Notes

It's Time To Expand Your Gardening Options
Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is a physical activity that can reap surprising health benefits. Gardening is a great method to exercise and improve your heart health.


For beginners it is best to begin small. Too large a garden could overwhelm newcomers, and overly intensive gardening can stress plants.

Soil

The soil is a natural resource that supports many different organisms. It is full of useful minerals and holds water in a manner that is beneficial to plants. It also aids in regulating temperature and serves as a habitat for microorganisms that keep the garden healthy.

Soil is made up of mineral particles (organic matter), dead and living organisms, water and air. They are ecosystems in their own right and are among the most diverse natural resources we have.

The soil's mineral component forms from rocks as forces like water, wind and temperature variations break them down into smaller pieces. homes gardens are then 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.

You should choose a spot for gardening that has these three components, drains well and is easily accessible for watering. If you wish to improve drainage in the area, add sand. If the soil has an abundance of organic matter, you might want to add compost or humus to improve the soil for gardening.

Organic matter added to the soil is crucial for the garden. Gardeners can employ the Back to Eden technique to introduce compost into 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 substrate to plant. The fungi and bacteria that live in the soil can help promote healthy growth for your plants by helping them to get the nutrients they require.

Plants

Plants are a source of food and fiber, which form the foundation of a multibillion-dollar per year tourism industry, offer visual appeal in gardens, forests and national parks and make a difference in a world where beauty is a major aspect of daily life. Botany is the study of plants in their natural surroundings while horticulture involves the cultivation and maintenance of garden plant s.

Just like humans, plants require nutrients to grow and remain healthy. The gardener's task is to supply these nutrients in a balanced way. These nutrients can affect the plant's health, growth, appearance, and even taste.

Some gardeners plant plants to increase their medicinal properties, whereas others tend to flowers, trees and shrubs for aesthetic reasons. Beautifully-shaped flowers and trees can be beautiful provide shade, alter temperatures, reduce the noise or wind, offer privacy, and stop soil erosion. Shrubs, like boxwoods or hollyhocks, often serve as natural fences, or act as a backdrop to the garden.

Gardeners who work in the gardens and enjoy beautiful landscaped areas feel an overall sense of wellbeing and have a greater appreciation of the natural world. Children who are involved in gardening programs make healthier eating choices and eat more vegetables, and seniors who take part in horticulture activities enjoy an increase in 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 are in competition for sunlight and water as well as nutrients with their vegetable or flowering crops. While weeds are competitive, they can also be beneficial species. They improve the soil, attract beneficial insects and arachnids, as well as provide food and medicinal benefits.

Weeds can be indicators of soil conditions and large patches of one type of weed indicating the existence of a problem. For example, dandelion (Danae sativa) and burdock have deep taproots that break up sour or compacted soil; peppergrass (Lepidium verginicum) thrives in moist acidic soils; and plantain (Plantago spp.) Low fertility is evident by weeds. Perennial weeds that grow in creeping root systems, like common bermudagrass or yellow nutsedge are difficult to control through repeated cultivation because each piece of underground plant matter that is chopped up or raked from the ground can grow roots and become the new plant.

Some exotic weeds can grow quickly from one single root or stem. They can be found along fences, in the gravel, or under trees. They form a thick green mat that is difficult to remove from the ground. To prevent knotweed, apply a thick layer of mulch and spot-treating, or hand-pulling is recommended.

Certain garden weeds, like stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has medicinal properties. The leaves are rich in vitamins B2, A, C, and K and minerals like calcium, potassium iodine, magnesium iron zinc and chlorophyll. The berries of elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) are used as an alternative to coffee, and their roots are believed to reduce inflammation, relieve joint pain, and improve circulation. The sweet flowers (Viola cornuta) that are found on periwinkles, attract beneficial insects. The seeds of the plant can be used in herbal remedies.

Pests

There are numerous alternatives to pesticides. The best way to stay away from pests is to ensure that you cultivate and apply soil amendments. Make sure to check the underside of leaves at least once per week to catch pests early. Utilize starting a garden to help conserve soil moisture and keep weeds at bay.

In the vegetable and fruit garden, be on the lookout for Aphids. These tiny, pear-shaped insects sucking sap from plants can cause fungal diseases that can damage leaves and stems. Aphids are easily identified by sticky honeydew that is visible on the undersides and dying leaves.

Horticultural supply companies offer predatory insects that eat Aphids, such as ladybugs. Lacwings and praying mentises are effective in controlling the aphids. Ground beetles, syrphid flies and parasitic wasps also prey on the aphids.

If you already have an outdoor garden making it a place that attracts predatory bugs can help reduce the number of pests. You can do this by planting plants and flowers that offer attractive nectar or pollen to these natural enemies.

There are also non-toxic alternatives to control certain pests. For example, nematodes kill vine weevil larvae or fungi eradicate diseased plant tissue. However, using these biological controls requires patience, as you'll need to allow them time to work.

Select the safest pesticides you must. There are many kinds of organic sprays that can irritate the skin and lungs of pests, but also being harmless to human skin and the surrounding environment. Garlic, hot pepper, and onion sprays are a few of the most popular. Some contain fungi, bacteria or viruses that kill and infect the pests. Always check the label on the sprays you apply to make sure they are safe for your garden.

starting a garden has a long history of experimentation, and it has been a source of research for centuries. Breeders of plants are constantly developing new varieties of flowers, vegetables, and other plants by cross-breeding. This means that gardening is more secure than in the past and also means that gardens are more tolerant to the impacts of weather, pests and other environmental hazards.

Intentionally or not, gardens are often used to convey political or social views. For example some gardeners might plant only native species in their yards to promote an ecological mindset. Others might choose a garden design that emphasizes their culture and heritage. Gardening can be a fantastic form of exercise, and it can even help you get healthier. A study conducted by Be Independent HomeCare found that gardening is a good source of cardiovascular exercise and can lower your blood pressure. This is because gardening involves manual labor, which can strengthen 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 means at least eight inches below the surface. This is the most efficient method to water since surface soil tends to evaporate quickly. The water will reach the roots through soaking.

You should also use water that is low in sodium. High sodium levels can harm plants, especially those with fine-textured soils. You can test the sodium content of your garden water by squeezing a bit of soil between your thumb and forefinger. If the soil is soft and moist you can use it. If the soil is spongy, or smears on your palm, you should change the water you're using.

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