle, our homes and offices often lack the connection to nature that our ancestors once enjoyed. As our cities expand and green spaces diminish, we find ourselves yearning for a breath of fresh air and a touch of tranquility. Fortunately, a revolutionary product is here to transform your indoor environment and infuse it with the essence of a moonlit garden. Meet the ingenious creation that combines an air purifier, mood light, and wireless charger, designed with the inspiration of nature: the Mini Moonlit Desk Garden.

Designer: Seunghyuk Shin

Imagine having a miniature moonlit garden right on your desk. The mini desk garden does just that by encapsulating the serene beauty of the moon and forest in a single device. This innovative product is not just a functional accessory but a work of art that enhances your living or workspace.

One of the standout features of this extraordinary product is the magnetic levitation mood light in the depiction of the moon rising over a mountain. This enchanting element adds a touch of magic to your surroundings. As you place the mood lamp on the device, it levitates mid-air, lighting up like a mystical moonrise. The mini desk garden captivates your senses, creating an ambiance that mimics the calming effect of the moon gracing the night sky.

Embedded within this masterpiece is Scandia Moss, a natural moss material reminiscent of a lush forest. This moss is not just for aesthetics; it boasts many functions that transform your indoor space. Scandia Moss serves as a natural air purifier, regulating humidity, removing toxic substances, and neutralizing unpleasant odors. It brings the fresh, invigorating scent of the forest into your personal sanctuary, turning your desk into a haven of tranquility.

The moonlit garden desk companion isn’t just a product; it’s a lifestyle choice. It introduces a novel approach to indoor-outdoor living, allowing you to reconnect with nature even within the confines of your urban dwelling. In today’s world, where hot and humid climates often limit the joy of outdoor living, this product bridges the gap between indoors and outdoors. It provides a slice of the natural world in the heart of the city, transforming your environment into a refreshing oasis.

For those residing in cities with sweltering, muggy climates that restrict the pleasures of modern indoor-outdoor living, the mini desk garden is a game-changer. It offers a respite from the heat and a retreat from the concrete jungle, allowing you to bask in the soothing aura of the moonlit garden without stepping outside.

In addition to its enchanting features, the desk garden offers practical functionality. Placing your smartphone on the top of the product activates its wireless charging capabilities, ensuring that your devices stay powered up effortlessly. Furthermore, the product features a convenient C-type USB port on the side, allowing you to charge and use various devices simultaneously. This versatility enhances your productivity and connectivity while maintaining the elegance of your moonlit garden-inspired desk.

The mini desk garden is more than just a product; it’s a transformative experience. With its mesmerizing levitating mood light, natural air-purifying properties, and the essence of a moonlit forest, it brings a touch of magic and tranquility into your life. Say goodbye to the confines of city living and welcome the enchantment of the moon and forest into your home or workspace with this remarkable creation. It’s time to rediscover the joy of nature, one levitating moonlight at a time.

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How this automated hydroponics indoor garden brings you healthy greens all year round

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We’re all advised to add more fruits and veggies into our diets, but markets and even nature itself seem to be working against us. Fresh food is harder to come by, and going to supermarkets has become even more of a chore than it already was before. Online shopping is, of course, expensive, and we are rarely sure about the quality and safety of the greens we buy from stores. We’d plant these ourselves, but then we’d still be at the mercy of weather, seasons, and our aching backs. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore with this ingenious combination of nature and technology that lets you enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, healthy food right inside your home, no matter the season.

Designer: Tilden Cooper (Assoc. AIA)

Click Here to Buy Now: $799 $1,599 ($800 off exclusive to YD readers only). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

Growing plants indoors have become a bit popular in the past years as people found themselves stuck at home with very little to do outside of work or school. It didn’t take long for succulents to be replaced by edibles as the benefits of homegrown vegetables, herbs, and even fruits became more apparent. Growing these healthy greens the traditional way, however, is not only very difficult but also horribly inefficient, which is why an innovative product like Nutraponics is needed to make such a vital part of our nutrition practically effortless.

Nutraponics is what one would call an automated hydroponics garden system, which is to say it’s a self-sustaining indoor garden that uses water-based solutions instead of soil to grow plants. Of course, that barely scratches the surface of what Nutraponics can do, which is to grow, nurture, and monitor your darling veggies for you. All you need to do is plant the seeds, set the parameters you want, and practically forget it until it’s time to harvest those fresh, delicious, and nutritious greens.

This miracle garden appliance harnesses the power of multiple technologies, making them work in perfect harmony to ensure the growth of plants in its care. The Grow Ring that encircles the tower, for example, delivers a balanced light spectrum that supports all stages of a plant’s life cycle, from seedling to fruiting, in an energy-efficient manner that doesn’t generate too much heat. An electronically controlled water pump delivers nutrient-rich water directly to the roots of the plant using a patent-pending water distribution panel, ensuring that plants get the nourishing fluids they need exactly when they need it.

Best of all, all of these happen without requiring your attention or intervention, at least until it’s time to refill the water. That doesn’t mean you’re not part of the process though. Thanks to Nutraponics’ advanced and precise monitoring system, it can keep a close watch on important factors like temperature, pH levels, nutrient solution quality, water levels, and more. It will bring concerns to your attention before they become problems, allowing you to quickly step in to replenish the nourishing water or any other matter that needs to be resolved.

With Nutraponics, you can enjoy 3x faster plant growth and 40% greater yields, ensuring you’ll have a fresh supply of your favorite herbs and greens when you need them, all year round. And with its small footprint, this indoor garden doesn’t just get out of your way but also adds a beautiful piece of decoration to your home. Why settle for dubious and expensive supermarket greens when you can grow them quickly at home with minimal effort, thanks to the Nutraponics self-sustaining indoor garden.

Click Here to Buy Now: $799 $1,599 ($800 off exclusive to YD readers only). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

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This versatile garden office pod will help millennials strike the work-life balance they so badly need

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Anthony Hodson designed the Dzome to tackle the frustration and boredom people began to feel while working from home during the pandemic. Although offices have slowly begun to open up, there are a large number of people who still work from home, or follow a hybrid model of working – one which involves working at home, and at the office. In such a scenario, it can still be difficult to maintain a work-life balance, since you do tend to spend a lot of your time confined to your home. Hodson’s Dzome is an effort to help us strike some work-life balance, and alleviate some of the monotony and stress we experience with the same old daily schedule.

Designer: Anthony Hodson

So, what is the Dzome? The Dzome is a versatile garden office pod, that provides you with some personal space and time when you need a break from the everyday hustle-bustle. It offers a moment of rest on an otherwise hectic day. The pod is inspired by nature and the Fibonacci sequence’s Golden Ratio. It features a geometrically intriguing curved facade crafted from weatherproof steel segments.

The steel components have been made to overlap, creating a rather interesting arrangement. The steel used to build the segments is galvanized, which allows the light to reflect, and also provides resistance to harsh weather. The space functions primarily as an office, however, it can be used as a sleeping pod, or to simply chill, or even play games in! You could also use the versatile space as a yoga room.

The interiors of Dzome are well-lit, creating a space that is conducive to productivity and is imparted with a sense of tranquility Light plywood finishes add a warm and minimal feel to the pod. Double-glazed windows define the structure, and a dome accentuates the curved pod even further. The dome features a peaking skylight as well. The pod took over four years to be conceptualized, and the first prototype was a 1:15 scale model that was set up in eight weeks! All the various components were prefabricated in Hodson’s workshop, arranged in a kit, and then assembled and set up on site. And this year, we will see a limited collection of 10 pods being released. Grab one if you’re interested!

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This beautiful Budapest museum has a roof that gently curves to meet the ground

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When talking about stunning architectural works, we often think of structures and buildings that stick out from the ground. This can be something as sprawling as a majestic palace or something as breathtaking as a thin skyscraper. After all, it’s a bit difficult to appreciate something that’s hidden underground. Of course, it’s not exactly impossible, especially if the entrance to that underground haven stands out in a very special way. One would presume that an underground structure wouldn’t need to have a grand entrance, but the new Museum of Ethnography in Budapest dares to be different, creating an awe-inspiring visage where the ground meets the sky, welcoming visitors to the treasures trove inside while also providing a completely new experience for people who just want to stroll along.

Designer: NAPUR Architect

About sixty percent of the newly inaugurated Ethnography Museum is actually below ground level. This is where the main attraction of the venue is stored, of course, housing around 250,000 historical artifacts in a single facility for the first time in over a century. Rather than just having a simple structure to house the entrance to this underground museum, however, the winning design went the extra mile to create a structure that is itself a wonder to behold. More importantly, it also serves as a place for people to congregate and enjoy the fresh outdoor atmosphere, probably before or after filling their minds with knowledge of the past.

It’s not exactly easy to describe the shape of the museum’s above-the-ground floors. A skating rink might be an apt comparison, with a surface that curves downward in the middle to become level with the ground. Alternatively, you could also picture it as the building’s sides rising above the ground to reach the sky. Whichever way you try to think about it, the museum’s roof is both above ground as well as on the ground, creating an almost seamless connection with the park surrounding it.

The grass-covered roof definitely feels like an extension of the green park and is a perfect venue for community and social activities. But while the structure of the building is its most eye-catching part, closer inspection will also reveal equally interesting details that are more closely related to the building’s purpose. A glass curtain wall surrounds the exposed part of the landscaped roof, and this wall holds metal grids that create a dot-matrix display based on ethnographic motifs from the museum’s collection.

Whether it’s the wealth of historical artifacts inside or the beauty of the structure outside, this new Hungarian museum is bound to be the center of attraction for the country. It is a design that tries to blend the past and the present in a non-obvious manner, creating spaces that encourage communication, interaction, and perhaps even a bit of reflection. Either way, it’s definitely a great way to invite people to take a break on the landscaped roof garden and to maybe take a peek inside Hungary’s collection of cultural treasures while you’re at it.

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Kinetic glasshouse is a jewel and crown in the middle of the Silk Route Garden

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When you visit special gardens when you’re traveling, you expect to see not just amazing flowers and plants but also extraordinary structures built to house them or around them. The Woolbeding Gardens in West Sussex is one such place where you can now see the Silk Route Garden, a 12-step journey celebrating the ancient trading route between Asia and Europe during the 2nd century BC. And on the edge of that garden, you’ll see a jewel-like structure that will open up as a crown but is actually a glasshouse.

Designer: Heatherwick Studio

The kinetic Heatherwick Glasshouse is the focal point of the Silk Route Garden with its ten steel sepals and its glass and aluminum facade. During the summer, the glasshouse will open up through its hydraulic mechanism which takes four minutes to be fully open. This allows the plants inside to be exposed to the sun and to natural ventilation and also for the visitors to see the various subtropical trees and shrubs inside. But during winters or colder weather, the Glasshouse will remain closed to protect the subtropical species inside.

The design is inspired by ornamental Victorian terrariums or sealable containers with soil and plants. These were often made of glass hence the material chosen for this structure. The ten steel sepals support the angled glass planes. They were inspired by actual sepals found on flowers, which are basically the leaves that encase a developing flower. The hydraulic mechanism meanwhile was developed using liquid under pressure that moves in a confined space.

Inside the Glasshouse, you’ll see the rare specimen of Aralia Vietnamensis, a tree specie that has self-supporting growth form and provides shade for the tender ferns that grow with the umbrella trees, magnolias, and bananas. Aside from being a “crowning achievement” in design and engineering, it also restores part of the history of both the Silk Road and the entire beautiful and historic Woolbeding estate. When it is closed, the glasshouse looks like an undiscovered jewel in the middle of the garden but as it slowly unfurls, you’ll see it’s a majestic crown, the crowning jewel so to speak of the Silk Route Garden.

Having a contemporary piece in the midst of all these historic plants, flowers, and flora shows that these two settings can still speak to each other and are of course connected. Around the Heatherwick Glasshouse, you’ll see a winding path with more than 300 species of plants that were found in the twelve distinct regions of the Silk Road.

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5-Foot Tall Glow-in-the-Dark Alien Garden Statue: They Are Among Us

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Because no garden is complete without a life-size alien visitor creeping amongst the rose bushes, King’s Bay produces and sells this 5-foot tall Area 51 Glow In The Dark Alien Garden Statue (affiliate link). The out-of-this-world visitor is made from cast aluminum and painted with glow-in-the-dark paint to really stand out after the sun goes down. And, just like an alien once told me, “The nighttime is the right time.” That’s when I hit it in the back of the head with a shovel!

With its stand, the alien measures approximately 64″ tall, 22″ wide, and 15″ deep and is sure to have my neighbors calling the local news channel to report an alien sighting. They aren’t the brightest lights in the neighborhood, but they do love a good conspiracy theory.

Don’t have the $1500 to spend on this particular alien statue? No worries, just make your own papier-mâché version as I did and cover it with a can of glow-in-the-dark spray paint. Sure it pretty much melted after the first rain, but now I have an alien ZOMBIE garden statue, and can you really put a price on that? Because my homeowner’s association thought it was worthy of an $85 fine.

[via DudeIWantThat]

LEGO launches its botanical collection to merge building blocks with gardening

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LEGO’s Botanical Collection marks the toy company’s latest effort in merging the joyful pastime of building blocks with the meditative work of gardening.

Two of the more popular pastimes to have gained traction during the pandemic have been gardening and building with LEGOs. It seems everyone is filling their homes with flower bouquets and greenery. While there’s no replacement for growing our own gardens, LEGO recently launched a collection of blocks that allow people to build their own bouquets and greenery with LEGO blocks. Dubbed the Botanical Collection, users will be able to replicate flowers like Birds of Paradise and orchids with corresponding LEGO blocks.

Designer: LEGO

Designed to provide users with a means for rest and relaxation, the Botanical Collection is like a sort of three-dimensional puzzle that merges the childhood joy of LEGO building blocks with the patient game of jigsaw puzzles. While children and adults enjoy collecting LEGO blocks and building microscopic cityscapes from that collection, the Botanical Collection marks a clear effort from the toy block’s company to ‘adultify’ their collection of LEGOs.

The Bird of Paradise collection features over 1,000 building blocks so users can take their time constructing artful three-dimensional replicas of bouquets and plant life. In addition to the Bird of Paradise option, the Botanical Collection includes pieces to build orchids, succulents, full bouquets, bonsai trees, and whatever else your imagination concocts.

On rainy days, when gardening isn’t an option, LEGO’s new Botanical Collection offers a moment of indoor respite for those of us with green-thumbed tendencies. Of the succulent collection, the designers at LEGO encourage adults to, “Discover the deeper virtues of our resilient friends. Venture into the plant kingdom and let your green fingers do what they do best, with this creative and relaxing build.”

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