GARDENING TIPS TO MAKE HOME YOUR HAPPY PLACE
How Does Nature Impact
Our Wellbeing?
Research reveals that environments can increase or reduce our stress, which in turn impacts our bodies. What you are seeing, hearing, experiencing at any moment is changing not only your mood but how your nervous, endocrine, and immune systems are working.

Nature Heals
Being in nature, or even viewing nature scenes, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. According to scientists such as public health researchers Stamatakis and Mitchell, it may even reduce mortality.

Research was done in hospitals, offices, and schools and found that even a simple plant in a room can significantly impact stress and anxiety.
Nature Restores
One of the most intriguing areas of current research is the impact of nature on general wellbeing. In one study in Mind, 95% of those interviewed said their mood improved after spending time outside, changing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to more calm and balanced. Other studies by Ulrich, Kim, and Cervinka show that time in nature or scenes of nature are associated with a positive mood, psychological wellbeing, meaningfulness, and vitality.

Furthermore, time in nature or viewing nature scenes increases our ability to pay attention. Because humans find nature inherently interesting, we can naturally focus on what we are experiencing out in nature. Time in nature also provides a respite for our overactive minds, refreshing us for new tasks.

In another exciting area, Andrea Taylor’s research on children with ADHD shows that time spent in nature increases their attention span later.  

Some easy care plants to ease your mind!
Hoya
ZZ Plant
Sanseverai Cylindrica
Plant Happiness
Add these effortless houseplants to your indoor collection and breathe in their beauty.
These three plants have very low water needs and can do well in low light.

To see what houseplants are available at Earth Works Garden today.
LANDSCAPE PROJECT OF THE MONTH
Amazing Swim Pond One Year Later
You have to check this one out!

Jason Duffney met with Jenn and John Brueggen to get their thoughts one year after their swim pond installation. This unique swimmable pond was the featured build of the contractors in attendance at the 2021 Aquascape Winter Retreat. Jenn and John fill us in on what they like about living the water gardening lifestyle.
Nice use of stone and paver blocks
Curved patio design creates a flow
LAWN MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR FEBRUARY
When Should I Apply Weed And Feed?

Applying Weed & Feed at the proper time is critical to its success in providing nutrition to your grass and eliminating and preventing new weeds. Core aeration and dethatching should focus on North Florida lawns in February while holding off until March 1 at the earliest for Weed & Feed fertilizer and herbicide application. That said, some recommend waiting until the warm-season grass begins to green up on its own or waiting until April to fertilize. “Waiting allows for more efficient use of the fertilizer. You will not injure your lawn by waiting to fertilize. Still, you can certainly injure your lawn by fertilizing too early,” writes Larry Williams, the Residential Horticulture Agent for the UF/IFAS Extension Office.
Be aware that most weed and feed products include fertilizer and a post-emergent herbicide to kill existing weeds, while many also have a pre-emergent to prevent the germination of new seasonal varieties. Always read the product label to ensure the product is appropriate for your specific grass.
February's Container Garden Recipe includes some cool weather full sun favorites and specialty choices. Using shades of pink surrounding a striking white spike of Delphinium makes a pretty-in-pink combo. When temperatures rise, if this combo gets some afternoon shade, it will last further into the season.

1. Pink Geraniums make a perfect filler with large bright booms.
2. Supertunia Bubblegum is a prolific bloomer and works as a filler and spiller!
3. Delphinium, with its tall, striking blooms, is a great early spring thriller.
4. Lamium Purple Chablis gives a unique texture with silvery leaves and fluffy lavender blooms that can overflow beautifully.
In The Community
Stay Tuned for Exciting Changes at The Catty Shack!
The Pond crew is at it again! We are in the process of adding two new waterfalls for some special kitties - Spiderman and Nero. There are big changes for a new entrance and more enlarged enclosures coming this April!
Join a Run for a Great Cause!
Avondale 5k Classic 
Saturday, 3/19/22​ 
Make your Saturday run mean a little something extra. Join the 2022 Avondale 5K Classic and support Springfield's families with great after-school programs and more at the Sanctuary on 8th Street.
Friday 2/18, the Garden Center will be closed.
We are taking the whole crew out for a special team-building day.
See you this weekend!
Come Grow With Us!
Winter Garden Center Hours
Monday through Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm / Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
We would like to thank you all for your continued support!