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Gardening Inspiration

Homegrown Plants

The Whitegates Team

Family friendly

Whitegates Nursery

<p>Find our <strong>top 5 plants for the home office</strong> to make your room the ideal place to be motivated, productive and efficient. Houseplants bring so much to a room, not just aesthetically but also as they clear the air of common toxins and give you something to feel responsible for as you nurture it, so your plant thrives. There are many to choose from, but specifically for the home office here are our top picks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Find our <strong>top 5 plants for the home office</strong> to make your room the ideal place to be motivated, productive and efficient. Houseplants bring so much to a room, not just aesthetically but also as they clear the air of common toxins and give you something to feel responsible for as you nurture it, so your plant thrives. There are many to choose from, but specifically for the home office here are our top picks.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>1. Sansevieria (Snake plant/Mother in law&#39;s tongue)</h2>

<p>The Sansevieria was used in NASA&#39;s first experiment to see if plants cleared toxins from the air. It turned out they do! Sansevieria is one of the best at doing so and not only does it work day and night, it is one of the easiest of all houseplants to look after. Needing little water, little light and generally pest-free, this looks stunning in a pot on its own or grouped together for a special architectural look.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>2. Monstera (Swiss cheese plant)&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Your office will be seriously on-trend with a Monstera in the corner. Bright, indirect light and water when the soil is dry your Monstera will definitely get some comments when you are on your next zoom call! Popular in the 1970s, this stunning plant has made a big comeback with its big glossy green leaves and easy to care for style.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>3. Zamioculcas (ZZ plant)&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The upright stems with foliage that provides a zigzag effect, this is another easy to care for, a quick-growing houseplant that tolerates many conditions including a shady corner. Its glossy green foliage is interesting and great to look at. Stand it on the corner of your desk and water when the soil is dry.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>4. Spathiphyllum (peace lily)&nbsp;</h2>

<p>When you need some peace from your work, take a look at the peace lily in a medium-light position. The white pretty bract cups the yellow flowers and only needs to be watered when the soil is dry. As you admire your peace lily, know it is cleaning the air of toxins as well as making your room look pretty.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>5. Cacti (any type)</h2>

<p>When the going gets tough at work, and you are feeling prickly, taking a look at a Cactus sitting on your desk will make you feel you are not alone! There are many different types available to suit your mood and personality. Plus, they need barely any water, just some bright light and well-drained soil.&nbsp;</p>

<p>We have a range of houseplants in store, and our team are here to give you advice on which to choose.&nbsp;</p>

Top 5 plants for the home office

<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">Here are <strong>7 ways to style your home office</strong>.&nbsp;</span><span>Working from home is here to stay, and we all work better when we&rsquo;re in pleasant surroundings. Turn your home office into a welcoming, inspiring place with these top tips.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">Here are <strong>7 ways to style your home office</strong>.&nbsp;</span><span>Working from home is here to stay, and we all work better when we&rsquo;re in pleasant surroundings. Turn your home office into a welcoming, inspiring place with these top tips.&nbsp;</span></p>

<h2>Tips&nbsp;to style your home office</h2>

<ol style="list-style-type:decimal;">
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">Research shows that spending time around plants and nature improves our mental health and boosts creativity. If you&rsquo;re lucky enough to have a view from your home office window, take time every day to appreciate the changing seasons. If your office has no windows, put a beautiful houseplant on your desk to keep you in touch with nature while you work.&nbsp;</span></p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr" value="2">
	<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">You spend a lot of time in your home office, so it needs to suit your own personal style. Whether your choice is minimalist furniture with simple lines, a traditional leather-topped oak desk, walls lined with books or inspirational art, take the chance to express your own style in your home office.&nbsp;</span></p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr" value="3">
	<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">Good light is vital for any office. Get as much natural light into your office as you can &ndash; this helps to keep you connected to the world outside. A smart new task lamp lets you work without straining your eyes, and it&rsquo;s also a quick and easy way to give your office a fresh new look.&nbsp;</span></p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr" value="4">
	<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">If your home doesn&rsquo;t have an extra room that can be used as an office, turn a corner into a dedicated workspace by creating an accent wall where your desk is, painted or papered in the design of your choice to make it feel visually separate from the rest of your home. A decorative folding screen can hide your desk when you&rsquo;re not at work so that you don&rsquo;t feel you&rsquo;re living in your office.</span></p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr" value="5">
	<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">Stop your office spreading out into your home. It&rsquo;s worth investing some time and money in setting up a good filing system that will allow you to stay organised and in control.</span></p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr" value="6">
	<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">Choose your colours carefully. Pale, neutral colours help to make a space feel larger and lighter, and you can liven things up by adding touches of brighter colours that speak to you. Paint a shelf in your favourite colour, hang a print on your wall, or buy matching accessories for your desk.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr" value="7">
	<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">For those times when you need a bit of extra motivation, keep something on your desk that speaks to you, as a reminder of things you love about your life. Pebbles picked up on the beach, your children&rsquo;s artwork, a fresh-picked flower from your garden &ndash; place them where you can see them and be inspired by them.&nbsp;</span></p>
	</li>
</ol>

<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cd1cddb8-7fff-fd6b-f0d1-b8a58d7d5fe6">You&rsquo;ll find plenty to inspire you in our exciting indoor plants and homeware ranges, so visit our centre to get your home office off to a great start.</span></p>

7 ways to style your home office

<p>It&rsquo;s time to start <strong>cleaning up your garden tools</strong> so they are just like brand new to start off the new year of gardening again. It is important to keep your tools and other garden accessories clean to ensure they don&rsquo;t spread any pests or diseases in your garden. It is easy to do and can even fill some time up over the winter months until the weather warms up and it&rsquo;s time to sow more seeds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It&rsquo;s time to start <strong>cleaning up your garden tools</strong> so they are just like brand new to start off the new year of gardening again. It is important to keep your tools and other garden accessories clean to ensure they don&rsquo;t spread any pests or diseases in your garden. It is easy to do and can even fill some time up over the winter months until the weather warms up and it&rsquo;s time to sow more seeds.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Seed trays should be included when cleaning up your garden tools&nbsp;</h2>

<p>When you gather all of your gardening tools ready to clean them, don&rsquo;t forget any unused pots and empty seed trays. Everything can be cleaned up ready to go for spring. Grab a bucket or bowl, or even the kitchen sink and soak the trays in warm soapy water. Make sure they are well-scrubbed and dry them off ready to store and sow seeds in when you are ready.</p>

<h2>When cleaning up your garden tools don&rsquo;t forget hand tools&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Hand tools are some of the most used of all of the gardening tools so they should be top of the list for cleaning. Any time of the year is good for brushing off dirt and storing well but at least once a year a good wash and clean up helps to prevent the spread of disease and pests. When you clean your tools, make sure you check out they are in good working order and do any repairs if needed.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Cleaning up your garden tools such as forks, spades and hoes</h2>

<p>All of your bigger gardening tools also need to be kept in good condition so keeping them clean means they will be in good condition for many years to come. Soaking them in soapy water is the easiest and quickest way to give them a clean but if you have worked with them around any diseased plants make sure you clean them straightaway before using them around another plant.</p>

<h2>Plant labels included when cleaning up your garden tools</h2>

<p>Another gardeners accessory that is used frequently in and around the garden is the plant label. Labels are constantly used in soil and around plants, often switched from one plant to another and they will need to be cleaned as well. Wipe off any plant names if you can soak them in soapy water and scrub.</p>

<p>Allow everything to dry off before you store them again which will help to ensure there is no rust development. Your tools can last very many years with good care and repairs on an annual basis at least.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you do need some new tools, we have many in store for you to choose from.&nbsp;</p>

Cleaning up your garden tools

<p>Know <strong>how to get through this Blue Monday</strong> to make sure that you thrive forward into the year without feeling low on the saddest day of the year. The third Monday of January every year is named Blue Monday because it is at the point of the month where the festivities have ended, it&rsquo;s cold outside and new years resolutions have been broken. But, by doing one or all of the below activities, you can get through the day without feeling blue.</p>

<p>Know <strong>how to get through this Blue Monday</strong> to make sure that you thrive forward into the year without feeling low on the saddest day of the year. The third Monday of January every year is named Blue Monday because it is at the point of the month where the festivities have ended, it&rsquo;s cold outside and new years resolutions have been broken. But, by doing one or all of the below activities, you can get through the day without feeling blue.</p>

<h2>Forest bathe to get through this Blue Monday&nbsp;</h2>

<p>No matter what the weather is like, wrap up warm and put your wellies on to go for a walk. Make sure you wander amongst the trees, absorbing the oils omitted and the fresh air all around. Don&rsquo;t forget to look up at the canopy and appreciate the magnificence of trees. As your forest bathe, you should feel your stress levels lower, anxiety decrease, and ready to enjoy the day.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Get through this Blue Monday and sow some seeds</h2>

<p>Growing flowers and cultivating your own food brings not only a great deal of joy but also so much hope. When times can be tough, sowing seeds gives you something to look after, be responsible for and have hope for the future as you nurture and watch your seeds grow. Why not try sowing some microgreens for a quick and satisfying turnaround. You&rsquo;ll have nutritious plants on your plate in as little as ten days to three weeks.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Be creative and get through this Blue Monday&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Have you wanted to get your hands on a creative project? Why not start today. Try colouring books or sketching. Try out different pencils, colours, glitter and paper. Why not let your inner artist out and get everything down on paper. Spend some time just doing that craft project you&rsquo;ve meant to try for ages.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Get through this Blue Monday and treat yourself&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Now the Christmas tree is down, why not fill your room with plants. Houseplants bring so much joy, from the responsibility of looking after something, to the aesthetically pleasing aspect and the toxins cleaned from the air, they give so much. So why not treat yourself to a new houseplant of your dreams? That glossy leaf Monstera, the large Orchid you&rsquo;ve been looking at or the tiny succulents for an indoor planter. Plants bring so much joy!</p>

<h2>Be proud of your yourself to get through this Blue Monday&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Remember that new years resolutions get broken and don&rsquo;t be hard on yourself about it. Be proud of all that you have achieved and all that you will achieve in the future. Don&rsquo;t be hard on yourself; give yourself a big well done!</p>

<p>Treat yourself to a new plant in store, or just come and take a look around to help you get through the day.&nbsp;</p>

Get through this blue Monday

<p><strong>January is Walk The Dog Month</strong>.&nbsp;But if you have a dog, you already know you have to walk it every day, so what&rsquo;s new? Well, it turns out Walk The Dog Month is also a great way to get your own New Year off to a good start. Not only your dog needs a daily walk, but you should also reach the 10.000 steps a day! Want to know how? Here are a few ways to turn walking your dog from a chore into a treat.</p>

<p><strong>January is Walk The Dog Month</strong>.&nbsp;But if you have a dog, you already know you have to walk it every day, so what&rsquo;s new? Well, it turns out Walk The Dog Month is also a great way to get your own New Year off to a good start. Not only your dog needs a daily walk, but you should also reach the 10.000 steps a day! Want to know how? Here are a few ways to turn walking your dog from a chore into a treat.</p>

<h2>Get the walking habit</h2>

<p>Were you one of the thousands of us who made a New Year&rsquo;s resolution to lose weight or get fitter? The good news is, your dog can help you to achieve this resolution. Walking your dog every day forces you to get into the habit of walking yourself. And research says that if you do something regularly for three weeks, it&rsquo;s much more likely to become a habit, so by the time February comes, you&rsquo;ll have got both yourself and your dog into a good place for the coming year.</p>

<p>Being outdoors is an excellent mental health tonic, especially at this time of year. Take the opportunity to de-stress, get some perspective and enjoy watching for the first signs of spring to appear.</p>

<h2>Why dogs need regular walks</h2>

<p>Like us, dogs can easily put on weight over Christmas, with all the little treats, we slip them and have less chance to get outside and exercise. Obesity can be a serious problem for dogs, causing a range of health problems, including arthritis and breathing difficulties. Lack of exercise can also cause behavioural problems, leaving dogs bored and under-stimulated. Getting your dog out for a good walk every day can really help with their general fitness and behaviour.</p>

<h2>How to make walks fun for you and your dog</h2>

<p>If you and your dog both enjoy your daily walk, it&rsquo;s much easier to make it a habit. These tips will help to keep things fun for both of you.</p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>Your dog needs to know you&rsquo;re in charge, so walk confidently, and train them to walk beside or just behind you, not ahead, and without pulling on the lead. Reward good behaviour with treats.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Take a leaf out of your dog&rsquo;s book and practise living in the moment, appreciating the sights, sounds and scents around you as you walk.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Leave all your screens at home and enjoy a dose of real life. Walk with a friend and spend some quality time catching up in person. Walking a dog is also a great way to get to know other people in your neighbourhood and bond over dog stories.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Change your route occasionally to stop it getting boring. Investigate new paths and explore your neighbourhood.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Dogs need to stay hydrated, even in cold weather, so give them plenty to drink before and after walks. On long walks, take a travel bowl and a bottle of water with you.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p>For all those little treats, toys and extras that make taking care of your pet even more rewarding, visit our centre where you&rsquo;ll find everything you need.</p>

Gardening Inspiration

Cafe

Homegrown Plants

The Whitegates Team

Family friendly

Whitegates Nursery

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