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Post by jasimons on Apr 8, 2024 3:28:14 GMT
This round runs from March 31 through April 21
Challengers:
Cherry — Do some form of exercise most days
Cathy — Honestly track everything
Judy — move more
Holly — Maintain Lifetime at Goal Status
Bev — More cautious of what I'm eating
Jan — Adding more fruits and veggies into my meals, no after-work snacking
Hosts:
March 25 through March 31- Cherry
April 1 through April 7- Cathy
April 8 through April 14- Judy
April 15 through April 21- Holly
April 22 through April 28- Jan
April 28 through May 5- Bev
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Post by jasimons on Apr 8, 2024 3:31:21 GMT
www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dig-into-the-benefits-of-gardeningAccording to a promotional events calendar I have, April is Gardening month. I found an article (linked above) about the health benefits of gardening. Dig into the benefits of gardening:
Increased exerciseA busy day in the garden can be a good form of exercise. Gardening also can improve your balance, strength and flexibility. Gardening activities can be modified if movement is a challenge. Improved dietGardeners are more likely to include vegetables as part of healthy, well-balanced diets
Time in natureGetting outdoors is good for your physical and mental health. ...breathe deeper when outside. ...reduce heart rate and muscle tension. ...lowers blood pressure and increases vitamin D levels.
Reduced stress levelsNearly all forms of exercise can reduce stress... Gardening routines, like watering and weeding, can create a soothing rhythm to ease stress.
Social connectionGardening brings people together and strengthens social connections. Social connections are important ... help lower stress, improve resilience and provide support... Questions: The article seems to focus on vegetable gardening, but please feel free to comment on this about flower gardens, fruit trees, potted plants, lawn care...any outdoor plant growing activity. If you garden, what do you think about the benefits mentioned? Any other benefits you'd add? Any garden plans for this year you'd like to share? Is there anything you'd like to be able to grow, but can't (space, climate,etc?) Please chat about anything you'd like.
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Post by cathygeha on Apr 8, 2024 8:33:54 GMT
If you garden, what do you think about the benefits mentioned? Any other benefits you'd add? * I can see the benefits provided to my husband in strength, agility, balance, and well being. I wish that I enjoyed gardening but really don't though I do enjoy the harvest.
Any garden plans for this year you'd like to share? * My husband is planting...I will cook and can and preserve
Is there anything you'd like to be able to grow, but can't (space, climate,etc?) * I would love it if our climate allowed cherry trees to produce and a few other fruit trees. We have underground animals that eat the roots of plants and that can be frustrating.
Please chat about anything you'd like. * My plan is to string together more OP days and to increase my walking this week.
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Post by jasimons on Apr 8, 2024 13:26:25 GMT
Most of the time, I do enjoy the time I spend on the gardens. Some years, when there isn't as much rain, I admit that I get a bit tired of watering, but that feeling doesn't last. Gardening is an activty that doesn't feel like work to me, it is calming for me.
I don't participate in any garden clubs or such, the social aspect doesn't apply for me. Only grow tomaotes (sometime cucumbers) and herbs, so, I don't think it makes a difference in diet.
Garden plans for this year - as usual, tomatoes (purchase started plants) and herbs (from seed). I'll get some started annual flower plants (for the shady area flower bed) as well and there are some perennial flowers around the house (peonies and day lilies).
I'd like to be able to plant more sun-loving annual flowers. I appreciate the trees for keeping the house cooler with shade, but it's getting harder to find spots that get enough sun for zinnias, for example.
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Post by Holly Gail on Apr 8, 2024 17:11:50 GMT
I don't really garden. I have a few things growing in my back yard (I have a tiny yard; I live in a condo complex where each unit is two stories and no one lives upstairs or downstairs from anyone else). I grow rosemary and one naval orange tree, plus some jasmine along one fence. There are also two jade plants that were here before I moved in and I have to cut them back with some frequency (they tend to take over...) Other than that, weeds and some grass. Walking between the jade plants to my left and the rosemary to my right to get to the corner where the "patio" size orange tree is means I get bitten by invisible insects... I tend to stay out of the garden...
So, no, no garden plans...
I'd like to be able to grow a few kinds of basil. I can't grow basil in the yard. I had one basil plant that took hold and produced for almost ten years when it got attacked by something and slowly died. I dug it up and left the ground fallow for two years. However, when I planted another basil plant there, it got attacked by the same problem within a couple of weeks and died. I haven't planted anything else in that spot.
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Post by bmazzo on Apr 8, 2024 20:36:58 GMT
I love gardening!! The only trouble that I have with it is that here in the South, it gets so darn hot & humid in July & August that I can't stand to be out there working. In the spring, I want every plant that I see, but then it gets so hot that I wish that I didn't have so many.
I have a herb garden. I have oregano that is taking over the bed! I really need to cut it back. I also have a sage plant that has survived the winter. I will get a basil plant or two to put in there. I have tomato plants started in little pots in the house. So far, they are looking pretty good.
I would like to grow corn, but it is impossible as the squirrels always eat it all up. I have all these dreams of growing stuff, but I am an armchair Gardner, I like to plan, but not able to do! LOl. Especially now, since DH is sick & can no longer help me.
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