The History Of Gardening In 10 Milestones

Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening has surprising health benefits. When you're weeding, digging or watering, gardening offers excellent exercise that can boost your heart health and strengthen your immune system.

For flower gardening , it's best to start small. A large garden can be overwhelming for newcomers, and excessive gardening can cause stress to plants.

Soil

The soil is a natural resource that supports numerous organisms. It is rich in minerals and holds water in a way that is beneficial to plants. It also helps regulate temperature and serves as a habitat for microorganisms that keep the garden healthy.

Soils are made up of mineral particles alive and dead organisms (organic matter) as well as air and water. They are ecosystems in themselves and are one of the most active natural resources we have.

The soil's mineral component is formed from rocks when forces like wind, water and temperature changes break them into smaller pieces. These tiny particles are mixed with organic material like animal and plant remains when they begin to decompose. This results in a mixture of clay, silt, and sand which is called soil.

You should choose a spot for gardening that is characterized by these three elements, is well-drained and is easily accessible for watering. If you want to improve drainage in the area, add sand. If the soil is abundant in organic matter you can amend it with humus or other types of compost to make it more suitable for gardening.

Organic matter in soil is one of the most important actions you can take to improve your garden. Utilizing the Back to Eden method, gardeners spread cardboard or newspaper in the first layer, and then add a few inches of compost on top of the top layer. The organic matter provides a home for microorganisms that will eventually convert the other elements of the soil into a workable substrate to plant. The fungi, bacteria, and other soil organisms will help your plants grow healthy by giving them the nutrients they require.

Plants

Plants are a source of food and fiber. They also provide visual appeal in gardens as well as forests, and they create a beautiful environment. Botany is the study of plants in their natural environment, while horticulture is the cultivation and maintenance garden plants.

Just like humans plants require nutrients in order to thrive and remain healthy. The role of gardeners is to provide these nutrients in a proper balance. These nutrients can influence the health of the plant, its growth, appearance, and even taste.

Some gardeners plant plants to increase their medicinal properties, whereas others tend to trees, flowers and plants for aesthetic reasons. Beautifully shaped trees and flowers can be beautiful and provide shade, regulate temperatures, reduce wind or noise, provide privacy and prevent soil erosion. Shrubs such as boxwoods and hollyhocks can be used as an natural fence or background for a garden.

Gardeners who work in the gardens and view beautifully landscaped areas experience an overall sense of wellbeing and have a greater appreciation for the natural world. Studies have also revealed that children who take part in gardening activities tend to make healthier food choices and have more vegetable intakes 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 view weeds as undesirable plants that are in competition for sunlight and water, as well as nutrients with their vegetable or flowering plants. While weeds are competitive, they can also be beneficial species. They improve the soil, attract beneficial insects, repel pests, and provide food and medicines.

They can be indicators of soil conditions and large patches of weed indicating the presence of a problem. For instance dandelion (Danae sativa) and burdock have deep taproots which break up sour or compacted soil. Peppergrass (Lepidium verginicum) thrives in wet soil that is acidic and plantain (Plantago spp.) Low fertility is evident by the presence of weeds. Perennial weeds with creeping root systems, such as common bermudagrass or yellow nutsedge are difficult to control with repeated cultivation, since every piece of underground plant matter that is cut up or raked out of the soil could root and grow into the new plant.

Certain exotic weeds can grow quickly from one 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 a thick layer of mulch, spot-treating or hand-pulling is a good idea.

Certain garden weeds have medicinal properties, like the stinging nettle. The leaves are a great source of vitamins B2, A, C and K and minerals like calcium, potassium, iodine, magnesium, iron, zinc and chlorophyll. Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) is a berry that is used to replace coffee. The roots are also believed to decrease inflammation and ease joint pain. Periwinkle's sweet flowers (Viola cornuta) attract beneficial insects and the seeds are used in herbal remedies.

Pests

Many gardeners employ pesticides, however, there are alternatives to chemical control. gardens flower to prevent pests is good cultivation and soil amendments. Keep a close eye on your plants and inspect the leaf's undersides once a week, in order that you can catch pest problems early. Utilize mulches to help conserve soil moisture and to control weeds.

Aphids are common in the fruit and vegetable gardens. These tiny, pear-shaped bugs take the sap out of plants, causing fungal diseases that can damage leaves and stems. You can tell if you have an aphid problem because of the sticky honeydew on the undersides of leaves and dying plants that are wilted.

Horticultural supply companies sell predatory insects that consume Aphids, such as ladybugs. Lacwings and praying mentises can also be effective in the fight against the aphids. Ground beetles, syrphid flies and parasitic wasps also prey on aphids.





If you already have a garden, creating a habitat that attracts insects naturally reduce pest outbreaks. You can do this by planting flowers and other plants which provide attractive pollen or nectar for these natural enemies.

There are also flower gardens -toxic options to eliminate certain pests. For example, nematodes kill vine weevil larvae, or fungi eliminate the plant tissue that is diseased. However, using these biological controls requires patience, as you'll need to give time for them to work.

If you must use pesticides, make sure you choose the safest ones. There are a variety of organic sprays which irritate the skin, lungs and skin of pests. They are also safe for human skin and the surrounding environment. Some of them include garlic, hot pepper and onion sprays. Some contain fungi, bacteria or viruses that infect and kill the pests. Always look over the label of the sprays you apply to make sure they are safe for your garden.

Water

Gardening has a long tradition of exploration and discovery. New varieties of vegetables, flowers, and other plants are constantly emerging through selective cross-breeding by breeders of plants. This means that gardening is more secure than in the past and also means that gardens are more resistant to the ravages of pests, weather and other environmental hazards.

Gardens are frequently a space for the expression of political or social views in a way, whether or not it is intentional. For example some gardeners might plant only native species in their gardens to encourage an ecological ethic. Others might choose to design gardens that reflect their heritage and culture. Gardening can be a great form of exercise, and it can even help you to get healthy. Be Independent HomeCare conducted a study that showed gardening to be a good cardiovascular exercise. It also helps lower blood pressure. This is because gardening requires manual labor, which strengthens your heart.

It is vital to water your garden regularly and thoroughly. The majority of experts recommend soaking soil in a deep way, which is at least eight inches beneath the surface. This is the most efficient way to water because the soil on the surface tends to evaporate quickly. The water can get to the roots by soaking.

It is also important to select water that is low in sodium. A high sodium level can cause harm to plants, especially those with fine-textured soils. Squeezing soil between your forefingers and thumbs will reveal the sodium content of the water you use for gardening. If the soil is soft and moist you can use it. However, if the soil is spongy, or smears on your hand, you should change the water you're using.