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If your home office or living space needs an update instantly, there is a solution for you – buy houseplants. Indoor plants, already gaining more popularity these days, have become one of the hottest home accessories. Scroll Instagram feeds, and you are assured of seeing plants of all sizes hanging in a bathroom, brightening up a living room, and filling a kitchen.

There is a reason for this – beyond the looks. Research shows that houseplants are good for everyone, providing benefits such as better sleep quality, boosting feelings of connection, and improved mental health.

That sounds good, right?

But before you start filling your online shopping cart, you will have to focus on doing your homework. Make sure your homework is based on researching the following factors:

1. Children and Pets

When it comes to plant selection, one factor often forgotten is how a new plant can get along with your children and pets. The good news is that it is easy to check whether plants are hazardous to cats or dogs. Search the extensive database of ASPCA. Depending on the plant’s toxicity, even nibbles on leaves may make your pets ill.

If you live with small kids at home, consider plant placement carefully. You may want to avoid floor-standing and large plants that can tempt your kids to dig through the soil. Instead, opt for trailing ivy, which you can set on top of the kitchen cabinet.

2. Origins

You could be clueless about which country your … Read More

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Gardening enthusiasts and farmers alike have long relied on peat as a soil amendment. Peat is a type of soil that is formed by the accumulation of partially decomposed organic matter in waterlogged environments. It is highly valued for its ability to retain moisture and provide nutrients to plants. However, the extraction of peat from wetlands can have serious environmental consequences, including the destruction of habitats and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As a result, many people are turning to coconut peat, also known as cocopeat or coir peat, as a sustainable alternative to traditional peat.

What is Coconut Peat?

Coconut peat is a byproduct of the coconut industry. It is made from the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut. This fibrous material is known as coir, and it is a renewable resource that is produced in large quantities in tropical countries like India, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. Coir is traditionally used to make ropes, mats, and other products, but it can also be processed into a soil amendment known as coconut peat or coir pith.

How is Coconut Peat Made?

The process of making coconut peat begins with the collection of coconuts. The outer husk is removed, and the hard, internal shell is cracked open to reveal the white, fibrous material inside. This material is then washed, dried, and processed to remove any impurities. The resulting product is a fine, brown powder that is rich in … Read More