There are people who make use of their gardening skills as a source of income. Gardening, however, has also become a common hobby and the good thing about it is that it is one healthy hobby. This activity can be used as some form of therapy. By focusing your attention on growing plants, you get to forget your worries; it is a natural antidepressant.
Spending a couple of hours of gardening is also a form of exercise. By doing this activity, you do not have to regularly go to the gym to shape up and to make sure that your body stays fit. Just imagine the tasks associated with gardening: digging the soil, watering the plants, uprooting the weeds, and so on. Don't these activities make up for a total workout?
Gardening is not only beneficial for our physical health, but also for our emotional and psychological health. As mentioned, it is a natural antidepressant. Spending some time with nature can give you a feeling of peace and tranquility, which is very important in counteracting the stressors that you may have to face everyday – work, bills, a troublesome and noisy neighbor, etc.
Besides being a healthy hobby, gardening is also a productive hobby. You produce a garden, a well-tended garden that is so pleasing to the eyes. Your garden can even serve as a picnic area for your family and friends. Going further to the more practical side of gardening is growing vegetables and other plants that you can actually cook and eat. And, you can make sure that they are free of chemicals that can be harmful to health, especially when you make use of organic gardening. Through this kind of gardening, you make good use of your left-over food or rotten fruits and vegetables by using them as natural fertilizers. So this is practically hitting more than two birds in one stone.
If others take photographs or paint to express themselves then why can't you make use of gardening to express yourself and to make use of your creative juices? While this activity may involve those implausible activities like tilling the soil and get your hands dirtied, why don't you look at the creative side of it? Just like photography or painting, you make use of techniques to make sure that your plants grow and live and arrange them in such a way that they look aesthetically pleasing. And, the activity can give you an extra sense of fulfillment because you are nurturing living things.
Of course, just like any hobby, you need some tools and some basic knowledge to help you get started with it. There is so much to learn about gardening and you should equip yourself with at least the basic techniques. But of course, there is no better knowledge that you will learn than when you yourself start and continue gardening.
There is no doubt that gardening has not one but many benefits. Moreover, let this article end by leaving you with very apt quotes, the first from Nathaniel Hawthorne, and the second from John Evelyn:
"I used to visit and revisit a dozen of times a day, and stand in deep contemplation over my vegetable progeny with a love that nobody could share or conceive of who had never taken part in the process of creation. It was one of the most bewitching sights in the world to observe a hill of beans thrusting aside the soil, or a rose of early peas just peeping forth sufficiently to trace a line of delicate green."
"Gardening is a labor full of tranquility and satisfaction; natural and instructive, and as such contributes to the most serious contemplation, experience, health, and longevity."Article By
joalesto
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Gardening ranges in scale from fruit orchards, to long boulevard plantings with one or more different types of shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants, to residential yards including lawns and foundation plantings, to large or small containers grown inside or outside. Gardening has a long history, and there have been many pioneering gardeners of note, from the great landscape gardeners of the 18th century, to those who created or expanded the idea of the "no-dig" garden. Gardening has been considered as a popular recreational activity and a creative art from ages.
Gardening is the practice of growing ornamental or useful plants. It involves an active participation in the growing of plants, and tends to be labor intensive, which differentiates it from farming or forestry. Even the seemingly carefree plants, like clematis, can start acting up. Plants have specific needs. In some gardening situations many plants may refuse to thrive because of too much shade, alkaline soil, or other undesireable conditions. Plants respond to the same gravitational pull of tides that affect the oceans, which alternately stimulates root and leaf growth. Gardening ranges in scale from fruit orchards, to long boulevard plantings with one or more different types of shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants, to residential yards including lawns and foundation plantings, to large or small containers grown inside or outside.
Gardening may seem difficult and a little overwhelming at first. I assure you that if you follow a few basics, it is quite easy. With this easy gardening guide, you will discover the answers to many questions and before you know it, you will be out there putting your green thumb to work. Avoid time wasting wars with nature on your garden or backyard with these easy to follow tips.
Article By
lexy0010
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When is it safe to plant vegetables outdoors?
You log on to the USDA website, find the frost map for the United States, look up your zone and low and behold it is time to plant. But wait there’s more! The dates give for the last frost in your area are only a suggestion and the recommendation from most gardeners I talk to is two weeks after that date to avoid that rare case of cold weather that could wipe all of your indoor growth.
When should you start fertilizing your vegetable plants?
In short, never. Let me explain. Products like miracle grow and others similar to it do work and they work well. But if you really want to build a great garden and one that is chemical free, you need to compost. If you started your seedlings in a potting soil enhanced with products like miracle grow that is fine, but there is really no need to give it anymore than what is required and that is sun and water. Your plants will do fine.
What methods can be used to ensure I am getting the most production out of what little space I have? The word of the day is “up” boys and girls and know it well. Many vegetables such as beans and cucumbers can be grown vertically. You can accomplish this by placing a bean pole or narrow yet tall fencing next to these plants and then as they grow you assist by moving them up the structures. Going vertical will save you plenty of square footage in the garden for those plants that need the room.
What vegetables can I grow in the fall? Fall is a cooler time of the year so therefore look for vegetables that do better in a cooler climate. Lettuce, radishes, spinach, turnips and various other green vegetables do really well when the temperatures are starting to drop. Visit a local garden center and look for ones that are indigenous to your area and ask the people there. They can assist you in planting the right ones for your area.
I have limited space in my condo or apartment and want to grow vegetables from containers or pots. Is that possible? Yes it is very much so. Container gardening has become increasingly popular the last couple of years and the trend looks like it will rise. Regardless of whether a plant is in the ground or a container it needs sun and water so make sure wherever you put your plants you can easily access both. Tomatoes and peppers grow the best but you can try pretty much any type of vegetable, just make sure you use a large enough pot to satisfy the root growth. A pot no less than ten inches should suffice, however you can go as low as six inches for herbs.
How hot does it have to be for my tomatoes to produce fruit? Studies indicate that steady temperatures at or above seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit work best for tomatoes. The same studies also showed that it was the temperature that aided in ripening the tomatoes and not the direct sunlight.Article By
Bruce A Tucker
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According to this year's farmers almanac- we should have waited until Yesterday to start plating our more delicate plants. Being in Utah- the weather always defeats the predictions of the weather pro's- but I took a chance and laid out some wildflower seeds and herbs yesterday.
For me, gardening is a moving meditation that rivals my Tai-Chi practice and walking contemplation work. In today's blog, I want to share with you some ideas, inspirations and guidance for truly tapping the spirit of gardening and experiencing a healing, calming and magical rite in your own back yard!
Gardening is a pretty new thing for us humans. Around 8,500 B.C. controlled farms started popping up along the Fertile Crescent... but it wasn't until much later that European cultures abandoned the 'hunter/gatherer' way of life and settled down to farming and livestock control.
The step out of the ways of our ancient ancestors who hunted and gathered was huge. In many cultures- new gods and rituals manifested that were more relevant to gardening and farming since the old gods and old rituals of hunting, trapping and foraging really didn't seem that relevant. In the modern day- most of us don't ever get the joy of seeing where our food comes from- but we can taste a small piece of that amazing process by growing things in our own backyards, porches or window sills.
Realizations!
The one gift that I hold in esteem above all others that comes from gardening is the meditation. Gardening opens me up to the true abundance of the earth and forces my ego to recon with the fact that full living and prosperity are natural- anything less is unnatural. Working the soil, planting seeds and seeing sprouts come up reminds me that all things have their 'path' in this wondrous universe we call home and that 'letting go and letting God' is a really good idea- since the Divine can obviously do things I can't.Magic!
Every seed I plant comes with a prayer. Some of you may know the traditional meanings for different herbs or plants, and you can use that in your gardening. I tend to go with my intuition and let each seed call forth a desire within me. As I hold each seed- I meditate on my desire, pray that the seed will be a catalyst for it's manifestation in my life and respectfully offer my 'prayer seed' to the Divine in the form of the nurturing earth. Taking that time to literally 'let go' of your prayer and feel it being handed over to the Divine is very powerful and a sincere ritual in and of itself. After I have planted out a section, I typically pour some wine, milk, meal or honey onto the soil as an offering of gratitude to the Divine Earth.
After a few weeks- those inevitable weeds start popping up. What used to be simple garden obstacles are now symbols for the parts of my being that are holding me back from being at the center of my universe. As I go through the moving meditation of weeding, I think each weed for the lesson it has given me while gently and respectfully removing it from the garden. As I do this, I open myself up to any realizations that may come to me about what these weeds mean on a deeper level- do I have wrong internal dialog? Am I self-sabotaging? Is someone else getting in the way? All those weeds go into my compost pile so that next year, the things that once were the obstacles to my success feed and support my new endeavors. I am sure you can see what a powerful, magical and transformative meditation and ritual this is!
Community!
In addition to the personal benefits you can obtain from working with the Earth- there are far reaching community benefits that can be 'paid forward' as well. I try to give some of my harvest to friends and family to share in the powerful blessings and energy from my work over the months. I also want to try this season to donate a portion of my harvest to a local food bank to move the blessing into the lives of those who might be struggling. When you garden- food is not just a commodity... it has your love, attention, prayer and meditation infused within it's every cell- and that makes it magical food!
Community gardens are also popping up all over the place- and this is an excellent way to work with the land if you don't have any room where you live, meet great people, get out in the fresh air and connect in a deep and lasting way with the Divine.
Whether you are growing basil in a window sill planter or heriloom tomatoes in a big backyard plot- I hope you get the chance this year to experience the magic, blessings and awe of working with the Earth. If you have never done any gardening before- now is a great time to start! A simple planter garden in your kitchen window will remind you that it needs to be watered and will give you excellent companionship when you have to deal with the dishes :)
Peace & Blessings!
Article By Josh Williams
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There are different kinds of gardens that require different kinds of garden tools. There are shops for garden tools that cater to all kinds of gardens and others specialize in a certain kind of garden. There are also stores for the best gardening tools that offer alternative tools such as natural pest control methods, organic fertilizers and ergonomic garden tools. Most of these shops offer the best gardening tools.
So in your search for the most useful tools for your gardening activities, it is important to note what kind of garden you have.
The best gardening tools that any gardener may have could be the following:
Secateurs are basic pruning tools and one of the most appreciated tools for a gardener. When you buy a secateur make sure that it always stays sharp to avoid damaging the plant. Look for models that have blades that can be sharpened and replaced, models with tension control and with sizes that best fit your hands. Secateurs usually cost around $50 - $130.
Hedge trimmers or shears are also one of the coolest gardening tools that should be always available to a gardener. These tools are best used for pruning hedges and shrubs. There are hedge trimmers that have curved blades to stop branches from sliding out when cut.
Forks are used for turning and aerating compost and breaking up lumps of soil. Forks are one of the handiest gardening tools that have been in existence for a long time. Older designs are recommended. Forks don't usually have lots of features to sport, so better look for sturdiness instead. Forks usually cost around $30 - $100.
Shovel as opposed to a spade has a scoop blade. It is best used to move around dirt and garden soil.
Spade as opposed to a shovel has a flat blade. It is best used for cutting edges, digging and dividing plants. Always make spades as sharp as possible. Usual cost for spades ranges from $30 - $50.
A gardener will have a hard time completing most gardening activities without a shovel or a spade.
A Pruning saw is used to prune plants like roses. Pruning saws have a blade that fit between stems or branches that easily and cuts them as you pull the prune backwards. Pruning saws usually cost $27- $55.
The best gardening tools don't have to be so expensive. Flea markets and garage sales can be excellent sources of these useful gardening tools.
Garden tools are a necessity when growing a garden, and for your garden only the best gardening tools are acceptable.
Article By George Hapgood
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