Notes

Find Out More About Gardening When You Work From At Home
Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is a physical activity that reaps surprising health benefits. When you're weeding, digging or watering, gardening is an exercise program that will improve your heart health and strengthen your immune system.

For raised garden is best to start small. A garden that is too large could overwhelm newcomers, and overly intensive gardening can stress plants.

Soil

Soil is an amazing natural resource that provides an array of organisms. It is a rich source of minerals and holds water in a manner that is beneficial to plants. It also helps regulate temperatures and provides a home for microorganisms which help keep the garden healthy.

Soils are made up of minerals alive and dead organisms (organic matter) air and water. They are ecosystems in themselves and are among the most dynamic natural resources we have.

The soil's mineral component is formed from rocks when forces like water, wind and temperature fluctuations break them into smaller pieces. These tiny particles are then mixed with organic matter from plant and animal remains as they decay or break down. This creates a mixture of clay silt and sand, which is called soil.

You must choose a spot for gardening that is characterized by these three components, drains well and is easily accessible to water. If the area you select has poor drainage it is possible to add sand or other material to improve it. If the soil is high in organic matter you can amend it by adding humus or other kinds of compost to make it more suitable for gardening.

Adding organic matter to soil is one of the most important things you can do for your garden. Utilizing the Back to Eden method, gardeners put newspaper or cardboard in the first layer, and then add a few inches of compost over the top. Organic matter is a home for microorganisms that will eventually convert the other elements present in the soil into a suitable soil that can be used to plant. The fungi, bacteria and other organisms in the soil will aid in keeping your plants healthy by giving them the nutrients they require.

Plants


Plants are a source of food and fiber, which form the foundation of a multibillion-dollar annually tourism industry. They provide visual appeal in gardens and national parks and make a difference in a world where beauty is a major part of our lives. Botany is the study of plants in their natural environment while horticulture involves the cultivation and maintenance of garden plants.

Like humans plants require nutrients to grow and stay healthy. The job of a gardener 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 plant plants to increase their medicinal qualities, while others tend to flowers, trees and shrubs to enhance their appearance. Beautifully designed flowers and trees can be appealing, offer shade, change temperatures, block noise or wind, provide privacy, and prevent soil erosion. Shrubs, such as boxwoods or hollyhocks are often used as natural fences, or act as a backdrop for a garden.

People who love gardening or looking at beautifully landscaped areas feel better and are more enthused about nature. Children who take part in gardening programs make healthier food choices and consume more vegetables, while those who engage in horticulture-related activities have 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 undesirable plants that compete for sunlight and water as well as nutrients with their vegetables or flowering crops. Although weeds are competitive, they can also be beneficial species. They improve the soil, attract beneficial insect, repel pests, and provide food and medicines.

Weeds can indicate soil conditions and the presence of large patches of one kind of weed indicating the presence of problems. For example, the dandelion (Danae sativa) and burdock have deep taproots which break up compacted or sour soil; peppergrass (Lepidium verginicum) thrives in soggy acidic soils and plantain (Plantago spp.) indicates low fertility. Perennial weeds that grow in creeping root systems, such as common bermudagrass and yellow nutsedge are difficult to control by repeated cultivation, as every piece of underground plant matter that is chopped up or raked off of the soil could root and grow into a new plant.

Certain exotic weeds can spread rapidly from one single stem or root. They usually grow along fence lines and in the gravel under trees, forming dense green mat that is difficult to remove of the ground. To prevent knotweed, apply an extensive layer of mulch, spot-treating or hand-pulling is a good idea.

Certain garden weeds, such as stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has medicinal properties. The leaves are a good source of vitamins A, B2, C and K and minerals such as calcium potassium, iodine and zinc, magnesium, iron and chlorophyll. The elderberry berries (Sambucus canadensis) are used as an alternative to coffee and the roots are said to reduce inflammation, relieve joint pain and increase circulation. Periwinkle's sweet flowers (Viola cornuta) attract beneficial insects and the seeds are used in herbal medicine.

Pests

Many gardeners employ pesticides, however, there are alternatives to chemical controls. The best method to avoid pests is to ensure that you cultivate and apply soil amendments. Check the underside of leaves at least once per week to identify pests before they appear. Mulchs can also be used to conserve soil moisture and control weeds.

Aphids are common in fruit and vegetable garden s. These tiny insects that eat sap from plants can cause fungal diseases to cause damage to stems and leaves. You'll know if you have an aphid issue by the sticky honeydew on the undersides of leaves and dying plants that are wilted.

Horticultural supply companies offer predatory insects that eat the aphids like ladybugs. Lacwings and praying mentises are also effective in removing aphids. Aphids are also consumed by ground beetles as well as parasitic wasps.

If you already have a garden making it a place that is attractive to predatory insects can help reduce the number of pests. You can help by planting flowers and plants that attract attractive pollen or nectar to these natural enemies.

You can also utilize non-toxic alternatives to deal with certain pests. For instance Nematodes kill vine weevil larvae or fungi eliminate diseased plant tissue. However, using these biological controls requires patience, as you'll need to allow the time needed for them to take effect.

Select garden bed have to. There are a variety of organic sprays that irritate your skin, lungs, and skin of pests, while being safe for the human skin and surrounding environment. garden beds of these include garlic, hot pepper and onion sprays. Some sprays contain bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can infect and kill pests. Always read the label of the sprays you apply to ensure that they are safe for your garden.

Water

Gardening has a long history of exploration and discovery. Breeders are constantly developing new varieties of flowers, vegetables and other plants through cross-breeding. This means that gardening is less risky than in the past and also means that gardens are more resistant to the ravages of pests, weather and other environmental hazards.

Gardens are often a place for the expression of political or social views regardless of whether they are intended or not. Some gardeners, for example, may only cultivate native plants in their gardens in order to encourage an eco-ethic approach. Others may choose to design a garden that emphasizes their culture and heritage. Gardening is a wonderful exercise option, and it can even aid in gaining health. Be Independent HomeCare conducted a study that revealed gardening to be an excellent cardiovascular exercise. It can also lower your blood pressure. This is because gardening involves manual labor, which can strengthen your heart.

It is important to water your garden thoroughly and regularly. The majority of experts recommend soaking soil deeply, which means at least eight inches beneath the surface. This is the most efficient method of watering because the soil on the surface tends to evaporate quickly. The water can reach the roots by the soaking.

It is also important to select water that is low in sodium. A high sodium content can cause harm to plants, especially those with fine-textured soils. Squeezing soil between your fingers and thumbs will reveal the sodium content in your garden water. If the soil appears to be moist and has a smooth, mellow feeling, it's fine to use. However, if it is sticky and stains your hand or spills out when squeezed you should change the kind of water you are using.

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