Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is an exercise that reaps surprising health benefits. If you're digging, weeding, or watering, gardening provides excellent exercise that can boost your heart health as well as your immune system.

For beginners, it's best to start with a small size. A garden that is too large could overwhelm newcomers, and overly intensive gardening can stress plants.

Soil

Soil is an amazing natural resource that supports many different species. It is rich in minerals and holds water in a way that is beneficial to plants. It also helps regulate temperature and is a habitat for microorganisms which help keep the garden healthy.

Soils are comprised of minerals, dead and living organisms (organic matter) as well as air and water. They are ecosystems in their own right and are among the most active natural resources we have.

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

You must choose a spot for gardening with these three components, drains well and is easily accessible for watering. If the area you select is not well-drained, you can add sand or another material to improve it. If the soil is abundant in organic matter, you can amend it by adding humus or other kinds of compost to make it more suitable 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. The organic matter provides an environment for microorganisms that will eventually convert the other elements in the soil into a workable medium for planting. The fungi and the bacteria in the soil can promote healthy growth in your plants by helping them get the nutrients they need.

Plants

Plants provide food and fiber, form the basis of a multibillion-dollar per year tourism industry, offer aesthetic appeal in gardens and national parks, and help to create the world where beauty is a key aspect of daily life. The study of plants and their natural habitat is known as botany, while the cultivation and care of garden plants is referred to as horticulture.

Like humans plants require nutrients in order to grow and stay healthy. The role of gardeners is to supply these nutrients in an appropriate balance. These nutrients can impact the growth of plants, their appearance, health and even taste.

Certain gardeners plant plants because of their medicinal properties, whereas others tend to trees, flowers and plants to enhance their appearance. Beautifully designed trees and flowers can be beautiful and provide shade, modify temperatures, cut down on noise or wind, and provide privacy and help prevent erosion of soil. Shrubs, like boxwoods or hollyhocks are usually used as natural fences or serve as a backdrop for gardens.

Gardeners who work in the gardens and gaze upon beautifully landscaped areas feel an overall sense of wellbeing and have a greater appreciation of nature. Studies have also shown that children who participate in gardening programs are more likely to choose healthier food choices and consume more vegetables 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 the weeds as undesirable plants that compete with their vegetable or flower crops for water, sunlight and nutrients. While weeds can be not only competitive, they can be beneficial species. They improve the soil, attract beneficial insects and arachnids, as well as provide food and medicine.

They are indicators of soil conditions. Large patches of one weed could indicate the presence of a problem. For instance, dandelion and burdock are weeds with deep taproots that break apart the soil and cause sourness or compacted. Peppergrass (Lepidium Verginicum) is, on the contrary, thrives in acidic, soggy soil. indicates low fertility. It is difficult to control perennial weeds that have creeping roots, for example common bermudagrass and yellow nutsedge by a continual cultivation. Each piece of soil plant material that is cut or raked can take develop roots and grow into a different plant.

Some exotic weeds grow quickly from a single root or stem. They typically grow along fence lines and in the gravel under trees, creating a dense mat of green that is difficult to remove of the ground. It is recommended to prevent knotweed by spreading a thick layer of mulch, treating the area in spots or removing it by hand.

Some garden weeds, like stinging-nettle (Urtica dioica) has medicinal properties. The leaves are a great source of vitamins B2, A, C and K and minerals such as calcium, potassium, iodine and magnesium, iron, zinc and chlorophyll. Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) is a berry that is used to replace coffee. The roots are said to reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. The sweet flowers (Viola cornuta) can be found on periwinkles, attract beneficial insects. The seeds of the plant are used in herbal remedies.

Pests

Many gardeners use pesticides however, there are alternatives to chemical controls. The best way to avoid pests is through good soil amendments and cultivation. Keep an eye on your plants and inspect the leaf's undersides every week, so that you can detect pests early. Utilize mulches to help conserve soil moisture and to control weeds.

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

To fight 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 an outdoor garden and want to create an environment that is attractive to predatory insects will reduce pest outbreaks. You can help by planting flowers and other plants that attract attractive pollen or nectar for these natural enemies.

There are alternatives that aren't toxic to deal with pests like nematodes which kill vine weevil larvae, and fungi that destroy diseased plant tissue. However using biological controls requires some patience, as you'll need to allow the time needed for them to take effect.

Select the safest pesticides you have to. There are several types of organic sprays that may irritate the lungs and skin of pests, as well as being harmless to human skin and the natural environment. Garlic, hot pepper, and onion sprays are some of the most commonly used. Some sprays contain bacteria, or fungi that cause the death of pests and infect them. Always read the label of any sprays you use to ensure they are safe for your garden.

Water

Gardening is a history of experimentation and has been a source of discovery for a long time. Plant breeders are constantly creating new varieties of vegetables, flowers, and other plants by cross-breeding. This makes gardening safer than in the past and also means that gardens are more resilient to the ravages of weather, pests and other environmental hazards.

Gardens are often a place for the expression of social or political opinions in a way, whether or not it is intentional. Certain gardeners, for instance, may only cultivate native species in their yards in order to encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle. Others may choose an aesthetic garden that reflects their heritage and culture. Gardening is a great form of exercise and can even help you get healthy. Be Independent HomeCare conducted a study that found gardening tips for beginners to be a great exercise for your cardiovascular system. It can also lower your blood pressure. This is due to the fact that gardening requires manual labor, which strengthens your heart.

It is important to water a garden well and frequently. Most experts recommend soaking soil thoroughly, which is at least eight inches below the surface. This is a more efficient method of watering since the soil on the surface tends to evaporate quickly. The process of soaking allows the water to stay in place, and can be able to reach the roots where they need the most.

You should also use water that is low in sodium. A high sodium content could be harmful to plants, particularly those with fine-textured soils. Squeezing soil between your fingers and thumbs will reveal the sodium content in the water you use for gardening. If the soil is moist and smooth, you can use it. If the soil is dry or it smears on your hand, you should change the water you're using.