If 2020 taught us anything, it would be that health is our greatest wealth and that having an outdoor private place is vitally important. Spending time outside makes you feel a connection with your surroundings and helps you be in tune with nature. What more can you possibly want?
If you want to find a way to spend hours outdoors without getting bored, gardening might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Being related to the nature cycles, the art of gardening has proven to be a pleasurable activity for all ages. I mean, who would ever refuse to see the magic behind nature’s renewal?
The positive impact of gardening
Did you know that gardening has been listed as one of the most engaging and relaxing hobbies? It’s been shown that it improves cognitive function and helps fight off the early signs of depression. A moderate physical activity in combination with a bird’s song always positively impacts a person’s mental health. So, it’s a no-brainer that having a green thumb is an easy way to achieve both.
People fond of gardening get more sunlight and fresh air, as a result of which they feel calmer and livelier. Gardening can elevate your mood, help you strengthen your immune system, and lower stress, fatigue, depression, anger and anxiety. For more information on the health benefits of gardening, visit: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20181210-gardening-could-be-the-hobby-that-helps-you-live-to-100.
Many people describe their garden as a “refugee,” an “oasis,” a “place of comfort.” It’s a place where you can escape the dullness of everyday life and focus on yourself and yourself only. So, disconnect, get muddy, let the colors and smells tickle your senses, and for a moment, go back to your childhood. All this, while reaching a deep state of relaxation and connection with nature.
Although sometimes chores like weeding can look like daunting housework, the true gardener understands that achieving the dream garden can take years to accomplish. However, taking into consideration all the benefits, it’s an extremely rewarding activity. Give it some time, and the care you provide to your garden will return twofold.
Different types of gardens
Flower gardens. The beauty of flowers is undeniable, so if you want to add an aesthetically pleasing look to your property, plant a nice flower garden. Play with the color palette and plant different types of flowers to make your garden livelier and brighter. But, be aware that not all flowers demand the same kind of care.
Flowers that are more common shouldn’t give you much of a headache since the Internet is flooded with tips on how to look after them. Exotic flowers, on the other hand, might behave a bit mischievous sometimes. They require a great deal of care, especially if it’s not common for them to grow in the area you’re residing in. Therefore, doing a little bit of research might be a good idea if you’re planning on planting these kinds of flowers.
Vegetable and herb gardens. One of the most common types of gardens is the vegetable garden. Unlike the flower gardens, these gardens might not be very aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but they will let you enjoy the fruits of your labor. Literally!
Vegetable gardens are a great way to save some money you would otherwise spend at the store. Not only are these vegetables a cheaper alternative, but they also are chemical-free and have more nutrients than chemically grown ones. You’ll be reducing your carbon footprint and at the same time contributing to protecting the environment.
Contrary to vegetable gardens, herb gardens usually contain plants like parsley, rosemary, marjoram, thyme, basil, which can be used for cooking, as well as for medicinal purposes.
With the advances in medicine, you might not need herbs for this purpose, but you can always use them to make different types of spices proven to have potent health benefits.
Woodland gardens. The essence of woodland gardens is their naturalness. If you want to create a woodland garden, the best way would be to take clues from nature. This means that your garden doesn’t have to be perfect but still maintains its beauty.
Before planting, make sure to add any type of paths or stepping stones. Paths in these gardens are curved instead of straight. Furthermore, use the “crown lift” technique for trees and large shrubs. This means that when the lower branches are removed, the sun will peek through, bathing the woodland plants in light and helping them thrive. Visit this link to learn more about different garden types.
Must-have gardening tools
In order for your garden to always look neat and tidy, knowing how to choose between the best electric mower and the best gardening tools is paramount.
If you’ve ever tried to pick or remove nettles or cut thorny bushes, you understand the importance of gloves. Even the harmless-looking plants can irritate your hands if left unprotected. Prolonged use of hand tools can also cause damage to bare hands. Invest in gloves that are strong enough to protect you from the prickliest bushes.
Secateurs, also known as pruners, are a must-have item if you intend to grow your own garden. They’re used for trimming and shaping plants and removing spent blossoms, which is the only way to keep a plant blooming.
Spade is a hand tool used for reshaping flower beds, digging deeper holes in the ground, lifting sod, trenching, and a lot more.
A rake is a great tool for cleaning leaves or twigs from your lawn. Not only that, but it can also be used to smooth the surface of the soil and remove rocks.
A hand tiller, also known as a hand cultivator, is very useful when dealing with raised beds in your garden. You can checkout a hand tiller that can be used to remove unwanted weeds and turn the soil to prepare seedbeds for the crops to be planted.
Wheelbarrows are extremely useful when you need to move rocks, move large shrubs or trees from one place to another, mix fertilizers, move your gardening materials around, and lots more.
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