Health Benefits of Gardening
Gardening is a physical activity that can reap surprising health benefits. If you're digging, weeding or watering, gardening offers excellent exercise that can boost your heart health and immune system.
For beginners, it's best to start with a small size. Too large a garden could overwhelm newcomers, and overly intense gardening stresses plants.
Soil
The soil is an unnatural resource that provides food for many different species of organisms. It is full of useful minerals and holds water in a way that is beneficial to plants. It also aids in regulating temperature and is a habitat for microorganisms that help keep the garden healthy.
Soils are made up of mineral particles, dead and living organisms (organic matter) as well as air and water. They are ecosystems in themselves and are one of the most dynamic natural resources we have.
As water, wind and temperature fluctuations break down rocks into smaller particles and the mineral portion of soil is formed. These tiny particles are then mixed with organic material from plant and animal remains as they decay, or break down. This results in an amalgamation of clay, silt, and sand that is called soil.
When gardening, you want to choose a location that has a mix of these three components that drains well after rain and is accessible for watering. If the location 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 varieties of compost to make it better for gardening.
The addition of organic matter to the soil is one of the most important actions you can take to improve your garden. Using the Back to Eden method, gardeners lay down newspaper or cardboard in the first layer and then add several inches of compost on top of the top. The organic matter provides the microorganisms with a place to live that will eventually convert the other elements present in the soil into a suitable soil that can be used for planting. The fungi and bacteria in the soil can promote healthy growth for your plants by assisting them get the nutrients they require.
Plants
Plants provide food and fiber, form the basis of a multibillion-dollar annual tourism industry. provide aesthetic appeal in gardens, forests and national parks and contribute to the world where beauty is an integral part of everyday life. Botany is the study of plants in their natural environment while horticulture involves the cultivation and maintenance of garden plants.
Plants need nutrients to grow and remain healthy as humans do. The gardener's task is to supply these nutrients in a balanced manner. These nutrients can affect the health of the plant, its growth, appearance, and even taste.
Some gardeners plant plants for their medicinal properties, while others tend to trees, flowers and plants for aesthetic reasons. Beautifully designed trees and flowers can be attractive and offer shade, regulate temperatures, lessen wind or noise, provide privacy and prevent soil erosion. Shrubs, such like boxwoods or hollyhocks are often used as natural fences or serve as a backdrop for a garden.
Gardeners who work in the gardens and view beautifully landscaped areas have an overall sense of wellbeing and are more enthused about nature. Children who take part in gardening programs make healthier eating choices and consume more vegetables, and seniors who take part in horticulture activities benefit from 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 see weeds as undesirable plants that can compete for sunlight and water as well as nutrients with their vegetable or flowering plants. While weeds can be in competition, they can also be beneficial species. They improve the soil, attract beneficial insects, repel pests, and provide food and medicine.
Weeds are indicators of soil conditions. Massive patches of a single weed may be a sign of the presence of a problem. For instance, the dandelion (Danae sativa) and burdock have deep taproots that break up compacted or sour soil; peppergrass (Lepidium verginicum) thrives in soggy, acidic soil; and plantain (Plantago spp.) indicates low fertility. Perennial weeds that grow in creeping root systems, like 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 develop into the new plant.
Certain weeds that are extremely exotic like knotweed (Piper nodosum) can grow from a single rooted piece of stem or root. They can be found along fences, in the gravel, or under trees. They create a dense green mat that is hard to remove from the ground. It is recommended to eliminate knotweed by spreading a thick layer mulch, spot-treating the area or removing it by hand.
Some garden weeds like stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), have medicinal properties. The leaves are a good source of vitamins A, B2, C and K and minerals like calcium, potassium, iodine, magnesium, iron, zinc and chlorophyll. The elderberry's berries (Sambucus canadensis) are utilized as an alternative to coffee, and the roots are believed to reduce inflammation, relieve joint pain and improve circulation. Periwinkle's sweet flowers (Viola cornuta) attract beneficial insects and the seeds are used in herbal medicine.
Pests
There are many alternatives to pesticides. The best way to prevent pests is to cultivate your garden and soil amendments. Make sure to check the underside of leaves at least once per week to spot pests early. Additionally, mulches are a great way to keep soil moisture in check and to deter weeds.
In the fruit and vegetable garden , watch out for aphids. These tiny insects that eat sap from plants can cause fungal diseases that can damage leaves and stems. Aphids can be identified through sticky honeydew that is visible on the undersides and dying leaves.
To combat aphids and aphids predatory insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantises are available at horticultural supply companies. Ground beetles, syrphid flies and parasitic wasps also prey on the aphids.
If you already have a garden, creating a natural habitat that attracts predatory insects will naturally reduce pest outbreaks. You can help by planting flowers and plants which provide attractive pollen or nectar to these natural enemies.
There are also non-toxic options to deal with pests for instance, nematodes that kill vine weevil larvae and fungi that eliminate plants with diseased tissue. Biological controls require patience since they require time to work.
If you do need to employ pesticides, select the safest ones. There are a variety of organic sprays that can irritate the skin, lungs and skin of pests. They are also 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. It's important to read the labels on sprays to ensure that they're safe for use in your garden.
Water
Gardening is a long-running process of exploration and discovery. Breeders of plants are constantly developing new varieties of vegetables, flowers, and other plants through cross-breeding. This makes gardening safer than it was in the past and also makes gardens more resilient to weather, pests, and other environmental hazards.
Intentionally or unintentionally, garden spaces are often used to express political or social opinions. For example some gardeners might plant only native species in their gardens to encourage an ecological ethic. Others may choose to design gardens that reflect their heritage and culture. Gardening is a good form of exercise and can even help you stay healthy. A study by Be Independent HomeCare found that gardening is a good source of cardiovascular exercise that can lower your blood pressure. This is because gardening involves manual labor that can strengthen your heart.
It is vital to water your garden regularly and thoroughly. Most experts recommend that you soak the soil in a deep way that is, at least eight inches below the surface. This is a more effective method of watering as the soil on the surface tends to evaporate quickly. Soaking lets the water linger, and it can reach down to the roots, where they require the most.
You should also use water that is low in sodium. High sodium content can damage plants, especially those with fine textured soils. Squeezing soil between your fingers and thumbs will reveal the sodium content of the water you use for gardening. If the soil feels moist and smooth, you can use it. If, however, the soil is dry or it smears on your hand, you should change the water you're using.