May 03, 2008

The pure pleasures of gardening lead one to step by step joy attained in seeing a small seed grow to new heights. The alluring fragrance of flowers with their bright as well as soft colours and the invigorating spring that makes plants exude sheer energy at this time of the year make this hobby worth experimenting with. The innocent joys of gardening include creating a beautiful environment with plants, shrubs and flowers as the prime goal of this activity. Few of us can overlook an area that is well decorated with plants and flowers and remain unaffected by its beauty. Only a hobbyist, who prepares the soil, sows seeds, nurtures tender plants and waters them regularly can experience the thrill and joy when the first bud appears.

Gardening also includes landscaping activities but at the same time can be done in balconies, smaller areas and pots. Landscaping activities for larger areas include building and creating the physical plant such as the designs and layout of rock gardens and ponds.

Growing plants also requires tender care and attention from its practitioner. Whether you learn to grow plants from seeds or buy small plants from nurseries one learns a lot through trial and error and by making mistakes. For example it is through experience or guidance from others that you learn how much sunlight a particular species of plant requires. Similarly I learnt through a lot of experimentation what combination of sunlight and water is ideal for what kind of plants, in which corner of the balcony they should be placed, how many hours of direct sunlight they should be getting and so on and so forth. For example, I discovered that ‘Caladium’ a multi shaded, non-flowering plant, would grow well in semi-shade and moist soil. Similarly China Rose, a beautiful flowering plant available in a myriad of colours and sizes, requires a lot of direct sunlight and routine spraying of insecticides to ensure a healthy plant and regular blooming. Bulbs on the other hand such as tulips may be prone to over-crowding and require dividing.

Nature provides gardeners with perennial as well as seasonal plants to keep them occupied throughout the year. Perennial variety includes the ever famous roses and number of non-flowering varieties such as the crotons. Seasonal varieties by far are many with most of them blooming in winters and lasting till late March or April. Winters bring with them the marigolds, pansies and chrysanthemums along with a number of other flowering varieties. Similarly summers bring the enchanting dollar flowers and the bright ‘zinnia’.

Research has shown that gardening also has therapeutic advantages and is an effective way to release stress. It benefits people suffering from long term ailments and keeps them from thinking about themselves. Like all other hobbies it offers leisure, relaxation and friendships.

Gardening is not only limited to growing beautiful flowers outdoors but also includes kitchen gardening that is growing of fruits and vegetables for home use, and growing plants indoor. By and large horticulturists practise it for decorative uses.

In order to be an effective gardener, you need to follow certain gardening tips as well as patience and hard work. The tips you can follow are given below:

Soil: For the plants to grow well the soil should be a rich mixture of sand and clay called loam. Loam is the best kind of soil for the plants because it is not too sticky like the clay and is not too sandy as well. Sticky soil is a hindrance in the way of good drainage for the plants while soil that does not stick together has too much air in it to hold the nutrients plants need to survive. You can add compost or organic soil amendments such as leaves, cow manure or pre-packaged items available at the local nursery. Different fertilisers available in the market are also beneficial for the soil but they should be mixed in the right quantities.

Watering: Make sure that potted plants have a good drainage system in place. Too much water can damage the roots of the plant and lead to water logging. Too little water on the other hand can hinder plant growth. It is important that one waters adequately during the fall to combat the effects of late winter sun and drying winds. Watering should be done early in the morning or late evening when the sun is not overhead. In addition, if you water early during the day the sun can dry off any extra water that remains over the surface of the soil.

Pests: Plants that do not receive adequate sunlight are susceptible to attacks by pests and insects. Certain plant species are more prone to diseases than others. Although the generic insecticide is the same for all plants, different types of pesticides are available in the market for different type of pests and insects. Always mix water in the pesticide and dilute it as per the instructions while at the same time cover your eyes, nose and hands. You should not be spraying the plants with insecticides when the sun is shining so the appropriate time is early mornings or late evenings.

Mulching: Mulching helps the plant preserve moisture and gives the roots of the newly planted plants more time to develop. Mulch should be 2-4 inches deep and should be applied around the base of the plant. Shredded bark, sawdust, leaves or grass clippings serve as good mulch material.

Wrapping and fencing: Delicate plants can be tied with loose strings so that the damage due to strong winds is minimised. Sometimes birds also damage small tender plants that have just sprouted so consider making a small fence around the planted area.

Trimming: To give the plants a proper shape and aesthetic appearance you must keep trimming them after the flowering season. This ensures that there is no wayward growth and gives the plant a healthy look. When the flowering season comes the dome shaped shrub gives a heavenly appearance filled with flowers.

As you might have discovered gardening is a rewarding hobby that requires patience and hard work at the same time. Its benefits are many and it offers nature lovers a new opportunity every time to discover, explore and learn. It can also be adopted at a minimum of cost unlike some other hobbies with minimum constraints of time and space.