Tag: Month February Week 2

Easy DIY Rose Toner – Garden Therapy

Rose water toner is easy to make and absolutely essential for my skincare routine. Using a rose toner will keep your skin’s pH balance at the perfect level while also providing healing benefits to the skin.

I am often asked about my skincare routine when I talk about natural beauty. People often want to switch to plant-based beauty products but fear that as skin ages, they are not as effective. Nothing could be further from the truth!

I’m closer to 50 now than 40 and have almost no wrinkles. I realize that is more determined by a multitude of factors and to be honest, when I get my wrinkles, I’ll wear them with pride. They are badges of laughter and tears, many emotions felt.

I think the important this is to feel good in your skin, and by using the most natural products, I feel great. And if the side effect is younger-looking skin…so be it! 🙂

How to Wash Your Face

I know this may seem like an obvious topic, but washing your face is actually a bit more complicated than you have been led to believe. If all you’re doing is grabbing a bottle of face wash, scrubbing, and patting on some lotion…you’re likely doing it wrong.

The Problem With Most Facial Soap

Question: would you ever walk into your laundry room, grab your detergent, and rub it all over your face?

Probably not.

What if I told you that’s what you are essentially doing every single day if you use body wash or a beauty bar to wash your face.

Soap can only be called “soap” if it goes through the saponification process of turning fat/oil + water & sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide into…you guessed it, soap. This process (even though its got the scary word “hydroxide” in it) makes the most nourishing, gentlest, and healthiest wash for your skin.

Soap retains the natural glycerin that’s created in the soap-making process and this helps to repair and replenish skin. Beauty bars replace it with much less expensive ingredients that make the wash feel like it has glycerin in it, but don’t be fooled.

Just get some glasses out (even if you don’t normally wear them because those words are tiny!) and read the list of ingredients on the back. Do a little bit of reading on each of those. Do you really want to put that all over your face?

No thank you!

A Healthy Alternative for Your Skin

So, what’s a girl (or guy) to do? The solution is easy enough! Swap out your “detergent” for an actual plant-based soap to use on your skin.

You can buy one on Etsy, at a craft show, or at a natural grocery store and you’ll be supporting the natural skincare movement along with doing your skin a huge favor. Use it for a few weeks in place of your regular face, body, and hand wash and you’ll be amazed at the difference you feel.

If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can even make your own cold process soap.

The one issue with using natural soap on your face is that soap is not pH balanced. This means that after washing, you’ll want to balance out your face with a toner.

Why skin pH matters

In case you haven’t noticed, your skin is an incredibly delicate organ. Your skin should be on the slightly acidic 5.5 on the pH scale to help ward off harmful bacteria and assist with sealing in moisture to keep your face nice and plump (in the best way).

Unfortunately, skin can also be easily thrown off whack, and when it does—you’ll notice. Acne, eczema, and rosacea can all be clues that your skin balance is off.

When you wash your face, even with the most natural soap, you are stripping the acid layer off the top of your skin. You’ll need to add it back in to prevent drying and premature wrinkles.

That’s where toner comes in. Toner will add that acidic protective layer back and keep your skin nice and healthy! For this reason, I consider toner—this exact rose water toner, in fact—as essential to my skincare routine.

Rose for Skin Care

So why do I use rose for my skin in particular? Easy—the benefits are incredible! I’ll be sharing more below, but when it comes to gentle, healing properties, it’s hard to beat rose.

Rose Water Benefits for the Face

Rose has natural astringent qualities that can help tighten and support your skin tissue, leading to naturally firm skin. Rose can also help tone your skin by lightening age spots or blemishes.

Rose water delivers those healing benefits of rose in a gentle and effective way. Rose water has been used for centuries by numerous cultures for this very reason!

I could talk for days about the incredible benefits of rose water. In fact, I love rose so much that I wrote an entire post discussing the benefits!

How to Make Rose Water

It’s fairly simple to learn how to make rosewater. If you want to give it a try, there are full directions for how to make rose water in this post.

The one thing that is a bit challenging about DIY rose water is that it needs to be used immediately. It does not stay fresh. Because of this, I often buy my rosewater from an organic, high-quality source.

Rose Water vs Rose Hydrosol

You may have also heard of rose hydrosol before. Rose water and rose hydrosol are two different things, however. For this diy rose toner recipe, it’s important to use rose water instead of hydrosol.

What is Hydrosol?

Hydrosols are essentially “flower waters,” that are produced by distilling parts of flowers like petals and leaves. They have similar properties to essential oils but are less concentrated.

On the other hand, rose water is made only using the actual flower, without any stems or roots.

The difference is subtle, but it’s there.

Where can I Buy Hydrosol?

If you want to give hydrosol a try, you’ll need to purchase it. Just make sure you buy from a trusted brand.

Witch Hazel in Skincare

The other major component to a DIY rose toner is witch hazel. Witch hazel is an incredible tool for your skin, particularly when you pair it with rose water!

Benefits of Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel is plant-derived, coming from the leaves and bark of the Hamamelis virginiana. Similar to rose water, witch hazel has natural astringent properties that help correct your skin.

Witch hazel is also very gentle. In fact, it has been commonly used as a diaper rash treatment on young babies and was shown to work just as well as a commercial diaper cream.

It is also fantastic for skincare after sunburn, so if you get too much sun try using witch hazel to help your skin heal.

How to Make Witch Hazel

You can make your own witch hazel, but similarly to rose water it will need to be used immediately. If you want to give it a try, I have a blog post showing you exactly how to make your own witch hazel toner.

Where to Buy Witch Hazel

Because of the shelflife, I often purchase witch hazel. I use the brand Thayers, and my favorite is the pure witch hazel, particularly for this rose water toner recipe.

I sometimes also purchase the Thayers witch hazel with rosewater added, or their witch hazel with lavender too.

How to Make Rose Toner

Making a rose water toner is SO simple! Honestly, this can be put together in mere minutes and make a massive difference in your skincare!

Ingredients for Rose Toner

Make Your DIY Rose Water Toner

Mix ingredients in a small atomizer. You can store the rose face toner in the refrigerator for up to one week. It doesn’t keep for long and it’s best used fresh, so make in small batches and discard any leftovers.

How to Apply Rose Toner

Spray on clean skin after washing. Let it soak in and the follow up with a lotion like my favorite DIY rose lotion!

Remember, your skin is your body’s largest organ and takes a lot of abuse. Keep it healthy and happy with plant-based natural beauty products like this easy DIY rose toner. I promise you, your skin will thank you!

More Natural Beauty Recipes with Rose:

DIY Rose Water Toner

Rose water toner is easy to make and provides countless healing benefits to your skin. Give this simple DIY natural beauty recipe a try and keep your skin happy!

This recipe will keep fresh for about a week, so I recommend making it in small batches that last you 5-7 days.

A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.

Stephanie Rose

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February 8, 2026
From Body to Garden, How to Use (And Not Use) Epsom Salts

Known for soothing aches and pains, people have been using Epsom salts for years topically on the body, ingested as a supplement, and even as a gardening secret ingredient (spoiler alert: don’t!). Most people use Epsom salts without even knowing what it truly is, so I’m breaking down some of the common myths, best uses, and Epsom salt benefits you can utilize at home.

Epsom salt was first discovered in England during the 17^th century. People soon realized there was something very special about it! Fast forward to today, and you can find it at just about any pharmacy or grocery store.

Chances are, you’ve used Epsom salts before in the bathtub, whether that was due to advice from a doctor, massage therapist, or your mom. If you are like me, at the beginning, you probably had no idea why you were doing so or what those magical crystals even were.

Today, I want to break down some of the most common uses and benefits of Epsom salt, as well as debunk some myths surrounding the use of Epsom salts in the garden. When properly used, it can be a really great ingredient to have in the home!

This post will cover…

What is Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt gets half its name from where it comes from and the other half from its chemical structure. These salts are originally found in the town of Epsom in England, where the mineral waters are very rich in Epsom salts.

And while it does have salt in the name, it’s very different from table salt. Only the chemical structure is similar.

A chemical compound, Epsom salt is made of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. Hence, it’s also known as magnesium sulphate. Magnesium is key to the success of Epsom salts and why it makes people feel good. Most people do not get enough magnesium in their diet.

While you can technically eat it, most people use Epsom salts externally as a bath salt. It dissolves right in the water and is used to treat many ailments. It’s easily found at grocery and drug stores in either the pharmacy or cosmetic sections.

Epsom Salt Uses

Magnesium and sulphate can be absorbed through the skin, meaning you do not need to consume them to get all the Epsom salt benefits. However, you can apply it both topically or take it as a magnesium sulphate supplement or even as a laxative.

As the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, humans require quite a bit of magnesium but few get enough of it. Adding Epsom salt to your regular routine can help you boost your mineral intake. While the best way to enhance your magnesium intake is by ingesting it, Epsom salt baths can help.

I use magnesium as the base in many of my bath salt recipes. Combined with herbs and essential oils, my baths become very therapeutic as well as enjoyable to the senses.

I also apply magnesium topically in this magnesium lotion to help soothe aches and pains before going to bed. It really has helped and remains one of my most popular recipes as others have found the benefits of adding magnesium to their routine.

While there have been few studies as to whether or not magnesium can actually be absorbed through the body, I can only speak from personal experience. It definitely does the trick for me and I have made it a part of my daily routine.

Epsom Salt Benefits

So what happens when you use Epsom salts and up your magnesium intake?

Boosts Sleep

Sleep, something we could all use more of I’m sure, can be enhanced by getting enough magnesium. The mineral helps to produce neurotransmitters in the brain that reduce stress and stimulate sleep. Likewise, low magnesium levels can result in poor sleep quality.

Relieve Aches and Pains

Many people also use Epsom salt to help with muscle aches and even relieve cramping. In fact, athletes will often soak in Epsom salt baths after exercising as part of their recovery. Lots of magnesium in the body helps your body use lactic acid and glucose.

In addition to helping muscles relax, magnesium sulphate also helps to reduce pain and swelling. Many people who suffer from arthritis and fibromyalgia use Epsom salt baths to help with their pain management. This is why I also highly suggest my magnesium lotion to help with all kinds of aches and pains.

Helps Ease Constipation

What people don’t talk about as often is how much it helps with constipation. Drawing water into your colon, magnesium sulphate helps to encourage bowel movements. For this effect, you want to take it orally rather than absorb it topically. An FDA-approved laxative, 2-6 teaspoons dissolved in water should do it!

Epsom Salt in the Garden

When it comes to using Epsom salts for plants, there are a lot of recommendations for it on the internet and social media. People tote it as their best-kept gardening secret or miracle cure they learned from their grandma. Whether or not you should use it has turned into quite a divisive topic.

And I hate to be the one to burst your Epsom salt bubble, but I would not recommend using it in the garden. Here’s why.

Blossom End Rot

One of the most common things people like to say about Epsom salts is that it helps to prevent and stop blossom end rot. This can be caused by a lack of calcium in the plant and its inability to pull enough from the soil. As we now know, Epsom salt is a fancy word for magnesium sulphate. No calcium whatsoever.

In fact, adding magnesium to the soil can actually hurt your plant when it has a calcium deficiency. The magnesium and calcium ions in the soil compete to get into the plant.

It’s actually very rare to have calcium deficiency in the garden. Blossom end rot is most commonly from improper watering. Always water at the base of the plant so it gets deep into the soil.

Pests and Diseases

Some people also claim that mixing Epsom salt in water and applying it to plants can help eliminate all kinds of pests and diseases. In reality, there’s no real evidence to support this.

When it comes to pests and diseases, there is no blanket solution. You can learn more about different natural pest control methods here.

Fertilizer

In very rare cases, you can use Epsom salt as fertilizer. It’s a soluble method of adding magnesium and sulphur to the soil. But most home gardens are not deficient in these two minerals. Typically, only very acidic and sandy soils for commercial crops would require this.

Most of the time, gardens are deficient in macronutrients such as phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium. While people say that Epsom salts can make your roses bloom more, result in fruit bigger and more prolific, and result in lusher gardens, most of these are typically associated with macronutrients rather the magnesium sulphate.

Since it’s so water-soluble, using magnesium sulphate in the garden when you don’t need it can actually pollute groundwater.

Frequently Asked Questions About Epsom Salt

How Does Epsom Salt Work?

Magnesium sulphate can be easily absorbed through the skin, increasing your body’s overall magnesium levels. Most people, especially those after exercise, take Epsom salt baths with the salt dissolved in the water and soak in it. This can help improve muscle function and pain in the body.

Magnesium sulphate can also be ingested for use as a supplement or laxative.

What Is Epsom Salt Good For?

Also known as magnesium sulphate, Epsom salt helps to increase the overall levels of magnesium in the body. Since most people are deficient in magnesium, increased levels of the mineral can help improve sleep, pain management, nerve and muscle function, and energy levels.

How Long Should You Soak in Epsom Salt?

To reap the benefits of an Epsom salt bath, you need around 2 cups of Epsom salts for the average-sized bath. Once fully dissolved, soak yourself in the tub for at least 15 minutes to receive the effects of mineral baths.

After your bath, keep well hydrated and try to relax for at least two hours. For this reason, an Epsom salt bath is best done in the evening once you’ve done everything you need to do for the day.

When Should You Not Use Epsom Salt?

Most side effects from Epsom salts result in oral use. If taken in extreme amounts, it can cause nausea, headaches, and lightheadedness. But if taken in the right amounts according to a package or doctor, you shouldn’t experience any intense side effects.

Epsom salts should not be consumed by pregnant women, children, and those with kidney conditions. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor first.

And of course, do not use them in the garden. They provide no real value to the average home gardener and can pollute groundwater.

Can Epsom Salt Help With Constipation?

It sure can! Epsom salt is actually listed as an FDA-approved laxative.

To use Epsom salt as such, dissolve 2-6 teaspoons into an 8-ounce glass of water. Drink the whole glass and you should experience laxative effects as soon as 30 minutes later upwards to 6 hours. Just make sure you’re using supplement-grade Epsom salt. You don’t want any of the cosmetic bath salts that have fragrance and colouring.

You may experience bloating and diarrhea, known side effects of consuming magnesium sulphate. Be sure to drink plenty of water to help reduce these symptoms. It also should not be a regular solution but an occasional laxative.

I hope you have learned something new today, whether that’s the benefits of Epsom salts or to keep them out of the garden. Let me know if you have any more questions about using Epsom salts in the comments down below!

More Ways to Use Epsom Salts

A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.

Stephanie Rose

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February 7, 2026
The Best Terrarium Plants for Stunning Displays – Garden Therapy

These terrarium plants are best suited for the small, confined, humid environment that is unique to a closed-in terrarium. You can make incredible displays using a wide variety of different containers—many of which you may already have at home. Choosing the right terrarium plants makes it easy to enjoy these spectacular houseplants without fussing over their care.

Terrariums are a fun way to bring something different to typical houseplant displays. They are also incredibly easy to care for, provided you use the right plants to begin with. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best plants for terrariums to help you experience the joy of indoor gardening!

Terrarium Containers to Try

Before we get into talking about the best terrarium plants, let’s chat quickly about the containers. Choosing your terrarium containers will have a huge impact on how the final project looks.

You can easily find suitable containers at a local gardening store, or even a thrift store. Of course, there are plenty of great online options too!

Just make sure to choose a glass container that has airflow—airtight containers will suffocate your plant. Here are a few of my favorite terrarium containers:

Remember, you can also go for the unexpected! It’s part of the fun of terrarium making. You can even make one of these terrarium nightlights for something unique. Just have fun with it—it’s hard to go wrong.

The Best Terrarium Plants

There is a seemingly endless amount of terrarium plants to choose from. I put together some of my favorites on this list, each with varying sizes, colors, and textures. I like to use a combination of plants so that they look pleasing when planted in combination with one another.

Remember, nothing with terrariums has to be permanent. That’s the beauty of plants! If you don’t like how it looks, or if you want to try a new look, simply rearrange them and try again.

Cryptanthus bivittatus

Cryptanthus bivittatus is more commonly known as “earth star.” This terrarium plant is a bromeliad that is small with a starburst shape. The spiky plant gets up to six inches tall and six inches wide and has foliage tinged with either bright pink or purple around the edges, so it really stands out against other plants in a terrarium.

This plant does well in sunlight, so if you find a sunny window, it might be the perfect spot for this terrarium plant. If your earth star looks pale, trying moving it to a brighter spot. Water them as often as you find the soil is dry with small amounts at a time.

Frittonia

Frittonia has the common name “nerve plant” because if they don’t get enough water they will fade quickly or “faint.” To prevent this, be sure to water them regularly. Don’t worry, though, they are easy enough to revive if you forget to water them—simply give the plant a good soak and it will spring back.

This terrarium plant likes humid environments and low light, so these plants are perfect to brighten up a dark corner of the house or even the bathroom. Plus, their vibrant pink, white, or red-veined leaves will add a pop of color wherever they are displayed. These plants tend to grow well with soil that can retain moisture but also drain well.

Peperomia orba

Also called “pixie” peperomia, this little houseplant grows well in both low light and bright conditions. These plants prefer their soil more dry than wet, so you do not need to over water.

If you have had a hard time growing indoor plants in the past, give this one a try. It does not need much attention at all and is a slow grower, so it is the perfect plant to plunk into a terrarium and not have to think twice about it. Plus, its variegated leaves are striking with bright white stripes which will add interest and contrast nicely with other plants in your terrarium.

Pilea

Pilea plants come in many different varieties, most of which thrive and look beautiful in terrariums. Some species have bright colors, interesting variegation, and saw-tooth leaves, while others are bright green with small, very round leaves, so there is a lot to choose from in terms of aesthetics. One of the most common varieties is the Chinese Money Plant, which works well as a larger terrarium plant or a house plant.

There are also creeping varieties which work well in terrariums as they will crawl and spill over the edges. These plants do well in either indirect sunlight or shade. Keep the soil relatively dry—you’ll be able to see the leaves slightly droop when more water is required.

Selaginella

Also known as “club moss,” Selaginella is a lush moss with delicate, lacy frills that make it look like something from an enchanted forest. It loves humidity and low-light conditions, making this one of the best terrarium plants. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and your club moss will be very content.

I have quite a fondness for moss as they add unexpected texture and visual interest while also being simple to care for. If you’d like to read more about moss plants in terrariums, read this post.

Tillandsia

I know I’m not supposed to have favorites, but when it comes to plants in terrariums…this may be the one. I’m wild about air plants, as you may have noticed. Tillandsia is a great choice for terrariums of all kinds as they don’t even need soil to grow. They come in a lot of different shapes, sizes, and colors and are easy to care for if you know the right tricks.

To keep these plants properly watered, remove the air plant from the terrarium completely. Then, allow it to take a nice soak in a bowl full of water for an hour or so before returning it home. Do this about once every month.

Love terrariums? Check out these projects:

A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.

Stephanie Rose

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February 6, 2026
What Happens if My Plant Has Early Blooms? – Garden Therapy

From cherry blossoms in December to spring bulbs in January, I’ve seen some flowers bloom exceptionally early. If you’ve also seen some early blooms, you might be worried about how this will affect your plant when it inevitably gets cold again. Here’s what you need to know about early blooming flowers.

It’s been a weird winter here in Vancouver. For a while, we had a very, very, cold snap. Then quickly, it warmed up and turned bright and sunny…only to get cold again.

I saw cherry blossoms in December—which doesn’t usually happen until late February.

I’m confused. The plants are confused. We’re all confused.

All across the world, we have been seeing extremes. So it’s no wonder I’ve been seeing lots of questions from gardeners about what will happen to their plants if they see early blooms.

If you’re concerned about early blooming flowers, join me as we look at the plant’s life cycle and what will happen to your plants should they sprout a wee bit early.

Why Are Plants Blooming Earlier?

It’s getting harder and harder for some (I won’t name names) to deny that the climate is changing. We will see very unusual things happening with the weather, and the plants will respond to it.

Some areas are seeing more prolonged periods of drought, while others have heavy rainfall. We may have a cold, severe winter, but they’re getting less frequent as these mild winters creep up on us.

Because of these temperatures, we’re seeing longer growing periods with an earlier last frost date and a later first frost date. In the US, the growing season has increased by more than two weeks compared to the beginning of the 20^th century in 48 states. In the UK, flowers bloom an average of 26 days earlier than in the 1980s.

The plants are getting the message loud and clear. They’re responding to the climate the best way they know how, one of which is early blooms.

As the climate changes, the plants are also changing. Anything that’s a perennial, like trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs, will continue to evolve. The strongest plants will be the ones to survive this.

The next generation of plants will create their future. The plants will become hardier in these conditions as the climate changes. The weaker ones may not make it, but the stronger ones do.

Apple trees are one of the first trees to blossom in the spring.

A Plant’s Life Cycle

It’s always important to consider the plant’s life cycle, like what we do in pruning. Most plants go dormant in the winter by dropping leaves, stopping flowering, and devoting their energy to the root system.

That goes for most plants, like perennials, trees, bulbs, and even our edible vegetable plants.

When shoots come up early, remember that very little of the overall plant energy is above the soil line.

If it cools down again and there’s damage to the plant, most of it is still safe under the soil. There may be some damage to the above plant material, but the rest should be fine.

There may be some gnarly leaves and fewer flowers. She may not be looking her best. But know that she’s looking beautiful beneath the soil and will survive just fine.

Place your trust in the plants. Observe, but try not to worry. You can’t do much—it’s in the plant’s hands!

What Happens to Perennials Blooming Early?

Perennials can pop up early when they see the cues of spring. But once it freezes again, the plant’s energy will retreat to the root system.

The plant isn’t fully developed above the soil, but it can still withstand some damage to the upper part of the plant. It’s rare that any of that damage will go down to the root.

Soil is very insulating and will help maintain a temperature the plant is hardy to. If you planted it in the right space, that is.

Snow on top of rhododendron leaves and buds.

Early Blooming Flowers on Trees

Generally, the leaf buds will be okay on trees. Trees send out many leaf buds early in the season when it’s cold. If they lose some, the tree will be okay.

Flower buds, however, tend not to bounce back as easily.

This year, we had cherry blossoms blooming exceptionally early in Vancouver due to a mild winter. I anticipate that they aren’t going to flower as prolifically this spring. Since they tried to flower early, they likely won’t set out a second flowering.

Cherry blossom trees in Vancouver.

Early Blooms from Flower Bulbs

Bulbs are very used to this seesaw of warm and cold temperatures. Bulbs store all their energy under the soil. Within the bulb, there is enough energy for the plants to grow before there’s much spring sun.

The shoots will begin to pop up when it feels right. Generally, most bulbs don’t mind the cold. Some, like snowdrops and crocuses, even thrive in the snow. Bulbs have very strong root systems that help them bounce back in cold conditions.

The shoots may die off when it gets cooler again. But that’s fine. In the end, you could end up with fewer bulbs that are less robust and not as strong. This is more likely if there is a late freeze and most of the plant has already sprung up.

Crocus bulbs thrive in cooler temperatures.

Dealing With Vegetable Plants That Freeze

Some vegetables don’t mind cool temperatures. Imagine you didn’t cover your Swiss chard or kale, and it froze so much that it wilted and died back instead of getting sweeter (which we all hope will happen).

Those vegetables tend to grow back again. They might not grow back as much as before, but anything under the soil will be okay.

So your root vegetables, like parsnips, beets, or carrots, will be doing great underneath the soil, even if the cold damages the leaves above the soil.

Swiss chard is quite hardy compared to other vegetables.

FAQ About Handling Early Blooms

What happens if my garlic blooms early in the fall?

We plant garlic in the fall (I always do so around Halloween). Sometimes, you can plant it a little too early or have a warmer-than-usual fall, and the garlic will send up shoots in the fall.

When it freezes, the garlic will die back. But don’t worry; the garlic will start the whole process again in the spring.

You can even plant garlic with shoots growing on it, like when you buy them a little late. This won’t affect your garlic overall.

Yes, there is a gold standard when it comes to garlic. Garlic growers won’t want shoots affected by the freeze or provide any stress to the plant as that can affect the overall robustness of the plant.

But will you still get garlic? Absolutely.

What happens if it’s a late freeze?

Let’s say it’s late spring and starting to get to summer, and we suddenly have an unexpected freeze. In this case, the plant’s chance of survival would drop.

At this point, most of the energy the plant is expelling is now on the upper part of the plant and not beneath the soil where it is protected.

Most perennials will bounce back, but the damage may be more significant if they are further down in their seasonal growth.

How are bees affected by earlier flowering plants?

Rising temperatures and earlier springs will mean that bees will wake up earlier. It’s estimated that they wake up five days earlier than twenty years ago.

With more species blooming at the same time than in the past, there isn’t such a continuous, even supply of flowers for the bees. This mismatch between when the flowers and bees are active could threaten the bees looking for food sources.

This will also reduce plant pollination and their ability to reproduce and yield crops. Rising temperatures may also mean the bees come out earlier, but they need their timing to align with the flowers to avoid being affected.

Why do some plants bloom earlier than others?

Each plant (or seed or bulb) will respond to different environmental factors, such as temperature, amount of sunlight, light quality, and more.

As these conditions change, chemical production inside the plant triggers the growth. In response, the plant will begin to sprout new growth.

Many plants start growing when temperatures get warmer or the days get longer. Each plant will have specific responses, some needing higher temperatures or more light before growing. Others require less.

Likewise, cooler temperatures can tell the plant to redirect the energy back to the roots, set seed, and die back for the fall.

More Information on Changing Weather

Stephanie Rose

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February 21, 2024
How to Make a Dopamine Menu for Gardening – Garden Therapy
If your screen usage has hit an all-time high, you’re not alone. From TV to video games to social media, we often turn to these devices for quick entertainment and small hits of dopamine. But it’s not too late to turn things around! As a gardener, your love of the outdoors and all things green can be turned into a highly beneficial dopamine menu.

Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to get away from screens. Unless you’re doing a digital detox challenge or out in the woods with no reception, you probably have some form of screen(s) you rely on for entertainment daily.

If you’re reading this, it means you’re staring at a screen right this very minute! And since I’ve reminded you that you’re scrolling, please keep reading, as I promise that what I’m about to tell you will be a game changer when it comes to reducing your screen time.

Since my kiddo was little, I’ve tried to keep him away from screens. Which, for his generation, is a tough thing to do. I make sure we read together, play board games, go on walks, cook together, and more to reduce how often both of our eyes are glued to a screen.

Dopamine menus are a relatively new trend and tool that people can use to find new sources of dopamine outside of screens. And because I am a woman whose core being relies heavily on plants, I knew I needed to make a dopamenu for gardening.

Today, I’ll show you how you can make your own dopamine menu for gardening and why you should.

Are Screens Bad for Us?

We get the sense that too much screen time can be bad for our health, but what’s the science behind it all?

Harvard Medical School says that screens can affect how the human brain develops. Young brains are constantly building new neural connections and cutting down any they don’t use often. Screens can affect how our brain builds these connections.

Screens provide simulated versions of what we experience in real life. Essentially, they’re watered-down versions of our experiences, and so the neural connections being built aren’t as “strong.”

“Boredom is the space in which creativity and imagination happen,” says Rich, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. And I think that really summarizes how screens have fulfilled our endless need to be entertained.

Why do you think our best thinking happens in the shower? Or if you’re like me, when I’m out puttering in the garden.

I still have screens in my house, but I try to be aware of my usage.

Screens and Sleep

Using screens at bedtime has also been proven to disrupt sleep. Before bed, our body begins to produce melatonin as a response to darkness. But devices emitting blue light will suppress our melatonin and affect our ability to achieve REM sleep, which is essential for processing and storing information.

This means the next day, you may be more tired and less likely to process and retain new information. AKA, having a good memory.

Screens and Mood

Some studies have also linked screen time to symptoms of depression. And I can totally see why. Beyond the traps of constantly comparing ourselves on social media, many people rely on screen activities as a way to deal with stress. So when we go without screens, our anxiety can rise.

Being outside instantly boosts my mood.

What is Dopamine?

Dopamine is a key factor in why we LOVE screens so much. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that our nervous systems use to send messages. It’s a chemical that spreads within the brain and the body as a messenger for pleasure.

Dopamine works as a reward system. Doing activities you enjoy will release dopamine. How much is released is based on the activity and its frequency.

Many things use this natural reward system, like drugs and alcohol, and yes, our beloved screens. Initially, they give us a big rush of dopamine. But then they diminish the more you use it.

Watching one episode of a show is fun. Binging the whole series? You might feel depleted and groggy afterward.

In response to the diminishing dopamine, we tend to either move on to a different activity to get a new reward or increase the initial activity to try and get more.

Darwin Hybrids ‘Elite Apledoorn’ Tulips

A dopamenu is a tool we can use to help us find new sources of dopamine when we feel like we need a pick-me-up.

Originally developed by Jessica McCabe, it was originally intended to help those with ADHD. It’s believed that people with ADHD have lower dopamine levels and continually need to find new dopamine hits.

A dopamenu has a list of starters, mains, sides, desserts, and specials. Each of these categories has different activities or various lengths that you can turn to when you’re looking for stimulation.

Essentially, it’s a quick customized list of things that you know will bring you joy.

While originally a tool for ADHD, I think everyone can benefit from a dopamine menu. It’s a useful tool to turn to to get away from screens, get outside, and find more sustainable dopamine hits.

And as a gardener, you know I had to make myself a list of things I could do in the garden to get myself engaged with nature. Nature has many many mental health benefits (which I talk about in this post), and trying to do activities outdoors can double up your benefits.

Working outside can have immense benefits.

I highly encourage you to make your own dopamine menu. Over time, fill it with activities you like to do outside and in your garden. Eventually, you’ll have a great list to turn to when you need ideas for how to get yourself up and moving.

Here are a few of my go-to’s that you can use as a jumping-off point for your own dopamenu.

Starters

These are quick, 5-minute activities you can do to take a break and get outside.

A dopamine menu can even be a nice reminder to check on your plants.

Mains

These activities take up more time and are great if you have an hour or more to spare.

Sides

When you’re already outside, these activities make for good add-ons.

Desserts

These are activities that you often default to. It’s best not to spend a lot of time on them, but they are good in small, planned doses.
- Scroll on social media
- Shop for seeds
- Enjoy a cocktail outside
- Shop at the garden centre
- Watch a favourite TV show
- Play video games
Specials

These activities aren’t your everyday activities. They might be expensive or more time-consuming than others, but they are still worthwhile.

A seed library is a great way to engage with your local gardening community.

What will you put on your dopamine menu for gardening? Let me know in the comments down below so that we can all take inspiration as we make our own dopamenus for gardening.

More Ways to Find Gardening Joy
Stephanie Rose

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February 19, 2024