Houseplants are most commonly used to add color and life to homes and offices, but there’s an even better reason for homeowners to stock up on flowers and ferns – to keep their homes healthy. Recent NASA findings under the Clean Air Study have discovered that adding houseplants to indoor environments can reduce pollutants in enclosed areas up to 87 percent in just 24 hours. Pike Nurseries takes the guesswork out of gardening by summarizing the details of the study and offering plant suggestions for homeowners to get started.

According to the Clean Air Study, the three most common toxins that are found in homes and offices are benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene (TCE). These pollutants enter our homes through asbestos, chemical cleaning solutions, synthetic fibers, carpets and insulation. Luckily, houseplants offer a simple and beautiful way for homeowners to remove harmful airborne toxins naturally and without much effort.

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From PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” to A&E’s “Storage Wars,” reality TV has capitalized on our fascination with discovering treasure in household junk.

It happened to historian Michael Mendoza, whose patient culling through boxes of old papers was rewarded when he found a Civil War veteran’s personal account of his experiences. The 17-page letter was so rich in detail, Mendoza (www.dentedcanenterprises.com) used it as the basis of his first novel, “Glorious Reality of War.”

Mendoza owned an antiques store in 1997 when 95-year-old Alice Bowersock died in San Diego, Calif. He acquired her estate: furniture, knickknacks, and stacks of boxes full of photographs, insurance policies and letters.

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The interior designers at Lamps Plus, an online home décor and lighting store, know that it can be a challenge to create a beautiful home space for the holidays without breaking the bank. With the holiday entertaining season fast approaching, family and friends will soon be arriving on your doorstep to help you celebrate. Here are 5 ways to use home decor to add fresh style to your holiday home for those looking for home decorating ideas on a budget.

1. Make a Great First Impression

For starters, consider how arriving guests will see your house. Lynda Gould, Lamps Plus corporate interior design manager, advises, “Start with the entryway decor of your house, which is the first thing your guests will see when they arrive. Holiday decorations, party lights, or decorative candle holders in the foyer or entry hall will help set a warm and inviting tone for the rest the evening.”

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Originally scheduled to close October 1, the 2011 Suwanee Farmers Market has been extended two weeks. The market will now be open from 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays through October 15. About a dozen farmers/vendors are expected to participate in the extended market.

“Because of the weather pattern this summer, our farmers continue to have crops in the field,” says Suwanee Events Manager Amy Doherty. “We decided to extend the market in order to offer area residents fresh produce for as long as possible.”

This Saturday, October 1, will mark the final market this year at Town Center Park. Because other events had been previously scheduled, the October 8 and 15 markets will be held in the parking lot of the Suwanee Police Department, 373 Buford Highway, across the street from Town Center Park.

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Suwanee’s Harvest Farm Community Garden is hosting a communitywide scarecrow competition.

About 10 gardeners participated in the competition last year. This year, by opening the competition to the community, the Harvest Farm managing board hopes that more scarecrows will take up residence at the community garden. Harvest Farm gardeners may place their scarecrows in their plots any time from October 1-21, while community members are invited to line their scarecrows up along the inside of the garden’s perimeter split-rail fence; signs at White Street Park, 752 White Street, will indicate where scarecrows should be placed.

Prizes from local businesses will be awarded to winners in categories such as scariest, funniest, and most creative. Judging will take place on October 22.

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Back by popular demand, Total Wine & More will bring a sampling of wines from around the world to the 2011 Fall Atlanta Home Show, so adult attendees can enjoy tasting the various vintages, while supporting Hope Atlanta, the service programs of Travelers Aid of Metro Atlanta. The cost for the wine tasting is $5, in addition to Show admission, with all proceeds benefitting Hope Atlanta, and participants will have the opportunity to taste and learn about nine different wines. The Fall Atlanta Home Show will be held Friday-Sunday, Sept. 23-25 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. The wine tastings will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

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McDaniel Farm Park

Herbs, those mystical, magical, wild, exotic plants from around the world have been the currency of kings, the pharmacy of healers and the delight of cooks from the dawn of time.  The Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center (GEHC) invites you to its More Herbs, Less Salt program at McDaniel Farm Park on August 27, to learn more about these valuable plants.

“Late summer is a great time to focus on garden herbs as they are at their peak for harvest,” said Catherine Long, history and culture program manager for the GEHC. “If you have not had a chance to visit the Heritage Garden at McDaniel Farm Park, the More Herbs, Less Salt program will allow you to explore this local treasure.”

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