Updated: Jun 18, 2023
Flax is one of the oldest known crops on Earth. The use of flax fiber to make linen goes back at least to ancient Egyptian times. The flax fiber is extracted from the stem of the plant and can be used for many things. In addition, the seed, oil, lignans, and flax protein all have potential health benefits and has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history and is becoming even more widely used today. The Latin name of the flaxseed is Linum usitatissimum, which means “very useful”, and is very accurate!
Flax is native to the eastern Mediterranean and India. It has slender leaves and pale blue or purple flowers. In the United States, flax was first introduced by colonists to produce fiber for clothing. Today, every part of the flaxseed plant is utilized commercially, either directly or after processing. The stem yields good quality fibers having high strength and durability. It is a natural and biodegradable composite, and is stronger than cotton. It is also used in paper products. Currently 51% of the world's flax crops are grown in the Americas, with the number one country in global trade of flax being Canada.
According to the National Library of Medicine, "Flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because of its rich contents of α-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, and fiber. Flaxseed oil, fibers and flax lignans have potential health benefits such as in reduction of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune and neurological disorders.
The protein content of flaxseed varies from 20 to 30%. Flax protein helps in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and in supporting the immune system. Whole flaxseed, flaxseed meals and isolated proteins are also rich sources of glutamic acid/glutamine, arginine.
Flax contains up to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods. Flax lignans are phenolic compounds formed by the union of two cinnamic acid residues. Lignans are ubiquitous within the plant kingdom and are present in almost all plants. Lignans act as both antioxidants and phytoestrogens."
Flaxseed oil is the food grade name but it is also known as linseed oil when its used for other things than human consumption, like in paints and stains. Linseed oil is very nourishing to wood also, making it more resistant to wear, and it is inexpensive and natural.
New Zealand Flax
In the Southern Hemisphere there is New Zealand flax, Phorium tenex and Phorium colensoi, native to New Zealand and is very useful is similar ways, although visually quite different than the Northern Hemisphere flax.
The Māori people of New Zealand relied on it for fiber to make everything from clothes to ropes, baskets, fishing nets and more. It is very important to their culture throughout their history. It got called flax when European settlers came to New Zealand and saw it was useful for fiber like the flax at home.
New Zealand flax grows extremely well in Southern California's climate and throughout the western states where there is lots of sun. It can range from light to dark green, rusty orange to reds and even purple in it's long, pointed leaves. Besides growing easily and being drought tolerant, it is low maintenance. It has become more popular for ornamental use globally than for fiber production, now a popular landscape element. It adds a stunning look to any garden with it's upward long blade leaves, and looks different than most other plants. Sometimes it sends up a long single stalk with red or yellow tubular blooms that hummingbirds and other pollinators love.
If you would like help with your existing or new landscape project, contact us and see what our professionals can do for you! We specialize in commercial and residential landscaping and maintenance, designing hardscapes and softscapes, installing sprinkler and drip systems, and much more!
Updated: May 5, 2023
As the sun shines brighter and longer, plants need adequate water to thrive through the hot summer. Smart water irrigation is a great choice for people living in Southern California for all types of landscape with both commercial and residential properties.
Many aspects go into choosing good irrigation system such as types of plants and ethics. You may need drip irrigation or sprinklers, or both, depending on what plants you have and how much watering is needed. Positioning sprinklers and drip systems in the correct place is also important. It’s also important to consider water conservation and your climate when choosing plants.
With climate change and water becoming more and more precious, it is pertinent to make sure your irrigation isn’t leaky or overwatering your plants. Overwatering plants can also cause them to suffocate and wilt or die. Having automatic sensors turn off your irrigation when the rain comes or when enough moisture is already present is key. Efficient and ethical irrigation can ensure your plants are getting the specific amount of water they need without waste.
Smart Irrigation is an important part of landscaping because it ensures your plants receive enough water for them to thrive but saves plants from overwatering, saving both water and money. Choosing irrigation may not be easy, but with our help, we can ensure you receive irrigation that fits your landscaping needs best.
Contact us for all your landscape needs! Our professionals are experts in all areas of maintenance, installation, and design and are here to help!
Spring is linked to all sorts of wonderful things like new beginnings, cleaning, and blooming! It’s here and we want to make sure you know what you need to do to have a fresh and original look for your horticulture needs.
Yard Cleanup
Part of a healthy yard is keeping it clean. Raking away dead leaves and inspecting your yard for dead plants and overgrowth can revitalize its look. A lack of pruning, cutting off dead branches or overgrowth, can lead to less growth in the future for your plants. You can remove dead leaves and stems, carefully, with your hands by pulling at them. For tougher stems or branches, you can use pruning shears or scissors.
Adding Fresh Mulch to Flowerbeds
Mulch is a must have for your garden for not only its aesthetic benefits, but also health benefits for your garden. A new layer of mulch helps retain water in the soil for your plants and can lead to less need of watering your plants. Mulch also helps keep down unwanted weeds from infiltrating around your precious plants. Using mulch in for your plants is an easy trick to saving money on water and giving your garden a fresh look. There are a variety of choices when it comes to mulch these days!
Efficient Water Irrigation
Plants are a lot like humans in that they need a good balance of water and oxygen. Overwatering can lead to your landscape drowning in water and lacking oxygen. Making sure your water irrigation is working efficiently and ethically also helps the earth! As California is suffering from a drought, it is important to conserve as much water as possible and it can also help you save money. Smart irrigation can help! Contact Us for help on your water irrigation needs or any landscape project! Our professionals are ready to help!
