#vertical living wall planters

[livingwallverticalplanters]

Transforming Spaces: The Magic of Living Plant Walls in Interior Design

Welcome to a world where walls come alive, not with paint or wallpaper, but with a burst of lush greenery that can change the entire vibe of a room. We're talking about the enchanting trend of living plant walls in interior design – a trend that's like giving your home a big, comforting hug from Mother Nature herself! & that is why we feel proud of being one of the best

Imagine stepping into your living room and being greeted by a vibrant tapestry of plants that seems to dance in the sunlight. Indoor & outdoor plant walls are not just decorations; they're natural works of art that breathe life into your spaces, literally! Let's explore the magic they bring to interior design, with a touch of fun and a splash of green.

Bringing the Outdoors In

Living plant walls are like bringing a slice of the great outdoors into your living space. They're not just for mansions with sprawling gardens – even cozy apartments can benefit. Take that dull corner in your bedroom; a living plant wall can instantly turn it into a cozy forest retreat, making you feel like you're waking up in a secret garden every morning.

Greenery Anywhere, Anytime

No need to worry about a lack of outdoor space. You can have your very own garden right inside your living room or kitchen! Have a wall that's been begging for attention? Turn it into a canvas for nature's palette. From herbs in the kitchen to soothing ferns in the living room, the possibilities are as vast as your imagination.

Green Wall, Good Vibes

Living plant walls aren't just about aesthetics; they're practically a spa day for your senses. Imagine being surrounded by the gentle rustling of leaves and the earthy scent of soil – it's a sensory escape without ever leaving your home. And the best part? These walls improve indoor air quality, making your space a haven of freshness.

A Garden of Creativity

Think of your living wall as a living, breathing canvas. You're the artist, and the plants are your paintbrushes. Experiment with arranging different types of plants – mix some evergreens with edible herbs, or throw in a few air plants for a touch of whimsy. There's no right or wrong; it's all about your personal green masterpiece.

From Faux to Fabulous

Don't have a green thumb? No problem! There are fake living wall plants that require zero maintenance. They're like your own secret garden that stays perpetually perfect, no matter how forgetful you are about watering.

Taking It Outside

Living plant walls aren't just for indoor spaces. If you've got a bare outdoor wall, consider transforming it into a living canvas that changes with the seasons. Imagine sipping your morning coffee on the patio while being serenaded by a chorus of fluttering leaves.

 

What are the Benefits of Indoor Plant Walls?

Indoor plant walls offer a plethora of benefits that extend beyond aesthetics:

Improved Air Quality: Plant walls act as natural air purifiers, removing toxins and releasing oxygen, resulting in fresher and healthier indoor air.

Enhanced Aesthetics: These living installations are visually captivating, adding a touch of nature's beauty to any space, making it more inviting and appealing.

Stress Reduction: Surrounding yourself with greenery has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved mental well-being, creating a more relaxing atmosphere.

Noise Reduction: Plant walls can also dampen noise, providing a quieter and more serene environment, especially in urban areas.

Temperature Regulation: Through a process called transpiration, plants release moisture, helping regulate indoor humidity levels and contributing to a comfortable atmosphere.

Why are Plant Walls Important?

Plant walls hold immense significance in creating healthier, more vibrant spaces:

Environmental Impact: They contribute to environmental sustainability by absorbing carbon dioxide, reducing the urban heat island effect, and promoting local biodiversity.

Well-Being: Plant walls positively affect human well-being by improving air quality, reducing stress, and enhancing overall mood and productivity.

Design Innovation: Plant walls allow for creative design expressions, transforming plain walls into dynamic living artworks that spark conversation.

What Material is Used for Plant Walls?

Plant walls are typically built using sturdy materials that provide support and irrigation for plants. Modular systems made of materials like metal or plastic are common, providing structure for plants to grow. The chosen material ensures the longevity and health of the plants while complementing the overall design. In the realm of interior design, where creativity meets nature's finest, the wall of plants stands as an embodiment of transformation. At we've embraced this enchanting trend wholeheartedly. Our commitment to innovative designs, nurtured by horticultural expertise, ensures that your living plant wall is not just a decoration but a living, thriving creation that brings nature's magic indoors. From precision engineering to installations tailored to your space, we're dedicated to crafting spaces that reflect the harmony of greenery and design. So, whether you're embarking on a journey of relaxation, enhancing your surroundings, or seeking the pure joy of connecting with nature, our living plant walls and comprehensive services are here to usher in a world of transformation and enchantment. Welcome to a space where walls truly come alive!

[desireigndubai-blog]

Artificial indoor plants in Dubai | Artificial Vertical Garden | Dubai

Artificial indoor plants in Dubai offer a convenient and low-maintenance way to beautify interior spaces with lush greenery. Desireign provides a wide range of realistic artificial plants that add a touch of nature to homes, offices, and commercial spaces in Dubai, creating an inviting ambiance without the need for watering or maintenance. https://www.desireign.com/artificial-vertical-garden/

[poisonor]

Contemporary Landscape Inspiration for a small contemporary full sun backyard stone landscaping.

[blueskywalk]

Orange County Vertical Garden Patio A large, modern side yard stone patio with a vertical garden as an example

[kreasecock]

Contemporary Landscape

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Thanks to j15n for sending this unusual 1969 mid-century modern home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It has 3bds, 2ba, and is a reasonable $499,900. I like the awning outside.

The frosted window next to the door is a nice idea, unless I don't want to answer the door. I do like the 2 stone planters and stairs up to the living room

This house is pristine. Look at the dramatic stone wall with niches and a fireplace. Love the hearth. The far wall is wood clad and there're beams going across the ceiling and vertically up to ceiling.

The architecture is so unique and It's wonderful that it's been completely preserved. I would decorate this place like crazy.

The dining area is right next to the kitchen. Look at the legs on the cabinets.

The fireplace soars above the kitchen wall. In the kitchen, you see the stone of the fireplace wall, but the walls in here are brick.

The cabinets are so cool and the stove is original.

Look at these architectural features. It's like a stage. This place is screaming for decor. This would be such a cool area for seating, a little office area. Look at the window ahead and all the 3/4 walls.

Could be some kind of fun display up here, too.

What a great space for entertaining. It has a beautiful terrazzo floor and a corner bar but it's just a sink- You can't go behind it, unless there's a hidden door somewhere.

This home is so interesting.

What a cool shower room. That sink! Unfortunately, the toilet was replaced. Too bad they picked one with an elongated seat.

The primary bedroom is quite large and has a big closet.

The other 2 bedrooms are surprisingly large.

The 2nd bath has a big sink cabinet with a vanity. Original beige sinks and tub.

Oh, the rec room in the basement is beautiful. Love the white brick fireplace. This space could look so cool with a retro theme. That plant box needs climbing ivy.

Very nice built-in wall unit and shelving.

Attractive room and the striped ceiling is very cool.

Nice patio and yard with a cute garden and shed.

[simskittyyy]

AirBnb Boho Villa +CC

Floor plan:

This tropical Santorini inspired two-story villa is located in the upscale gated community of Skyward Palms, Oasis Springs. It has 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, a spacious outdoor area with pool, outdoor dining, bar and tub. 

About the lot:

Size: 30x20

Value: 117,588 simoleons

Type: Residential

Location: Sultry Springside, Oasis Springs

The lot uses the packs: Island living, Get Together, Jungle Adventure, Spa Day, Moschino Stuff, Perfect Patio Stuff, Courtyard Oasis Kit

List of CCs used:

Artvitalex

Graeagle outdoor living set

Novella outdoor living set

Rosalina living set

ArwenKaboom

Felicity living set

Chicklet

California dreaming living set

Plant lover outdoor planter

This and That décor set, part 2

DOT

Yard string pole mesh

Jomsims

Ercazia bathtub, puff, separator

Rani bedroom set

Minc

Darma door short open, Darma window small

Sunset arch 2 tiles for short wall (part of set)

Mutske

New York construction set

Pilton construction set

Skylight modern flat 1x1

Wonders of ivy

Moniamay72

Insta Pastel wallpaper

Nickname

Simple bathroom shower

Nikadema

TeKa shower, TeKa accessories

NynaeveDesign

Erin plants I, Erin plants II

Haze plants

Peacemaker

Chevron parquet floor

Pilar

Ambientes outdoor set

Pralinesims

Marble floor 7

Severinka

Construction low false wall 1 cell, arched wall v4

Havana outdoor garland 5 cell, 6 cell

Kalla bathroom curtain left, curtain right

Santorini wall lamp

Wooden décor wall panel left, wall panel right

SIMcredible

Tropics enlighted palm tree

TV corner hanging plant

Vertical garden planter

Soloriya

Catherine décor sets

Syboubou

Advent Calendar 2020 Classic Parquet floor & Concrete bare floor

Artus flagstone paving

Elevare zigzag fence, zigzag railing

Galet plant arrowhead (part of set)

Hotel Plant V2

Intro Set part 1

Paradis traditional stairs, floating stairs

Plouf curly palm tree, stone pool trim (part of set)

Ung999

under the sun awning middle, right

Wondymoon

Berkelium outdoor living set

Boron bedroom set

Cadmium bedroom set

Chromium office set

Garrulus outdoor living

Garrulus outdoor pots and plants

Germanium kitchen part I, part II

Kalium panel

Lupinus wall panel

Sodium outdoor living, outdoor dining, outdoor extras, outdoor poolside lounge, outdoor bar

Thorium bathroom set, decorations

Thank you to all amazing CC creators ♥

DOWNLOAD

Tray files: [CURSEFORGE]

[bluravenite]

Do you do ghoul HCs? If so how do you see everyone's personality?

I have talked so much with my moot friends about this!! To be honest a LOT of our HCs make no sense,, I'll list a couple below the cut!!✍️✍️

There’s a LOT…

Dew is afraid of children (he doesn't know how to interact,, they freak him out)

Dew absolutely sneaks into the kitchen at night, mountain might make him a sandwich if he's there

(dew isn't allowed in the kitchen,,, he's burnt things before)

Dew gets really soft and mushy if you catch him at the right time,, woken up hungry?? Feral demon,,, cuddled in bed woken up by soft kisses?? Mushy baby, you might even get kissed back,, but if he wakes up too much he's like "fuck off I’m to sleep!"

Aether always has a banana,, how?? Banana pockets, no I will not argue.

He keeps extra banana stashes hidden in his room and in the walls (rain keeps them for him)

He took so many bananas from the kitchen imperator had to limit him to 1 banana a day per ghoul,, sometimes the ghouls are nice and give him theirs so he can have extras though

Rain lives in the walls,, absolute gremlin,,

Rain likes to be paid in dabloons (he calls chocolate coins dabloons, he will eat the wrapper too) I cannot explain this one… it just happened…

Rain keeps Chex mix boxes inside the walls,, i also cannot explain this one but all the rain has belong to @ghostsseeghosts

I also believe Rain is a slimy boy,, not intentionally,, he’s just unusually moist at times…

Swiss enjoys those sensory dancing vegetable videos, no he's not high, he just likes dancing vegetables....

I remember making one about the kind of coffee they’d get with @nocturnal-birb ,, dew would def get like a frap with extra whipped cream and caramel fsr,,, I think mountain would enjoy his coffee black because it’s more “earthy” i think,, I don’t remember some of the rest bc i have shit memory dhjgfdhjgf

I also remember a hc I made with birb about what if Mountain’s room floor was just covered in soil lmao,, so maybe the ghoulettes saw that mountain really liked being barefoot in the garden (this is a partial projection bc I really like being barefoot in damp soil hsjfhfjhf) so they put some garden beds in his room where he can soak his feet while he cares for his plants :)

He’d also have vertical planters I think,, total plant dad,,

The ghouls have plushies,, like a lot of them,, it started off as a cute playful joke,, where cumulus gave dew a plushie because Aether and rain had their own, and Swiss was like “none for me??” So cumulus got more,, and then they just began gifting each other plushies

Dew has the most plushies bc he says he hates them even though he will 100% snuggle up with them when it gets cold in the abbey,,

They do cuddle piles with squishmallows,, rain gets squished too,, mountain is the little spoon

I think Swiss is actually a bit insecure about his fashion sense, I imagine he enjoys fashion but he rarely talks about it unless it’s with Aether and cumulus who 100% support his fashion choices and help him pick outfits,, he likes vintage and somewhat feminine styles also,, sometimes cumulus does his eyeliner! It really builds his confidence but he tends to overthink it a lot and so usually on a bad day you’ll see him wearing solid colors or blacks,, and on good days he’ll wear flowy fabrics, nice patterns, and very sexy silhouettes!!

Aether really likes rolling up his sleeves,, that’s a fact.

I think cirrus likes pants a lot,, she’ll wear big pants, flowy pants, crazy pants, tight leather pants, Amy fun pants, she likes pants,,,

Cumulus likes fluffy clothes,, idk why, she just does,,

Sunshine really enjoys sundresses (pun not originally intended),, but she enjoys dresses with pockets… although she has to wears shorts underneath bc she will hang down from the ceiling if prompted,, or unprompted….

Swiss likes peanut butter,, dew hates it,, they both eat it straight out of the jar with a spoon… nobody knows why..

This is also a personal thought,,, but I’m at least 69% sure half the ghouls have fucked papa fjhjfghgjk (especially terzo and omega but also the ghouls and copia lmao,,)

I think as for personalities rain is a secret menace,, dew is a rage baby, Aether very much the dad friend of the group, so is cumulus,, i think cirrus is very stern but loving, sunshine,,, MENACE,, WORSE THAN DEW,, will scream into your eardrums if she thinks its funny sdfhjgh… Swiss,,, Swiss is like an idiot with a dick lmao,, absolute himbo i think,, as well as mountain, i think mountain is very chill but can be playful and even scary if he wants,,

as for sexualities I’m pretty sure most of them are some form of bi, pan, or curious,, I wouldn’t say they’re strictly a polycule but I’d say they def delve!!

I also have some comfort Swiss headcanons!! If you want those <3

There’s always too many ghoul headcanons to be able to fit all of them in one post!! But lmk if you like these and if you want more I’ll definitely write them down next time jshfhsjfgsjhf💖💖🫶

[backyardgardenguru]

Backyard Gardening in a Small Space: Tips for Maximizing Your Garden and Essential Tools

If you’ve always dreamed of having a lush, productive garden but think your small backyard limits you, think again. Even with limited space, backyard gardening can be both enjoyable and fruitful. With the right techniques and tools, you can grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers without sacrificing your entire yard.

Whether you’re planting in containers, vertical spaces, or raised beds, this guide will help you create a thriving garden in a small backyard. Plus, we’ll recommend essential gardening tools and products to make your small-space garden a success.

Why Small Space Gardening is Ideal

Backyard gardening in a small space offers several benefits. Not only does it allow you to grow fresh, organic produce at home, but it also encourages sustainable living. Even a small garden can produce a surprising amount of food if planned well. Moreover, gardening is a great way to relieve stress, spend time outdoors, and improve your overall well-being.

Key Tips for Gardening in a Small Space

To make the most of your limited garden space, it’s essential to maximize efficiency and choose the right methods for your needs.

Here are some top tips to ensure your small backyard garden flourishes:

1. Choose the Right Plants

When space is limited, plant selection is critical. Opt for plants that don’t take up too much room or can grow vertically. Consider growing:

- Herbs like basil, rosemary, or thyme (great for container gardens).

- Leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, and kale.

- Climbing plants like cucumbers, pole beans, or peas (train them up trellises).

- Compact vegetables like cherry tomatoes or dwarf varieties of peppers.

Choosing plants suited to containers or small garden beds ensures you make the most of your space.

2. Use Vertical Gardening Techniques

One of the best ways to maximize space in a small backyard is by going vertical. Use walls, fences, or trellises to grow vining plants. You can even hang pots or use wall planters for herbs and smaller plants. Vertical gardening saves ground space while adding an attractive element to your garden.

Recommended Products for Vertical Gardening:

- Trellises for supporting vining plants.

- Hanging planters for small flowers or herbs.

3. Raised Garden Beds

If your backyard has poor soil quality or you want to organize your garden neatly, raised beds are a fantastic option. They allow for better control of soil conditions, improve drainage, and make it easier to maintain your plants. Raised beds are perfect for growing a variety of vegetables and are ideal for small spaces since you can build them to fit any size.

Recommended Raised Garden Beds:

- Wooden raised beds offer a classic look and durability.

- Fabric raised beds are lightweight and easy to move.

4. Companion Planting

Companion planting is an effective technique to maximize productivity in a small garden. Pair plants together that benefit each other in terms of growth, pest control, or nutrient sharing. For example, planting marigolds with tomatoes can help deter pests, while beans can fix nitrogen in the soil for leafy greens.

5. Container Gardening

Containers are perfect for small backyards, patios, or even balconies. They allow you to grow a variety of plants, even in confined spaces. Choose large pots for vegetables and small ones for herbs or flowers. Make sure your containers have good drainage and use high-quality potting soil for the best results.

Recommended Gardening Containers:

- Self-watering containers for low-maintenance gardening.

- Decorative containers that add aesthetic value to your garden.

6. Efficient Watering Techniques

Watering is essential for any garden, but in a small backyard, you’ll want to ensure you’re using water efficiently. Consider using drip irrigation systems, soaker hoses, or self-watering containers to save time and water. These systems deliver water directly to the roots of the plants, reducing waste and keeping your garden healthy.

Recommended Watering Systems:

- Drip irrigation systems for water efficiency.

- Soaker hoses for even water distribution.

7. Use Mulch to Save Space and Maintain Moisture

Adding mulch around your plants helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health. In small spaces, where every inch counts, mulch can help reduce the amount of space taken up by weeds and keep your plants thriving.

The Best Tools for Small Space Gardening

To make backyard gardening in a small space easier, investing in the right tools is key. Here are some must-have tools that will help you keep your garden productive and well-maintained:

1. Hand Trowel – Essential for planting and transplanting small plants.

2. Pruning Shears – Keep your plants healthy and well-maintained by trimming dead leaves and branches.

3. Garden Fork – Ideal for aerating soil, especially in small, raised beds.

4. Watering Can – A lightweight watering can for small-scale watering tasks.

5. Garden Kneeler – Protect your knees while gardening in tight spaces.

6. Compost Bin – Create nutrient-rich compost for your garden with minimal space.

Final Thoughts: Thriving in a Small Backyard Garden

Don’t let a small backyard discourage you from gardening. With smart planning, the right plant selection, and effective use of space, you can grow a wide variety of plants in even the smallest gardens.

Container gardening, vertical gardening, and raised beds are all excellent ways to maximize your space and enjoy the rewards of homegrown produce and flowers.With the right tools and techniques, you’ll be amazed at what you can grow, even in a small space!

[fbwzoo]

Continuing with reptiles, I did recently change up Charis's viv a little and quite like the result so far. But I have some more things to do yet!

I want to see if I can raise one of her big branches up and secure it with screws on either end of the viv, to free up some ground space. I was avoiding it bc I don't entirely want it to be more difficult to move, but I need more space for a larger water dish again. And I want to keep a large horizontal branch in for her to lay on if she wants.

Also with the water dish, I want to add an air stone to it again for water movement, humidity, etc.

I also want to finally actually use more of her vertical space, which I've meant to do for ages. I'm still debating the configuration, but I want to add some thick rope, these big banana leaf hoops I got ages ago with crab store stuff, and maybe set up something where I could easily switch out a hanging item for different things for enrichment?

And also to help with humidity, I'm planning to build a planter box to put up along the back wall of the viv, and add more live plants to that. I looked at some commercial ones, but they look either too flimsy to hold substrate + snake butt, or they have weird slants or iffy materials. So I'd rather just build something myself. Whether it'll come out better than buying something.... well, TBD. 😂 I need the practice anyway.

[theunlimitedgreens]

Plant Lover with Limited Space? Meet Your Match with Magnetic Planters

Finding space for greenery can be a challenge in the hustle and bustle of modern life. However, with the innovative solution of magnetic planters, bringing nature into your home or workspace has never been easier. These planters boast a unique feature that allows them to adhere to any magnetic surface, instantly transforming even the most compact areas into lush, leafy havens. Magnetic planters offer a versatile and innovative solution, whether you reside in a cosy apartment, work in a cramped office, or simply want to add a touch of green to your surroundings.

One of the most compelling features of magnetic planters is their space-saving design. Traditional planters often occupy valuable floor or counter space, making them impractical for small or cluttered environments. In contrast, magnetic planters utilize vertical space, allowing you to create a stunning display of greenery on walls, refrigerators, filing cabinets, or any other magnetic surface. This vertical orientation not only maximizes space utilization but also adds visual interest to otherwise mundane areas. Whether you're a seasoned urban gardener or a novice plant enthusiast, magnetic planters offer endless possibilities for creative expression in your living or working space.

Moreover, the versatility of magnetic planters makes them an ideal choice for individuals seeking adaptable and customizable solutions. These planters come in various sizes, shapes, and materials, allowing you to tailor your green oasis to suit your preferences and needs. Whether you prefer sleek, modern designs or rustic, earthy aesthetics, there's a magnetic planter to complement any decor style. Additionally, their magnetic properties enable easy rearrangement and repositioning, allowing you to experiment with different layouts and configurations until you find the perfect arrangement. With magnetic planters, you're not just limited to traditional potted plants; you can also use them to display herbs, succulents, or even artificial flowers for low-maintenance greenery year-round.

In conclusion, magnetic planters offer a practical, stylish, and space-saving solution for incorporating nature into any environment. Their innovative design allows you to maximize space utilization, unleash your creativity, and enjoy the beauty of greenery in even the smallest spaces. Whether you're looking to create a serene indoor garden, add a pop of colour to your office, or simply breathe life into your surroundings, magnetic planters are sure to impress with their versatility and ingenuity. Say goodbye to cramped quarters and hello to a vibrant, leafy haven with magnetic planters.

[chasingvoidmonsters]

Writing about my Banshee Witch again! Maybe one day I'll give her a proper name... I'm feeling Ophelia, but that might be a bit too much to live up to. (Although I get a kick out of referring to her partner as Hamlet since he's a background character and I feel like canon Hamlet would lose his gd mind at not being the main character.) Anyway... -------------- She tsks at the state of the chrysanthemum on her counter. The plant was not something she planned. It had shown up on her shop’s doorstep and subsequently been lugged to where it now stood, dripping mud onto her mental to-do list. It was half dead and drowning in its big blue ceramic pot, practically begging for her to fix it before she started all of the many things that had to be done by a witch the week before opening the only herbalist in a tiny sea-side town. It was not a small list.

If she rearranged her schedule and went to the post office and market after she went to her appointment at the port, she could still get things done and not be too busy right before her first shipment of glass tomorrow. With that decided, she grabbed her gloves and sheers from the back room and got to work trimming the dead flowers, leaves, and stems off of the plant before her.

Trimming allowed easier handling, letting her carefully pull the whole plant from the flooded soil. She rinsed the roots thoroughly, snipping away the rotted bits, and placed the plant to the side. Now she had to heft the soaked soil through the store to her back garden. She scrunched her nose at the huge ceramic pot.

“You had better not make a mess and drip everywhere. I just mopped.” The pot, of course did not answer, but the soil almost seemed to soak in a bit more of the puddled water in response to her expression. That seemed to be enough to appease the witch, who mopped up the remaining muddy drips on the counter and then hefted the pot through the shop, ducking under strands of drying herbs with more grace than anyone carrying that much weight has any right to do.

The soil soup was unceremoniously chucked into a pile of compost at the back of her long skinny lot, just as wide as the shop but almost twice as long. While the shop was pristinely organized, immaculately labeled, and on trend with its displays, the garden was where the true herbal witch showed through. It was perfectly knitted together in the way that only an experienced life-long gardener could pull off. Nothing was manicured, but it didn’t need to be, as it was routinely harvested and pruned. Every inch of space had been used, only one main stone path winding its way through the patchwork garden beds. Even the fences had been covered in repurposed window boxes, one over the other for an additional 6 feet of vertical space on one side of the yard. There was a small, intimate social area in the center of the yard that almost transported you out of the city with how surrounded by vegetation it was. And right against the back of the shop was a small covered workstation with a deep utility sink and counters at two different heights for working at normal counter height and account for tall planters on the shorter slab. Hung on the wall above the workspace were various types of mailboxes she had collected over the last five years of cultivating the plot of land. Not a one was labeled, but that didn’t slow her down a second, able to open whichever she wanted to get exactly what she was looking for every time. Anyone watching might wonder how much it cost her to create something so magical. Others would know better than to wonder about the goings on of such a witch.

She set the huge pot on the gravel near the utility sink and hosed it down before putting it on the shorter workbench. She fetched the plant from inside and set to work repotting. Her lips pursed as she stepped back to inspect her work. Now that the dead weight had been removed, the plant looked much too small for such a pot.

“Room for growth.” She shrugged apologetically. “I’ll keep an eye on you though, there are smaller pots if we have to switch you. But where to keep you…” A quick glance around her space showed very few appropriate places for a plant in this kind of shape. The front steps didn’t have a plant on them yet, she hadn’t been able to make a decision, trying to put intention into her choice of herbal combination. But this plant really was everything she was feeling at this phase in her life, she thought to herself as she more easily hoisted the pot onto her hip, heading through the store. She felt too small for this familiar space, even if it had been hers for decades. Back then it had been theirs, before she had half of herself cut down.

She carefully pushed the front door open and stepped out onto the sidewalk, mindful of the Elf walking by with a little girl in tow who was quite consumed with the sticky nectar lolly in her tight little grasp. A grateful nod was directed at the demon that let her cross in front of him to give her a break from the busy foot traffic. She stepped back to get a full view of her doorway through the occasional pause in people and creatures out and about this morning. Her big emerald front door and prominent bronze wolf head doorknocker was set between two glass display windows. The painter had finally finished painting the windows with her signage yesterday, particularly placed so she could still use the displays without obscuring the lettering. The left read “Herbalist” in big emerald letters with bronze shadow. The right had her hours in smaller emerald script and black shadow. The windows currently had newspaper covering them, which had shielded her from too many prying eyes as she prepped her shop to open.

The new signage was definitely drawing curious looks. The two story building had been abandoned for as long as anyone in the town remembered. It was somehow always kept neat and tidy and never caused an issue, so it was left alone. 5 years ago, a few of the neighbors slowly noticed the back yard changing, but no one knew who was living on the second story. It was 2 years before anyone started noticing the quiet young woman tending to the garden in the late evenings and seeing her around town. She kept to herself fiercely at first, barely glancing up in passing. Over time though, she seemed to warm to the idea of being part of a town. She still kept to herself, but now greeted the townsfolk with friendly smiles and the occasional kind word.

Last year was when the newspaper had been taped in the windows and drawn the initial curiosity. Today though, everyone knew what she was planning and that knowledge almost stole her breath. But she resolutely shifted the pot on her hip and came to the conclusion that the left side of the single step into the alcove was the perfect home for the plant.

She stepped forward with conviction, set on her decision and what she had to do to get moving on her to-do list. And that determination is exactly why she stepped directly into the hulking figure that seemed to be just as determined to make good time to his own destination.

[desireigndubai-blog]

Indoor Preserved Wall UAE | Dubai

Transform your indoor spaces with Desireign's preserved walls in the UAE. Our walls bring the beauty of nature indoors, requiring minimal maintenance and offering lasting greenery for your space. Experience the natural charm with Desireign's preserved walls.

[whentherewerebicycles]

house projects talk under the cut because I have a problem (can’t stop working on house projects)

KITCHEN:

I’m loving the new wall color + the new wall-mounted spice racks. I still think curtains would be nice in there instead of the vertical blinds but I’ll have to think about it… doesn’t feel like a super urgent project. I also need to get a smaller brush and do some paint touch-ups around the hanging blinds, which should be a quick little project sometime.

I’d like to eventually get a kitchen island in there but for now I’m going to see if moving the toaster oven will free up enough counter space to be a workable temporary option

DAYROOM/OFFICE:

I found an oversized mirror on mega sale that I like better than those framed farmhouse style mirrors, so I ordered that and will hang it when it arrives next friday. will have to return the other mirrors this week but that’s okay

I’ll put together the bookshelf today & list those other chairs on marketplace. I could also sell that plant cart hmm or try to find space for it somewhere tbd? that should free up quite a bit of storage space in my closets too which is good.

I think I want to get a long floating shelf for over the mirror so I can have trailing plants and some fun little knickknacks up there.

gotta figure out the wall art sitch too as I think that will also help pull the room together a bit more. I also have three more floating planters to work with (and tons of natural light in that room) so that’s a possibility for wall decor too hmm…

I should really repaint that wall over the sofa… I don’t think it’ll be TOO time consuming just a little annoying to move stuff. but worth it I think as the little flaws have been driving me nuts & it’ll be good to get it done before I hang the mirror and shelf.

LIVING ROOM:

continues to be perfect. no notes.

HALF BATH:

Liz and I might try to build a frame for my flamingo print at some point but I’m content to otherwise let this room be for now. still feels like it’s missing one or two finishing touches… the thing I’d most like to add is a little curios cabinet over the toilet but I think that can be a long-term acquisition project

if I extend my lease for another year or two I want to do peel-and-stick tile on the floor but don’t want to invest the money/effort just yet

UPSTAIRS BATHROOM:

I will paint this room eventually if I stay here a few more years but am not bothered enough to do it now. I do want to hang my new bird print though (maybe even today!) and get a second bathmat at some point.

BEDROOM:

my bedroom is the chillest room in the house (white walls, not much art, minimal clutter) and I kinda love that… it’s nice to have a very colorful maximalist-leaning home but have your sleep space be calm & visually quiet. my only priority is to clear out some closet space.

[sicarian-writes-stuff]

Title: Purpose

Four grey walls. A cot along one wall. A sink, no mirror. In the middle of the room sets a table. On the table rests a small planter box, a small watering can, and a cup. Inside the planter box is a single plant, thin, dark green. A single stalk leading to a closed flower.

On the wall opposite the cot is a small vertically sliding access door, set midway up the wall. In this room lives a man. His day starts with the sound of movement. A grinding, metallic sound.

He awakes, and goes to the door in the wall. He slides it up and let's the catch hold the door up. Inside is a small square recess in the wall. Sitting in the recess is a single bar of something, a dull light brown.

The man grabs the bar, shuts the door, and goes to the table. He waters the plant, eats his bar, drinks from his cup. He refills the cup and the can, then sits on the cot and waits. Hours pass.

He sits until the sound of movement comes again.When the movement stops, he rises from the cot, and repeats the morning scene. More hours pass. The sound of movement comes again. This time when he opens the door, there is an addition to the bar. There is a small wooden chest. A dark wood, highly polished, edges trimmed in gold.

The man grabs the bar and the chest, and carries them to his table. He leaves the door open. He eats his bar, and waters the plant. This time, when he finishes watering the plant, the flower opens, revealing a small dark orb in the middle. The man opens the box, revealing a padded interior with a small indent in the middle. He plucks the orb from the flower, which slowly closes again. He places the orb in the box, closes it, and returns it to the recess.

Closing the door, he returns to his cot and lays down. He soon falls asleep. Hours pass, and then the sound of movement in the wall wakes him, starting the cycle once again.

[jeanjauthor]

This is a genuine thing that genuinely works. In the Sahel regreening project in Africa, by cleverly restructuring the ground to capture and store rainwater from the infrequent monsoons, the locals living south of the Sahara are able to grow many more crops than they could before. While crops tend to be ground plants and shrubberies (bushes to small trees), they do not neglect the taller plantings. In particular, around their homes and workspaces, they plant a wide variety of trees as well as middle and low growing plants...and the temperature difference becomes very palpable, a handful of degrees Celcius / several degrees Fahrenheit like mentioned in the article above.

Similar programs are working on restoring desert regions in India, too, plus China has been working hard on similar re-greening projects. It makes absolute sense that cities could benefit, since their materials raise temperatures, but green spaces decrease them.

New York City used to have some of the worst air in the world, before they focused hard on cutting back pollution. They already have a massive transit system, but still needed cars on the streets, so they turned to greening up the city with extensive micro-gardening efforts, plants in planter boxes, balconies on skyscrapers given plants, rooftop gardening being encouraged, and more. These efforts significantly reduced the air pollution in NYC, but they have also helped cool the city at least a little bit.

In contrast, Los Angeles still has quite a pollution problem, and quite an island heat problem as well. Some of it is simply due to the fact that the whole city sprawls. Because of their frequent threat of earthquakes, they cannot build vertically and so much spread out horizontally across the land. Unfortunately, that has meant taking down native plantings, and paving over the land that could otherwise benefit from local runoff collection.

However, city planners are starting to wise up to this, and have begun investing in micro-gardens and residential neighborhood water cachement systems that don't just funnel everything off to the ocean. The infamous "concrete riverbed" that you often see in movies and shows set in L.A. did see some use in the recent oceanic storms that have slammed into southern California, but ideally the water should be captured, stored, and sunk into the local water tables. Once the water is there, available for gardening with reduced need to pay for extra water to be brought in, a greater number of plantings can be made, and a greater drop in both temperature and air pollution will be achieved.

If you want to learn more about these projects, here's one on the "Great Green Wall" of Africa:

Andrew Millison is a professor of permaculture studies, which includes desert reclamation, and he has traveled extensively to both teach and learn from people leading these projects around the world.

As for urban farming in NYC, Kirsten Dirksen's channel on YouTube has covered a lot of microfarms and urban farming, including one particular group in the Big Apple:

She has also done a documentary on an unique building in Europe, where the building was deliberately designed to incorporate trees and bushes planted on various levels, providing shade and privacy while using roof-collected rainwater to water it all. It's a remarkably beautiful building:

"With “green corridors” that mimic the natural forest, the Colombian city is driving down temperatures — and could become five degrees cooler over the next few decades.

In the face of a rapidly heating planet, the City of Eternal Spring — nicknamed so thanks to its year-round temperate climate — has found a way to keep its cool.

Previously, Medellín had undergone years of rapid urban expansion, which led to a severe urban heat island effect — raising temperatures in the city to significantly higher than in the surrounding suburban and rural areas. Roads and other concrete infrastructure absorb and maintain the sun’s heat for much longer than green infrastructure.

“Medellín grew at the expense of green spaces and vegetation,” says Pilar Vargas, a forest engineer working for City Hall. “We built and built and built. There wasn’t a lot of thought about the impact on the climate. It became obvious that had to change.”

Efforts began in 2016 under Medellín’s then mayor, Federico Gutiérrez (who, after completing one term in 2019, was re-elected at the end of 2023). The city launched a new approach to its urban development — one that focused on people and plants.

The $16.3 million initiative led to the creation of 30 Green Corridors along the city’s roads and waterways, improving or producing more than 70 hectares of green space, which includes 20 kilometers of shaded routes with cycle lanes and pedestrian paths.

These plant and tree-filled spaces — which connect all sorts of green areas such as the curb strips, squares, parks, vertical gardens, sidewalks, and even some of the seven hills that surround the city — produce fresh, cooling air in the face of urban heat. The corridors are also designed to mimic a natural forest with levels of low, medium and high plants, including native and tropical plants, bamboo grasses and palm trees.

Heat-trapping infrastructure like metro stations and bridges has also been greened as part of the project and government buildings have been adorned with green roofs and vertical gardens to beat the heat. The first of those was installed at Medellín’s City Hall, where nearly 100,000 plants and 12 species span the 1,810 square meter surface.

“It’s like urban acupuncture,” says Paula Zapata, advisor for Medellín at C40 Cities, a global network of about 100 of the world’s leading mayors. “The city is making these small interventions that together act to make a big impact.”

At the launch of the project, 120,000 individual plants and 12,500 trees were added to roads and parks across the city. By 2021, the figure had reached 2.5 million plants and 880,000 trees. Each has been carefully chosen to maximize their impact.

“The technical team thought a lot about the species used. They selected endemic ones that have a functional use,” explains Zapata.

The 72 species of plants and trees selected provide food for wildlife, help biodiversity to spread and fight air pollution. A study, for example, identified Mangifera indica as the best among six plant species found in Medellín at absorbing PM2.5 pollution — particulate matter that can cause asthma, bronchitis and heart disease — and surviving in polluted areas due to its “biochemical and biological mechanisms.”

And the urban planting continues to this day.

The groundwork is carried out by 150 citizen-gardeners like Pineda, who come from disadvantaged and minority backgrounds, with the support of 15 specialized forest engineers. Pineda is now the leader of a team of seven other gardeners who attend to corridors all across the city, shifting depending on the current priorities...

“I’m completely in favor of the corridors,” says [Victoria Perez, another citizen-gardener], who grew up in a poor suburb in the city of 2.5 million people. “It really improves the quality of life here.”

Wilmar Jesus, a 48-year-old Afro-Colombian farmer on his first day of the job, is pleased about the project’s possibilities for his own future. “I want to learn more and become better,” he says. “This gives me the opportunity to advance myself.”

The project’s wider impacts are like a breath of fresh air. Medellín’s temperatures fell by 2°C in the first three years of the program, and officials expect a further decrease of 4 to 5C over the next few decades, even taking into account climate change. In turn, City Hall says this will minimize the need for energy-intensive air conditioning...

In addition, the project has had a significant impact on air pollution. Between 2016 and 2019, the level of PM2.5 fell significantly, and in turn the city’s morbidity rate from acute respiratory infections decreased from 159.8 to 95.3 per 1,000 people [Note: That means the city's rate of people getting sick with lung/throat/respiratory infections.]

There’s also been a 34.6 percent rise in cycling in the city, likely due to the new bike paths built for the project, and biodiversity studies show that wildlife is coming back — one sample of five Green Corridors identified 30 different species of butterfly.

Other cities are already taking note. Bogotá and Barranquilla have adopted similar plans, among other Colombian cities, and last year São Paulo, Brazil, the largest city in South America, began expanding its corridors after launching them in 2022.

“For sure, Green Corridors could work in many other places,” says Zapata."

-via Reasons to Be Cheerful, March 4, 2024