Notes

How Gardening Can Be Your Next Big Obsession
Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening can provide surprising health benefits. Gardening is an excellent way to exercise and improve your heart health.

Beginners should start with a smaller size. Too large a garden could be overwhelming for newcomers, and too intense gardening stresses plants.

Soil

Soil is an amazing natural resource that supports an array of organisms. It is rich in minerals and retains water in a way that is beneficial for plants. It regulates temperature and provides a habitat for microorganisms which ensure the health of the garden.

Soils are comprised of mineral particles alive and dead organisms (organic matter) as well as air and water. They are eco-systems in their own right and are among the most dynamic resources we have.

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

When gardening, you want to choose a place that has a mix of these three elements and is well-drained after rain and is easily accessible for watering. If the area you select is not well-drained and is not able to drain well, you can add sand or other material to improve it. If the soil is rich with lots of organic matter, you might want to add compost or humus to improve the soil for gardening.

Addition of organic matter to the soil is essential for the garden. Gardeners can employ the Back to Eden technique to introduce compost into the soil after placing down cardboard or newspaper. Organic matter is the microorganisms with a place to live which eventually transform the other elements in the soil into a workable medium to plant. The fungi and the bacteria in the soil can aid in promoting healthy growth in your plants by helping them to obtain the nutrients they require.

Plants

Plants provide food and fiber, form the basis of a multibillion dollar annually tourism industry. They provide aesthetic appeal in gardens and national parks and help to create the world where beauty is a key aspect of daily life. Botany is the study of plants in their natural habitat while horticulture involves the cultivation and maintenance garden plants.

Like humans, plants require nutrients to grow and stay healthy. A gardener's job is to supply these nutrients in a balanced fashion. These nutrients can affect the plant's health, growth appearance, and taste.

Certain gardeners plant plants because of their medicinal properties, while others cultivate trees, flowers and plants for aesthetic reasons. Beautifully designed trees and flowers can be attractive and offer shade, regulate temperatures, reduce noise or wind, and provide privacy and prevent soil erosion. Shrubs such as boxwoods or hollyhocks can be used as a natural fence or backdrop for your garden.

People who love working in gardens or viewing stunningly landscaped areas feel better and are more enthused about nature. Studies have also shown that children who are involved in gardening programs are more likely to make healthier choices in their food and have more vegetable intakes and those who participate in horticulture activities experience improved 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 unwanted plants that challenge their flower or vegetable crops for water, sunlight and nutrients. Although weeds are competitive, they can also be beneficial species. They enrich the soil, attract beneficial insect, repel pests, and provide food and medicines.

They can be indicators of soil conditions, with large patches of one kind of weed signalling the presence of problems. For example the dandelion (Danae sativa) and burdock have taproots that are deep and break up sour or compacted soil; peppergrass (Lepidium verginicum) thrives in wet soil that is acidic; and plantain (Plantago spp.) Low fertility is evident in weeds. It is difficult to control perennial weeds that have creeping roots, like yellow nutsedge and common bermudagrass through repeated cultivation. Each piece of plant material that is cut or raked up could grow roots and eventually become a new plant.

Certain exotic weeds, such as knotweed (Piper nodosum), can spread from a single piece of stem or root. They often develop along fence lines and in the gravel under trees, forming dense green mat that is difficult to pull out of the ground. To prevent knotweed, apply a deep layer of mulch, spot-treating or hand-pulling is a good idea.

Some garden weeds, such as stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), have medicinal properties. The leaves are rich in vitamins B2, A, C, and K as well as minerals like calcium, potassium iodine magnesium iron zinc and chlorophyll. Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis), berries, are used to replace coffee. The roots are believed to reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. Periwinkle's sweet flowers (Viola cornuta) attract beneficial insects and the seeds are utilized in herbal medicine.

Pests

There are numerous alternatives to pesticides. The best method to stay clear of pests is through proper soil amendments and cultivation. Keep an eye on plants and check leaf undersides at least once a week, in order that you can detect pest problems early. Utilize mulches to conserve soil moisture and keep weeds at bay.


Aphids can be found in the fruit and vegetable garden s. These tiny, pear-shaped insects sucking sap from plants can cause fungal diseases that can cause damage to stems and leaves. You'll be able to tell if you've got an aphid problem because of the sticky honeydew on the bottoms of leaves and wilted, dying plants.

To control aphids, aphid-eating predatory insects like ladybugs, lacewings and praying mantises are available at the horticultural supply firms. Ground beetles, syrphid flies, and parasitic wasps are also prey to Aphids.

If you already have a garden, creating a space that attracts insects naturally reduce the number of pests that are a problem. You can do this by planting flowers and vegetables that attract attractive pollen or nectar for these natural enemies.

There are also non-toxic options for controlling certain pests, like nematodes which kill vine weevil larvae, and fungi that destroy the plant tissue that is diseased. However, using these biological controls requires some patience, since you'll need to give them time to work.

Select the safest pesticides you have to. There are a variety of organic sprays that irritate your skin, lungs, and skin of pests. They are also safe for the human skin and surrounding environment. Garlic, hot pepper, and onion sprays are some of the most popular. Some contain fungi, bacteria or viruses that infect and kill the pests. 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 experimentation and discovery. Plant breeders are constantly creating new varieties of flowers, vegetables, and other plants by cross-breeding. This makes gardening more secure than it was in the past. It also means that gardens are more tolerant to the impacts of pests, weather and other environmental hazards.

Intentionally or unintentionally, garden spaces are often used to communicate views on social or political issues. For instance some gardeners might plant only native plants in their gardens to promote an ecological ethic. Others may decide to create gardens that reflect their culture and heritage. Gardening can be a great exercise option and can help you get healthier. A study by Be Independent HomeCare found that gardening is a great source of cardiovascular exercise and could lower your blood pressure. This is due to the fact that gardening requires manual labor that helps strengthen your heart.

It is important to water a garden well and regularly. The majority of experts recommend soaking the soil deeply that is, at least eight inches below the surface. This is the most effective method of watering because the soil on the surface tends to evaporate quickly. The water can reach the roots by getting soaked.

In addition to soaking the soil it is recommended to use water that has low sodium levels. High sodium levels can harm plants, particularly those with finely textured soils. You can check the sodium content of your garden water by squeezing a bit of soil between your thumb and forefinger. If the soil appears damp and has a soft, smooth feel, it is okay to use. However, if it is sticky and stains your hand or smears when squeezed, you should change the type of water you are using.

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