Notes

10 Healthy Gardening Habits
Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is an exercise that has surprising health benefits. Gardening is a great way to exercise and improve your heart health.

For those who are new to gardening it is recommended to start small. A large garden can be overwhelming to newcomers and excessive gardening can stress plants.

Soil

The soil is an essential resource that is home to many different organisms. It is a rich source of minerals and holds water in a manner that is beneficial to plants. It regulates temperature and is a home for microorganisms which ensure the health of the garden.

Soil is comprised of mineral particles (organic matter), dead and living organisms, water and air. They are ecosystems in themselves and are among the most dynamic natural resources we have.

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

You must choose a spot for gardening that has these three elements, is well-drained and is easily accessible to water. If you are looking to improve drainage in the area, you can add sand. If the soil is abundant in organic matter, you can amend it by adding humus or other kinds of compost to make it better for gardening.

Organic matter in soil is one of the most important things you can do to your garden. Gardeners can use the Back to Eden technique to add compost to the soil after laying down newspaper or cardboard. Organic matter is habitat for microorganisms, which will eventually transform the other elements in the soil into a suitable medium to plant. The fungi and the bacteria in the soil can aid in promoting healthy growth of your plants by assisting them to get the nutrients they need.

Plants

Plants are a source of food and fiber, form the basis of a multibillion-dollar annual tourism industry. offer aesthetic appeal in gardens and national parks and help to create an environment where beauty is a key part of everyday life. The study of plants and their natural habitat is known as botany, while the cultivation and care of the garden is referred to as horticulture.

Like humans plants require nutrients to grow and stay healthy. The gardener's task is to supply these nutrients in a balanced fashion. These nutrients can impact the growth of plants, their appearance, health and even taste.

Some gardeners cultivate plants to increase their medicinal properties, while others cultivate trees, flowers and plants to meet aesthetic goals. Beautifully-shaped flowers and trees can be appealing they provide shade, alter temperatures, block noise or wind, provide privacy, and prevent soil erosion. Shrubs such as boxwoods and hollyhocks can be used as a natural fence or backdrop for a garden.

People who enjoy working in garden s or viewing stunningly landscaped areas feel better and appreciate nature more. Children who take part in gardening programs make healthier eating choices and eat more vegetables, while those who participate in horticulture exercises 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 view weeds as unwanted plants that challenge their crops of flowers or vegetables for water, sunlight and nutrients. While weeds are not only competitive, they can be beneficial species. They improve the soil, attract beneficial insect and arachnids, as well as provide food and medicines.

Weeds can be indicators of soil conditions and the presence of large patches of one kind of weed indicating the presence of problems. For instance dandelion (Danae sativa) and burdock have deep taproots which break up sour or compacted soil; peppergrass (Lepidium verginicum) thrives in wet soil that is acidic and plantain (Plantago spp.) indicates low fertility. Perennial weeds with creeping root systems, like common bermudagrass and yellow nutsedge are difficult to control with repeated cultivation, since each piece of underground plant matter that is cut up or raked out of the ground can root and develop into the new plant.

garden plants can expand rapidly from one root or stem. They typically are found along fence lines and in the gravel under trees, forming a dense mat of green that is difficult to pull out of the ground. It is recommended to prevent knotweed by spreading a thick layer of mulch, then spot treating the area or pulling it out by hand.

Certain garden weeds have medicinal properties, for example, the stinging the nettle. The leaves are a rich source of vitamins B2, A, C and K and minerals like calcium, potassium, iodine and zinc, magnesium, iron and chlorophyll. raised garden beds of elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) are utilized as an alternative to coffee, and the roots are believed to reduce inflammation, relieve joint pain, and improve circulation. The sweet flowers (Viola cornuta) that are found on periwinkle, attract beneficial insects. The seeds of the plant are utilized in herbal medicine.

Pests

There are many alternatives to pesticides. The best way to keep away from pests is through good soil amendments and cultivation. Examine the leaves' underside at least once per week to spot pests early. Mulchs can also be used to help conserve soil moisture and to control weeds.

In the vegetable and fruit garden, keep an eye out for aphids. These tiny, pear-shaped insects sucking sap from plants can cause fungal diseases to harm stems and leaves. You'll know if you have an aphid problem because of the sticky honeydew on the bottoms of leaves, and dying plants.

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

If you have an established garden, creating a natural habitat that attracts insects naturally reduce the number of pests that are a problem. You can help by growing vegetables and flowers that provide appealing nectar or pollen for these natural enemies.

There are alternatives that aren't toxic to control pests, like nematodes which kill vine weevil larvae and the fungi that kill the plant tissue that is diseased. Biological controls require patience since they require time to work.

If you have to resort to pesticides, choose the safest ones. There are a variety of organic sprays that can irritate the 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. Others contain fungi, bacteria or viruses that infect and kill the pests. Always look over the label of the sprays you apply to make sure they are safe for your garden.

Water

Gardening has a long history of exploration and discovery. Plant breeders are constantly creating new varieties of flowers, vegetables and other plants by cross-breeding. This makes gardening safer than in the past, and gardens are also more resistant to pests, weather and other environmental hazards.

Gardens are often a venue for the expression of political or social views regardless of whether they are intended or not. Some gardeners, for example may only grow native plants in their gardens in order to encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle. Others may choose an aesthetic garden that reflects their heritage and culture. Gardening is a wonderful exercise option, and it can even aid in gaining health. A study conducted by Be Independent HomeCare found that gardening is a good source of cardiovascular exercise and could lower your blood pressure. This is due to the fact that gardening requires manual labor that strengthens your heart.

It is crucial to water a garden well and frequently. The majority of experts recommend that you soak the soil in a deep way, which is at least eight inches below the surface. This is the most efficient way to water because the soil on the surface tends to evaporate quickly. Soaking allows the water to remain in the soil, and to be able to reach the roots, where they require the most.

It is also important to select water that is low in sodium. A high sodium content can be harmful to plants, particularly those with fine-textured soils. Squeezing soil between your thumbs and forefingers will reveal the sodium content in the water you use for gardening. If the soil appears to be moist and has a soft, smooth feeling, it's fine to use, but if it is sticky and leaves stains on your hands or spills out when squeezed you need to change the kind of water you're using.

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