Here are a few health
benefits of enjoying the outdoors. To the non-gardener or hard-core athlete,
gardening may seem like a sedentary activity, but it is not. Activities like
carting mulch around in a wheelbarrow, digging in the soil, plus all that
bending and lifting involved in planting really does burn calories. Studies
show that depending on the activity, gardening can burn between 250 and 500
calories per hour. For many people gardening is a creative outlet, for others
it’s the change of scenery from the daily grind that makes a difference. Still
others find that the satisfaction of reaping the rewards (those tasty fruits
and vegetables, and beautiful flowers) of your efforts is what helps to reduce
stress levels. So try it out and let me know what you think. I would love to
hear your gardening stories. You can email me at sandi@hillermann.com.
Your main tasks for
this month both begin with the letter W. Weeding and watering. Both tasks are
self-explanatory. However, I feel the need to explain them to some extent. It
is important to stay on top of the weeds. If you let them get ahead of you and
they go to seed, you are going to have hundreds more to deal with this fall and
next spring. Spraying weeds with an herbicide such as Roundup is one of the
easiest ways to rid of weeds. When using herbicides be sure to read and follow
all label directions thoroughly. They are written for your protection. Also, be
very careful when spraying around the plants that you want to grow in your
landscape. It generally is best to pull weeds that are growing in and
immediately around your desirable plants, and spray those that are “in the
open”. As far as watering goes, most plants will survive on 1” of water a week.
A rain gauge will help measure the amount.
Bugs, they really bug
me, and some of them can really mess up your plants. Before you grab that
bottle of insecticide, run outside, and spray every bug in sight, it is
important that you identify the bug that is bugging you. Most insecticides
can’t tell the difference between a beneficial insect like a honey bee and the
destructive spider mite. Therefore, it is important that you identify what insect
you are trying to kill and the best method to do it. You can collect some
samples of your bug to bring to a garden center for Identification, but please,
put them in a Ziploc bag and seal it before you do. This way the staff can
safely examine and identify the pest without passing the problem on to their
own plant stock. Once they identify the bug, the garden center staff can give
you advice on the best way to control it.
Mowing the lawn is
another task that continues in August. Due to the usually hot and dry
conditions that are the norm in August, you may be able to space your mowing
times further apart. That is unless you have an irrigation system to keep your
lawn growing vigorously.
If you are thinking
about a new addition to your landscape this fall, now is the time to talk to your
favorite landscape designer. Your designer can discuss your needs with you,
design the changes or new additions, and get you on the schedule for a fall
installation.
If you tried your hand
at seasonal vegetable or square foot gardening this spring, here are a few ways
you can enjoy a fall garden. Carry tomatoes, peppers and basil plants over in
your fall garden. Direct sow beets, radishes, turnips, leafy greens and spinach
now where other spring crops such as broccoli and cauliflower have come and
gone for this year. Replant nursery
starts of broccoli and cauliflower.
Last but not least,
take care of yourself. During the hot time that is referred to as August, it is
easy to over exert yourself. Drink plenty of fluids and rest in the shade as
needed.
See you next
month……….in the garden
Sandi Hillermann
McDonald
