The mental and physical benefits of a good home garden are quickly becoming known.
Growing plants is trendy and whether it’s indoor plants, vegetables, herbs and fruits, cut flowers, perennials or native plants, all hip kids do it.
We seasoned gardeners have known the benefits for a long time and it is wonderful to see how the planets have grown together to spark interest in green, green and greenery in a new group of gardeners.
If you don’t have to dip your toe in the water or stick your thumb in the dirt, here are some good reasons to grow you – from purely aesthetic and practical reasons to significant environmental, financial, and personal benefits.
GARDNING’S AESTHETIC COMPLAINT
Gardens and plants look good. They offer color, seasonal interest, and natural beauty that improve our quality of life by enhancing our visual environment.
PRACTICAL PLANT LIFE REWARDS
You can grow products to feed you.
COVID has made us all aware of food security, and when you grow at least some of your own fruits, vegetables and herbs, you know you always have something to eat from the garden. Productive backyards also mean food miles can become food knives, which is far more sustainable.
Gardens and plants can provide practical benefits in your garden, from reducing traffic noise to blocking out unwanted views, maintaining privacy and reducing glare. Gardens can reduce the speed, strength and severity of winds and create sheltered microclimates that ultimately lead to more livable outdoor spaces.
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF THE GARDEN
Plants and green spaces mitigate the urban heat island effect affecting governments around the world.
In Australia’s challenging and changing climate, many of our cities are very prone to heat, with heat waves being our deadliest major weather events.
A carefully planted garden can help cool the front and back yards and make them more livable and usable. A well-forested neighborhood can cancel out the heat island effect caused by hard surfaces that are known to increase temperatures by three to seven degrees. This will also reduce energy costs for households by 15 to 35 percent.
Habitat creation for urban wildlife is vital. Gardens are not just for us, they can be a haven for birds, bees, butterflies, and other creatures. And at a time when urban habitat is under threat, any garden can become a biodiversity hotspot if planted with a diverse mix of plants including local indigenous varieties.
Plants improve our air quality both inside and outside the home and reduce air pollution. The huge interest in indoor plants is partly due to their appearance, but also the way they can purify the air in our homes and make it a healthier place for us to spend time.
Plants and gardens also improve our water quality by slowing down rainwater runoff and filtering out many toxins that would otherwise be present in that runoff.
FINANCIAL PROFITS
Suburbs with lots of healthy trees and parks are more attractive and in many cases more desirable, which is reflected in higher property prices. Trees improve property values as they establish and mature. Studies abroad have shown that old trees add 10 to 20 percent to the value of your property. A national survey of real estate agents in 2019 found that manicured gardens, from manicured lawns to manicured beds and courtyards, can add up to 30 percent to a home’s resale value.
PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Gardening is good for us – at every level. It keeps us physically and mentally active, helps us live longer, helps us deal with stress, and also leads to mental health and wellbeing.
An Australian study by Beyond Blue, titled Beyond Blue to Green, showed clear links between being close to green spaces and reducing depression, anxiety and other health problems. Dr. Mardie Townsend of Deakin University, who contributed to the report, said: “It was shown that people who found their neighborhoods ‘very green’ were up to 1.6 times more likely to be both physically and mentally healthy than those who perceive their neighborhoods as ‘less green’. “
This is one of countless studies that show gardening is good for our physical and mental health and wellbeing. Gardening is so good for us on every level and not only saves us physically, mentally, and emotionally, it also plants, beautifies, and enlivens our backyards and helps save our communities, cities, our country, and even the world. I may be biased, but I think I’m right.
GARDEN ADVICE
Q. I have a ‘Little Gem’ magnolia that is approximately three years old. It comes in the bud, but the buds turn brown before they open. The tree itself looks healthy. Hope you can help me with this problem. I live in Bunyip Vic. B. Chaplin.
A. These magnolias must be watered and fed regularly to perform at their best. If they lack both, the buds can turn brown. Therefore, pay special attention to water and food as the buds form, and watch out for things that either steal your plant from competition from the surrounding trees.
Q. My daughter tended two avocado trees and is doing very well. My question is – what could be wrong with the lower leaves of this tree? They droop although there is new growth at the top. Should she just take them off and let the tree put the energy into the new growth? The other tree doesn’t have this problem. They are in the same place. E. Dunlop
A. Avocados can be sprouted indoors but may need to go outside. They are deeply rooted, so they must either be potted or planted, ideally before the end of March, when the soil is still warm. When planting it out, choose a location that will be protected from winter winds and chills. You may want to add a tent-like structure with a shade-providing fabric cover for the first few years. This protects against sunburn and also against hot north winds. The plant gets more natural light outside, which can help it turn green. However, it shows signs of chlorosis caused by lime. So give it some trace elements too. Standing the pot in the saucer in the water can encourage fungal growth, especially anthracnose on the roots, and this can cause the overwatering to cause the litter. Ultimately, it can take 10 to 15 years for an avocado made from seeds to bear fruit. They can be grafted into fruits in four years, but this is difficult.
USEFUL GARDENING TOOLS FOR BEGINNERS
Having the right quality tools in good condition will make managing and maintaining your garden easy and enjoyable. For those who are just starting out or who want to make gardening more enjoyable, investing in good tools can make a world of difference. Many tools depend on the size of your garden and its contents. What is needed for a balcony or a courtyard garden is different from what is needed for a large lawned garden with hedges. The possibilities are endless – from loppers and hedge trimmers to shovels, garden forks, rakes and wheelbarrows. And then there are other garden essentials like composting systems or worm farming, not to mention tools designed to make gardening easier, including gardening hands and knee pads. However, for me, they are three of the most basic tools that have proven themselves time and time again, and they are secateurs, a hand hoe, and a spade.
Secateurs
I think this is the most important tool for a gardener and one that is worth investing in. A good kit can mean the difference between gardening fun and a chore. They can be used for anything from pruning roses to picking delicate blooms. Remember, cheap tools are for fools. Invest a good couple.
Hand like
I find these tools indispensable for any job. There are several types including the Korean hand hoe (Ho-Mi) or a cobra weed.
spade
There are many options when it comes to these essential digging tools, and you may end up with several of them for completely different purposes. I like my little ladies spade for smaller jobs and my long handled spade for big jobs when I want and / or need more leverage. Then there are all the electric and gasoline-powered tools, from hedge trimmers and leaf blowers to the big boys – chainsaws. If you are a gadget fanatic, you will have a lot of fun choosing and playing with a garden toy.
Tools sorted, it’s time to join the cool kids and head out to the garden.
PET OF THE WEEK
“When keeping backyard chickens, space, weather, cleanliness and safety must be taken into account,” says Ben Braithwaite, the founder of ChickenGuard, who automatically opens the house door in the morning with timers and sensors and closes it at night to protect it from predators.
“The coop or chicken coop should be dry and draft-free, have good ventilation and offer plenty of protection from rain and wind. The house should be positioned so that it gets the morning sun but is not too warm in the afternoon.
“Nesting boxes are also required for chickens to lay eggs and nest in them,” he adds. “A dark inner area of the house is always best and allows about 2-3 boxes for five chickens. Perches are also great for chickens to perch on. Ideally made of wood and about 50 cm from the floor of your stable. “
Finally, Ben suggests, “Make sure you secure your basket and look for the smallest hole in a corner or roof. If you have a run make sure you are using hard-wired mesh and dig it in to keep predators from burrowing under it. “
Building a chicken coop means following some rooster rules:
“It’s always best to check with your local council about the rules for keeping chickens in residential areas,” says Ben. “For example, some Australian states and local statutes require a live animal permit. and there is often a limit to how many chickens you can have per square meter. There are also protocols for holding taps in cities and residential areas due to the noise and the impact it will have on your neighbors. “And yes, roosters mean fertilized eggs, which you may not be comfortable with.
Sophie Thomson is a television presenter and garden writer. Send her your gardening questions via athome@news.com.au
