Budget-Friendly Sources For Plants & Gardening Essentials In Singapore

Nurturing your plants is a great way to temporarily disconnect from the uncertainties of the world. Letting nature fill your space not only improves your mood, but also helps you breathe clean air.

If you are looking for places to shop for plants, check out the plant nurseries and online marketplaces on this list.

#1: NOAH GARDEN CENTRE

If your fondness for online shopping extends to love for plants, I have good news for you! Noah Garden Centre is an online marketplace that connects buyers to multiple sellers. You will be greeted with a variety of options from plants to gardening accessories. Furthermore, the plants are categorized according to types and sizes.

Image Credits: facebook.com/noahgardencentre

The website also gives specific instructions regarding plant care such as the amount of water and sunlight needed for each plant. Aside from these useful details, you should check out the “clearance tab”. This is where all the special deals reside. Shopping for plants has never been easier.

Website: noahgardencentre.com.sg

#2: THE GARDEN STORE

People who are new to the amazing world of plants may stick to plants that are easy to take care of. From succulents to cacti, you will be spoiled for choice in The Garden Store at Bedok South. This one-stop shop retails plants, planters, soil, gardening tools, paving slabs, and more. You will be able to get what you need to complete your own landscaping project.

Its informative website provides a fact sheet for its plants. For instance, the Money Plant (S$3.50) was described as a plant that needs to be exposed to bright indirect sunlight or semi-shade. Those who are going to shop online will get free delivery purchases amounting to at least S$200. Otherwise, the delivery charge is S$25.

Address: 10 Bedok South Rd, Singapore 469274
Website: thegardenstore.sg

#3: WORLD FARM (HUA HNG TRADING)

The World Farm or Hua Hng Trading is one of the largest garden centers in Singapore. Feast your eyes with a variety of plants and gardening essentials. Simply grab a cart and load your plants in it. You may also pick up accompanying accessories located near the cashier.

Prices here are usually cheaper than most nurseries and they readily stock the bestsellers such as succulents (from S$3), herbs (from S$5), and flowering plants (from S$9). They also have several options for gardening tools, accessories, fertilizers, and other medicines (e.g., insecticides).

Address: 15 Bah Soon Pah Road, Singapore 769962
Website: huahng.com.sg

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: FAR EAST FLORA GARDEN CENTRE

Grow delicious herbs to use in your homecooked meals by purchasing plants from Far East Flora Garden Centre. For starters, it stores mint (from S$7) and basil (from S$7). Far East Flora is one of the most popular plant nurseries in Singapore. Its selection for houseplants is vast and even includes garden furniture and other accessories.

Begin the search for your newest plant baby by checking out its website or by visiting its flagship store. Delivery fee will cost you S$35.

Address: Multiple branches in Singapore
Website: fareastfloragarden.com

#5: PICK A PLANT

Pick a Plant’s story started with a humble search for rare air plants from all over the world. A lot has changed since then. Pick a Plant now houses the most interesting air plants, cacti, and succulents to share the founder’s passion for foliage.

Image Credits: facebook.com/pickaplantsg

This plant nursery typically sells their plants for S$4 each. Stay updated by following its Facebook page.

Address: 50 Choa Chu Kang Track 14, Singapore 698940
Website: pickaplant.com.sg

Sources: 1 & 2

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Beginner’s Guide To Cooking Your Own Meals

Nothing screams “labor of love” louder than preparing a homecooked meal for your family. Apart from showing your affection, cooking your own meals can help you save a lot of money. With the wealth of information available online, where do you begin?

KEY BENEFITS OF COOKING AT HOME

1. Cooking at home can help you save money. In most cases, cooking your own means are cheaper than eating out. There are several factors contributing to the reduced price of your meal. For starters, cooking at home enables you to opt for affordable ingredients. Moreover, you will have the power to create your own meal plans and shopping lists. Lastly, you can reheat your leftovers when you do not have time to cook.

2. Cooking at home allows you to connect with those around you. You do not have to be a distinguished chef to prepare delicious meals with your loved ones. Spend quality time together by allowing your kids decorate the desserts you have baked or by preparing a romantic dinner with your partner.

“Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people eat together.” ~ Guy Fieri

3. Cooking at home encourages control in food portions, especially for people with dietary restrictions. Restaurants do not rely on your preferred food portions. They serve you plates based on their standard portions instead. To get the most out of your money, you will likely finish the entire plate. In contrast, preparing your meals allows you to be more intentional with food servings. Filling your plate with what you can finish aids in reducing waste.

4. Cooking at home enables you to choose healthier options. Fast food typically glistens with high chemical additives, sugar, sodium, and so on. Eating fast food regularly can negatively affect your weight and mood. Eat fresh and wholesome meals by making your own food. Eating healthy meals can make you feel energized on the inside and out.

TIPS ON GETTING STARTED

1. Ask a friend to teach you the basics. Do you know someone who is kitchen savvy? Perhaps, he or she can teach you some of the cooking basics (e.g., steam, fry, and sauté). You can even invite your closest friends for a private “cooking tutorial” via Skype or Zoom.

2. Learn from a local cooking class. Many affordable culinary programs are offered at CCs islandwide. The prices of these classes start from S$16.66. Choose wisely as some of these classes are merely demonstrations with food tasting. Check out the class descriptions and book a slot in the OnePA portal.

3. Keep things simple! Start with the easy recipes and work your way from there. Learn how to sauté veggies, boil egg, and steam chicken. Add herbs, spices, or your secret sauce. Look for quick and tasty dishes online.

4. Give yourself a room for improvement. It is alright to burn the rice or overcook the noodles in your first cooking sessions. After several attempts, things will get easier and tastier. Continue practicing at home.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

As time passes, cooking will no longer become a chore. Do not give up!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Coastal PlayGrove: Say Hello to the Newest Playground in East Coast

Looking for a recreational space where you can spend a day of endless fun? Search no further than the newest addition at East Coast Park! National Parks Board recently opened the family friendly Coastal PlayGrove. It is located at the Area B of the East Coast Park.

This recreational space may induce nostalgic memories as it was the former Big Splash site. The iconic Big Splash was redeveloped into the Coastal PlayGrove after it ceased its operations in 2016. Nowadays, we will be able to enjoy a 4.5-hectare recreation space with a Play Tower, a water play area, an outdoor classroom, as well as retail and dining offerings.

Let us breakdown Coastal PlayGrove’s interesting features. One of its main attractions is the 16m-high Play Tower. This impressive structure is hard to miss due to its massive size and its vibrant design. At its center is the Vertical Challenge. The Vertical Challenge is made up of climbing nets, which ascend from the base to the top of the building. Its dynamic design is a tribute to the coastal heritage of East Coast Park. Moreover, its vibrant colors are the same as the previous water slides. The Vertical Challenge is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 8am to 8pm. The slides are open daily, from 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm.

Image Credits: facebook.com/nparksbuzz

Next to the tower is a water play area. If your kids are looking for ways to cool down on a hot day, try playing at the water play area. This area consists of wading pools, which are connected by a stream with numerous water jets. What is more? These water jets vividly light up at night!

Here are some friendly reminders when playing in this area. It is suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years old. A toilet is located nearby to allow visitors to dry up and change out. Lastly, it follows the same schedule as the Vertical Challenge.

As you stroll further in the Coastal PlayGrove, you will be delighted with the Nature Playgarden. This playgarden allows guests to be immersed with the beauty of nature. It is divided into several themed sections to introduce kids to the different habitats. In all these sections, natural materials such as wood and sand were used. For instance, the first section lets the children explore the bamboo tunnel trail. The last section consists of a trail leading to a sand pit with planted native shrubs. You will be able to spot various fruits and flowers as well as animals such as butterflies and birds. Its biodiversity aims to ignite the curiosity of its guests.

Image Credits: facebook.com/nparksbuzz

Next to the Nature Playgarden is an Outdoor Classroom made for the preschoolers. It is equipped with chalkboard and log stools. Indulge in the coastal views as you learn with your child.

Aside from these interactive features, the Coastal PlayGrove has its own Event Lawn. Large events may not be permitted now, but this spacious Event Lawn can accommodate a whopping 5,000 people once the pandemic is over. Nonetheless, you can use this space by having a seaside picnic, a relaxing kite-flying session, or an exhilarating round of frisbee with your loved ones.

When visiting the Coastal PlayGrove, it is important to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and other safety protocols. With this newest addition to the East Coast Park, guests will be able to bask in the sun, immerse in nature’s beauty, and have a quality time with the whole family.

 

 

Address: East Coast Park, 902 E Coast Park Service Rd, Area B, Singapore 449874
Contact: www.nparks.gov.sg
Arrive by riding the bus (31, 36, 43, 47, 48, 134, 135, 196, 197, 401, 853M) or by driving your vehicle. There is a spacious car park with current charges of $0.60 per half hour. Bicycle bays are also available.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

 

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Beginner’s Guide To Growing Houseplants

From vibrant succulents to the elusive variegated Monstera, the popularity of growing your own houseplants spiked during the pandemic. Visually driven social media has become a haven for foliage fanatics. Simply ask your friends, who are proud plant-dads or plant-moms, about their collections and they will gush with enthusiasm.

Although this botanic popularity may seem like a fad, people have long been maintaining a love affair with plants. Let us focus on the Millennial generation. Their love of plants roots from the self-care and wellness movements. This generation spend money on wellness categories such as boutique fitness classes and athleisure wear. It only make sense that they embrace the physical and mental health benefits offered by plants. Swipe through Instagram to see what I mean!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Growing your own greens is a healthy way to save money and to enjoy fresh produce at home. When done correctly, you will be able to significantly cut down your grocery budget. Moreover, growing houseplants can help improve the indoor air quality. You just have to set aside a budget for gardening.

The total bill for a DIY garden will vary by the type of plant grown, the number of plants purchased, and other factors. To calculate the true cost of starting and maintaining a garden throughout the year, add the following factors together.

Cost of plants or seeds
Cost to provide nutrient-rich soil (i.e., dirt, fertilizer, and worms)
Cost to water plants
Cost to protect and structure plants (e.g., cages, coverings, and fences)
Cost of tools and accessories (e.g., garden forks, gloves, and spade)

Do your research when growing an arsenal of tools. You can start with these basic tools.

1. Gloves

Gardening is a wonderful hobby. Keep things on the pleasant side and avoid a thorny situation by using the right pair of gloves. Garden gloves should be durable, but not bulky.

2. Garden Fork

Garden forks can dig into dense soil better than spades. Forks with straight tines are used for digging and are great for rocky or clay soil. Forks with square tines are stronger than flat tines. Lastly, forks with slight curves to the spines are useful for scooping mulch or turning compost piles.

3. Spade

Spades are short-handled square shovels. A spade will help you to dig holes, create edges, and move small mounds of dirt from one are to another. It may be pricey, but a good spade will last for a long time.

4. Hoe

Hoes are useful in cutting down weeds and preparing your flower beds. You garden will dictate which hoe suits it best. For instance, a veggie garden may require a sturdy and wide hoe.

5. Watering Can

There are hundreds of styles, sizes, colors, and nozzle options when buying a watering can. However, the two basic types are plastic and metal. The plastic type may not last as long as the metal type.

6. Trowel

A trowel is useful for moving soil, digging, removing weeds, mixing fertilizer and much more. It is essentially a handheld shovel.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

I hope that this article gave you enough information to get you started. With everything else, do not forget to have fun! Embrace the physical and mental benefits that plants have to offer.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Create Your Baking Starter Kit

There is no better time to bake than now!

In these stressful times, it is a good idea to find a healthy outlet to help you cope. A friend of mine and a couple of others have shared that they found peace in baking. Baking helps to distract you from the hard-hitting news brought by the pandemic. It also restarts your mind by keeping you engaged. Besides, just a whiff of a freshly-baked batch of cupcake and cookies can put your mind at ease.

What are you waiting for? Entertain yourself and your family by creating your own baking starter kit!

#1: DO YOUR RESEARCH

Baking is a combination art and science. You exude your creativity through using colorful decorations and unique ingredients. On the other hand, things need to be precise. Take your time when baking. Take your time when reading the recipe and formulating the best mixture. Start by knowing the most common baking equivalents.

Here are some of the common baking equivalents:

2 cups = 1 pint

2 pints = 1 quart

4 quarts = 1 gallon

3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon

4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup

5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 1/3 cup

#2: UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE

As with any field, baking has its own jargon. How can you read a recipe correctly when you cannot understand the commonly used terms? You need to educate yourself with the commonly used terms such as caramelize, combine, cream, stiff peaks, and whip.

a. Caramelize – to heat a sugar substance until it begins to turn brown.
b. Combine – to stir the ingredients together until mixed.
c. Cream – to beat sugar and butter together until a light, creamy texture and color has bee achieved.
d. Stiff Peaks – to whip egg whites or cream to the point at which a peak will stand completely straight up and out of the foam.
e. Whip – to stir briskly with a whisk to incorporate air.

#3: PURCHASE THE ESSENTIAL TOOLS

If you are a beginner baker or a master baker, it is helpful to gather the essential baking tools. Some of the essential tools include rolling pin, pastry brush, rubber spatula, wooden spoon, hand mixer, and measuring cup. Let me introduce you to some of these tools.

a. Measuring Cup – a tool that helps you to bake with precision. Having the full set of measuring cups and spoons is a must. It is better to have a set as you will be needing to measure both dry and wet ingredients accurately. Measuring cups usually come in a set of one cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup, and ¼ cup. Measuring spoons usually come in a set of tablespoon, teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, and ¼ teaspoon.

b. Wooden Spoon – a sturdy tool that can help you stir various ingredients such as the thickest and heaviest dough. It is best to hand-wash your wooden spoon to prevent cracking.

c. Hand Mixer – an electrical or a manual kitchen tool consists of a set of beaters attached to a gear-driven mechanism to rotate the blades of the beaters. It helps to automate repetitive baking tasks such as stirring and whisking.

#4: CONSIDER BUYING A BAKING KIT

If all else fails, purchasing a Do-It-Yourself baking kit. As a newbie baker, you may be lost when it comes to finding the right ingredients to create a delicious cake or cupcake recipe. Fortunately for you, local stores offer Do-It-Yourself baking kits. It not only saves you time, but also some trips to the grocery!

a. DIY CHOCOLATE CAKE KIT BY JANICE WONG

Janice Wong, an award-winning chef, has brought her treats to our homes with the launch of Bake at Home. Her website includes baking tutorials and step-by-step baking recipes. While you cannot have her to for you everyday, you may create your own masterpiece with her DIY Chocolate Cake Kit.

It retails for S$42. The price is inclusive of: 1 Chocolate Cake Premix, 90ml Milk, 85ml Water, 30ml Olive Oil, 1 Egg, 1 Packet of Cream, 300g Cacao Barry Inaya 65% Dark Chocolate, 2 packets of Mini Chocolate Pearls, and a Cake board.

b. DIY CAKE DECORATING KIT BY 25GRAMS BAKERY

If your looking for vegan options, look no further than 25Grams Bakery. Their DIY Cake Decorating Kit retails for S$60. The kit includes a 6″ White Frosted Chocolate Cake, 4 frosting colors, Assorted Sprinkles and Sugar Balls, and 2 pairs of disposable gloves. As this kit focuses on the cake’s presentation, you may invite your child to help you in the kitchen.

c. DIY CUPCAKES KIT BY BAKEIN1

You may impress your family and friends by whipping up sugary treats such as lychee rose cupcakes, Nutella cookies, and molten lava cakes through the help of Bakein1. All you need is an oven and the ingredients inside their baking kits.

The Red Velvet Cupcake kit retails for S$23.90. The price includes the flour mix, frosting pack, and so much more. Check out their available recipes in their website!

Image Credits: unsplash.com

When baking, it is important to have fun. Everything tastes better when you are having a good time while making it. Do not roll your eyes. There is truth in this!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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