RELAXATION
Gardening is relaxing. The research indicates that nature does reduce stress and helps to lower blood pressure. Why not think about your garden as your own private sanctuary! Spending time in the garden is good for your health. So, take a little extra time to pick some flowers or just smell various fragrances as spring emerges. In fact, find a comfortable chair to sit in for a while and watch as nature unfolds before your eyes.

“To get the best results you must talk to your vegetables.”
– Prince Charles

DAYLILY’S
The botanical name for Daylily is Hemerocallis. This is taken from the Greek word hemera, which means day and kallos which means beauty. It is called this because the flower of this perennial plant only lasts a day. The flowers were used as food in China and Japan. They were dried or pickled in salt or cooked as a vegetable. Daylilies are not a native American plant and were brought here by settlers. They were a popular garden plant in colonial times and escaped to grow along roadsides.

NATIVES
There are good reasons why we should look to plant more native varieties of local plants in our gardens. The plants that are native to the region where we live, typically require less water. They are less prone to disease and easily adapt to the growing conditions. These plants require less maintenance, which means spending more time enjoying them and doing less pruning and weeding. In fact, some native plants may be very attractive to birds, butterfly’s and other wildlife. There are good environmental and aesthetic reasons for using locally grown trees, flowers and shrubs.

LOCALLY GROWN
The idea of growing your own vegetables can be as simple as container planting on your patio. Often, we think that to have fresh produce we need to start a large garden. However, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers and other vegetables can be grown in pots outside the back door. This includes fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, oregano and mint. Make sure the pot is placed in a sunny location and there is a hose near by. So, think of local produce as coming from your own backyard.

INTENSIVE GARDENS
The idea of using raised beds became popular in the 1800’s as a way of intensely using the soil for growing plants. The idea is to plant in narrow rows that are easy to reach from each side. Raised beds make it easier to weed, water and provide better drainage.

RIGHT TREE
Selecting the right tree can help ensure it will live a long life. Understanding how tall a tree will grow and it’s characteristics will help you determine the best location for planting. Being able to amend the soil at the time of planting and giving it enough room to grow should is important. When selecting a tree, be sure to purchase one that is sold in a burlap bag (B&B). The Arbor Day web site has a tree quiz to help you select the best tree for the location you are considering. www.arborday.org

TREE FACTS
Did you know that one tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen a year. Two trees can supply enough oxygen for a family of four.

FRIENDS
If you are new to gardening, a good way to ensure success is to make friends with other gardeners. Gardeners love to offer advice and most people have an idea how to help. Their experience can help new gardeners solve some of natures riddles. You will make them feel good, too, by asking questions.

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