Notes

15 Great Documentaries About Gardening
Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is an exercise that can reap surprising health benefits. Whether you're digging, weeding or watering, gardening is good exercise that can improve your heart health and immune system.

Beginners should begin with a smaller size. Too large a garden could overwhelm newcomers, and overly intensive gardening can stress plants.

Soil

Soil is an amazing natural resource that supports an array of organisms. It is abundant in minerals and holds water in a way that is beneficial for plants. It helps regulate temperature, and also provides a home to microorganisms which help keep the garden healthy.

Soil is comprised of mineral particles (organic matter) alive and dead organisms, water and air. They are eco-systems by themselves and are among the most dynamic resources we have.

As wind, water, and temperature changes break down rocks into smaller particles, the mineral part of soil is formed. These tiny particles are mixed with organic matter from animal and plant remains as they decay or decompose. This creates a mix of clay, silt and sand that makes up the soil.

When you garden, you need to choose a place with a mixture of these three components, drains well after rain and is accessible for watering. If you wish to improve drainage in the area, you can add sand. If the soil is rich in organic matter, you can amend it with humus or other types of compost to make it more suitable for gardening.

Addition of organic matter to the soil is essential for your garden. Utilizing the Back to Eden method, gardeners spread newspaper or cardboard in the first layer, and then add several inches of compost over the top layer. The organic matter provides an environment for microorganisms which eventually transform the other elements of the soil into a workable substrate for planting. The fungi and bacteria that live in the soil can aid in promoting healthy growth of your plants by assisting them to get the nutrients they need.

Plants

Plants provide food and fiber, which form the foundation of a multibillion-dollar annually tourism industry. They offer attractive gardens, forests and national parks and contribute to a world where beauty is a major part of our lives. The study of plants and their natural habitat is called botany, while the cultivation and care of the garden is referred to as horticulture.

Just like humans plants require nutrients to thrive and remain healthy. A gardener's job is to provide these nutrients in a balanced way. These nutrients can impact the plant's growth, health, appearance and even taste.

Some gardeners plant plants for their medicinal qualities, while others plant flowers, trees and shrubs to achieve aesthetic goals. Beautifully designed garden ideas and trees can be beautiful, offer shade, change temperatures, block the noise or wind, offer privacy, and prevent erosion of the soil. Shrubs like boxwoods and hollyhocks can be used as a natural fence or backdrop for a garden.

People who love gardening or looking at beautiful landscaped areas feel healthier and are more enthused about nature. Children who participate in gardening programs make healthier food choices and eat more vegetables, while those who engage in horticulture-related activities benefit from greater strength and endurance. In addition, the presence of aesthetically-pleasing gardens and landscapes in hospital recovery rooms accelerates the healing process and provides patients with a feeling of comfort and compassion.


Weeds

Many gardeners see weeds as undesirable plants that compete for sunlight and water, as well as nutrients with their vegetable or flowering plants. While they can be competitive, weeds may also serve as beneficial species that enrich the soil, attract beneficial insects, repel pests, and provide food and medicinal benefits.

Weeds can be indicators of soil conditions, with large patches of one kind of weed indicating the existence of a problem. For instance, dandelions (Danae sativa) and burdock have deep taproots which break up compacted or sour soil; peppergrass (Lepidium verginicum) thrives in moist acidic soils and plantain (Plantago spp.) Low fertility is indicated by the presence of weeds. Perennial weeds that grow in creeping root systems, like common bermudagrass or yellow nutsedge are difficult to control with repeated cultivation, since each piece of underground plant matter that's chopped up or raked out of the soil can take root and grow into the new plant.

Some serious exotic weeds like knotweed (Piper nodosum) can grow from a single rooted part of stem or root. They usually grow along fence lines in a gravel area or under trees, creating an extensive mat of green that is difficult to remove of the ground. Preventing knotweed by using a thick layer of mulch and spot-treating or hand-pulling is recommended.

beginning gardening tips possess medicinal properties, like the stinging the nettle. The leaves are high in vitamins A, B2, C, and K as well as minerals like calcium, potassium iodine, magnesium iron zinc and chlorophyll. The elderberry's berries (Sambucus canadensis) are used as an alternative to coffee and the roots are believed to ease inflammation, alleviate joint pain, and improve circulation. The sweet flowers of periwinkle (Viola cornuta) attract beneficial insects and the seeds are used in herbal remedies.

Pests

There are numerous alternatives to pesticides. The best way to stay away from pests is good cultivation and soil amendments. Keep a close watch on the plants and examine leaf undersides at least once a week, so that you can spot pests early. In addition, use mulches to conserve soil moisture and to deter weeds.

Aphids can be found in the fruit and vegetable gardens. garden ideas , pear-shaped bugs take the sap of plants, causing fungal infections that can cause damage to leaves and stems. You'll be able to tell if you've got an aphid problem because of the sticky honeydew on the undersides of leaves, and wilted, dying plants.

Horticultural supply companies sell predatory insects that consume aphids such as ladybugs. Lacwings and praying mentises are also effective in the fight against Aphids. Aphids are also consumed by ground beetles as well as parasitic wasps.

If you already have a garden, creating a space that attracts predatory insects will naturally reduce pest outbreaks. You can do this by planting flowers and vegetables that provide attractive nectar or pollen for these natural enemies.

There are also non-toxic options to eliminate certain pests. For example, nematodes kill vine weevil larvae and fungi eliminate the plant tissue that is diseased. The biological controls require patience because they take time to get the job done.

If you have to employ pesticides, select the most secure ones. There are many natural sprays that irritate your skin, lungs and skin of pests, while being safe for the human skin as well as the environment. Some of them include garlic, hot pepper and onion sprays. Some sprays contain bacteria or fungi that can infect and kill pests. You should always look over the label of the sprays you apply to ensure that they are safe for your garden.

Water

Gardening is a long-running process of exploration and discovery. New varieties of vegetables, flowers and other plants are continually appearing through selective cross-breeding of breeders. This means that gardening is safer than in the past and also means that gardens are more tolerant to the ravages of pests, weather and other environmental hazards.

Intentionally or unintentionally, gardens are often used to express political or social views. For instance, some gardeners might only plant native plants in their backyards in order to encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle. Others might choose to design a garden that emphasizes their culture and heritage. Gardening is a great form of exercise and can even aid in getting healthier. A study by Be Independent HomeCare found that gardening is a good source of cardiovascular exercise and could lower your blood pressure. This is because gardening involves manual labor that strengthens your heart.

It is essential to water your garden frequently and thoroughly. The majority of experts recommend that you soak the soil in a deep way, which is at least eight inches beneath the surface. This is a more effective method of watering as the soil on the surface tends to evaporate quickly. Soaking allows beginning gardening tips to linger, and it can get to the roots, where they require it most.

You should also use water that is low in sodium. A high sodium content can cause harm to plants, especially those with fine-textured soils. You can check the sodium level in your garden water by squeezing a bit of soil between your thumb and forefinger. If the soil is moist and smooth, you can use it. However, if the soil is sticky or it smears on your hand, you should change the water you're using.

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