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Pumpkins are iconically linked with autumn as a symbol of Halloween. With the changing weather and the evenings becoming colder and darker, they can also be a hearty addition to the kitchen used for soup, muffins, tarts, pies and so much more. Pumpkins also come in different shapes, sizes and colours, though most people choose the classic (and enormous) ‘Atlantic Giant.’ Steps to growing the perfect pumpkin Sowing This can be done in late spring as most of the frosty weather is gone. They need to be placed in a spot with full sun and spaced out evenly as their vines tend to spread. Caring Pumpkins need an adequate amount of fertilizer and water to grow like any other crop. They need to be watered a least once a week, but be careful not to overwater them as this may cause root rot. Harvesting After a few months, you will see the progress in your pumpkins. The vines of the pumpkin have to be cut back before they are harvested to allow the pumpkins to gain their colour. When your pumpkins are ready they can be carved for Halloween or used for baking and cooking during the spooky season.

September is the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Plants and crops can finally relax as the bright summer sun reduces and the cooler autumnal weather comes back. The garden may also be producing its last summer fruits and summertime flowers. Here are a few ideas for what you can do in the garden in September : Prepare your pumpkins If you planted your own pumpkins back in summer to have them ready for spooky season, it's important to remove any leaves that are covering the pumpkins now for these last few weeks leading up to the harvest. While there's nothing wrong with a pale pumpkin, they'll need direct sunlight to gain their lovely orange colour. Build a compost bin Creating your own compost bin allows you to transform your garden and kitchen waste into rich compost which you can use for planting your flowers or crops. Composting also reduces the amount of waste you dump, so as well as creating good nutrients for your garden, you are also helping the planet. Start planting cool weather crops This is the best time to plant leafy greens as they can withstand frosty weather and lower temperatures. The cold also seems to make these crops sweeter. Examples of cool weather crops include kale, carrots, peas, cauliflower and broccoli. Most of these crops are also staples in kitchens. Plant flowers Various flowers can be planted in September to come up earlier in the spring, such as moody blues, poppies and cornflowers. Moody blues are a classic and common favourite as their seed heads make an interesting addition to a dried flower display. Cornflowers and poppies are found in most meadows. Though blue and red are the most common colours, some varieties also come in pink, white and even dark purple and would look stunning in various colours framing a bench or patio. Poppies will also grow in most soil as long as it is well drained and has full sun. It is always recommended to plant poppies in the garden soil as they do not do well in containers. Force Bulbs for Christmas blooms If you can't wait for spring to come, get a jump on the season and try forcing bulbs to keep your green thumb strong and brighten the days through autumn and winter. ​​Forcing refers to tricking bulbs to bloom out of season by taking them indoors and giving them favourable conditions for growing. Hyacinths, narcissi, tulips, snowdrops, daffodils and amaryllis are all great options to start growing indoors now, and can add magical spring colour and fragrance to your home over the winter season. ​If you get your timing just right, you could even work spring flowers into your Christmas decorations or give them as gifts in one of our beautiful pots or planters. ​

Overwatering is a frequent thing that happens when people first start their plant parenting journey but it is something that can be fixed. These are five main signs to let you know if your plant child is consuming too much water. Wet Roots Roots are the lifeline of your plant and as much as they need water they also need air to breathe. Overwatering your plant will cause these roots to drown and therefore not allow them to receive the air they need. Healthy soil allows for oxygen to thrive in the particles of soil. Change in colour of leaves Plants can change colour depending on if they are overwatered or under-watered. The leaves will change colour to brown and then start to wilt. This means the plant will then become dry and crispy which will lead to the leaves Stunted Growth Your plant will suffer from stunted growth which is another indicator that they are being overwatered. The plant will also have yellow and old leaves which would start to fall. It is essential to check the soil as it will let you know if you need to reduce your watering as it could be moist. Moisture meters can also be purchase to check how much water is in your soil.

Beginner plant parents and gardens love to adorn their home and plants with pretty pots and planters that do the right job. Even if you are not a plant parent or green thumbed genius the trend of using plant pots is on the rise as people are using these pretty containers to decorate their homes, balconies, patios and so much more. These main trends are what is in right now: Minimalistic and modern There is a new pull to sleek and modern items which features the use of smooth lines and the use of minimal colours such as matte black, grey and white. Most of these new styles of plant pots are lightweight which makes it easier for people to use as they can be moved around the house or from outdoor to indoor. Personalised designs People love the concept of personalisation and this trend has slowly emerged into this industry. Custom design of plant pots can be quite expensive but they can also be sourced locally which will promote pottery in your local area. Long lasting materials People are now using large agricultural troughs or aluminium planters to practice companion planting. Sustainable plant pots are also an emerging trend as Capi Europe designs and produces indoor and outdoor planters. The planters are of high quality, light weight and weather resistant. The Capi pots also have a unique double walled layer of insulation which protects the roots of the plants.

Selecting the right plant for every room in your home Including indoor plants in your home will bring a breath of fresh air and lush green look into your home without having to buy new furniture or expensive ornaments. When selecting the perfect plant in your home, it is important to consider the style of your home and the care of the plant. Sitting room It is important to choose a plan that makes a bold statement in the living room as this is the first place people are introduced to in your home. The plant that you put in your living room can also reflect your personality to your visitors as a bird of paradise plant signifies elegance while cacti reflect a fun side. The type of light your sitting room receives will also depend on the type of plant that you choose for this room such as bright direct light, indirect light or low indirect light. Plants we would recommend for the sitting room are birds of Paradise or elephant ear plant. The Bird of Paradise plant is popular as everyone appreciates them for their bold leaves which make a statement in every room. They need to be watered weekly and need bright light to full sun to grow. When taken care of properly, they may also sprout little flowers. The rubber tree plant is also a good choice as this plant was once used to make rubber and has thick rubbery leaves. This plant needs low light to full sun to be able to grow. It also needs to be watered weekly. These plants are amazing to have in a home as they help clean the air as well as being low maintenance. Kitchen Although the kitchen is a busy place, it still has room to fit in a plant but a hanging plant would be optimal as the counter and shelving space in the kitchen is limited. Air purifying plants and plants that can withstand humidity would be the best choice for your kitchen. An excellent example of a staple plant to have in your kitchen is an aloe vera plant as it is known to have healing qualities for scrapes and burns. The Curly spider plant is also another great option for the kitchen as it is an air purifying plant and can grow in partial to full shade. Dining room Eye catching plants would be best for the dining room as the sitting room and dining room in most houses are joined. Adding bold plants in these spaces create a bold impression to guests and other family members who visit your home. If you choose a rubber tree for your sitting room, be sure to switch it up by adding a cacti to your dining room. Bathroom For the bathroom, choosing a tropical plant or a plant that can withstand humidity would be the best choice as they would be used to the temperatures in the bathroom. Plants like the Boston fern and maidenhair fern would thrive in these conditions as they would not need to be misted due to the humidity in the bathroom. At Glasplants, we have created a set of plants that are best suited to your bathroom. Bedroom The plant that you choose for your bedroom has to create a peaceful atmosphere as your bedroom is seen as your sanctuary. Adding a plant into your bedroom is scientifically prove to decrease stress levels, boost moods and filter out toxins from the environment. The best plant to include into your bedroom is the snake plant as it one of the easiest plants to maintain and it removes toxic pollutants from the air which provides people with ambience.

Sprucing up your indoor living spaces are the new trend with everyone being at home and trying to remodel their living space. People have invested in recreating their indoor spaces, gardens, patios and outdoor spaces to make them more entertaining. Here are some low maintenance indoor plant displays to give your home a new look. Create a trail By putting a curtain of plants on a window sill or top shelf in varying heights or a straight-line. It creates a sense of privacy or just gives the plant the best way to get sunlight. Plants that need indirect sunlight or can grow well in full sun are the best choices for this location. Adding a Height Moving your plant to a height will create a bold statement in the room. Putting a large plant like the elephant ear or giant bird of paradise will give your room a tropical aura as people love them due to their large leaves. Mixing on a shelf If you are a bookworm and have lots of shelves in your home that are located in an area with sunlight, it can also work perfectly as a plant display. Plants such as the Chinese money plant or devils ivy can be located here. Adding plants to a bathroom The best plants that will do well in the bathroom are plants that are able to deal with humidity. Most of these plants that have high humidity can absorb water for longer. Humidity helps the photosynthesis process and the growth of the plant. The Boston Fern and Maidenhair fern are the best plants to include into your bathroom as they can withstand the humidity.

Patios are usually adorned with outdoor furniture sets or BBQ’s as they are seen as a lounge area for the family and friends which makes it a great spot to decorate and hang out. Patio and outdoor plants can be used to decorate the patio area as well as it creates a visual statement and provides the area with a homely vibe. Pink hydrangea These thrive in well drained soil and thrive in a partially shady garden. These flowers need to be water adequately in order to ensure proper growth. Hydrangeas produce beautiful flowers as their vibrant colours add a pop of colour to an outdoor space. Lemon tree This produces the same fruit as the typical lemon tree but with the convenience of being a little potted plant. This makes it easy for the plant to be moved around the patio or even indoors as long as there is enough light. These plants also give a fresh lemon and crisp scent to the environment. Bay tree The bay tree is low maintenance which is why it is one of the best choices for a patio plant. It needs little pruning during the summer months. These trees love sun or an area with partial shade. It also does not need to be repotted often and needs to be watered regularly. They are best grown in pots as they can be moved to catch the sun and moved indoors during the winter. When taken care of properly, they can produce tiny little yellow flowers. Some tips to growing outdoor and patio plants include planting using good compost which will help the plants to grow properly while giving them the adequate nutrients as well as deadheading your plants. Deadheading is a gardening practice used to remove spent flowers from a plant as it makes the plant grow fuller as well as tidying up the appearance.

Gifting meaning full gifts is so important especially to people who are very dear to your heart. At Glasplants, we have put together a meaningful guide of the perfect plants to buy a plant dad. Some of these plant presents include: Fiddle leaf fig This is the perfect plant for your caring father as it is a plant that needs to be look after carefully. This plant is a statement plant as it features big green leaves which sit well in modern homes. Hey are easy to maintain, grown quickly and are big fans of bright indirect light Chinese money plant This is an excellent gift to choose for your dad as it symbolises good luck, wealth and happiness. It is also very easy to care for as it does not need a lot of watering and needs a lot of natural light. It is a plant that requires a caring plant dad to check on it from time to time. Parlour palm These palms can grow up to six feet tall and do not need to be repotted often. It is also known for its resilience which makes it a great plant for a gift. Everyone refers to it as a graceful plan which looks amazing in the home. The parlour palm is also known to have air purifying qualities. Snake plant This is the best plant for a busy dad as this plant requires little to no maintenance . This is for someone who does not have time to water a plant. It also symbolises cleanliness and persistence and giving this as a gift shows that you care for their health and you wish them a healthy life.

It takes a lot of thinking and care to find the perfect gift for someone. Plants are good for your physical and mental health so by gifting someone a plant it shows that you really care for them. The reasons to gift plants are because they are one of the most sustainable gifts that can be given, they are good for your health and are a unique gift idea. Some of the best plants to gift include: Aloe vera The aloe vera plant is a staple as it always grows new plants, it is commonly referred to as ‘the plant of immortality’ by the Egyptians. They are also very easy to care for and do not need to be watered often. Aloe vera plant also has healing qualities as it has been used in ancient times to soften skin, treat acne, dandruff and minor burns among other conditions. Aloe vera gel is also taken to help lower blood sugar level in people that suffer with diabetes. Peace lily The peace lily is a perfect plant to gift as it represents rebirth, purity and tranquillity. Giving this plant as a gift means that you wish this person peace, new beginnings and support. It is also given to people who are in need of consolation. This plant is an air purifying plant as it has the ability to remove harmful toxins from the air in a home. The peace lily also does not require a lot of care, grows well indoors are outdoors just as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Chinese Money plant These plants signify wealth and good fortune and gifting this to someone is a good sign as it means that you are wishing them success, good luck and happiness in the next chapter of their life. It is a good gift for people who are starting a new job, business or even moving away to start a new journey. All these wonderful plants can be bought on Glasplants and are an amazing gift for a loved one, partner or a dear friend.

There are various indicators to know if your plant needs sunlight as they tell us how they feel by their looks. Plants need the right amount of sunlight to grow properly. You can tell if your plant needs more sun from the various ways it can look. These are signs that your plant might not be getting sufficient light. Floppy and Leaning When a plant does not receive enough sunlight they make sometimes attempt to move themselves in order to obtain some light. This movement makes them floppy and start to lean. They may either lean left or right as it moves whatever way it can in order to receive the sunlight. After a while, the plant may have long stems or fewer leaves than before. Variance in leaves Your plant can also change in size and colour and this is a huge indicator of lack of sunlight. Leaves that are a dull green colour are an indication that your plant is suffering from a light problem. The types of light your plant can get can either be direct light, indirect bright light, indirect low light and no light. Depending on the space in the home plants can grow different due to the type of light they are receiving. Ways to give your plant sunlight include: Moving them around Plants can be moved around the home or outdoors to where they can get full access to the sunlight. Most plants can also be grown using artificial lighting. Follow the sun As most people are working from home, they move the plant around their home to meet the sun. they can be shifted from sunny spots to areas that have shade. Some people move them every few days as it really helps with the growth of their plants. Transplant If you have a plant outdoors and the sun does not reach that side of your house , the next step to take is to dig up the plant and plant it in another location. This can be done using a hand trowel and other gardening equipment. Transplant can sometimes be the best step to take for a plant.