Stress Relief through Gardening

Many of us garden because we want to grow our own fruits and vegetables. The goal of others may be an attractive landscape or curb appeal. Gardening, no matter what kind, can also be therapeutic. It relaxes the mind, body and spirit. Actually, it is not gardening that's relaxing, but the way that we approach it. If gardening is seen as a chore, it's stressful, but if we view it as enjoyable, it can help relieve stress.

Focusing on your gardening task is the key to relieving stress. Digging, chopping, and hitting motions can relieve stress and tension. In some settings, people hit dummies, slam pillows or hit into thin air but motions of gardening release stress. Strenuous activities also provide an outlet for pent up aggression. Strenuous activities are certainly not the only ways to relieve stress. Something as simple as a walk around the garden may be just what the doctor ordered. When you take your walk, be sure to absorb all the colours, fragrances and designs in the garden. You can also admire your gardening skills and this is sure to reverse the stress into a state of well being.

Here are some tips for stress free gardening:

Make a short "to do" list and stick to it. Don't try to do everything in one afternoon, evening, or weekend because this is sure to manifest as stress.  Attack garden chores with the same vigour as weight-lifting, running, or swimming.

Stop and rest periodically reviving yourself with some stretching and plenty of fluids. While gardening listening to music can add a pleasurable environment with the calming effect of your favourite tunes. Teach your children how to garden. Not only will they be learning a lifelong skill but will cherish the time spent with you.

Stress is at an all time high in the society we live in today and is the root cause of many diseases and chronic illnesses. Learn how to quite your mind and tune out the noise by having brief moments of internal silence.

Gardening has many other advantages, too. Growing your own produce supplies you with fresh fruit and vegetables for your summer meals. This too is always a great avenue to share the harvest with friends and family.  What's better than home grown tomatoes from your own garden? Being out in the sun in limited amounts of time gardening also supplies you with vitamin D.  Sunshine brightens   your spirits and will give you that sun kissed glow.  Remember key is moderation when being out in the sun.

Gardening usually requires a lot of bending and lifting. Doing it the wrong way can put a lot of strain on your lower back so a good technique for planting or weeding is to squat. Put one knee on the ground rather than bending at the waist switching knees every few minutes. Kneel on a small pillow or purchase knee pads which you can buy at hardware stores or gardening shops.   Also use caution when lifting shrubs or bags of soil or waste. Try to keep your back straight and bend at your knees.  Use your legs instead of your back to lift the weight. Be careful not to twist your body and if something is too heavy to lift then wait on help.

Gardening is an excellent way to relieve stress for all ages but remember to do it safely and over time.  Gardening can become not only a stress reliever but a fulfilling hobby to share with your friends and family.

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Every Gardener’s Nightmare – Pests Breaking into Your Garden

There are many ways to control garden unwanted insects naturally that are cheap, easy and good for the earth.

While pesticides may eliminate the pest, they most often cause more harm than good. Unfortunately, many home and commercial gardeners are unaware of alternatives to pesticides. That is because some are a big part of our culture. Reaching for a quick fix is a deep seeded and detrimental habit albeit a dangerous fix.

Apart from damaging the soil and being a health hazard to people, including our children, pesticides present a major problem. They eradicate species indiscriminately, causing helpful garden co-habitants to disappear along with the harmful ones.

Organic gardens with beneficial insects!

The fact remains that not all insects are unwanted insects. Any youngster can tell you that bees help flowers. He or she could also tell you that a ladybug is good luck. But more than just good luck, ladybugs are a highly helpful natural pesticide to have in your garden, feeding on a myriad of unwanted insects including aphids, if you ever see little alligator like insects around your garden, leave them. These are the larval stage of ladybugs. Obviously, some are not as intelligent as your average youngster – they kill bugs on a wholesale level while upsetting ecosystems and ruining your plants as well as your soil.

Are your garden pests resistant to pesticides?

Commercial farmers today have a strong reliance on pesticides. Large companies sell pesticides to farmers who use them on their crops. Over the years the unwanted insects become resistant to the pesticides and increasingly larger amounts must be used. So it is that the farmer pays more and more money and dumps more and more of them onto his crops – our food. The result is a coated crop and pesticide resistant bug, a crop that is more susceptible to the insect pest.

Are you harming the local bird population?

Studies have been conducted concerning pesticides’ effect on local bird populations. Birds eat the insects, which have ingested the pesticides. Because the pesticide is an indiscriminate poison, the bird is targeted as well. Furthermore, if the birds do not immediately disappear, their eggshells become thinner and thinner and often break when parent birds sit on the eggs. With no insects and no birds those predators which live off of the birds disappear too, causing a huge disruption in the local ecosystem which is never beneficial to growth of any kind.

Birds eat insects!

Encourage birds to come into your garden by placing a bird bath in the garden and by planting plants that will attract birds such as sunflowers. There are even perennial sunflowers that not only attract birds year round but, can also be planted like a hedge and repel deer and other animals.

Natural pest control is rooted in a vigorous, balanced ecosystem. Years of pesticide use may be so disruptive to a local ecosystem that the land may become unusable after only a few years. They remain in the soil and become more concentrated with each year of use, eventually rendering the soil unable to produce vigorous plants.

The soil can heal!

However, there is hope. Some products like methyl bromide can be amended by simply adding organic matter to the infected soil. The result is addition of the organic portion of this pesticide to the organic matter that you already added and liberation of the bromide ion. At the very least, you can add organic matter to a laden soil to simply dilute the concentration.

Organic alternatives to pesticides!

There are many natural, organic alternatives to pesticides that are more long lasting, safe, vigorous and generally effective.

One of the simplest pest control devices is a barrier. By covering a row of crop with a light netting (which allows the sunlight to come through) flying unwanted insects are effectively kept away from the plants. These are generally used for food crops. Cabbage can be protected from flea beetles and green beans from bean beetles.

Another simple method of pest control for a small garden is handpicking. Many slugs and hornworms can be handpicked off of plants with great success. Drop unwanted insects into a dish of soapy water to kill them. Certain moths and bugs can be knocked out of trees with a stick; allow them to fall onto a large piece of cloth so that they can be gathered and, later, submerged in a soapy solution or incinerated.

Beneficial insects will control the bad insects!

Some insects like the Ladybug and the Praying Mantis are called beneficial because they are the good guys who are on the hunt for the bad guys that are feeding on your plants.

Easy way to get rid of slugs and aphids!

Certain varieties of plants are more resistant to insects. Some research into the types of plants you grow and unwanted insects common to your area could prevent a lot of pest problems. Also, some plants themselves are pesticides. For instance, planting tobacco around your vegetable garden is an excellent way to discourage slugs and aphids.

How native plants can revive your garden!

Buy local transplants to avoid bringing non-native unwanted insects into your garden. Add mulch and other simple barriers around your crops, check your garden regularly. Healthy plants are naturally more resistant to predators; just like having a strong immune system. All of these methods are natural and easy preventative measures to help you obtain a pest free garden.

If your preventative measures did not work, there are many, natural and organic plant sprays that can control unwanted insects. A mixture of petroleum oil and water sprayed onto a plant is a natural pesticide that has been used effectively for hundreds of years. Many oils, shells and plant extracts can also be used as safe, effective, natural pesticides.

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The Key to Healthy Living – Growing Your Own Fruits and Vegetables

Reports from the World Health Organization have demonstrated that obesity is a serious problem in many parts of the globe. Indeed, the World Health Organization noted that as far as worldwide health issues are concerned, obesity is on the verge of becoming a more widespread problem around the globe than is under-nourishment. The World Health Organization further suggests that the trend towards obesity in an ever growing number of nations over the world is expected to continue upward during the next decade.

Along with the increase in the number of people who are over-eating or not eating healthy foods, there has been an uptick in the number of men and women who have taken a keener interest in “watching what they eat”, in developing a more healthy diet. One step that a significant number of people from around the world have taken in regard to ensuring a more healthy diet is growing their own fruits and vegetables.

If you are a person interested in developing a healthy eating regimen, you will want to take a close look at the benefits of growing your own fruits and vegetables. In point of fact, there are many significant health benefits to be derived from growing and using your own fruits and vegetables.

At the outset, it is important to note that the process of planting and cultivating your own fruits and vegetables can have significant health benefits in and of itself. Too few people get enough proper exercise on a regular basis. The act and process of tending to a garden actually is good exercise. Additionally, gardening has been proven to be a significant stress reliever for a person, resulting in lower blood pressure and other different health benefits.

Researchers have long noted that the average person (in most countries around the world) does not consume enough fresh fruits and vegetables. By planting and producing your own fruits and vegetables you have a ready source of wholesome food that can be consumed on a more regular basis.

Many gardeners have taken to using organic practices in the cultivation of their gardens. By utilizing organic gardening practices and techniques, you will be able to grow and consume fruits and vegetables that are free of chemical residue that can be found in many produce items for sale at a typical grocery market or store.

In the end, you can put yourself on the road to a more healthy life by incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet on a more regular basis. By growing your own fruits and vegetables, you will be able to better integrate healthy eating into your overall lifestyle – both now and into the future.

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Garden Soil Preparation

Planting a garden can be a fun and rewarding experience if you approach the planning and preparations aspect of gardening in the right way – but a lack of planning and preparation can cause your hard work in the hot summer months to yield mediocre results (if any) at the end of the growing season.

Perhaps somewhere in the world, the key to successful gardening is simply dropping a handful of seeds into the ground and watching them spring up. But most garden soils require careful attention and preparation.

A common mistake among beginning and experienced gardeners alike is to plant more than they can possibly care for. A successful vegetable garden plot does not need to be big. A small, well-tended garden will grow as much or more produce than a larger one that the owner cannot keep up with.

You should choose a sunny spot where water is readily available. Most vegetables do best in full sun if possible, but at a minimum, your garden should get at least six hours of sun a day.

Try to select a spot with good, rich soil. Good garden soil is deep, loose, fertile, well drained, organic material rich and has a neutral pH. The ideal garden soil composition is about 5% organic matter, 25% air, 25% water, and 45% mineral matter. If you are planting a garden in a desert area with naturally not fertile soil, plan on working to improve the soil that is there.

Although organic material is only 5% of the “ideal formula” for good growing soil, applying the right organic matter to your soil can make worlds of difference.

Nearly all soils, whether clay, sandy or humus, benefit from the addition of organic matter. Spread a layer of organic matter two to three inches thick over the soil surface and incorporate it six to eight inches deep. Organic matter breaks up clay allowing for air and water circulation, and helps hold water in sandy soils. Good sources of organic matter include straw, twigs, leaves, peat moss, sawdust, grass clippings and well-rotted manure.

Organic matter will tie up nitrogen as it decays. Add nitrogen fertilizer to the organic matter to aid in the decomposition process. This addition of nitrogen is not intended to aid future plant growth, but to act as a facilitator to help in decomposition. More nitrogen fertilizer will be required when you begin planting. You’ll want to use one pound of ammonium sulphate, or 2/3 pound of ammonium nitrate, or ½ pound of urea for each inch of organic matter placed on one hundred square feet of soil. As a word of caution, if you are using well-rotted manure for organic matter, reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer you apply by one half.

Finally, before you are ready to plant, the soil should be tilled thoroughly. Tilling breaks up hard soil and allows air to circulate around the roots of your plants. Use a tiller, shovel or fork to churn the soil at least eight inches deep. Do not try to till your soil too early in the spring before the soil has had a chance to dry out a bit. Tilling muddy soil only causes mud clods that choke tender roots of needed air and water.

Once your soil is ready, consult your local extension or the back of your seed packets for the proper time to plant your garden fruits and vegetables.

By following these simple preparatory steps before you plant, you will increase your chances of having a bountiful harvest at the end of the growing season.

Wishing you good luck and happy gardening!

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Choosing the Right Type of Riding Lawn Mowers

Most riding lawn mowers are machines fun to ride and extremely cool to look at. Riding mowers are powerful gardening equipments and can be a practical time saving machine for professionals as well as for beginners or amateur landscapers.

If you are one of those homeowners, lucky to maintain a large yard, it can be a good idea to invest in a riding mower.

Which type of mower would fit with your current needs?

-      Basic riding mowers are actually those featuring rear engines. They use to come with small horsepower engines, usually mounted under the operator’s seat. These mowers have reasonable power sized cutting blades and fit perfectly into small lawns with less than 1 acre.

-      The next level up is for medium horsepower riding lawn mowers. These mowers use to include their engines at the front and can fit larger engines due to the space. They have a stronger and faster cutting capacity. Medium riding mowers provide better performance on hilly gardens and are the perfect complement for yards between 1 and 3 acres.

-      Commercial riding lawn mowers are designed for really large yards, including sport fields. They can be extremely expensive for homeowners and won’t really provide their best performance in yards no bigger than 3 acres.

Some important points to have in mind before you decide on the most suitable model that would better fit with your necessities.

The final choose basically will depend on:

-      The type of terrain of your mowing area as well as the size of it. And what other tasks would you like to do with your new lawn mower?

-      It is also very important to know whether or not the area includes slopes or hilly areas. The more flat your mowing area the better performance you will get from the machine.

-      It is always extremely important to select a comfortable seat, especially when you will be sitting for a long time. You will save a lot on back injuries and other common diseases related with sat jobs. There is no choice with that, it’s preferable the mower’s seat to be comfortable enough.

-      Does the garden include trees or rocks that require permanent change of direction during the mowing process? It’s very important to find the finishing touch to choose amongst steering wheels and tires.

-      There are different recycling grass options; here you have mainly to mulching or to bagging. While mulching will cut the grass into fine clippings and then give it back to your lawn, providing nutrients to it, the second will just fill up a rear bag, being easier for the rider to empty and replace it with new ones.

There are many attachments on the market to choose from. You probably just need a riding lawn mower including normal features. In addition, you can usually attach other features, like the ones to remove snow during winter time.

Hopefully you’re getting some good points to think of before deciding on purchasing a riding lawn mower.

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Some of the Seeds and Plants which can be Grown at Home

If you love gardening then chances are that you have already tried your hand at cultivating a couple of plants. However, if you are a beginner who is just starting out, you may be ridden with doubts.

You may just have doubts of whether the plant will eventually grow or not. Also some plants require additional heat, water and humidity which may be difficult to provide always. So here, we make gardening simple and easy for you. Here are some of the top easy to grow plants which will ensure success without fail!

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow. Mint plants will grow rapidly and even spread to neighbouring patches of your garden if you are not careful enough. Hence, a good approach is to grow mint in a container. The good thing is that this plant needs hardly any maintenance and care. You can take a fresh sprig of mind and can grow it anywhere either in direct sunlight or inside a cool and shady place. You only need to make sure to water the mint plant thoroughly everyday till you see the seedling leaves appear.

Did you know that you could cultivate ginger by just cutting off a portion of the ‘eye’? The surface of the ginger root has several small projections on it. In order to successfully grow the plant you need to cut off this portion and place it under the soil. It will breed marvellously. Slowly, it will grow its roots into the soil and then the shoots and leaves will appear.

Tomatoes are very easy to grow. All you need to do is take a handful of tomato seeds from a tomato which you have already cut. Then make sure to wash the seeds from al the tomato juice that is clinging to them. Otherwise the seeds will be coated with sugar which can cause a fungal attack. Then place the seeds around a quarter inch from the soil top. You should begin to see shoots appear after around a week or so. Once the seedling leaves appear, place them in direct sunlight for three hours every day till the leaves are grown. Then transplant the seedling into a pot.

Beans are another great option if you wish to ensure fast gardening. Simply place a couple of beans inside a seedling pot. Then water them regularly and keep the pot in a shaded area. Once the shoots emerge, place the seedling in direct sunlight for a few hours daily till they toughen up to face constant sunlight.

Sweet peas are often used in germination experiments in schools because they grow so easily. You could even place peas on a moist wad of cotton on a bowl. Then keep the bowl in a shaded area and watch the seeds sprout in a few days’ time. You can transplant the seedling once you see the secondary leaves appear on the shoot.

Arugula is a lettuce variety with a nut-flavour and is mostly found in the high-end salads. Hence, it would do you good to plant them to make your salads! You need to plant the Arugula inside a pot and place it in your kitchen where it is less sunny.

Lemon trees can be easily grown from existing lemon seeds. Just take out the seeds making sure none of them have been dehydrated or damaged by cutting. Then wash off the seed surface from all sugar residues. Then plant the seeds into the soil. You will need to place the seeds a little towards the bottom of the soil. Then you can expect to see seedling plants emerge. The good thing is that each seed will yield multiple seedlings.

Sunflowers are beautiful flowers and can be grown from the seed itself. These flowers will be tall, bright coloured and always facing the sun! You need to have ample space to grow sunflowers as the flowers grow as high as a corn crop!

The great thing about growing plants is that they are more economical and organic. Therefore there are no chemicals making for a healthier, tastier meal.

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