urban living – Jellybeans in the City

In the bustling city of Metro Manila, creating an urban oasis within the confines of your home is a delightful way to break a way from the drab and gray concrete jungle and reconnect with nature. Houseplants not only bring beauty and freshness but also provide a sense of tranquility and improved air quality.

However, taking care of houseplants in an urban environment requires some special considerations. City dwellers, keep these factors and tips in mind to successfully nurture and enjoy your indoor green companions.

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Urban Home

Consider the lighting conditions. Assess the natural light available in your home and choose plants accordingly. Low-light tolerant plants such as pothos or snake plants are suitable for shaded areas, while succulents and cacti thrive in bright, direct sunlight.
Account for space limitations. Opt for compact or vertical-growing plants that fit well in small living spaces. Look for hanging plants, trailing vines, or plants that can be placed on shelves or windowsills.
Assess maintenance requirements. Consider your lifestyle and available time for plant care. Choose plants that align with your commitment level, whether low-maintenance or more demanding.

Nurturing Houseplants in an Urban Setting

Adequate Lighting:

Maximize natural light. Position plants near windows to receive ample sunlight. Rotate plants regularly to ensure even growth.
Supplement with artificial light. If natural light is limited, invest in grow lights to provide the necessary light spectrum for plant growth.

Managing Humidity:

Increase humidity. In Manila’s dry climate, plants may suffer from low humidity levels. Grouping plants together, placing them on trays filled with pebbles and water, or using a humidifier can help create a more humid environment.
Mist plants. Regularly misting your plants with water can provide a temporary boost of humidity.

Watering:

Establish a watering routine. Different plants have varying water requirements. Learn about your plants’ specific needs and establish a consistent watering schedule. Typically, it’s best to water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Avoid overwatering. Ensure proper drainage for your pots and avoid letting plants sit in standing water, as it can lead to root rot.

Soil and Fertilization:

Choose well-draining soil. Use a high-quality potting mix that allows excess water to drain away while retaining enough moisture for the plants.
Fertilize appropriately. Feed your plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer according to their specific needs. Follow the recommended dosage and frequency, avoiding overfertilization, which can harm the plants.

Pests and Disease Management:

Regular inspection. Routinely check your plants for pests, such as spider mites or mealybugs. Early detection allows for prompt treatment.
Natural remedies and prevention. Utilize eco-friendly pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap. Practice good plant hygiene by regularly cleaning leaves and removing dead or decaying matter.

Creating a plant haven in your urban home in Metro Manila is an enriching experience that connects you with nature amidst the city’s hustle and bustle. Embrace the therapeutic benefits and aesthetic beauty of greenery, transforming your urban dwelling into a serene sanctuary. Happy plant parenting in the vibrant heart of the city!

Pictures featured here were taken during visits to Green Pot & Shovel Garden, a plant nursery and one-stop gardening shop located at Lower Park, Greenmeadows Avenue, Quezon City. For inquiries, contact +63 925 7289981.

Know more about its offers and services by following Green Pot & Shovel Garden on Facebook.

Check out my previous posts about gardening and green spaces:

New to being a plantita? Keep these tips in mind

6 ways gardening may be good for you even in your post-pandemic era

Feeling tired or stressed? Unable to concentrate or feel at ease? Overcome with exhaustion or anxiety?

If the travails of life in the metro is making you feel out of sorts, it may be time to go green… that is, go to green spaces.

What are urban green spaces?

Urban green spaces are areas reserved for parks, plant life and other kinds of natural environment.

These areas provide city dwellers with places for picnics, leisurely walks, and other forms of outdoor recreational activities. They also serve as areas where people can escape the heat, air and noise pollution, as well as enjoy some peace and quiet.

Green spaces also serve to beautify the urban setting, adding welcome touches of green and other colors of nature, thereby integrating the natural environment with the built environment.

Why are urban green spaces important?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends universal access to green spaces, specifically that there should be a green space measuring at least 0.5 hectares at a linear distance of no more than 300 meters from every home.

This is because multiple studies have shown that green spaces help reduce stress, encourage social cohesion and physical activity, as well promote mental and physical health.

Other studies also point to increasing urban green spaces helping to stave off premature death.

Green spaces have also been shown to improve cognitive ability and social behaviors among children, particularly in the areas of attention restoration, memory, competence, socialization, self-discipline and stress moderation.

Increasing green spaces in cities and real estate developments are also seen to improve urban biodiversity and sustainability. With more plant species included planned green spaces attract birds and other fauna which help control pest infestations.

They also reduce the effects of Urban Heat Islands (UHIs), defined as metropolitan areas which are significantly warmer than their surrounding rural areas due to the daily activities of urban populations concentrated in a small area.

Green spaces in Metro Manila

Sadly, over the past several decades, the metro’s urban planners haven’t prioritized the provision for green spaces.

In 2019, netizen BA Racoma culled data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority to come up with a map indicating the few remaining green spaces in Metro Manila.

These include: La Mesa Ecopark, Balara Filters Park, Arboretum Forest, Rizal Park Nayong Pilipino and Muntinlupa Sunken Garden.

Other netizens also identified Las Piñas Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area and the Arroceros Park in Manila as green spaces endangered by proposed real estate developments.

What you can do

If you haven’t visited the metro’s green spaces, it’s high time that you do so. This way, you can experience their health benefits and appreciate their aesthetic value first-hand.

You may also opt to patronize establishments that incorporate green areas in their design in the form of gardens or mini-parks.

You may also write to your local government unit (LGU) officials about developing green spaces in your community. Also, in every local or national election, do check out the candidate’s stand on the environment and public health to see how developing urban green spaces may be included in their future policies and projects.

Urban green spaces have been shown to greatly contribute to public health and the city’s beautification. It would be a shame if these areas dwindle and disappear, leaving the metro’s residents bereft of their various benefits.

Plant pictures taken at Rockwell The Grove in Pasig City.

Tag: urban living

Creating an urban oasis: Houseplant care tips for city dwellers