Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of April
Arbor Day - which literally translates to “tree” day from the Latin origin of the word arbor - is a holiday that celebrates the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees. For centuries, communities spanning the globe have found various ways to honor nature and the environment. However, the appreciation of trees and forests in modern times can be largely attributed to Arbor Day. And although Arbor Day may not have the same clout as holidays like Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day (or even Earth Day), it has a history with strong roots that branched out across multiple nations. Arbor Day 2021 will occur on Friday, April 30, and is typically celebrated on the last Friday in April in the United States.
Arbor Day Explained Why America Plants Millions of Trees
In this engaging educational video, learners explore the origins and importance of Arbor Day, a national tradition that encourages communities to plant and protect trees. Discover how the idea began in the 1800s when Julius Sterling Morton encouraged settlers in Nebraska to plant trees across the open plains. Learn how trees improve the environment by protecting soil, providing habitats for wildlife, cooling cities and helping clean the air. This video also explores the deeper message behind Arbor Day — that planting trees is an act of hope for the future. Each sapling planted today can grow to benefit generations to come.
We're working to make a difference worldwide by planting trees. And you can be a part of this movement. Find out more about how your organization can get involved at arborday.org/partnerships
The origins of Arbor Day date back to the early 1870s in Nebraska City, . A journalist by the name of Julius Sterling Morton moved to the state with his wife, Caroline, in 1854, a little more than 10 years before Nebraska gained its statehood in 1867. The couple purchased 160 acres in Nebraska City and planted a wide variety of trees and shrubs in what was a primarily a flat stretch of desolate plain.
Morton also became the editor of the state’s first newspaper, Nebraska City News, which was a perfect platform for Morton to spread his knowledge of trees… and to stress their ecological importance to Nebraska. His message of tree life resonated with his readers, many of whom recognized the lack of forestation in their community. Morton also became involved with the Nebraska Board of Agriculture.
You can grow them in clear vases and jars to use as a centerpiece.
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1. Philodendron In all the philodendron species, heart-leaf philodendron is quite adaptable for growing in water. Keep a 6 inches long cutting in a clear glass jar or bowl in a location with bright indirect light. Don’t forget to change the water once in 3-4 days and it’ll keep growing. 2. Lucky Bamboo Famous for its forgiving nature, the lucky bamboo is one of the best indoor plants that grow in water. Narrow vases are perfect for this plant, depending on the size. Make sure the roots are submerged in the water and add some gravels around them for firm placement. 3. Pothos With its glossy heart-shaped foliage, pothos is one more option to go for. Grow it in water, in a clear fishbowl and keep that on a shelf, cascading pothos leaves will look wonderful. Keep changing the water every few days to maintain the right oxygen level.
4. Chinese Evergreen & Dumbcane With variegated and leathery leaves having a silvery pattern, the dumb cane and Chinese evergreen plant can be grown in water. You can easily propagate the cuttings in a transparent vase filled with small aquarium rocks. After a few months, once the roots appear and become bigger, transfer them in the soil. 5. Spider Plant Spider plants look quite interesting with their narrow arching foliage and baby spiderettes. You can either grow them permanently in a glass jar or change the cuttings into a new pot, once they root. Keep changing the water every 2-3 days. Check out these indoor spider plant care tips here. 6. Arrowhead Plant Like other climbers and vining plants, the arrowhead plant is pretty straightforward to grow indoors in water. Keep adding fresh water twice a week and it’ll keep on growing. If you like, transplant it into a potting soil once the cutting sets new roots. 7. Coleus Having colorful and serrated leaves, coleus will be the most colorful addition to glasses and jars. Since it likes indirect light, you can keep it as a tabletop centerpiece in a wine glass or decorative mason jar filled with water. Tip: Adding compost tea in the water will enhance their growth. 8. Wandering Jew Wandering Jews are tough plants that grow like a weed in warm climates. The astonishing purple-colored and variegated varieties make them desirable houseplants. The best part is you can grow them in water in terrariums. 9. Dracaena Many indoor dracaena varieties can adapt to growing in water. Glass jugs and narrow jars are good for them. Just remember to use chlorine and fluoride-free water. Also, never let the water in the jar to become mushy and unclear and keep changing it two to three times a week. 10. Begonia Like impatiens, growing begonias in water is also possible. You can keep them in a clear bowl for around two months before they start to fade. Don’t forget to change the water every week to save the begonia cuttings from rotting. 11. Ornamental Sweet Potato Ornamental sweet potato vine in a glass jar will add a tropical touch to your kitchen windowsill. Trim a few 6 to 8 inches long stems just below the leaf node, remove the lower leaves and submerge them half in water. Keep changing the water and it’ll grow. 12. English Ivy English ivy can your next indoor water garden plant. You can grow its cuttings in vases for a long time. Snip all the bottom leaves of an ivy stem and transfer it into a glass jar and enjoy it on a bright windowsill. 13. Monstera Monstera is a popular large indoor plant because of its huge cut foliage and stems. It creates a tropical atmosphere in any room. Adding this tall plant can make a huge impact on the interior of any home. 14. Herbs Not just the houseplants, there are herbs and vegetables that you can grow in water. Some of the best ones are mint, green onions, fennel, basil, and celery. Thanks -- https://youtu.be/xMZtR99M3ms
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8 INDOOR PLANTS
THAT CAN GROW IN WATER!
*NO SOIL NEEDED!*
Today's plant video features houseplants that you can completely grow in water! No need to transplant them to soil, these plants can thrive in a water environment. Includes actual photos of how each of these houseplants are doing growing in a water environment including root growth and how fast they grow. Enjoy! NOTE: The plant that I labeled as "Peace Lily" should be Anthurium
Thanks to 3 Miracle Plants, You Can Now Grow Fresh Air in Your Own Home
If you're trying to get more fresh air, you might have
better luck indoors. Kamal Meattle, the environmental activist who
pioneered a project to create India's healthiest building, has good
evidence to indicate that cleaner ambient air is simply a matter of
growing the right plants inside.
Three of them, to be exact.
Just like any other plant, these leafy green creatures absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. But thanks to a few other properties, these three plants complement one another to mop up as much as 87% of indoor air pollutants within 24 hours.
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How it works:
Trees and plants absorb harmful pollutants by sucking them up through a network of tiny pores on
the surface of their leaves. This system also siphons particulate matter — the tiny particles of liquid, metal, soil and dust that can
pass through the throat into the lungs, along with the byproducts of
fuel and many of the toxic chemicals used in building materials.
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The 3 miracle plants
Areca Palm: Instead of splurging on a humidifier,
you might want to try one of these. At its full height, this tall, leafy
plant transpires up to a full liter (about four glasses) of water,
warding off dry office air. The shrub also absorbs particulate matter,
some of which can lead to heart disease, asthma and a host of other
severe health problems, according to a NASA study.
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Mother-in-Law's Tongue: While many plants inhale
carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen during the day, this plant's long, dark
leaves push fresh air into the environment at night, making it a good
complement to the areca palm. It also absorbs nitrogen oxide, a fossil fuel and agriculture byproduct that accounts for 6% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and cancer-causing formaldehyde.
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The Money Plant:Instead of another cup of coffee,
you might want to give this plant a shot. Like Mother-in-Law's Tongue,
the money plant sucks up formaldehyde and other building pollutants. It
also absorbs benzene, an air pollutant found in car exhaust that can cause dizziness, drowsiness and headaches.
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Try this at home (or work): Meattle used his plant wisdom to outfit his own building, a 20-year-old, 50,000-square-foot edifice in the most-polluted city
in the world, New Delhi, India. He used 1,200 plants for 300 building
occupants (which, at four plants a person, is considerably more doable
than the numbers he recommended in his TED talk).
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Any office building could implement Meattle's strategy by
including clusters of the plants at the end of each row of cubicles, in
the common areas and along hallways. In fact, clean air is one of the
best way to combat Sick Building Syndrome, a vague but real illness that can lead to irritation in the eyes, nose and throat, skin irritations and neurotoxic or general health problems. Years of research have shown that better indoor air quality leads to healthier students and staff, better work and fewer skipped days at school or the office. Sounds like every boss's dream.
Yes some of these plants are poisonousto pets and children.
But for
those of you who are concerned about pets… SOME /Most Pets will not eat poisonous
plants they have a natural instinct to eat only things that are good for
them.
Children on the other hand eat anything because that is part of
their learing process…I would keep all plants out of their reach.
15 House Plants You Can Use As Air Purifiers
This is really interesting. Although I have a doubt. shouldn't size and number of plants depend on number of persons AND size of the rooms ?
Probably yes. The number of plants he's talking about is what they have found to be effective in their environment. Someone in an area with cleaner air probably could be fine with quite a lot less plants. Are these plants safe for cats?
Epipremnum aureum is very toxic, the other two are safe.
One comment: everything about the "money plant" or "pathos" is poisonous to eat. So be careful that small children and pets can not reach this plant for a nibble. One feedback: after watching this video I added 7 4 feet hight areca palms to the household and 3 2 feet "bedroom plants". My husband says he wakes up feeling better in the morning as a result. Cool!
Spring, also known as springtime, is one of the four temperate seasons, succeeding winter and preceding summer.
There are various technical definitions of spring, but local usage of the term varies according to local climate, cultures and customs.
When it is spring in the Northern Hemisphere, it is autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa. At the spring (or vernal) equinox, days and nights are approximately twelve hours long, with day length increasing and night length decreasing as the season progresses.
Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and also to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth. Subtropical and tropical areas have climates better described in terms of other seasons, e.g. dry or wet, monsoonal or cyclonic. Cultures may have local names for seasons which have little equivalence to the terms originating in Europe.
Amazing Nature Beautiful Blooming Flower Time Lapse
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Natural Events During early spring, the axis of the Earth is increasing its tilt relative to the Sun, and the length of daylight rapidly increases for the relevant hemisphere. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly, causing new plant growth to "spring forth," giving the season its name.
Any snow begins to melt, swelling streams with runoff and any frosts become less severe. In climates that have no snow, and rare frosts, air and ground temperatures increase more rapidly.
Many flowering plants bloom at this time of year, in a long succession, sometimes beginning when snow is still on the ground and continuing into early summer. In normally snow-less areas, "spring" may begin as early as February (Northern Hemisphere) or August (Southern Hemisphere), heralded by the blooming of deciduous magnolias, cherries, and quince. Many temperate areas have a dry spring, and wet autumn (fall), which brings about flowering in this season, more consistent with the need for water, as well as warmth. Subarctic areas may not experience "spring" at all until May.
While spring is a result of the warmth caused by the changing orientation of the Earth's axis relative to the Sun, the weather in many parts of the world is affected by other, less predictable events. The rainfall in spring (or any season) follows trends more related to longer cycles—such as the solar cycle—or events created by ocean currents and ocean temperatures—for example, the El Niño effect and the Southern Oscillation Index.
Unstable spring weather may occur more often when warm air begins to invade from lower latitudes, while cold air is still pushing from the Polar regions. Flooding is also most common in and near mountainous areas during this time of year, because of snow-melt which is accelerated by warm rains. In North America, Tornado Alley is most active at this time of year, especially since the Rocky Mountains prevent the surging hot and cold air masses from spreading eastward, and instead force them into direct conflict. Besides tornadoes, supercell thunderstorms can also produce dangerously large hail and very high winds, for which a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning is usually issued. Even more so than in winter, the jet streams play an important role in unstable and severe Northern Hemisphere weather in springtime.
In recent decades, season creep has been observed, which means that many phenological signs of spring are occurring earlier in many regions by around two days per decade.
Spring in the Southern Hemisphere is different in several significant ways to that of the Northern Hemisphere for several reasons, including:
There is no land bridge between Southern Hemisphere countries and the Antarctic zone capable of bringing in cold air without the temperature-mitigating effects of extensive tracts of water;
The vastly greater amount of ocean in the Southern Hemisphere at most latitudes;
At this time in Earth's geologic history the Earth has an orbit which brings it in closer to the sun in the Southern Hemisphere for its warmer seasons;
There is a circumpolar flow of air (the roaring 40s and 50s) uninterrupted by large land masses;
No equivalent jet streams; and
The peculiarities of the reversing ocean currents in the Pacific.
Cultural Associations
Carnival Carnival is practiced by many Christians around the world in the days before Lent (40 days, without Sundays, before Easter). It is the first spring festival of the new year for many.
Easter Easter eggs, such as this Ukrainian one, signify the Resurrection of Jesus. Easter is the most important religious feast in the Christian liturgical year.[19] Christians believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead on the "third day" (two days after his crucifixion), and celebrate this resurrection on Easter Day, two days after Good Friday. The date of Easter varies between 22 March and 25 April (which corresponds to between 4 April and 8 May in the Gregorian Calendar for the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches using the Julian Calendar). In the Southern Hemisphere Easter occurs during autumn.
May Day 1 May is the date of many public holidays. In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labor Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement. As a day of celebration, the holiday has ancient origins, and it can relate to many customs that have survived into modern times. Many of these customs are due to May Day being a cross-quarter day, meaning that (in the Northern Hemisphere where it is almost exclusively celebrated) it falls approximately halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. In the Celtic tradition, this date marked the end of spring and the beginning of summer.
The beginning of spring is not always determined by fixed calendar dates. The phenological or ecological
definition of spring relates to biological indicators, such as the
blossoming of a range of plant species, the activities of animals, and
the special smell of soil that has reached the temperature for micro flora to flourish. These indicators, along with the beginning of spring, vary according to the local climate and according to the specific weather of a particular year. Some ecologists divide the year into six seasons.
In addition to spring, ecological reckoning identifies an earlier separate pre-vernal
(early or pre-spring) season between the hibernal (winter) and vernal
(spring) seasons. This is a time when only the hardiest flowers like the
crocus are in bloom, sometimes while there is still some snow-cover on
the ground.
But Spring is Clearly the most Lovable of the Four Seasons.
Not convinced?
Here are 15 scientific reasons why spring is great:
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1. TEMPERATURES ARE MODERATE.
Spring marks the end of blistering winter and the transitional period to scorching summer. In many places, the season brings mild temperatures in the 60s and 70s. People tend to be most comfortable at temperatures of about 72°F, research shows, so the arrival of spring means you can finally ditch the heavy winter layers and still be comfortable.
🌞 2. THERE IS MORE DAYLIGHT.
Following the spring equinox, days begin lasting longer and nights get shorter. Daylight Saving Time, which moves the clock forward starting in March, gives you even more light hours to get things done. Those extra hours of sun can be a major mood-booster, according to some research. A 2016 study of students in counseling at Brigham Young University found that the longer the sun was up during the day, the less mental distress people experienced.
Antonio Vivaldi 🌹 Spring Asturia Quartet
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Many animals migrate south during the winter, then head north as temperatures rise. For relatively northern regions, there is no better indicator of spring than birds chirping outside your window. Their northward migration can start as early as mid-February and last into June, meaning that throughout the spring, you can expect to see a major avian influx. In addition to the satisfaction of marking species off your bird-watching checklist, seeing more of our feathered friends can make you happy. In 2017, a UK study found that the more birds people could see in their neighborhoods, the better their mental health.
4. THERE ARE BABY ANIMALS EVERYWHERE.
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Many animals reproduce in the spring, when temperatures are warmer and food is plentiful. Baby bunnies, ducklings, chipmunks, and other adorable animals abound come spring. Studies have found that seeing cute animals can have positive effects on humans. For instance, one small study in 2012 found that when college students looked at cute images of baby animals, they were better at focusing on a task in the lab. Being able to watch fluffy baby squirrels frolic outside your office window might make spring your most productive season of the year.
👮 5. YOU'RE SAFER.
In 2015, a pair of public policy researchers discovered a hidden upside to "springing forward" for Daylight Saving Time. It reduced crime. When the sun set later in the evening, the study published in the Review of Economics and Statistics found, robbery rates fell. After Daylight Saving Time started in the spring, there was a 27 percent drop in robberies during that extra hour of evening sunlight, and a 7 percent drop over the course of the whole day.
🏡 6. YOU CAN GO OUTSIDE.
Warmer temperatures mean you can spend more time outside without freezing your feet off, which is great for mental health. Across the seasons, research has found that taking walks in nature slows your heart rate and makes you more relaxed, but some research indicates that there is something special about spring's effect on your brain. A 2005 study from the University of Michigan linked spending 30 minutes or more outside in warm, sunny spring weather to higher mood and better memory. But the effect reverses when spring ends, since being outside in the warmest days of summer is usually pretty uncomfortable.
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7. IT MAKES YOU MORE CREATIVE.
That same University of Michigan study found that spending time outside in the sunny spring weather isn't just a mood booster, it actually can change the way people think. The researchers found that being outdoors broadened participants' minds, leaving them more open to new information and creative thoughts.
Spring brings green growth back to plants and trees. Depending on where you live, trees may begin sporting new leaves as early as mid-March. That successful spring leaf growth ensures a cool canopy to relax under during the hot summer—a hugely important factor in keeping cities comfortable. According to researchers, vegetation plays a big role in mitigating the urban heat island effect. When trees release water back into the air through evapotranspiration, it can cool down the areas around them by up to 9°F, according to the EPA.
🌳 9. GROWING PLANTS ABSORB CARBON DIOXIDE.
It's amazing what a little sun can do for plants and grass. Through photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into food, releasing oxygen in the process. That means as plants start to grow in the spring, they pull carbon out of the atmosphere, providing an important environmental service. Plants take in roughly 25 percent of the carbon emissions humans produce, absorbing more than 100 gigatons of carbon through photosynthesis each growing season. Because of this, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere drops each spring and summer. (Unfortunately, it rises in the winter, when most plants aren't growing.)
🍉🍍 10. IT'S EASY TO FIND FRESH PRODUCE.
Many vegetables and some fruits are harvested in the spring. 'Tis the season to get your local asparagus, greens, peas, rhubarb, and other fresh produce. Getting more fruits and vegetables into your diet isn't just good for the body; it's good for the soul. A 2016 study of more than 12,000 Australians found that when people increased the amount of fruits and vegetables in their diet, they felt happier and had higher rates of life satisfaction. If they increased their intake by eight portions a day (a tall order, we know) the psychological gains were equivalent to the change in well-being people experience when they go from being unemployed to having a job, the researchers found.
🌻🌼 11. FLOWERS ARE IN BLOOM.
After months spent conserving energy, flowers bloom in the spring, once they sense that the days have grown longer and the weather has turned warmer. That's good for humans, because several studies have shown that looking at flowers can make you happy. A 2008 study of hospital patients found that having flowers in the room made people feel more positive and reduced their pain and anxiety [PDF]. Another study from Rutgers University found that when participants were presented with a bouquet of flowers, it resulted in what scientists call a "true smile" a full 100 percent of the time. Seeing flowers had both "immediate and long-term effects" that resulted in elevated moods for days afterward, according to the researchers .
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12. YOU CAN TAKE YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE OUTDOORS.
While it's important to keep moving no matter what the weather, research shows that working out can be more beneficial if you do it outside. A 2011 study found that, compared with an indoor workout, exercising outdoors in nature increased energy levels, made people feel revitalized, and decreased tension, among other positive effects. People who worked out in the fresh air also tended to say they enjoyed the experience more and would be likely to repeat it, suggesting that using nature as your gym might help you stick with your exercise regimen. While those benefits probably extend to winter, too, it's a whole lot easier to stomach the idea of a run once the weather warms up.
💨 13. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DRY AIR.
Flu season in the U.S. typically lasts through the fall and winter, usually peaking between December and February and tapering off during the spring. The seasonal change is in part because of dry air. Cold temperatures mean a drop in humidity, and indoor heating only makes the air drier. This lack of moisture in the air can dry out your skin and the nasal cavities, leading to nose bleeds, irritated sinuses, and a greater risk of getting sick. Since the mucus in your nose is designed to trap viruses, when it dries up, you're more likely to catch something nasty, like the flu. As the weather warms up and becomes more humid throughout the spring, that mucus comes back. As the season wears on, not only can you lay off the body lotion, but you can probably put away the tissues—if you don't have spring allergies, that is.
🪟 14. YOU CAN OPEN YOUR WINDOWS.
Temperate weather makes it easier to get the fresh air you need. Opening your windows and allowing the breeze in serves as an important way to ventilate indoor spaces, according to the EPA. A lack of ventilation can lead to an unhealthy concentration of indoor pollutants from sources like cleaning product fumes, certain furniture and building materials, and stoves (especially gas ones), posing a threat to your health and comfort. Winter brings the highest rates of indoor pollutants like nitrogen oxide, a 2016 study of unventilated stove use in homes found. Spring brings the perfect opportunity to throw open those windows and doors and get the air moving again.
💊 15. YOU CAN GET YOUR VITAMINS NATURALLY.
Sunlight triggers your body to produce vitamin D, which keeps your bones strong. At northern latitudes, it's extremely difficult to get enough sun exposure naturally to maintain healthy vitamin D levels during the winter—even if you did want to expose your skin to the elements—but that starts to change during the spring. One Spanish study found that in Valencia (which shares a latitude with Philadelphia, Denver, Baltimore, Kansas City, and several other major U.S. cities), people only need 10 minutes outside with a quarter of their bodies exposed to the spring sunshine to get an adequate daily dose of vitamin D.
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