Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Monday January 4, 2010

Monday, January 4, 2010

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Monday January 4, 2010

Having trouble seeing this email? View the most recent issue or stories from previous issues.

	Today's Healthy Life Daily Video
	Daily Nutrition Guidelines Play Now!

Q&A: Horticulture Therapy

Question: I know that I feel better after spending time in my garden, but has there been any "official" reasearch on this topic?

Answer: Yes. Researchers have found that exposure to plants has been shown to reduce the amount of time spent in a hospital after surgery as well as reduce patients' requests for pain killers. In a study at the Sloan-Kettering Institute, breast cancer surgery patients gathered their strength faster, increased their ability to focus attention, and reduced their depression, merely by walking regularly in a garden. In areas other than medicine, research shows that working with and handling plants lowers blood pressure, eases the feelings of stress, and generally makes us feel better. Not only are we enriched by the beauty, growing a healthy houseplant gives us a sense of control over our lives, and a sense of reward as the plant thrives. These results are so positive that plant care is now used in all types of physical therapy. Time and time again, research shows that merely being exposed to plants calms us and produces a positive energy, making us more efficient and less frantic.

Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top

Tip: Protect Plants from Snowblowers

When using a snowblower, blow snow away from young trees and shrubs. The tiny ice crystals can rip bark of plants along the driveway, opening them to disease and insect infestations in spring.

Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top

Q&A: Too Late to Plant Weeping Cherry?

Question: I recently purchased some 6-foot-tall potted weeping cherry trees. I think it's too late to plant them. What precautions can I take to keep them healthy until I can plant them in spring?

Answer: One of the advantages of container-grown trees and shrubs is that they can be planted any time the ground isn't frozen. In general, they winter over better with their roots under ground and insulated than they do above ground in pots. Be careful to water them in well at planting and mulch them. Make sure the soil stays moist (you may not need to water while the weather is cold, but check to be sure as the weather warms) and then in spring and summer make sure they receive adequate water just as with any newly planted trees. If your location is windy, it may also help to wrap them in burlap for this first winter to protect them from drying winds.

Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top

Get Healthy in 2010

Get in shape for the New Year with health tips from ArcaMax! Get the latest news in health and medicine, free diet and exercise tips, and more with a free subscription.

Subscribe to Health Tips instantly.

Find out more before subscribing.

-- From the ArcaMax editors

Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top

Today's Reader Submitted Photos

Click an image above to see full size and read caption.

To see more of our subscriber photos visit our full Photo Gallery.

Enter your Gardening Daily Tips pictures so you can show them off to other readers right here in this ezine and on the ArcaMax.com Web site. Click here to submit your photo.

Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors