Welcome spring with a stroll through these public gardens
Shake off the winter blues by visiting these gorgeous gardens. Just remember to check the garden for updates on new protocols such as schedules, open areas, mask requirements, and reservations. New York Botanical Garden Check out this garden for an impressive display of snowdrops, and early Read More...
"Invisible" UV bull's-eye is vital in attracting pollinators to flowers
Here at The Optimist Daily, we hold a special tenderness in our hearts for our planet's pollinators. Mini-beasts, like bees and butterflies, have the integral role of spreading pollen from plant-to-plant facilitating their reproduction. In return, the plants provide the insects with the delicious Read More...
5 tips for ethically and sustainably sourced springtime bouquets
Once spring has sprung, it’s only natural to want to bring some of that fresh spring feeling indoors in the form of a whimsical bouquet or two. An elegant vase filled with bright blooms is the perfect finishing touch to anyone’s spring cleaning frenzy. Before you commit to buying flowers Read More...
The air in your home is dirtier than you think. Clean it up with these 4 plants
While it’s tempting to think that the air inside your house or office is clean, the truth is quite the opposite. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside the average home is up to five times more polluted than the air outside. That’s an alarming fact, especially Read More...
Bumblebees help solidify the link between microbiome and memory
The term 'microbiome' has been thrown around a lot over the past few years with many studies and health companies finding that a healthy gut balance can decrease your risk of cancer, clear up your skin, and improve mental health, just to name a few. Memory and the microbiome Recently, a study Read More...
Beautiful bouquets: Two places you should never put your cut flowers
Fresh bouquets are a beautiful addition to any space but keeping them looking fresh is a challenge. Fortunately, there are strategies that you can employ to help maintain the perkiness and vibrancy of your cut flowers. One of the tricks to keeping the air quality clear and your flowers fresh is Read More...
Sunflower pollen could provide tougher 3D-bioprinting ink
3D-bioprinting replacement body parts require the use of bio-inks that are not only biocompatible but are also strong yet flexible at the same time. Currently used materials, however, have a hard time supporting themselves, which means that they have to be printed with supporting structures that Read More...
Choose these blooms for longer-lasting bouquets
Are you tired of buying fresh cut flowers only to have them wilt in a few days? We’ve got a solution for you! In addition to making your own cut flower food, you can opt for flower varieties with proven longer vase lives. Here are six flower types that will hold up longer after being Read More...
Support pollinators this spring with flower 'billboards'
We at The Optimist Daily are always looking for ways to help our pollinator friends. If you are looking to plant a pollinator-friendly garden this spring, then a new study led by Jaret Daniels and Elizabeth Braatz can help! Their research indicates that insects are attracted to landscapes where Read More...
This startup is cleaning up the Ganges by recycling discarded flowers
As part of religious celebrations in India, Hindu worshippers leave collections of flowers at temples every day. Once these flowers start to wilt, the vast majority of them are disposed of in sacred bodies of water such as the river Ganges. Every year, about eight million tons of this floral waste Read More...