Category - Gardening News and Tips

Three out of every four Americans over the age of 50 want to stay in their existing house as long as possible. Some people wish to age in place because they have an emotional attachment to their house and maintaining their garden and plants every day, while others want to maintain their independence.

There are several home care providers and service kinds available to seniors and their families. They take care of your family members while you can freely visit, interact and spend time with them whenever you want. (more…)

Are you a fond user of CBD products? If you haven’t tested the benefits of this phenomenal cannabinoid yet, waste no time trying some of the most prominent products. Apart from the popular CBD tinctures and oils, customers are offered a variety of capsules, cosmetics, topicals, edibles, concentrates, drinks such as CBD tea and coffee, vapes, etc.

The majority of CBD products in the market are organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free. These are convenient and safe for consumption.

Learn more about the three most popular types of CBD goods in detail. You can also visit this site to learn about the use of CBD products for pets and the best CBD oil for dogs.

Capsules

CBD capsules are a sought-after supplement, rich in cannabidiol and other ingredients, chosen by the manufacturer. All types of pills contain CBD extract, which is directly responsible for their quality. When looking for capsules of high quality, make sure they include an extract of full-spectrum or broad-spectrum cannabidiol.

In order for the body to be capable of absorbing cannabinoids, capsules should contain a carrier oil, which increases absorption. The largest number of capsules use coconut, hemp, or MCT oil in addition to cannabidiol. Some manufacturers use herbs and other natural ingredients in the pills they produce, each of them specially chosen for its health benefits.

As far as effectiveness is concerned, CBD capsules aren’t the most bioavailable form of cannabidiol ingestion. These pills have to pass through the liver in order to reach the bloodstream, which makes them less effective when compared to tinctures. Consequently, individuals consuming cannabidiol in the form of capsules are recommended to ingest higher doses in order to experience the same effect of consuming tincture. Nevertheless, these capsules are accurate to dose, discreet to use, and have no earthy taste.

Beauty products

CBD beauty products are widely used in the treatment of people’s skin, hair, and lips, providing a myriad of surprising benefits. Nowadays, buyers are provided with an array of cosmetic products containing cannabidiol, such as toners, moisturizers, soaps, lip balms, face serums, face masks, conditioners, etc.

For instance, cannabidiol is boasted for the moisturizing effect it has on the skin of users, which makes it a perfect ingredient for people with dry and scaly skin. Additionally, it plays a key role in the regulation of sebum by reducing the number of sebocytes, referring to the epithelial cells that produce this substance. While sebum is essential for providing the skin with enough moisture, an increased secretion of this oily substance leads to the development of acne. Click here to learn about the way in which the skin produces sebum.

Consequently, an increasing number of individuals use CBD beauty products in order to improve the appearance and health of their skin. Apart from cannabidiol, manufacturers add other ingredients to enhance the cosmetic effect, such as chamomile, shea butter, honey, grapefruit seed, melon seed, aloe vera, green tea, etc. Many products also include collagen-boosting ingredients so as to provide users with an anti-aging effect.

Topicals

Similar to cosmetic products, CBD topicals have appealed to thousands of users because of their role in muscle soreness relief and skin condition treatments. The range of topicals rich in cannabidiol is vast, ranging from body lotions and salves to gels and creams. Due to the presence of endocannabinoid receptors under the skin, these topicals are capable of providing localized relief when applied to a certain body area.

For example, topicals are highly beneficial in minimizing pain and skin inflammation. The antispasmodic and analgesic properties of cannabidiol are beneficial in the treatment of overstrained muscles after intense workouts, as well as in reducing arthritis pain and inflammation. Additionally, the application of these products is effective in minimizing the intensity of muscle spasms.

Apart from relieving pain, CBD topicals are miraculous in the treatment of chronic skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, seborrhea, sunburn, etc. By regulating the secretion of sebum, it prevents the skin from becoming either too moist or too dry.

Additionally, cannabidiol is essential in the treatment of psoriasis, referring to the abnormal generation of skin cells. This cannabinoid prevents keratinocyte production, which is responsible for the development of flaky skin. The following link, https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/understanding-psoriasis-basics, explains the causes, symptoms, types, and treatment of psoriasis.

Conclusion

Cannabidiol does miracles for the health and skin of users. It’s worth the shot!

Sitting in a small traffic jam on Pullen Road in Raleigh, I noticed a grove of trees by the side of the road that seemed out of place. Turns out there are dawn redwood trees (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) planted along the edge of Pullen Park.

Once thought to be extinct, this tree was discovered in the mid-1940s in China. Conservationists brought several seedlings to Europe and the United States and one of those seedlings survives today at the Sarah P. Duke gardens in Durham. The Duke Gardens staff promoted the tree, teaching classes and propagating seedlings for planting in other locations. A bit of sleuthing revealed that the Raleigh Garden Club worked with Duke Gardens and planted 40 of these trees in 1976 as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations.

Formed in 1925, the early members of the Raleigh Garden Club lived in a rapidly changing town. New roads were springing up around, and through, town. The new roads were functional but many deemed them an eyesore. So the club stepped in and raised money to buy and install plants to improve the appearance of the new roadways and interchanges. Responsibility for landscaping roadways has since been taken over by the NC Department of Transportation, but the club continues to work today with the NC DOT on improvement projects.

Raleigh Garden Club tree planting ceremony

As cars filled the growing road system, filling stations sprang up. They were built along the roadways and, to the horror of many, in neighborhoods to serve the needs of drivers. Deciding that progress wasn’t going to sully the appearance of their neighborhoods, the Raleigh Garden Club sponsored a contest to find the most attractive filling station within eight miles of Raleigh. The contest was short-lived but it raised awareness and the practice of landscaping gas stations and other commercial properties continues today.

Since its formation, the Raleigh Garden Club has planted nearly 1,300 trees in parks and public spaces across the city as memorials to past members and in recognition of contributions to civic life. Their work has helped expand the tree canopy and enhanced the character of our capital city. Continuing this tradition, the club was recently selected to create and maintain one of the entrance gardens at the Dorothea Dix Park. For more information about the Raleigh Garden Club visit their website raleigh-garden-club.org.

On the other side of the Triangle, the Chapel Hill Garden Club, formed in 1931, has long championed gardening as a vehicle for civic engagement and community improvement. But they are perhaps most recognized for their work with the North Carolina Botanical Garden and as ambassadors for the gardens across Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill Garden Club installing a hummingbird garden

Looking for ways to raise money to support educational programming at the botanical garden, the club created a tour of local gardens. Since their first tour in 1996 the event has grown to become a cherished local tradition. The biennial garden tour (held in even number years) has enabled the club to donate nearly a quarter of a million dollars to the NC Botanical Garden. 

One of the newer programs benefiting the community is the Wonder Connection—a new partnership between the botanical garden and the UNC Children’s Hospital. Believed to be the first of its kind in the country, the Wonder Connection helps children cope with the stress of long-term hospitalization by bringing the joy of learning and nature indoors to them.

Last year, botanical garden staff and volunteers brought science and nature projects to the hospital rooms of nearly 650 children being treated at the UNC Children’s Hospital. More than half of these patients have compromised immune systems due to their conditions or medical treatment and are unable to leave the hospital. The Wonder Connection seeks to overcome these confines and connect these kids to the healing power of the natural world. The Chapel Hill Garden Club is exploring ways that their good works can help support this and other programs of the botanical garden. For more information about the Chapel Hill Garden Club visit chapelhillgardenclub.net.

You can hear more about the good works of our local garden clubs on our podcast.

—
Dr. Lise Jenkins is the Triangle Gardener’s podcast producer and a newspaper columnist. She also volunteers her time as a Master Gardener in Durham.

The holidays are here. Check out these gift ideas for the gardener on your list, or for yourself!
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Which sector of our state’s economy touches all of us each and every day? It’s North Carolina’s green industry. (more…)