Vertical gardens, also known as green walls or living walls, have emerged as a significant innovation in sustainable architecture, particularly in dense urban environments where space is limited.

These systems involve vertically arranging vegetation, often hydroponically, on indoor or exterior building surfaces, providing not only an aesthetic feature but also a suite of practical environmental benefits.

One of the most documented advantages of indoor vertical gardens is their effectiveness in improving air quality.

Vertical green walls can substantially reduce indoor air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by around 40%, particulate matter (PM10) by 60%, PM2.5 by 10%, and ozone (O3) by 30%.

This is achieved through dust retention and the absorption of air pollutants by the plant leaves and root microorganisms.

The reduction in these pollutants leads to healthier indoor environments, with studies conducted in schools and public buildings supporting these results.

Such air purification is particularly important in urban locations where external air quality is often compromised .

Temperature regulation is another significant benefit.

Indoor and exterior green walls moderate temperatures by providing shade and through the cooling effect of transpiration.

Some studies indicate that vertical gardens can lower air temperatures inside buildings by approximately 1.8°C and, in exterior applications, can reduce wall surface temperatures by up to 5°C.

This temperature moderation reduces reliance on air conditioning, thereby cutting energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

As global cities densify and green space diminishes, integrating vertical gardens provides a means for sustainable climate adaptation and urban comfort .

The mental health impact of indoor green walls has also attracted research attention.

Studies and workplace observations indicate the presence of living plants, including those on vertical gardens, lowers stress and anxiety, boosts mood, accelerates healing, and enhances productivity.

Contact with greenery, even visually, is associated with a greater sense of safety, reduced blood pressure, and improved cognitive function.

These psychological benefits underline the value of green walls in offices, schools, healthcare settings, and homes as elements contributing not just to comfort but also to overall well-being .

Beyond these primary benefits, vertical gardens also help in maximizing the use of limited space for plant cultivation.

This extends, in some cases, to food production, allowing fresh vegetables and herbs to be grown in constrained environments with as little as 1% of the water required for conventional agriculture.

Such applications combine resource conservation with environmental enrichment .

Maintenance of vertical gardens is a vital consideration for their sustained success.

Well-designed green walls using resilient, low-water-use plant species generally require moderate upkeep.

Automated systems for irrigation, nutrient delivery, and climate monitoring are increasingly standard, especially in larger or technologically advanced installations, reducing labor and ensuring plant health.

However, neglect or poor species selection can lead to high plant mortality.

Factors such as heat tolerance, water availability, and protection from vandalism are critical, particularly for outdoor installations in harsh climates.

Maintenance contracts and ongoing care protocols significantly improve longevity and effectiveness.

Common challenges include irrigation system failures, nutrient imbalances, plant disease, and, in exterior cases, issues arising from climate extremes or vandalism .

Selecting suitable plants is essential for both function and easy maintenance and is governed by climate, light availability, and specific wall microclimates.

For humid and temperate indoor environments, recommended species include Dracaena, various bamboos, lilies, ferns (such as Boston fern), hydrangea, African pansy, panthera, turtle vine, firecracker plant, and Yunnan yellow carnation.

In arid or extreme climate settings, or where maintenance resources are limited, xeric (drought-tolerant) species are preferred, such as succulents (e.g., Kalanchoe, jade plant), snake plant, spider plant, Haworthia, croton, and aglaonema (Chinese evergreen).

Mesic species, like fruit trees, roses, or magnolias, require soils with good organic content and regular watering and are more suited for controlled interior climates with reliable irrigation.

Shade and low-light environments further narrow the palette to plants adapted to such conditions, like certain ferns and tropical foliage species .

In summary, vertical gardens represent a multifaceted sustainability innovation in architectural design, providing measurable benefits in air purification, thermal regulation, and occupant well-being.

Success depends on strategic planning of species selection, irrigation technology, and maintenance regimes tailored to the particular building context and climate.

When well planned, green walls can become long-lived, low-maintenance assets, supporting environmental quality and human health as essential components of green building strategies.

Vertical gardens, also known as green walls or living walls, have emerged as a significant innovation in sustainable architecture, particularly in dense urban environments where space is limited.

Title:

Content: Categories: Articles, Crop productionPublished On: 13th October 2023

Hobby or small-holder farmers: Vertical farming may be the way to go

By 7 min read

aquaculture-5990470_1280

Stackable planters can be purchased from local hardware or nursery suppliers to create your own vertical farm.

The need to optimise farming and improve yields on small plots of land is increasingly important. Due to challenges of water scarcity, limited arable land and high inputs costs, innovative solutions such as vertical farming can help to overcome these struggles.

Vertical farming is an approach whereby farmers cultivate certain crops vertically in stacked layers, in order to maximise space and increase yields. This is usually achieved by planting these crops in containers, structures, or stackable pots.

Most often, these structures incorporate aquaponics, hydroponics or aeroponic techniques. All of these are methods used in controlled environments, with various factors such as the water flow, lighting control, temperature, and substrate controlled by the farmer, unlike traditional farming practices.

Vertical farming has many benefits

The most obvious benefit of vertical farming is maximised land use. This method allows farmers to grow more crops in a smaller footprint, making it ideal for areas with limited land availability. But there are other benefits too:

Production throughout the year: Since the environment of vertical farms are more controlled, it is possible to cultivate a crop more than once a year, or to ensure that you have a consistent yield throughout the year – depending on the crop type of course. Any seasonal constraints are removed and production is more efficient.

Water conservation: Less water is used in these systems.with only the precise amount of water needed to provide the plants with sustenance. Where farms are located in greenhouses or indoors, less evaporation also occurs.

Low environmental impact: When less space is needed to grow more food, there is a lower impact on the environment. Less natural vegetation needs to be cleared to accommodate soil based farming.

Improved control over growing conditions: When coupled with greenhouse systems, factors such as light intensity, temperature and humidity can be regulated. However, the plants are more dependent on the farmer to provide nutrients as there is little to no soil used as a substrate. Farmers can exercise strict control over when which fertilisers are used.

How to start a vertical farm

If you are looking to start a vertical farm, you need to first allocate space. You will need a space to put up the vertical structures where it has ample natural light, and where the structures can be safe from animals. People often want to put vertical gardens in warehouses and storerooms, but it is very costly to provide enough artificial lighting to try and make up for the lack of sunlight.

If you plan on adding ventilation to a greenhouse, temperature control systems or any other high tech additions, remember to consider access to electricity or solar power. If solar is your choice, take note the for every hectare of artificial lighting you may need up to five hectares of solar panels to provide enough electricity.

There also needs to be a space where you can add drainage so access water can drain from your vertical farm.

Next, you will need to look at the crops you would like to grow as this will determine  your growing method.

Structures for vertical farming:

Vertical wall gardens

Vertical wall gardens are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to start vertical farming in cities where you have walls, and limited horisontal space. You can use recycled materials such as old pallets, wooden crates, or plastic bottles as planting containers. These containers can be attached to a vertical frame or wall, creating a vertical garden. This method is excellent for growing herbs, small vegetables, and even certain fruits like strawberries.

Tower gardens

Tower gardens are vertical systems that allow plants to grow in stacked layers. PVC pipes can be used to create vertical planting towers. Plants are placed in holes drilled into the pipes, and a water and nutrient solution is circulated through the system. PVC pipes are relatively inexpensive and can be found at local hardware stores. Tower gardens are suitable for growing a variety of leafy greens and herbs.

Hanging gardens

Hanging gardens are an excellent option for small spaces. You can use hanging pots, recycled containers, or even fabric pouches attached to a frame or railing. These hanging containers can be filled with a lightweight growing medium and used for cultivating herbs, lettuce, and other compact crops. Hanging gardens utilise vertical space effectively and are relatively low-cost to set up.

Hydroponic systems

Hydroponic systems, where plants are grown in water without soil, can be affordable if you opt for a simple DIY setup. You can create a basic raft system using foam boards floating on a nutrient solution. Alternatively, a wick system, where a wick draws nutrient solution from a reservoir to the plants, is inexpensive and easy to set up. These DIY hydroponic systems are suitable for growing various vegetables and herbs.

Shelve system

As the name suggests, shelves are used to create rows of vertical gardens. Similar to wall- or hanging gardens, containers with substrate is used keep the plants in. Pots or trays are stacked on the shelves in a tray of water, or is connected to driplines that provide the plants with water.

A wall garden constructed with PVC pipe. (Source: Pixabay)

Planting a (vertical) garden and watching it grow

Some crops are not compatible with vertical systems – do not try to plant maize or pumpkins in this system. But there are still a multitude of other crops that can be used. Here are a few you can research:

  1. Herbs:

Herbs such as basil, cilantro, mint, thyme, and parsley are vital flavours that are in constant demand. They require relatively little space and grow well in vertical systems. Additionally, herbs are high-value crops because they have a quick turnover, allowing for multiple harvests throughout the year.

  1. Salad greens

Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, arugula, and kale are popular choices for vertical farming. They are not only nutritious but also have a short growth cycle, making them ideal for continuous harvesting. Salad greens are versatile and are used in various culinary dishes, making them high in demand and a profitable choice for vertical farms.

  1. Microgreens

Microgreens are young edible plants harvested at an early stage. They are incredibly popular in high-end restaurants and farmer’s markets due to their intense flavour and high nutritional content. Microgreens can include varieties like radishes, mustard greens, and pea shoots. Despite their small size, microgreens are considered high-value crops because they can be sold at a premium price.

  1. Strawberries

Strawberries are a popular fruit that can be grown vertically in towers or hanging systems. They have a relatively high market price and are favoured by consumers for their sweetness and freshness. Vertical farming allows for efficient use of space, making it possible to grow a significant quantity of strawberries in a small area.

  1. Gourmet mushrooms

Gourmet mushrooms such as oyster mushrooms, shiitake, and maitake have gained popularity in culinary circles. They can be grown vertically in specially designed containers or shelves. Mushrooms have a relatively high market price, making them a profitable choice for vertical farms.

When choosing high-value crops for your vertical farming system, consider the local market demand, climate suitability, and your expertise in cultivating specific crops. Conduct market research and engage with local chefs, restaurants, and grocery stores to understand their requirements and preferences. By selecting the right combination of high-value crops, you can optimise your vertical farm’s profitability and contribute to the sustainable growth of your agricultural venture.

Shelves can also be used to create vertical gardens. (Source: Vecteezy)

For emerging farmers in sub-Saharan countries, vertical farming represents a pathway to overcome traditional agricultural challenges and create a more sustainable, efficient, and profitable farming enterprise. By harnessing the benefits of vertical farming, these farmers can contribute significantly to the local economy, local supply chain and food security.

J.M. and Marsh, J. (2022) How Africa can develop its own version of Vertical Farming, Agrilinks. Available at: https://agrilinks.org/post/how-africa-can-develop-its-own-version-vertical-farming

Vertical farming in Africa with Tower Farms (2022) Agrotonomy. Available at: https://agrotonomy.com/vertical-farming-in-africa-with-tower-farms/

Vertical Farming South Africa: 4 companies making a big impact (2022) Indoor Grow Farmer. Available at: https://indoorgrowfarmer.com/vertical-farming-south-africa/#:~:text=Vertical%20farming%20in%20South%20Africa,conditions%20to%20accommodate%20vertical%20farming.

B.Bugbee (2015) Why vertical farming won’t save the planet. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISAKc9gpGjw&feature=youtu.be

Deel hierdie artikel.

These systems involve vertically arranging vegetation, often hydroponically, on indoor or exterior building surfaces, providing not only an aesthetic feature but also a suite of practical environmental benefits.

Title:

Content: 6 Easy Ways to Build an Indoor Garden
CHITING CHANG – HOMIFY
Loading admin actions …
Indoor plants are not only beautiful, they bring natural greenery to your room, they also have the function of purifying toxins in the air.
If you don ’ t have a large garden or balcony space to grow flowers and plants, you can still work on creating a small garden indoors.
Today ’ s idea book will teach you 6 simple ways to build an indoor garden.
After reading these methods, you should no longer be able to use the space limit as an excuse!
1. Palm Trees
If you want to plant a tree indoors, you must choose plants that can survive in low light conditions.
An atmospheric, tropical palm tree is the perfect choice.
If you have concerns about the frequency of watering and the temperature in the room, ask a professional for more details.
2.
Glass bonsai
Terrarium Installations
The Urban Botanist
Easy to handle, small glass potted plants are ideal for small suites or work desks! You can choose large glass containers, such as old light bulbs, fish tanks, candy cans, etc., then put a small stone as the bottom, spread the moss, and then put the soil.
The next step is to put your plants in the soil and then spread the moss.
When finished, you can put on your favorite decorations again, so that the simple glass potted plant is finished.
3.
Fill the walls with plants.
Green walls can be the most natural decoration in the home, and can also remove toxins from the air and improve the quality of life.
Although the idea is simple, building a green wall can be a tricky task, and if you are not confident in your DIY skills, you can consult with homify experts.
4.
Hang the plants on the wall.
Hanging Vintage Garden Tap Planter
ELLA JAMES
If the above green wall is a bit too much, then you can choose to hang plants on the wall.
If you don ’ t like the general method, you can follow the above example and choose the potted plants made of water taps, so that your potted plants can also be used as decorations in your home.
5.
Kitchen Spices
The easiest way to create an indoor garden is to plant the herbs you need.
Put your favorite herbs in the kitchen, in addition to making the kitchen full of green surprises, you can also let the vanilla smell in the air.
6.
Make your living space green
We love the concept of an indoor garden!
Put a wooden table on the plant of the tree, it becomes a unique tree table.
When guests come to visit, do you have the feeling of playing chess and making tea in the old banyan tree?
More Inspiration for Interior Decoration: 17 Simple and Affordable Ways to Make Your Home Better
Do you need someone to help you design or build your home?
Find a professional now!
Find out more about home design!

One of the most documented advantages of indoor vertical gardens is their effectiveness in improving air quality.

Title:

Content: Home Garden What Are the Benefits of Growing Indoors

What Are the Benefits of Growing Indoors

Growing plants is for everyone but not everyone has a garden to grow them in. If you live in an apartment, in the city, or if you just don’t have the time to grow outdoors try growing inside.

Indoor growing is a great option for those of us who can’t grow outdoors – it allows you to grow plants for a healthier life. Let’s look at the various ways growing indoors can help us improve our livelihood.

Having Plants Around Is Healthy

It is well-researched that having plants around your home makes you feel more relaxed, healthier, and just have a better life. Plants help filter pollution and bad air, helping your home feel less stale, they are beautiful to look at, and they help remind you that there is an impermanence to life and to our time.

Plants react to the changes in our environment, our moods, our attention, and our care, which in turn makes us more caring and more engaged with the world around us. They provide us with peace of mind and a balance in life.

You Can Grow Healthy Foods

If you’re inclined, you can grow plants in a grow tent, which will expand the number of plants you’re able to grow indoors. These grow tents offer a great way to efficiently grow plants that you would otherwise be unable to grow – from interesting trees, palms, seedlings, orchids, and anything you are interested in!

What’s most exciting about this grow tent is that you’re able to grow plants and then give them to your loved ones or you can grow your food indoors! Who knew – all it takes is a container for your plants to grow healthy, the right lighting, and ventilation and you’ll be able to grow enormous, delicious, and healthy foods. Within just a few short months you’ll change your life for the better!

You Will Learn a New Hobby

Hobbies are what give us meaning – move beyond the confines of work and the expectations of a society that only values money and get involved with something that is just for you. Hobbies will give your time so much more value and excitement.

Taking care of plants is like taking care of a part of yourself and, in a way, it is – the more time you put into your plants the more you’ll get out of them. Grow everything from tomatoes to leafy greens to flowers and you’ll see how they turn your life into something more beautiful!

You Can Create a Work-Life Balance

Take a break from the stresses of work by growing plants in your home. Growing indoors is a great way to take a break from the constant ebb and flow and stresses of a society that demands a lot from us – taking care of something will help you grow just as your plants do!

Growing plants indoors improves the way we live and can have a major impact on the way we live our lives. Have a happier, healthier life simply by growing plants in your home, and take away the stress that builds up in your life by adding little green friends to your space.

Vertical green walls can substantially reduce indoor air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by around 40%, particulate matter (PM10) by 60%, PM2.5 by 10%, and ozone (O3) by 30%.

Title:

Content: In order to improve the environmental air quality and let children learn with peace of mind, the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has continued to build a clean air green wall in the school. This year, 12 schools in Jianping Elementary School, Juren Elementary School and Chongde Elementary School have received subsidies from the Environmental Protection Department.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, through the installation of clean air green walls, indoor air quality can be improved. At present, space such as classroom corridors and flower stands outside the daughter wall in Taichung City can be planted, which can achieve the benefits of dust retention, air pollution absorption and temperature regulation.
In order to strengthen the protection of the school environment for children, the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau expanded the subsidy for the construction of a clean air green wall on the campus, and the current subsidy amount to 1.76 million yuan, with an area of 358 square meters.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stressed that currently selected plants that can purify the air and do not need to spend too much money and time to maintain include the Dragon Tubeh, the Junzi and Wu Bamboo, the Turtle, the Cannonflower or the Honeysuckle.
How good is the effect of clean air green wall?
According to international research, vertical clean air green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by about 40% and 60%. In addition, green walls can also reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in classrooms by about 10% and the concentration of ozone (O3) by about 30%.
Green wall is the most natural and energy efficient air purification facilities, no need to plug in electricity, self-circulation, to achieve the purpose of air purification, can be called the "most environmentally friendly air purifier".
Chen Hongyi, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, said that in addition to blocking outdoor pollutants and improving indoor air, the air green wall can also adjust the temperature and drive energy conservation and carbon reduction. Next year, Taichung City is expected to expand the subsidy target, including community activity centers, public kindergartens and environmental night markets.
# Green Wall # Air # Cleanliness # Campus # Environment

This is achieved through dust retention and the absorption of air pollutants by the plant leaves and root microorganisms.

Title:

Content: Cities in which we live
0
Anastasia Schwartz
By 2050, the UN estimates that almost 70% of the world ’ s population will live in cities, making sustainable urbanization one of the priorities of global development.
collage by Pavel Tsedilin
Urbanization is still one of the main global trends of the 21st century and requires close attention.
In fact, how cities develop will determine the future of countries and societies, as well as the solution of many problems of global importance.
The fact is that most of the inhabitants of the Earth do not just live in cities.
Cities account for about 60% of global GDP.
Cities are the leaders in energy consumption (60-80%) and CO2 emissions (about 75%).
Cities are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and other global threats, but they can also make a significant contribution to combating them.
The high concentration of the population in cities critically exacerbates the problems of inequality, security, access to public and economic benefits.
Kazakhstan also faces all the challenges and threats of urbanization.
In our country, the share of the urban population already has more than 60%, and this figure will only grow.
According to the UN, in the coming decades, 95% of urbanization in principle will fall on developing countries.
Therefore, the question of how to make cities sustainable, safe, open, liveable, conducive to economic growth and even the formation of a new quality of the nation is not a question of some abstract future, but a problem whose solution should have begun, as they say, yesterday.
Diseases of growth
In the Sustainable Development Goals, the global agenda of the UN until 2030, a separate SDG is devoted to urban development: it goes under number 11 and is formulated as follows: “Sustainable cities and human settlements ”.
Sustainability is not just about the environment.
The economy and infrastructure of cities must also be sustainable, they must be safe and convenient for people, and they must ensure equal access to the benefits of urbanization for all.
They should contribute to the development of people and societies, the preservation of cultural heritage and so on.
In short, human settlements development should solve the problems of the people living there, not create new ones.
Cities should be drivers of development of countries and societies, not a source of “headaches ”.
The fact that sustainable urban development has become one of the key topics on the global agenda is more than justified.
According to experts, since 2007, more than half of the world ’ s population lives in cities.
And by the middle of the century, according to UN estimates, this figure will grow to almost 70%.
Cities occupy less than 5% of the Earth ’ s land area.
Rapid urbanization obviously carries great risks for which many countries were not prepared.
“Growth diseases ” in all cities, in principle, are similar: housing problems, chaotic growth, congestion of infrastructure (both transport and engineering, social), deterioration of air quality, and so on.
Many of these problems are familiar to the cities of Kazakhstan.
Take at least Astana, which, even being a completely new and relatively small city, is fully faced with the challenges of urbanization: ill-conceived and poor-quality development, interruptions in water supply, smog, traffic jams, environmental problems, lack of schools, underdevelopment of public spaces, uneven development of different areas of the city...
The burden on all urban systems will only increase, and at an even faster pace than before.
Recall: 25 years ago, there were a little more than 326 thousand inhabitants in the Kazakh capital.
Already in 2016, the city officially became a millionaire.
Forecasts made before the pandemic said that Astana will overcome the threshold of 2 million inhabitants by the middle of the 21st century, but according to recent estimates, the time to achieve such a population has shifted by 2030 (20 years earlier!).
If you do not take systematic and decisive measures to eliminate existing problems and imbalances, as well as do not pay due attention to planning the development of the capital, it is unlikely to make Astana a sustainable and comfortable city for life.
At the same time, it is important to understand that the principles of sustainability in urban planning are not another “fashionable topic ”, but things that are critically important for any state.
Inadequate urban planning (or lack thereof) leads to the emergence of slums and affluent areas, increases inequality, reduces security, and contributes to economic and social development.
All these factors directly affect urban residents, and given the fact that they are becoming more and more, this directly affects the nation and, accordingly, the country as a whole.
The low quality of life forms a negative attitude of people to their habitat (not only the city, but also the country), provokes social nihilism and a decrease in trust in the authorities.
The growth of creative and business activity in such conditions is also quite difficult to talk about.
An analogy can be drawn.
It is unlikely that someone will like to live in an apartment in which half of the rooms have no lighting, in the second half there are no electrical outlets, in the hallway there is no place to leave your shoes removed, a place for rest is not provided in principle, you need to go to the refrigerator through three neighboring corridors, and to the elevator - to the other end of the building.
In which drinking water did not have time to spend, but the bathroom turns into a smelly pond every time someone in the house flushed water in the toilet.
And there is always a chance that you on the balcony will begin work on the construction of another apartment.
Living in a city planned in a similar way is also not much fun.
“The main indicator of the success of megacities, in my opinion, should be the quality of life of their residents, ” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the forum dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Astana.
It is difficult to disagree with this thesis, and it hardly makes sense to explain for a long time why human-centricity in urban studies is so important: cities are people, and how people feel, so will the city.
Space for people
But what exactly is meant when it comes to a “friendly ” urban environment?
Urbanism as a science of urban development planning has existed for more than a century, and during this time, trends in urban planning have changed more than once, influenced by technological progress, digitalization, social trends, global challenges, even ideologies.
Today, perhaps, the key trend is precisely the same sustainability.
In the context of urbanism, this means creating cities that contribute to the preservation of the environment, ensure economic prosperity, a high quality of life and the safety of all residents – for generations to come.
A few years ago, the OECD published a review of urban policy in Kazakhstan, which, among other things, pointed to the existing problems of urbanization.
In particular, there were such as an increase in the level of motorization, the decline of urban public transport, traffic jams; low satisfaction of citizens with housing conditions; outdated public infrastructure; air pollution.
Although measures have been taken in recent years to address these issues, these problems remain very relevant.
At the same time, in the already mentioned SDG No. 11, one of the tasks is to ensure that by 2030 everyone can use safe, inexpensive, affordable and environmentally sustainable transport systems by improving road safety, in particular, expanding the use of public transport.
Actually, one of the important modern trends in urban planning is the creation of an environment that will not require a person to frequently use a personal car.
Now in the cities of Kazakhstan, they prevail as the main means of transportation, which obviously affects the severity of such problems as traffic jams, parking, deterioration of air quality, safety.
To create an environment in which citizens can safely abandon their personal cars, it is necessary on several levels.
First of all, improve the public transport system and make the road infrastructure convenient for pedestrians (even the new and modern Astana cannot boast of this yet).
In addition, the development and improvement of urban areas should go in such a way that everything necessary for a person in everyday life is at a distance of a small walk: shops, kindergartens, schools, medical institutions, recreational areas and so on.
Low satisfaction of citizens with their living conditions, the authors of the OECD survey are mostly associated with the economic inaccessibility of “square meters ” for a significant part of the population, the quality of construction, problems with communal infrastructure.
At the same time, we can safely add such factors as the lack of social infrastructure, point development, lack of public spaces, low accessibility of the urban environment for people with disabilities, even the aesthetic unattractiveness of streets, courtyards and buildings...
All this significantly affects the quality of life of a person in the city.
“Victims ” of point construction, for example, are well aware that it is difficult to enjoy staying in their own apartment, when outside the window for two or three years in a row, seven days a week there is pile driving and other highly noisy construction activity.
And it is still very lucky if during the construction of a new residential complex, the load on the infrastructure of the district was provided, so as not to multiply the sadness associated with the shortage of water, parking spaces, places in kindergartens and schools.
It is very important to understand that high-quality and attractive public spaces are also not part of the “something on the rich ” series.
And this concept includes not only large city parks, squares, but also recreational areas within residential areas and neighborhoods.
Places where people can walk, socialize, relax, engage in physical activity are an integral part of the urban environment, and they should not be the prerogative of elite residential complexes, but a good that is available absolutely for all citizens.
In large cities, such public spaces should be created everywhere, in every microdistrict, because they play a very important function of building up “social capital ” – creating communities of local residents, connections between people, an atmosphere of good neighborliness.
All this creates a favorable environment for increasing civic engagement and people ’ s involvement in solving local problems.
As the territories of cities become more and more, polycentricity and multifunctionality of districts become especially important when planning megacities: their points of attraction, attractions, parks, large shopping and entertainment centers, places for quality leisure and even potential places of employment should be in every district of the city, including its geographical periphery.
The same goes for public transportation.
This approach not only solves the problem of concentration of people in one place (so as not to create an unbearable load on the urban infrastructure), but also contributes to the uniform and balanced development of the entire city, without “distortions ”, when sparkling skyscrapers and elegant squares coexist with crumbling houses and dull sleeping areas with giant budget“ men ”, the marginalization of which, especially on the outskirts It is a matter of time.
Greening and Adapting
In the context of urban studies, special attention is paid to the environmental sustainability of cities.
In particular, we are talking about such areas as reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, introducing green technologies, protecting biodiversity, improving waste management systems, and landscaping.
On the last and we will stop in more detail.
Competent landscape design, the right approach to gardening in cities can solve a whole set of problems.
So, green spaces (trees, shrubs, lawns, etc.) help in the thermoregulation of cities - a particularly popular quality, given the fact that heat waves are increasingly covering cities.
According to experts of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Programme of the United Nations), the strategic placement of trees in urban areas can lower the air temperature by 2-8 degrees Celsius.
Plus, the shadow of the trees in principle makes the city streets more comfortable for people.
According to the FAO, properly placed trees around a building can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% and reduce energy consumption for heating by 20 – 50%.
Since school, we know that trees absorb CO2 (an adult tree can “eat ” up to 150 kg per year) and bind carbon, playing a role in mitigating climate change.
Green plantations play an important role in air purification: large trees are excellent filters for pollutants and fine particles.
They also regulate watercourses and improve water quality.
In addition, green areas promote water retention and reduce the risk of flooding by absorbing rainwater and slowing down runoff.
Greening cities contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and the creation of more viable ecosystems.
Plants provide shelter and food for various species of animals and insects, which helps maintain ecological balance in cities.
In the context of the concept of “cities for people ”, landscaping in megacities has another very important profit: green spaces contribute to improving the physical health and psychological well-being of citizens.
As experts emphasize, landscaping can and should be included literally in any urban projects, not only creating park areas, but also designing, for example, parking lots, roads, interior spaces and so on.
In 2020, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his Address, speaking about solving environmental issues, set the task to plant more than 2 billion trees in the forest fund in Kazakhstan and 15 million in settlements by 2025.
At a recent meeting on the development of Astana, the Head of State again raised the issue of landscaping – not only the capital, but also other cities of the country.
At the same time, he emphasized that landscaping should be carried out in accordance with the pace of construction, as well as using a scientific approach and new technologies both in planting and caring for trees.
As already noted, cities occupy less than 5% of the earth ’ s land mass.
But the United Nations estimates that they account for 60-80% of energy consumption, about 75% of the world ’ s carbon emissions, about 60% of all waste on the planet.
All this makes the solution of the issues of improving the environmental sustainability of cities crucial from the point of view of combating climate change and increasing adaptation to it on a global scale.
And the well-known principle of “think globally, act locally ” is very useful here.
Popular
All
Dance ensemble "Aygolek" returned from Pineto (Italy) the winner of the international festival Paradise Holiday
Unusual and fabulous seems the exhibition Art welding (art welding) in the art center Qyzyljar
In Kyzylorda, right in the regional children ’ s hospital, a ceremony of tusau keser was organized for a child whose life was saved by doctors
In Almaty region, summer residents blocked the highway of republican significance in protest against the actions of public services
Take care of the city!
Residents of Kyzylorda region will return the money overpaid last winter for heating
Dreams come true!
In the Karaganda region punished officials for the fact that they had their own LLP and SP
A pensioner from Atyrau has to pay another year to close the loan, which she took on the recommendation of scammers
Residents of Zhezkazgan are anxiously waiting for the coming heating season
The public woman appealed the protocol of the precinct and achieved the abolition of the fine
About possible floods on the border with Russia warned Kazakhstanis Border Guard Service
Zhambyl region plans to launch production of components for wind power plants
For several days in the forty-degree heat residents of the villages of Almaty region and Nauryzbay district of Almaty remain without water
Increase in prices for cellular communications commented in AZRK
In the very center of the capital, the premises of the business center built into the residential complex turned out to be ownerless and is being pulled out for building materials by looters
In the Emergencies Department of the Almaty region told about the consequences of a powerful downpour
How do the authorities solve the problem of water supply in Temirtau?
Astana resident received 10 years of colony for sale and possession of drugs
Deputy Defense Minister gave instructions on the moral and psychological support of the troops
Police commented on the frightening video with the screams of a girl in Aktau
The implementation of the national project "Comfortable school" was discussed in the Government
A million deal for the rollback was concluded by the chief accountant of the Kostanay boarding school
Preparation for the heating period was considered in the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The next season of the ethno-camp “Zhas Qazak ” has ended
The Ministry of Emergency Situations told about the situation in the flooded Almaty region
18-year-old girl found hanged in school in Kokshetau
Tariffs for utilities in the Karaganda region increased by an average of 25%
Agrarians of Zharkainsky and other districts of Akmola region, whose crops are trampled by immensely multiplied saiga hordes, cry for help...
Residents of Almaty region protest against planned demolition of their homes
Two foreigners were found murdered in a house in Kaskelen
I sit high, I look far away
Locust invasion in Kostanay region: monitoring results
In August, residents of the cities of Pavlodar region will receive increased bills for utilities
The only woman who jumps with a landing parachute "Malva", considers the job a dream come true
So, Astana – 25!
It ’ s a great age, and not just for the city.
The fight of Beibut Shumenov in the shopping center of Astana was commented on in the Ministry of Internal Affairs
Information about 10 thousand hectares of crops affected by locusts in Kostanay region was denied in the Ministry of Agriculture
A powerful hurricane tore off the roof of a trading house in Pavlodar: there are victims
What is the responsibility of doctors for medical errors?
We talked about it with experts.
A lot of different festive events were prepared for our Astana birthday
The first “smart ” city Arkadag opened in Turkmenistan
Sentence to suspect in murder of 5-year-old Turkestan woman explained in court
On holidays, concerts, festivals, meetings with writers, artists are traditionally held in Astana.
In Pavlodar region horse forest fire may spread to the territory of Russia
Macron leaves Brussels EU summit due to ongoing unrest in France
Over the past decades, little has changed in the way and equipment of personal subsidiary farms (LPH)
Read also
Dreams come true!
Take care of the city!
Three Best Months of the Year
That we snow, that we heat
Archive
• [[year]]
• [[month.label]]
• [[day]]

The reduction in these pollutants leads to healthier indoor environments, with studies conducted in schools and public buildings supporting these results.

Title:

Content: Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Chiayi
The school received an environmental subsidy of NT $220,000 two years ago to plant large Dumbo flowers to form a green wall, which helps to cool down the temperature and purify the air, and also to install an automatic sprinkler system to maintain the ecology of the green wall.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau of Chiayi City Government, since 2019, the Environmental Protection Department has promoted the vertical air green wall project. Since 2019, three schools, including Xingjia, Jiabei Elementary School and Jiabei Elementary School, have installed climbing plants on the school's daughter wall and the balcony of the classroom.
The Environmental Protection Bureau of the Chiayi Municipal Government said that this year, the Environmental Protection Agency expanded the target of subsidies, in addition to the original subsidies of public middle school, public elementary school, public preschool institutions, public welfare groups, public facilities, environmental protection night market, civic activity center and other venues, air green wall subsidies of 3,000 to 6,000 yuan per square meter, single subsidy ceiling of 400,000 yuan.
According to the Municipal Environmental Protection Agency, according to the results of the study, vertical green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulates (PM10) by about 40% and 60%, but also reduce the concentration of indoor fine suspended particulates (PM2.5) by about 10%, ozone by about 30%, and indoor temperature reduction by about 1.8 ℃.
According to the city's Environmental Protection Bureau, the appropriate plant types are lily bamboo, firecracker red, Yunnan yellow carnation, turtle, Boston kidney fern, hydrangea, African pansy or panthera, and can be selected according to the space planning and installation requirements, so that the space is more beautiful.
# Green Wall # Cooling # EPB # EPD # Planting

Such air purification is particularly important in urban locations where external air quality is often compromised .

Temperature regulation is another significant benefit.

Title:

Content: Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd Now Provides Singapore Properties with Vertical Green Walls

Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd is famous for its vertical wall planters, green walls and flower backdrop in Singapore. The company caters to residential and commercial clients as well.

Singapore, 2023-Jan-04 — /EPR Network/ — Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd, the leading landscaping company in Singapore is offering vertical green walls to commercial and residential properties. Whether it is a retail showroom or a high rise, the vertical green wall is an innovative approach towards introducing nature amidst the concrete jungle.

The company uses quality vertical wall planters, ensuring the healthy growth of the plants. These vertical walls are easy to maintain, assemble, install, disassemble, and reinstall. The technique used by Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd ensures the user does not have to spend much time tending and taking care of the plants.

Along with green walls, the company also provides clients with exquisite flower backdrops in Singapore to complement the greenery around them. It’s a long-term investment as a green wall can last up to 25 years.

Vertical walls by Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd come with some unique features:

  • Custom design to suit the client’s needs.
  • Minimal watering of the green wall plants.
  • Ultra-low maintenance ensured.
  • Quick installation due to a modular system.
  • Use of plants that can survive in a tropical climate.

Why choose a vertical green wall?

  • Reduces waste of energy.
  • Improves air quality.
  • Makes the structure sustainable.
  • The space becomes more fire-resistant.
  • Minimizes ambient noise.

The general installation cost for a vertical green wall by Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd ranges between $200 per square meter and $1200 per square meter, depending on the design, the kind of plants used and the installation process.

About the company:

One of the oldest nurseries in Singapore, Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd has 50 years of experience in the industry. Started out humbly as a flower shop, Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd have evolved into a full-fledged landscape design and installation specialist.

Contact Details

Telephone: 65 6763 7000

Fax: 65 6892 2700

WhatsApp: +65 8838 3479

Email: buzz@prince.com.sg

Address: 53 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 698998

Matched content

Editor’s pick

Express Press Release Distribution

Indoor and exterior green walls moderate temperatures by providing shade and through the cooling effect of transpiration.

Some studies indicate that vertical gardens can lower air temperatures inside buildings by approximately 1.8°C and, in exterior applications, can reduce wall surface temperatures by up to 5°C.

Title:

Content: Africa Has Its First Chief Heat Officer. Five Things Should Be On Her Agenda

24 February 2023
analysis

Freetown's heat officer can set an example to Africa and the world as temperatures and risks rise.

Eugenia Kargbo has an unusual job: she is the city of Freetown's chief heat officer. Her role in Sierra Leone's capital is the first of its kind in Africa. She has been tasked with raising public awareness about extreme heat, improving responses to heat waves, and collecting, analysing and visualising heat impact data for the city, which is home to 1.2 million people.

Freetown is increasingly threatened by dangerous temperatures. In 2017, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ranked Sierra Leone third, after Bangladesh and Guinea Bissau, on its list of countries most vulnerable to climate change.

The risks are concentrated in its capital and largest city, Freetown, where some 35% of the population live in 74 informal settlements like Kroo Bay, often in disaster-prone areas like the seafront or hillsides. Houses are densely built and typically temporary structures made of "heat trapping" materials. Services that supports cooling, such as water and electricity, are usually inadequate.

As an architect whose work includes researching ways to reduce heat in African cities, I think the creation of an Heat Officer position is a good move. The world's cities are almost all getting hotter and, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned, temperatures will only keep rising.

But, while this is a global challenge, African cities are unique. The significant proportion of urban dwellers who are poor and those whose living conditions do not provide adequate shelter from the elements make the African context unique and deserving special attention.

With these realities in mind, here are five things I'd suggest should be on the agenda of both Kargbo and any other heat officer appointed elsewhere on the continent in future.

1. Take a diverse approach to urban greening

Nature-based approaches are a great way to address increasing temperatures linked to climate change. Scholars have established positive links between green infrastructure, temperature moderation and even health outcomes in African cities as well as elsewhere in the world.

This has informed a growing number of tree-planting initiatives and the development of urban parks. But it is important that municipalities move beyond only these kinds of spaces. African cities are becoming densely populated; that means less space will be available for greening initiatives on land.

Vertical systems of building (for example on walls, roofs, columns) and urban infrastructure (for example on bridges, road furniture) should be explored to make up for the lack of space on the ground.

In the last few years, I have led the design and development of experimental vertical gardens in low-income areas of Nigeria and Tanzania. We have shown that these vertical gardens reduce wall temperature of residential buildings by as much as 5°C in Dar es Salaam. The gardens have other benefits like providing fresh vegetables for household consumption. Similar ways of growing vegetation vertically have been seen elsewhere in the world, including in Mexico City.

2. Strengthen the link between heat and health

Exposure to extreme heat usually comes with health problems - and can even kill people, as I and many other scholars have documented. It exacerbates underlying health conditions.

One area of concern when it comes to the heat-health nexus in African countries is that mosquito numbers increase in higher temperatures. This means malaria and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes might become significant problems for Freetown and other African cities.

These health problems are further complicated by the fact that many city dwellers across the continent can't access adequate and affordable health care. Community health initiatives within cities and efforts to ramp up health services in qualitative and quantitative terms must be integral to heat adaptation plans and actions.

3. Focus on early warning and improved awareness

It is far better to be proactive than reactive. Heat vulnerability patterns within Freetown and other African cities must be studied and used to make sense of weather predictions in order to inform warning systems.

In the warning systems, for example, an alert level can be triggered when the weather forecast shows three or more consecutive days with daytime maximum temperature and humidity above a threshold of, say, 30°C. Other levels of alerts can correspond with higher temperatures. This sort of system has been implemented in Toronto, Canada, with good outcomes. A recent study of urban areas in Ontario (the province where Toronto is located) shows that early warnings may have meant fewer heat-related illnesses severe enough to warrant hospital or clinic visits.

4. Encourage the transfer of knowledge

Cities can adapt to heat faster when they share knowledge and experiences. Some scholars argue that inter-city collaboration and knowledge-sharing can enhance municipalities' resilience and improve urban residents' skills to deal with heat-related issues.

Kargbo's work will generate many lessons that can be shared with other African cities; she, too, will learn from other cities' successes and failures.

5. Let locals lead

While there is plenty to learn from more developed countries outside Africa, it is important to also draw from local indigenous knowledge and practices. An examination of knowledge and awareness about climate-related and environmental problems in African traditional society shows there is much to be learned from indigenous systems.

Top-down approaches are not enough. They must be complemented by bottom-up approaches in the planning, funding, execution and assessment of heat adaptation initiatives.

Inclusion is also important because it shifts power to those who are most affected by heat - people living in low-income and informal areas are disproportionately affected. Involving them enhances the impacts of initiatives and interventions.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Olumuyiwa Adegun is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.

This temperature moderation reduces reliance on air conditioning, thereby cutting energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

As global cities densify and green space diminishes, integrating vertical gardens provides a means for sustainable climate adaptation and urban comfort .

The mental health impact of indoor green walls has also attracted research attention.

Title:

Content: Study reveals risk of living away from green spaces | Health | Essential information for better health | DW | 23.03.2022
1.
Inhalt
2.
Navigation
3.
Weitere Inhalte
4.
Metanavigation
5.
Suche
6.
Choose from 30 Languages
Announcement
HEALTH
Study reveals risk of living away from green spaces
In a finding that is expected to change many of our perceptions about living in the city, a recent study has revealed just how much health damage people can do when they choose to live in urban areas and away from green spaces.
Green spaces promote human health in different ways, symbolically.
Living near green spaces and away from the noise of the city seems to have a lot of health benefits that unfold over time: a recent study found that living near green spaces can reduce the risk of a stroke by up to 16 percent.
The study, conducted by researchers from Spain, was based on the calculation of green spaces located within 300 meters of the house.
Data from Catalonia ’ s public healthcare system was collected in 2016 and 2017, according to Science Alert.
Spanish researchers analyzed some air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and soot particles, the source said, adding that exposure to these pollutants is increasingly associated with an increased risk of stroke.
watch video 26: 01
Your health in your hands - the impact of indoor air quality on health
Ecologist Kathryn Tone said: “It should be borne in mind that, unlike other air pollutants, which have different sources, nitrogen dioxide is mainly produced by road traffic. ”
According to the study, green spaces promote human health in different ways: reduce stress, provide people with places to engage in various sports activities, and also protect their mental health.
Green spaces may also reduce the likelihood of problems with brain blood vessels.
Spanish neurologist Carla Avellaneda said: "The study demonstrates the importance of environmental determinants in stroke risk," adding: "It is important to understand all risk factors and what they may involve."
Neurologist Jaume Roque said: “We must strive to transform into more sustainable towns and cities where living does not mean an increased risk of disease, ” according to Science Alert.
RM.
Selections

Studies and workplace observations indicate the presence of living plants, including those on vertical gardens, lowers stress and anxiety, boosts mood, accelerates healing, and enhances productivity.

Title:

Content: Planting, Watering and Healing: Surprising Health Benefits of Indoor Plants

The grass isn't always greener. Since the early 80's, scientists have studied the biophilia hypothesis – that seeing plants is beneficial to our physical and mental health. With increased urbanization, exacerbated by lockdowns due to a global pandemic, it's becoming harder and harder to ‘go out and get some air.'

The indoor plant market, already spiking in 2019, continues to surge – expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.

A study released by Data Bridge Market Research estimates the indoor plant market will reach $26.23 billion by 2029. The physical and mental health benefits of succulents and other indoor houseplants are important factors.

Many people may be surprised to discover the lesser-known benefits of indoor gardens, but experienced horticulturalists and gardeners have been advocating for the expansion of home gardens for decades.

Stress and Anxiety Reduction

The addition of real or artificial indoor plants has become a standard practice in many offices, hospitals, schools, and other institutions. According to researchers, just seeing a living plant in the otherwise sterile hospital waiting room environment has been shown to reduce stress levels.

In another study, subjects were asked to repot a living plant or complete a computer-generated task. Those who handled the plants reported feeling more at ease and also experienced lower blood pressure. Participants who performed the computer-based task reported higher levels of anxiety and elevated blood pressure.

Maria Failla, Garden Expert and host of the Growing Joy with Plants podcast, shares, “When I was struggling with depression, it was helpful for me to keep plants indoors that helped me get out of my head and drop into the present. I'd see how many senses I could engage while taking 3 mindful breaths alongside my plants. Scented plants like herbs and geraniums are amazing for this. I love the rose-scented geranium for its romantic scent and the fuzzy leaves I could rub, pinch and take deep inhales with.”

Speed Up The Healing Process

A number of indoor houseplants, such as snake plants, orchids, and spider plants, have natural air purification qualities. Others improve a room’s humidity level or deliver a soothing fragrance. Microgreens also provide essential nutrients, making them ideal for patients in recovery.

Even seeing an indoor houseplant can improve a recovering patient’s mental and emotional state. One study concluded that installing indoor gardens in hospital rooms and public areas positively impacted overall recovery times and patient satisfaction.

Improve Mood During Isolation

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent household quarantines created a spike in indoor plant sales as many consumers discovered the natural air purification benefits of succulents and other plant species. Indoor gardening also provided isolated households with an activity that could be performed safely while under quarantine.

A study conducted in Bulgaria concluded that participants who maintained a home garden or raised houseplants had fewer incidents of anxiety or depression during enforced lockdowns than others who did not invest in plants or other greenery.

Cassidy Tuttle, gardening expert and owner of Succulents and Sunshine, observes, “Succulents are great plants for people who have depression. They don't require as much work as other plants, so they can tolerate the ups and downs that frequently come with depression. They stay looking healthy even if they're not watered regularly. Haworthiopsis fasciata, Zebra Plant, is an especially good option for indoor plants because it doesn't require a lot of light or water.”

Best Entry-Level Houseplants For Starting Indoor Gardens

Annie Schreck, Research Director at Mountain Crest Gardens, offers some insights and recommendations for beginners. “At Mountain Crest Gardens, we hear back from customers all the time that filling their homes and offices with succulents brightens their mood every day. The studies I have seen in this realm indicate that having plants around can correlate with improved student performance in classrooms and reductions in stress and sick days in workplaces. I certainly hope more researchers investigate these complex human-plant interactions.

Schreck adds, “There’s something about having other living creatures in a room that makes it feel cozy and inviting. Caring for them and seeing them respond is just so rewarding. And the great thing is, everyone gets to explore which varieties lift their mood the most! If you’re not sure where to start, I’d recommend indoor succulents like Haworthia, Jade plants, and Gasteria.”

Snake Plants

Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata)—also known as mother-in-law’s tongue— are thick-leaved succulents prized for their resilience and tolerance for drought. They grow well under low-light conditions, which makes them ideal for indoor gardens and room decor.

One major health benefit of snake plants is natural air purification. This goes beyond the standard absorption of carbon dioxide, however. Snake plants also remove and filter toxic gases such as benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde. They are also said to reduce headaches, improve respiration, and reduce eye irritations.

Microgreens

Microgreens such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale offer a wide range of health benefits, and their compact size makes them ideal for indoor gardens, especially hydroponics. Microgreens and fresh herbs provide home gardeners with flavorful aromatics and salad ingredients.

Among the many health benefits associated with microgreens are blood sugar regulation, vision protection, body weight reduction, and protection from anemia. Growing microgreens is also a highly recommended activity for those recovering from substance abuse since the plants provide the nutrition many addicts lack.

Orchids

While some orchid varieties have earned a reputation for being a challenge to grow, there are many varieties that require only minimal to moderate care. Besides their exceptional qualities as flowering plants, orchids are also natural air purifiers and oxygen generators. As part of a floral arrangement or as individual blooms, orchids have been shown in studies to reduce stress and improve mood.

Orchids are also recommended for people with sleep issues since the plant’s significant oxygen generation and aesthetic qualities both help create more soothing conditions at bedtime and during overnight hours.

Spider Plants

Spider plants have become popular houseplants for first-time home gardeners because of their child and pet-friendliness, ease of propagation, and exceptional air-purifying qualities. Beginning gardeners only need a small cutting from an existing spider plant to start their own projects.

The trailing leaves of a spider plant make it ideal for hanging baskets, a popular growing technique for limited spaces. The plant also raises the room’s humidity level, which helps address respiratory issues triggered by dry air conditions.

Peperomia Plants

 Because of their ability to thrive in drafty, dark, and humid locations in the home, peperomia plants are often referred to as “radiator plants”.  Peperomia plants are succulents, which means they are naturally resilient to abuse and require minimal maintenance.

Tinctures and other products derived from peperomia plants are used to address a range of medical ailments, including headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney issues. The plant also has antifungal and antioxidant properties.

Jade Plants

Another popular succulent for indoor gardens is the ornamental and medicinal jade plant. The jade plant’s distinctive round leaves have become associated symbolically with the acquisition of money and wealth. The jade plant’s appeal goes beyond the ornamental, however.

Products derived from the juice of the jade plant have been used in many cultures for the treatment of ailments including diabetes, skin wounds, digestive issues, and warts. In traditional Chinese culture, the presence of a jade plant also improves the flow of chi, or life force.

This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.

Contact with greenery, even visually, is associated with a greater sense of safety, reduced blood pressure, and improved cognitive function.

These psychological benefits underline the value of green walls in offices, schools, healthcare settings, and homes as elements contributing not just to comfort but also to overall well-being .

Beyond these primary benefits, vertical gardens also help in maximizing the use of limited space for plant cultivation.

This extends, in some cases, to food production, allowing fresh vegetables and herbs to be grown in constrained environments with as little as 1% of the water required for conventional agriculture.

Such applications combine resource conservation with environmental enrichment .

Title:

Content: People 's Daily Online > > Economy and Technology
Improve the level of community co-construction and common governance, explore new modes of public green space conservation
People 's Daily reporter Xu Weina
December 12, 2023 14: 21 | Source: People's Daily Online
Small number
The community is the living space of the people, the capillaries of urban governance, and the "last kilometer" to serve the people.
According to statistics, urban residents spend 75% of their time in the community.
By 2035, about 70 per cent of our population will be living in residential communities.
In recent years, China has vigorously promoted the construction of complete residential communities, not only in hardware housing, but also in software services, public security, health, education, entertainment, cultural parks and other aspects of increasingly perfect.
The community is small, but it is connected to thousands of families.
A number of experts recently said that how to effectively make up for the shortcomings and weaknesses in community governance, in order to improve its overall level, and then achieve the goal of common governance and sharing, is the current urgent problem facing community governance.
In the context of the construction of ecological civilization in the new era, the construction of green communities has attracted much attention.
Among them, the "small and beautiful" green space that can be felt and enjoyed in the community has become an important source of happiness for residents.
And for the community green space: "three points rely on the seed, seven points rely on the maintenance."
High-quality community green space is not only achieved by design, but also requires careful maintenance.
In fact, it is more important to keep the community green space “as new as ever ” in the conservation of the green space, and as the delivery time of a community increases, the soil and grass species of the green space will gradually deteriorate, which requires a continuous increase in the conservation expenditure of the green space.
However, the cost of maintaining green space in a community is usually not high in the proportion of property costs, which can meet the daily simple maintenance of green space, but it is difficult to carry out soil renovation and grassland replanting after soil and grass species degradation.
In order to solve the above problems, some communities began to explore new ways of conserving green space.
Through the introduction of professional landscaping companies, encouraging the participation of residents and adopting sustainable management measures, soil degradation and grass planting problems can be effectively solved, and the health and beauty of the green space in the community can be maintained.
This will not only improve the quality of life of residents, but also lay a good foundation for future community development.
Recently, a green space conservation supplement fund set up for community green space has received attention.
The Green Land Conservation Supplementary Fund is an initiative of the Zijin Academy Project, which is located in the south of Changping, Beijing.
At present, the fund has been established for more than one year, and the initial principal of the project is invested by Beijing Zhongguancun Science City Construction Co., Ltd., a development enterprise of the project.
As of November 30, 2023, the fund has newly accepted donations of more than 730,000 yuan from owners and construction units.
It is reported that the fund is a sustainable fund, the principal of the fund is fixed for financial management, and the interest income generated is used for the supplement of green space maintenance costs when needed, so as to avoid the failure of funds to deliver the community green space in disrepair, baldness and other problems.
At present, the fund is temporarily managed by the developer and will be transferred to the owner after the community is delivered, which will be coordinated by the owner and the property to be used when the maintenance cost of the green space is insufficient.
Green space conservation is also one of the important indicators to assess the quality of the environment.
Only by standardizing and restricting the maintenance quality, operation norms and methods can we effectively ensure that the green areas such as the air, the ground and the water surface can show good landscape effect.
According to statistics, the quality of green space directly affects the premium space of the two adjacent second-hand housing communities, a difference of up to 5%.
Therefore, green space is not only the facade of the community, but also an important source of happiness for owners. "Huang Yufeng, president of Beijing Zhongguancun Science City Construction Co., Ltd., the project's group, said, however, maintaining a green space is a very difficult task.
Huang Yufeng introduced that for the details of green maintenance, they have innovatively established the maintenance standard of "five-star green space".
This standard consists of five aspects: leveling, balding, weed-free, edge-to-corner, and long-term maintenance.
Sharing is the beginning, and more importantly, the co-governance that follows.
"There is still a lot of work to be done on how to use the fund effectively, how to coordinate the interests of all parties, and how to ensure the sustainability, transparency and fairness of the fund."
In the future, we will maintain close communication with the owners and encourage them to actively participate in it, "said Huang Yufeng.
Small innovative measures not only solve the problem of green space conservation in the future of the community, but also close the relationship between the owners and create a harmonious community style.
“Through the establishment of a special fund, many owners are actively involved in the protection and conservation of green space. ” Mr. Huang, owner of Zijin College, said that this can not only improve the efficiency of the use of green space in the community, but also help to improve the environmental quality of the community and enhance the cohesion of the community.
"In the follow-up, according to the income of the Green Land Conservation Supplementary Fund and the garden of the Zijin Academy project, we will use the funds specially for lawn replacement, soil improvement and terrain adjustment."
Improve the quality of the community through details and maintain the status of five-star gardens, "the property owner said.
Cheng Peng, a professor at the School of Economic Management of Beijing Forestry University, said that the measure of setting up a supplementary fund for green space conservation aims to ensure that the community environment can remain the same after five years and 10 years.
The exploration and practice of this project provides a new idea for the conservation of community green space in our country.
He expects that more innovative models will emerge in the future, so that more and more communities will start to pay attention to green space construction and management, and let the previously bleak green belt glow with new vitality.
Another expert said that to achieve the community governance pattern of co-construction and co-governance, it requires the participation of multiple forces.
In order to bring together the magnificent multi-party forces, it is necessary not only to bear the responsibility, but also to innovate the community governance model in the work of relevant departments.
Only in this way can we stimulate the willingness of all parties in society to participate in community governance to the maximum extent, and jointly write a new chapter in community governance.
(Editor: Yang Yu Polo, Lu Qian)
Public Number ： People 's Network Finance
Share it so more people can see it.
Back to top

Maintenance of vertical gardens is a vital consideration for their sustained success.

Well-designed green walls using resilient, low-water-use plant species generally require moderate upkeep.

Automated systems for irrigation, nutrient delivery, and climate monitoring are increasingly standard, especially in larger or technologically advanced installations, reducing labor and ensuring plant health.

Title:

Content: CityU Start-up Team Launches Animal Testing in Six Months for Painless Diabetes Treatment
Author: Hu Jiaxin
Published: Updated:
At present, patients with severe diabetes are required to inject insulin to control their blood sugar levels. The “Huagang Long Biotechnology ” funded by CityU ’ s“ HK Tech 300 ” program uses insulin delivery based on CityU ’ s “frozen microneedle ” technology research.
The team said that animal testing will be conducted in the next six months, and if the experiment is successful, it is expected that human testing will be conducted as soon as possible in two years, and it is expected that the earliest four to five years will be able to apply to the Mainland Drug Administration for registration and take the lead in treating patients with diabetes in the Mainland.
CityU ’ s “HK Tech 300 ” start-up team, HuagongLong Biotechnology Research, used CityU ’ s“ Frozen Microneedle ” technology to provide painless treatment for diabetics.
According to the team, “frozen microneedles ” can carry insulin, put the microneedles on the skin, and after lightly applying pressure, the microneedles shorter than one millimeter can penetrate the skin surface, melt in the skin and release the drug.
Wu Zilong, a graduate student in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at CityU, said that animal testing will be conducted in the next six months, and if the experiment is successful, human testing will be conducted within two years at the earliest.
He said that the team originally wanted to develop the Hong Kong market, but because the listing in Hong Kong requires the registration of medical devices, but the local medical devices have no relevant legal system, so it advanced the mainland market.
He did not disclose the cost of the product, but the target is high-end medical "will not compete", but it is believed to be an affordable price.
Research and development of Internet of Things system to help maintain green wall plants
As for the other start-up team, “Ketop Production ”, it developed an IoT vertical gardening system, each smart flower pot equipped with a microcontroller, responsible for automatic irrigation and fertilization.
Chen Wei-heng, a graduate of the Electrical Engineering Department of CityU, said that unlike the products in the workshop, the system is equipped with sensors, which can collect data on a regular basis to analyze the growth status of plants and do a better job of gardening maintenance.
He said that the system had been adopted by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and was being tested in the EMSD building.
Lin Xiaofeng, tutor and special professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering at CityU, said that in the past, some indoor green wall plants only survived for half a year, and the system can extend the life of indoor plants for half a year, making the use of green walls more environmentally friendly.
He added that during the mentoring process, he helped the team think about long-term business models, such as how to reduce the bottom cost on hardware, and promote the school to have a green wall and apply its horticultural system to promote STEM education.
CityU announced in March this year the launch of a large-scale innovation and entrepreneurship programme, “HK Tech 300 ”, to assist students and alumni to set up start-ups. The selected team will receive $100,000 in initial funding and professional guidance from mentors.
In a speech at the ceremony, the President of CityU, Mr Kwok, said that the university had invested $500 million to launch the "HK Tech 300" project, and had recruited about 180 start-ups in just eight months, hoping that the project would give young people innovation opportunities.

However, neglect or poor species selection can lead to high plant mortality.

Title:

Content: How to create a tropical garden?
Tatyana Vashchenko
Loading admin actions …
The garden in the tropical style has long been not only an exotic, but also a romantic place that can be found in many parts of the world.
It is able to effectively decorate the space at your home, as well as significantly increase the total value of the property.
If the climatic conditions of your region do not allow you to create a tropical garden under the open sky, then it can always be placed in your own greenhouse.
The main thing is to think about the layout in advance and choose the right plants.
Often, the desire to acquire a garden in a tropical style arises after a vacation in one of the hot countries, where palms, vines and other plants characteristic of this style were found everywhere.
They are able to conquer everyone at first sight with their grandeur and beauty.
That is why I want to bring a piece of solar memories to my garden, filling it with similar seedlings.
We will tell you about the features and main nuances of a tropical garden created in our latitudes.
Do your plants need shading?
Before you start planting selected plants, study the requirements for their content.
In addition to the optimal temperature and humidity, you should pay attention to how they carry direct sunlight.
If there are plants in the tropical garden that need shading, then it should be created before planting such seedlings in the ground.
Best of all, the shadow creates an artificial cover or tall trees, under which some species can protect themselves from the scorching sun.
In the second case, we recommend choosing plants with wide leaves and powerful branches that will create a dense shadow on a significant area under their crowns.
It can be palm trees, tipuans or carob trees.
Learn about the local climate
The first thing you need to do to implement the idea of   creating a tropical garden is to study the local climate.
Its main characteristics, such as average monthly temperatures, rainfall and wind patterns, will be the starting point in choosing plants for your garden.
Most tropical trees and bushes prefer a hot and even arid climate.
This is understandable, because the territory of their origin is the tropics and subtropics, where it is always warm.
Some species have already adapted to moderate temperatures, but negative readings of the thermometer will withstand only a few.
Of great importance is the regular watering of tropical plants.
Many neglect this, believing that water can harm the root system.
But it is worth remembering the traditional tropical downpours, which saturate the soil with a large amount of moisture.
It stores plants for the entire dry period.
If the climate of your region only partially meets the requirements described, then you can arrange a tropical garden in a greenhouse type building.
What kind of soil do you have?
KP Zhukovka 21 century
Land-proekt
In addition to the climate, careful assessment requires the soil at the site of the proposed garden.
It is the basis that has a tremendous impact on the appearance, growth rate and durability of tropical plants.
The ideal option is considered rich soils in which the natural balance of nutrients for the root system is observed.
If your site is located on sandy and clay soils, then they must be additionally fertilized.
It is better to do this with compost, mulch and other means to improve the soil, which must be applied at a distance of at least 15 cm deep.
If your site is located in the lowland part and water stagnates there, then this can serve as a factor in the deterioration of soil properties and lead to the death of plants or their frequent diseases.
The fact is that pathogenic microorganisms and mold fungi begin to develop in constantly moist soil, which absorb the lion ’ s share of useful substances, thereby depleting the soil.
Therefore, we recommend using such an agricultural method as weeding the top layer of soil after heavy precipitation.
Find out what plants are growing in your area.
Landscape design in Valerianovo
Aster Garden
In our temperate zone, tropical plants are exotic, not the norm.
They can be seen in botanical gardens, closed greenhouses or frequent houses, where special conditions are created for representatives of the named family.
When we hear something about the tropics, the first thing we imagine is luxurious palm trees.
Indeed, these plants are among the most common inhabitants of exotic gardens.
There are many different types of them, each of which is beautiful in its own way.
Some palm trees are quite resistant to short-term mild winters, if they are wrapped with insulating material.
At the seaside resorts of our country, you can see the trees of this species, which perfectly adapted to the climatic characteristics of the region.
As for other plants for a tropical garden, in our band, individual varieties of lianas, begonias and ficus take root well.
But to create a full-fledged and diverse green corner with an exotic character, we recommend building a separate room for it, in which it would be possible to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air.
Or plant thermophilic plants in flower pots, which are brought into the house with the onset of cold weather.
Plan the layout of your garden
Before starting work on the creation of a tropical garden, you need to plan everything properly.
In particular:
- where and what plants will be planted;
- routes and style of design paths for leisurely walks;
- lighting and garden decor;
- irrigation system.
These aspects have a significant impact not only on the aesthetic perception of the garden, but also on its productivity and growth rate.
To visualize what you would like to recreate, use special programs that are available to everyone on the Internet.
You can seek advice and help from professionals in the industry - landscape architects.
They will not only acquaint you with the rules of registration of the site in a tropical style, but also help with practical tips.
Recommendations for the design of the green zone you will find in the Book of ideas How to make a beautiful garden.
Place a cover or hedge of plants to protect the garden from strong winds
Depending on the climate, there may be strong and cold winds in your region.
They can cause significant harm to the plants of the tropical garden, not only breaking them, but also frostbite.
To prevent such troubles, you can build a special mechanical cover in the form of an elegant fence.
Such a fence looks very beautiful if it is made in the form of a hedge.
It harmoniously fits into the style of a tropical garden and at the same time reliably protects plants in windy weather.
Add decorations like Buddha and other inspirational Asian statues
Make the design of a tropical garden original and unique will help successful decor.
The easiest and most effective way is to use different statues.
With the style of the tropics, sculptures in the Asian style look perfect.
First of all, these are all kinds of designs with the image of the Buddha, as well as other Eastern symbols.
Such compositions will bring tranquility to the green area near the house and make the atmosphere of the garden positive.
You can beautifully decorate the garden with the help of ordinary stones of various sizes, colors and shapes.
These natural materials expressively shade the lush greenery of plants and harmonize with the environment.
Learn how to care
In order for the tropical garden you created to please you from year to year, you need to study the basic rules for caring for it.
In addition to regular routine procedures, such as inspecting plants, watering and loosening the soil, more serious measures should be taken twice a year.
Plants that require pruning should be brought into the desired form only in the spring, in order to minimally injure their branches and prevent death.
At the same time, the soil is fertilized, cleaned of foreign objects and dry leaves.
Autumn is the time to prepare the garden for winter.
Tropical plants are sheltered or brought into the room if they grow in pots.
Need help with a home project?
Contact us!
Find inspirational ideas for your home

Factors such as heat tolerance, water availability, and protection from vandalism are critical, particularly for outdoor installations in harsh climates.

Title:

Content: 41°F
Clear

Plants placed in 2 categories: Mesic and xeric

We have two general categories of trees and shrubs in Las Vegas regarding their relationship to water, growth and their adaptability to rock covering the surface of the soil: mesic and xeric. These can be subdivided into smaller groups but for our purposes, this should be good enough.

Rather, it is best to think of plants along a continuum (mesic vs. xeric) regarding whether they grow best in dry or wet soil or the type of mulch covering the surface of a landscape soil. So, instead, we group plants into these two categories for convenience.

Why is it important to know if a plant is mesic or xeric? Because whether plants are mesic or xeric affects where they are planted, how they are irrigated, their growth, their survivability, how they respond to soil amendments and whether it’s best to use rock or wood mulch to cover the soil. I wish it was easy, but it’s not.

It all has to do with the organic content of the soil; soils with at least an organic content of 1 to 2 percent have no problems growing mesic or xeric plants common for landscapes. Research has proven this.

But soils with an organic content of less than 1 percent spells trouble for all but the most xeric of plants. Mesic plants are not used to extremely low organic content in soils. They didn’t evolve along with these types of soils.

The general rule of thumb is if a plant can survive our harsh desert climate surrounded by a lawn during the summer, the plant is most likely mesic. Mesic examples include fruit trees, ash trees, Chinese pistache, Carolina cherry laurel, Japanese blueberry, roses, heavenly bamboo, vitex, European olive and many others.

Mesic trees and shrubs grow best in moist soils; they don’t like it overly wet or overly dry for very long. If the soil stays wet or dry for too long, they are damaged. This damage can happen in just a few hours during hot weather or days in cool to colder temperatures.

Along with planting amendments, mesic landscape plants usually grow best in desert soils covered by wood (organics) rather than rock. Some plants are more particular about this than others (think continuum again).

Take photinia (mesic) for instance. It can handle high temperatures (prefers lower temperatures, of course) but can’t handle soil covered in rock after a few years. It looks good at first but increasingly yellows and looks ragged as the organics used in planting run out.

My observations are that plants like photinia usually start looking bad in three to five years after planting. Other plants that fall into the photinia camp are heavenly bamboo (Nandina), roses, most ash trees, jasmine groundcover and others. Some mesic plants like oleander, European olive, Chinese pistache can grow well surrounded by rock but grow even better surrounded by wood chip mulch.

So how do you know how much organics are in your soil? Soil color is usually a good quick judge. The darker the soil, the higher the organics in it. Desert soils with a bare minimum organic content for mesic plants have a mocha color when moist.

Q: I noticed you mention planting different landscape plants either on the east side or west side. When I go to the local nurseries, I never see that mentioned on their tags. If I buy one of these plants, how do I know if a plant is suitable for where I want to put it?

A: The tags for these plants are not made locally. They are provided by a wholesale grower who is growing plants for a very large region. In some parts of that region, some plants might survive the west side OK, but in a desert location, the west side might be too hot.

Plant tags give you general information on where to plant. These wholesale growers are oftentimes located in California, Texas or Florida, and their desert knowledge is not localized.

Some mistakenly think any hot dry location will qualify for the desert. Sometimes that’s true. Usually not in the summer.

All local Las Vegas nurseries are resellers and seldom grow their own plants. The plant tags are so regionalized, they may or may not work in the same location in the desert.

Planting location may not be understood by watching YouTube videos or information from websites. The more experience you have in our climate, the better chance of recommending a plant for the right location. But then it depends on the soil where it was planted.

I like to call our type of horticulture, desert horticulture and not just horticulture. The people who understand it I call desert horticulturists or desert gardeners.

If you grow up in the desert this type of information is frequently intuitive. You may not know why you do it differently, but you know the plants will struggle if you don’t do it a certain way. It is a gut instinct. The science of horticulture doesn’t change, only how the science is applied.

For this reason, I trust landscape suggestions from certain people or sites. One landscape site I visit frequently is the Virtual Library of Phoenix Landscape Plants. I recognize that it is better adapted for the warmer Phoenix area, but the soils and climate are similar enough that I find it very useful.

The information I recommend is a blend of experience with landscape plants sold here, Arizona information, wholesale grower information and my twist on it.

Q: I have an empty planter facing south. The inside diameter is about 3 by 3 feet and plumbed for a water drip system. What kind of small tree can I plant to fill in the space?

A: Hot locations focus on desert or desert-adapted small trees like desert willow, vitex or Texas mountain laurel. The vitex is from the Mediterranean region while the others are Southwest desert natives.

The vitex will tolerate frequent irrigations while the others are iffier. If you fill the planter with plants, then use drip tubing (emitters embedded in the walls). Make sure the plants in the planter irrigated with drip tubing have similar root depths so you can use one electric valve.

If there is a mixture of plants with different spacings and root depths, then use individual drip emitters watered from blank tubing. Individual plants watered with individual drip emitters can have large spaces apart from one another and have a variety of root depths. You will still only need one valve to do that.

Q: I have a couple of older mock orange (dwarf Pittosporum) shrubs about 3 by 3 feet. I would like them about 12 to 18 inches tall and wide instead so they better fit in this spot. The inside of the bush is just stems and branches with all the green leaves on the outside of these bare branches. Will the shrub survive if I prune it? Is now a good time to do this?

A: It will survive if you prune it smaller to just the naked branches, but it will sprout new leaves and grow back slowly. Until it grows back it will be a bunch of stems with no leaves and ugly to look at. It will look naked.

I would delay pruning until you see new growth starting when it gets warm again. This will delay the amount of time you just see bare branches.

I am guessing pruning it in the Las Vegas climate will be sometime in February. Watch for new growth and check your weather app to make sure warm weather will continue to push the new growth. Consider replacing it with a plant that won’t get any larger than the space it is allotted.

Q: We planted two Little Gem magnolias several years ago. We love the flowers and scent they give. They each get a bit of acid and a bit of iron once a year. They also get a dose or two of tree fertilizer. One of the trees is thick and lush, with tons of beautiful blooms. The other one isn’t. Any ideas?

A: Little Gem magnolia is a dwarf variety of magnolia that, in our climate, should grow no taller than about 15 feet. Magnolias, which are mesic trees, generally grow best on the east side of a home or building. This way they get a break from the afternoon sun.

Because they are mesic, they grow best if surrounded by wood chip mulch rather than rock. It goes without saying they should be planted with plenty of rich soil amendments that decompose over time. Irrigation should be applied to at least half the area under the canopy of the tree and water should penetrate to a depth of 18 inches at each application.

Magnolias, with growth tolerances like bay laurel, handle temperatures to about 105 degrees. On very hot days, they struggle if not protected from the afternoon sun and not surrounded by wood chip mulch.

My guess is that the problem is related to the summer and heat and possibly the use of rock mulch around the trees. The acid, iron and fertilizer applications are helpful, but a plant can only endure so much heat at a time.

Bob Morris is a horticulture expert and professor emeritus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Visit his blog at xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com. Send questions to Extremehort@aol.com.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Tips for turning master bedroom into a retreat

Your master bedroom can also serve as a great retreat, a sanctuary space, to unwind after a long day. Design experts offer simple tips to help you make your master bedroom a great little hideaway for enjoying downtime.

Thermometer, weather app help to anticipate winter freezes

Plants are not expecting normal low temperatures early or late in the winter season and are not prepared for them. Having a recording maximum/minimum thermometer and having the weather app prepares you for anticipating winter freezes.

Add natural elements into holiday decorations

There are simple ways to incorporate greenery and other natural elements into your holiday decorations.

Neglected barbecue will need thorough cleaning

If you like cleaning your oven, then you’re going to love cleaning the barbecue. The igniter should be checked and the burners need to be cleaned out because, over time, sauces and food have dripped onto the ports where the propane should be flowing out.

Decor trends for the holidays

Mimicking interior design trends, designers appeal to consumers when introducing fresh themes, colors and styles in annual holiday decor. This year’s trend emphasizes natural elements, glamorous decor, eye-catching hues and traditional styles.

Maintenance contracts and ongoing care protocols significantly improve longevity and effectiveness.

Common challenges include irrigation system failures, nutrient imbalances, plant disease, and, in exterior cases, issues arising from climate extremes or vandalism .

Title:

Content: Your behavior appears to be a little unusual. Please verify that you are not a bot.

The Big One: A showstopping property

February 4, 2022 -  By
0 Comments

Company: Mullin
Location: New Orleans

Encompassing a great lawn, a pool, house and guesthouse, this property must remain in tiptop condition because it’s the venue for frequent family and corporate gatherings.

After walking through several sites for a new home build with the client, Chase Mullin knew this particular property was a winner.

“The owner is a personal friend of mine, and he also owns one of the construction companies that we subcontract for,” says Mullin, president and CEO of Mullin. “He knew from the beginning that he wanted to engage with us in the design/build capacity. It was special for me as a landscape contractor to tour the properties with him and to have that kind of influence so early on in the process.”

Since performing the initial installation, Mullin has maintained the site using small, dedicated crews.

“For residential properties, we use small crews because we see them more as gardeners,” Mullin says. “We budget the time for them to work through the property, trimming one area one week and another the next week. Part of their job is to oversee the property and make sure it’s as weed-free as possible.”

Challenges of the site include the warm, wet climate, which provides a breeding ground for pests and disease, and the site’s dependence on subsurface drainage.

To help address these issues, Mullin’s garden manager walks the property weekly with the client’s house manager, ensuring the highest level of detail work throughout the property.

The property also features a custom-designed integrated pest management program (IPM). Between scheduled applications, Mullin’s lead IPM technician regularly visits the site with the garden manager to prevent pest and fungal outbreaks.

To perform the mowing, trimming and pruning work, the company relies on battery-powered Stihl equipment.

“That equipment is powerful enough to be able to service the extent of the property, and it causes little to no disturbance to the owners,” Mullin says.

The project won Mullin a Silver award from the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ Awards of Excellence program.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

The morning view of the pool and the pool cabana from the owner’s suite requires immaculate detail.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

As guests enter through the gate, first impressions show the main house and the focal fountain in the driveway.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

A closer view of the fountain, surrounded by a Japanese boxwood hedge, which requires frequent pruning to maintain the property’s formal look.

Landscape maintenance project in New Orleans (Photo: LazyEye Photography)

A view to the pool from the front entry sequence, with seasonal color pockets for visual interest.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

Another view of the pool and the great lawn, showcasing the textures and shades of green throughout the landscape.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

A look across the pool, where the simple yet elegant globe-shaped planters anchor the space.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

Crape myrtles were placed in several areas near the main house where a well-designed pest management and fertilizer program keeps bark scale at bay.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

A small path was created to allow access for the lawn mower without distracting from the overall aesthetic of the landscape.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

On the great lawn, a large expanse of azaleas has to be pruned and fertilized to keep them beautiful and blooming.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

A privacy wall of magnolias borders the great lawn, where minor pruning and leaf pickup keep the beds immaculate on all occasions.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

In the great lawn beds, an inside border of Japanese boxwoods surrounds the inside of the lawn.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

Leaves and clippings all must be removed from site to keep the pool area pristine and ready for use at all times.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

View of the gardens surrounding the pool cabana, which also serves as a guesthouse, where the gardens must always be kept pristine to welcome the estate’s many visitors.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

The owner’s suite windows provide unobstructed views of the expansive gardens and great lawn.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

The lush agapanthus surrounding the cabana allow for a spectacular view during the blooming season.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

Across the great lawn, Mullin Landscape makes sure nothing is overlooked.

Photo: LazyEye Photography

Across the great lawn, the finely tuned irrigation and sports field-worthy drainage system allow for children and pets to play at any time without wet feet or damaged turf.

About the Author:

Sarah Webb is Landscape Management's managing editor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University, where she studied journalism and Spanish. Prior to her role at LM, Sarah was an intern for Cleveland Magazine and a writing tutor. She can be reached at swebb@northcoastmedia.net.

Selecting suitable plants is essential for both function and easy maintenance and is governed by climate, light availability, and specific wall microclimates.

For humid and temperate indoor environments, recommended species include Dracaena, various bamboos, lilies, ferns (such as Boston fern), hydrangea, African pansy, panthera, turtle vine, firecracker plant, and Yunnan yellow carnation.

In arid or extreme climate settings, or where maintenance resources are limited, xeric (drought-tolerant) species are preferred, such as succulents (e.g., Kalanchoe, jade plant), snake plant, spider plant, Haworthia, croton, and aglaonema (Chinese evergreen).

Mesic species, like fruit trees, roses, or magnolias, require soils with good organic content and regular watering and are more suited for controlled interior climates with reliable irrigation.

Shade and low-light environments further narrow the palette to plants adapted to such conditions, like certain ferns and tropical foliage species .

Title:

Content: Skip to Content

25 Best Patio Plants for Beginners to Add Instant Appeal to Their Outdoor Space

Gorgeous, low-maintenance and hardy evergreens for your deck's garden and pots.

By Arricca Elin SanSone and Mariah Thomas

As the weather gets warmer, your patio becomes very enticing — and for good reason. So it's no wonder you'd want to spruce up your outdoor area with low maintenance patio plants. While every part of your home — the office, bedroom and kitchen — can benefit from a touch of greenery, don't forget to add seasonal color to your patio with sun-loving or (low-light) container plants, annuals and perennials.

Before choosing from these plants below, consider how much sun your patio receives and whether you'll be placing plants in your garden or pots. Some colorful blooms, like marigolds, roses and Mandevilla, thrive in full sun (more than six hours a day). Other picks, like the Chinese Evergreen (also known as the Aglaonema), prefer minimal light (full shade means less than an hour or two of sun). And since plants attract our favorite pollinators such as butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, your patio's small garden (and vertical garden too!) will flourish while providing a dose of subtle entertainment when lounging.

While we may deem these patio plants beginner-friendly and easy to care for indoors and outdoors, still take note of your USDA Hardiness zone (find yours here) to see suitable varieties for your region's winter season. Then, browse our assortment of leafy and blossoming plants to bring color to your tropical-inspired room or shady retreat. P.S. They'll look good and make you feel good too!

1

Kalanchoe

Lively Root deems these plants "your favorite colorful succulents." They're long-blooming, easy to grow and thrive in bright, natural light, so they're perfect for open-air patios that receive plenty of sun. Find them in various shades of red, orange, yellow and white to really give your outdoor garden a jolt of personality.

SHOP KALANCHOE

2

Croton

Place these tropical plants in full sun and watch their striking leaves vary in shades of red, yellow, green and pink. Keep them happy by watering them once a week and take note of any mushy leaves or black stems (a sign of overwatering).

SHOP CROTON

3

Dracaena

These low-maintenance plants, also known as Madagascar dragon trees, prefer bright, indirect sun, but can tolerate low light. Their sword-like leaves with bold red or purple edges give them a unique look. Before they grow tall, keep them in small pots to display on your patio's table.

SHOP DRACAENA

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4

Majesty Palm

The long green fronds of this slow-growing evergreen make it a popular houseplant. Keep it in bright, indirect light and see it reach up to 10 feet tall. Since the Majesty Palm is a tropical plant, water it every one to two weeks and increase humidity with a humidifier or by misting your plants as necessary.

SHOP MAJESTY PALM

5

Million Bells

Also known as Calibrachoa, Million Bells have cheerful, bell-shaped flowers that resemble petunias. They can be found in a range of lively hues — yellow, violet, pink and red are just a few options. They're excellent picks for hanging baskets and your vertical garden. Keep it in full sun and fertilize it monthly.

SHOP MILLION BELLS

6

Mandevilla

Mandevilla is a gorgeous flowering vine that requires a trellis. It blooms all season long with little care, and you can bring it in for winter in cold climates when the nighttime temperatures go below 50 degrees. Full disclosure: It is a little messy indoors, as the leaves and flowers drop in lower light levels. It likes full sun, though it benefits from afternoon shade in the hottest climates.

SHOP MANDEVILLA

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Marigolds

There’s a reason these sturdy annuals have been popular for decades: They thrive on neglect! Marigolds come in bright colors, including the classic oranges and yellows, but new varieties are available in creamy white. They take the heat, last until a hard freeze, and look good in beds or containers without any effort from you. Just give them full sun.

SHOP MARIGOLDS

8

Lavender

Lavender has beautiful purple spikes and silvery foliage; it’s drought-tolerant once established. Give it full sun, and plant a variety that will survive in your hardiness zone so it returns next year. Edge your patio with it, or plant it near seating areas so you can enjoy its classic scent.

SHOP LAVENDER

9

Fuchsia

Got shade? Fuchsia thrives in full shade. This stunning annual comes in saturated tones of red, purple and pink. It looks best in containers or baskets. Hummingbirds adore this plant, too. This plant is best purchased at a local nursery, as its delicate nature makes it difficult to ship intact or germinate from seed.

SHOP FUCHSIA

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10

Ornamental Grasses

Look for short varieties to add architectural interest to pots; tall types offer great screening if used to edge the patio in the ground or in pots. Most are perennial, but read the tag to be sure. Most need full sun.

SHOP ORNAMENTAL GRASS

11

Hydrangea

This stunning shrub comes in many different sizes and types. A hydrangea’s bloom appears in early to mid-summer and lasts until a hard freeze. They're extremely easy to dry for floral arrangements or wreaths, with most types needing some sun to flower best (they like afternoon shade in the hottest climates). Make sure to plant one that is suited to your hardiness zone.

SHOP HYDRANGEA

12

Lobelia

Blue, purple or white lobelia looks wonderful in baskets or mixed containers. This annual needs mostly shade, though it will tolerate a little morning sun. It blooms best in cool weather, so if it starts to look ragged in mid-summer, trim it back and it should rebound in the fall.

SHOP LOBELIA

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Succulents

For a sunny patio, succulents are a fun option! They come in hundreds of sizes, shapes and colors and require almost nothing from you. Some are cold-hardy and will survive winter, but if not, you certainly can dig a few up to pot and display on a sunny windowsill.

SHOP SUCCULENTS

14

Torenia

The pretty purple, pink or white blooms of this plant attract pollinators, and they last all the way to frost. Torenia flowers are lovely when cascading from pots on a shady patio. Some have a slightly grape-like scent.

SHOP TORENIA

15

Roses

Every garden needs at least one rose! These colorful flowers bloom from early summer to a hard freeze. You'll find an array of varieties, so read the tag and look for those that will survive in your hardiness zone. They bloom best in full sun.

SHOP ROSES

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16

Sweet Alyssum

With tiny white, blush-pink or purple flowers, low-growing sweet alyssum looks beautiful draping over the sides of containers. Plant it where you can catch a whiff of its delightful honey-sweet scent. It’s another favorite of pollinators. It needs full sun but will take some shade.

SHOP SWEET ALYSSUM

17

Berries

Think outside the box: New types of strawberries have been bred to be more compact and ornamental, and new varieties of blackberry and raspberry bushes have no thorns! Plant these as a low border or in decorative pots. They prefer full sun.

SHOP BERRIES

18

Aglaonema

For sheer drama, nothing tops an aglaonema! The heart-shaped leaves come in striking reds and pinks, making this plant a favorite accent in pots or along borders. Enjoy them as annuals or dig up the tubers before winter and store them in a cool, dark place to plant again next year. They’re shade lovers.

SHOP AGLAONEMA

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Angelonia

Angelonia plants love the heat! These annuals have tiny orchid-like flowers that come in pretty pastel and deeply saturated shades. Some types are upright, and others cascade from baskets or containers. Give them part to full sun.

SHOP ANGELONIA

20

Cherry Tomatoes

If you’ve never grown vegetables, cherry tomatoes or any dwarf tomatoes are a good place to start! Many new varieties are compact so they work well in containers — and they’re pretty, too! Give them full sun.

SHOP CHERRY TOMATO PLANT

Arricca Elin SanSone

Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.

Assistant Editor

Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.

Watch Next

Gardening

25 Low-Maintenance and Low-Light Office Plants

9 Best Flower Delivery Services of 2023

10 Best Compost Bins for 2023

30 Summer Flowers for Your Dream Garden

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

©Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

In summary, vertical gardens represent a multifaceted sustainability innovation in architectural design, providing measurable benefits in air purification, thermal regulation, and occupant well-being.

Success depends on strategic planning of species selection, irrigation technology, and maintenance regimes tailored to the particular building context and climate.

Title:

Content: People 's Daily Online > > Economy and Technology
National Forestry and Grassland Administration: By 2025, the utilization rate of good trees in the Sanbei project will reach more than 70%.
May 19, 2022 18: 38 | Source: People's Daily Online
Small number
Beijing, May 19 (Reporter Yu Lu) today, the State Forestry and Grassland Administration Office issued the "Implementation Opinions on the Comprehensive Promotion of Scientific Greening of the Sanbei Project" (hereinafter referred to as the "Implementation Opinions"), proposing to adapt to local conditions, classify policies, strict protection, scientific restoration, and overall promote the management of the landscape forest and lake grass and ice system, and solidly promote the high-quality development of the Sanbei project.
The Sanbei Project is a major ecological project in China and an important landmark project in the construction of ecological civilization. Over the past 40 years, through the hard work of several generations, the construction of the Sanbei protective forest system has made great achievements.
The "Implementation Opinions" clearly indicate that by 2025, the scientific afforestation technology system of the three northern projects will be initially established, and a number of scientific afforestation demonstration models will be built.
Forest and grass vegetation restoration methods have become more optimized, and the proportion of closed (sand) forest cultivation and flying-sowing afforestation has reached about 60%, shrub afforestation has reached more than 40%, mixed forest has reached about 40%, and the utilization rate of good varieties of trees has reached more than 70%.
By 2035, the scientific greening system system of the three northern projects will be improved, and the modernization level of the governance system and governance capabilities will be continuously improved.
The high-quality development of the three northern projects has made greater achievements, the ecological system structure has been gradually optimized, the quality has been significantly improved, the stability has been significantly enhanced, and the green ecological barrier of the northern border of the motherland has become more stable.
The "Implementation Opinions" pointed out that it is necessary to make overall planning for the development of the project, including the construction of forests, grassland protection and restoration, the return of farmland to forests and grassland, and the protection of wetlands.
Scientific organizations to carry out afforestation and afforestation space suitability assessment, highlight the focus of regional governance, based on the "two zones and two belts" ecological function pattern, classification guidance, highlighting the key points, and systematic governance.
Accurately improve the greening effect, focusing on restoration and transformation, improving quality and efficiency, and optimizing and upgrading the existing forest and grass ecosystems.
Expanding afforestation space, focusing on the construction of forest cities and beautiful villages, and making overall planning for the integrated development of urban and rural afforestation and beautification.
Scientific selection of green tree (grass) species, vigorously cultivate and develop native tree species.
Scientific choice of vegetation restoration methods, full consideration of the region's natural economic and social conditions and other conditions, seal, fly, build, combine.
Strengthen the management of greening design and construction, and strengthen the scientific demonstration and supervision of operation design.
Efforts should be made to promote water-saving greening, adhere to the water according to the amount of water, and build forests, shrubs, grasslands and desert vegetation according to local conditions.
Strengthen the supervision and control of forest and grass resources, establish and improve the system of conservation and management in the later stage of the project, and focus on improving the conservation rate and forest yield.
Improve and improve the monitoring and evaluation system, and implement the greening task directly to the county, the upper map into the warehouse, and fine management.
The "Implementation Opinions" put forward that it is necessary to improve the diversified investment mechanism based on financial input, make full use of development-oriented and policy-oriented financial loans, and explore the establishment of a mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products.
Increase the promotion and application of key technologies such as the breeding of excellent tree and grass species and the restoration mode of forest and grass vegetation in arid areas, and carry out the construction of scientific afforestation pilot counties in the three northern projects in a down-to-earth manner.
We should extensively carry out propaganda and education, carry forward the concept of scientific afforestation, popularize scientific knowledge of afforestation, and advocate scientific frugality and pragmatic afforestation.
It is necessary to fully implement the forest length system and strengthen the supervision and assessment of the implementation of the forest length system and the comprehensive monitoring of the effectiveness of the project construction.
(Edited by: Luo Zhi, Lu Qian)
Share it so more people can see it.
Back to top

When well planned, green walls can become long-lived, low-maintenance assets, supporting environmental quality and human health as essential components of green building strategies.