THE PORCH

An article in today’s  USA Today by Craig Wilson reminds me how important the porch is for all of us.  Craig reminisces on growing up and spending time on his parents front porch.  His stories remind me of spending my own childhood on the back porch of my parents home.  All our summer meals took place on the porch.  In fact, most all activities were moved to the porch during the summer months.  There were many summer nights spent sleeping outside on the porch.

The porch is one of those iconic architectural elements that we all can relate to and have fond memories of spending time on.  It works so well because it offers us protection from the elements.  The porch shelters us from the hot summer sun and it is a place where we can sit outside to listen to the rain. It acts as a stage where we can entertain our friends.  And it is an observation area where we can check out what is happening in the neighborhood.  The porch makes us feel safe because we are close to the house and do not have to venture too far into nature.

I am reminded of how important an architectural element the porch is for all of us.  A porch was included in the garden design at Medford Leas Continuing Care Retirement Community.  The porch was constructed off of the recreation room and it has been an essential component of this courtyard garden.  It is host is daily activities, including cookouts, holiday parties, concerts, garden classes, reading groups, etc. etc.

I am thinking about a comfortable chair, something to eat and maybe a good book to read on my porch. You can include a ceiling fan, maybe some music and a cooler filled with drinks and you may never have to leave!  Who could ask for anything more!  Enjoy!

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Therapeutic Gardens Newsletter – JULY 2010

FLOWERS AND MOOD
Researchers at Rutgers University have shown that flowers have a positive long-term effect on a person’s mood. People participating in the survey reported feeling a higher sense of enjoyment and satisfaction with life after receiving flowers. They also felt less depressed and agitated.

“Where flowers bloom, so does hope” – Lady Bird Johnson

GOT MINT?
Gardeners may get nervous when thinking about planting mint in the garden. However, this may be a good excuse to use it more frequently. Adding fresh mint to iced tea and ice cream, it is summer time after all, is one way. Add it to grilled foods such as fish. Mint aids in digestion and helps freshen the breath. And, one way to control it from spreading is to plant it in a plastic pot and sink the pot in the ground. Be sure the pot has drainage holes.

RATIONALE
A quick reminder—one hour of gardening will reduce stress, help boost bone density and burn up to 300 calories. So, keep in mind that tending to the garden is good for the plants and good for you, too!

REPEL INSECTS
Looking for more natural ways to help ward off mosquitoes and other insects? Catnip, marigold, rosemary and mint are good herbs to use. Try placing the crushed leaves of these plants in small containers where you sit on the porch or patio. Be sure to replace them with fresh herbs frequently.

TOMATOES
We know that tomatoes like hot weather. However, those summer heat waves may not always be good for the plants. Most tomato plants will fail to set fruit once the daytime temperatures rise above 95 degrees and night time temperatures exceed 78 degrees.

CONEFLOWER
The perennial Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a favorite of gardeners and birds. And new varieties are adding additional color choices, with unusual names, such as Tomato Soup (red flowers) and Mac n’ Cheese (orange-yellow flowers). Tennessee coneflower is on the endangered plant species list and would be one another good coneflower to add to your garden.

BIRDBATHS
When trying to attract birds to your garden, the number one thing they need is water. Be sure to include a bird bath. Make sure it is clean and filled with fresh water. There are many decorative styles that also include water fountains.

BLACK-EYED SUSANS
A wonderful summer flower to include in your garden is Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia). One of the best varieties is ’Goldsturm’. They are great for using in flower arrangements. Butterflies are attracted to them and birds like the seed heads. This perennials is also tolerant of poor soils and dry conditions.

STORING HERBS
It is possible to keep some herbs fresh after cutting. To keep basil fresh, trim the stems and quickly stand the stems in water. You can also cover the cuttings with a clear plastic bag and keep them out of direct sunlight. You can store parsley and cilantro in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge. Be sure to add a damp paper towel. This will work well with rosemary, chives and thyme, also.

GARDEN ART
Looking for ways to help promote the garden and outdoor activities? Try hanging these colorful garden posters (@$12). This and other ideas will help prompt people to head outside to the garden. www.victorygardenoftomorrow.com

BLOG
You can now follow our posts on the blog site: www.designforgenerations.wordpress.com We are transitioning the newsletter over to this format.. The newsletter be available through the Word Press site. We will ask readers to sign up to receive future issues.

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IN THE NEWS

“Spending more time in nature might have some surprising health benefits.”  This and other information can be found in the recent New York Times article “The Claim: Exposure to Plants and Parks Can Boost immunity” by Anahad O’Connor (July 5, 2010).  Stress reduction, increased immune function, lower concentration of cortisol, lower pulse rate and lower blood pressure are just a few of the many health benefits associated with our interaction with nature.

As the article describes, “Exposure to plants and trees seems to benefit health.”  It is good to see that articles like this are reaching main stream America and beyond.  We have know for years that contact with nature helps us recover from illness.  Now the studies are proving that daily contact will make us healthier – and save healthcare dollars, too!  The article can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/health/06real.html?_r=2&emc=eta1

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HARNESSING THE POWER OF GARDENS TO HEAL

The current issue of Garden Design magazine (Jul/Aug 2010) has a great article on Healing Gardens and the work of Clare Cooper Marcus.  This is a definite read for anyone who has an interest in the healing powers of gardens and why nature can play an important role in the healing process.  The article chronicles the work of Ms. Cooper

Marcus and how she has been a leader in helping to define how these spacial gardens should be designed.

Ms. Cooper Marcus talks about how healing gardens should be as much, if not more, about plants and less about creating abstract designs.  The gardens should “provide a sense that you are in a garden and not a plaza or indoors.”  The garden, as Clare explains in the article, should be designed to include four essential elements: exercise, social support, a sense of control and a distraction of nature.  These and other important design ideas are discussed in the article.

The article may be found in the magazine starting on page 73 and additional information at the web site www.gardendesign.com

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Therapeutic Gardens Newsletter – JUNE 2010

BENEFITS OF NATURE
British researchers looked at ten various studies on the effects of activities performed outside in nature. Activities such as walking, cycling and gardening had positive effects on the 1,200 people surveyed. According to Jo Barton, co-author of the study, “There would be a large potential benefit if people were to selfmedicate more with green exercise.” The largest positive health changes occurred when people exercised in the outdoors. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es903183r

CONTAINER GARDENS
Planting in containers makes it easier to garden, especially if space is limited. You can grow most all of the same vegetables, flowers and herbs in containers that grow in the ground. Be sure to use a light weight soil that is specifically created for containers. You may have to water more often, as containers can dry out faster. The height of the containers allows you to garden while sitting and makes it easier to reach. Another advantage is that you can bring them indoors for the winter.

SHARING
A great way to share the fun is to make gardening a group effort. Have other gardeners plant companion plants that can be used to create a meal. You can swap some of your produce with other gardeners.

GARDENING TRENDS
Gardening, like many things, can be stylish. You can stay ahead of the curve and even be the first on your block. One way is to become a ’locivore’. Start growing your own organic vegetables. Rather that ship lettuce, tomatoes and other produce across the country, start growing it in your own garden. Trading lawns for vegetable gardens has become popular. In fact, people are replacing their lawns with perennial gardens and raised vegetable planters. More than three-fourths of people are motivated to grown their own, because the vegetables will have better taste and nutrition (Garden Writers Survey-Spring 2010).

BASIL
Basil brings fragrance, beauty and flavor to any garden and may be one of the most essential plants to grow. One of it’s most important properties is to be used in cooking. Try planting Lemon Basil which adds a tangy flavor to recipes. Lime Basil can be used where you need a hint of lime. Or try growing Thai Basil for a licorice flavor. Basils like sunny well drained soils. They also grow well in containers.

“Gardening is an exercise in optimism. Sometimes it is the triumph of hope over
experience.”
-Marina Schinz

COMPANIONS
Certain plants work well together. Planting garlic among the roses will help keep away aphids and Japanese beetles. Planting mint with cabbage and tomatoes will repel aphids and fleas and even attract earthworms. Marigolds are the best to plant because they help keep away bad insects from most vegetables.

LEMON BALM
We have often heard about the beneficial properties of using herbs. The herb, Lemon Balm, has been shown to have many positive effects. It is said to dispel anxiety and improve mood. It has a lemony flavor and can be used in teas. This herb is easy to grow and be sure to give it lots of space.

KEEP BLOOMING
Removing the dead flowers from flowering plants will encourage new flowers. This is called ‘deadheading’ and should be done as soon as they look brown or wilted. Pinch the stalk right above the bud or set of leaves for perennials and annuals. This also applies for flowering shrubs, such as roses. You will need a pair of hand pruners to remove the spent flowers on woody plants.

BLOG
You can now follow our posts on the blog site: www.designforgenerations.wordpress.com We are transitioning the newsletter over to this format.. The newsletter be available through the Word Press site. We will ask readers to sign up to receive future issues.

Read more