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GARDENING IN THE CURRENT LOCKDOWN
With this difficult period which we are all currently going through, it has been rightfully recommended by the Government that we remain in our homes. However, it isn’t all doom and gloom as self isolating has created a gardening boom, an opportunity to get outside and maintain our garden areas. After all, our gardens present us the perfect opportunity to get much needed fresh air without the worry of being near fellow members of the public.
AM I ALLOWED TO BE IN MY GARDEN DURING THE CURRENT LOCKDOWN?
Yes. The government have stated that we are allowed to freely use our gardens during the lockdown period, as long as it is your own and there’s no chance of coming into close contact with any members of the public. Gardening can be a great way to de-stress, and with the current uncertainty which we are all going through, an escape to the garden is exactly what we may need. Below, we will explore the various benefits that gardening may have on our health:
MAKES FOR A FANTASTIC STRESS RELIEF
Gardening can be the perfect form of exercise to help release endorphins, primarily the hormone which helps people feel relaxed and content. In addition, being outside in direct sunlight is a fantastic way to help lift your mood for longer periods.
During these current difficult times, now might be the perfect time to get green-fingered. Simple tasks such as mowing the lawn and watering plants are great for getting that much needed fresh air. Another benefit is that keeping active through gardening, will help to keep you healthy during this isolation period.
IMPROVING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
With the current great weather, it makes it even more tempting to spend time in the garden. Providing you do not expose yourself to too much sunlight, it does have some medically proven advantages. The sun is our main form of Vitamin D and is imperative towards our overall health. Vitamin D helps our bodies to absorb calcium, which in turn, maintains the strength of our bones whilst helping to keep our immune systems strong.
Strong immune systems are imperative to help keep ourselves as healthy and as safe as possible during this current crisis.
HELP TO GET RID OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS
If you have experienced a bad or stressful day, grabbing a shovel for some heavy digging or a pair of secateurs to remove unwanted roots can be a fantastic way to release negative emotions. Moreover, removing unwanted matter in your garden is a great method in ensuring your garden doesn’t get destroyed.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND YOU DO TO YOUR GARDEN DURING THE LOCKDOWN
As Spring is now finally here and a lot of us have a bit of spare time on our hands – now is the time to get in the garden and keep ourselves busy. Not only will it help to keep us all feeling sane, it will also have great benefits in keeping our gardens looking great for the months ahead!
RENOVATING THE LAWN
Spring is the best time to start reseeding the lawn. It is also the perfect time to start considering nutrients and replenishment for the lawn before Spring fully develops. Here at Polhill, we have a wide range of lawn care products which will help to reinvigorate your lawn to capture that beautiful garden space. To see our range – please click here
It is important to also know that you are still able to mow your lawn during the current lockdown. However, it must be stressed that you must keep hold of your trimmings for the time being as we are not allowed to be visiting landfill sites or other areas of disposal.
DE-WEEDING
Struggling to find something to do? why not go and do that task which you have been putting off for a while. That’s right, getting rid of the weeds around the garden! With the sun out and a nice breeze, today is the perfect time to do so.
(Image Source: www.menards.com)
benefits of pulling the weeds out now:
- Moisture in the soil enables roots and weeds to be removed much more easily
- Being stuck at home gives the perfect opportunity to do so
- Helps to give some much needed fresh air
Whilst sorting out the weeds in your garden, please make sure you take care and wear gardening gloves.
TRIMMING & PRUNING
Haven’t started pruning your roses? no need to worry, why not do so now?
For those shrubs that have finished their winter blooming, they can also be pruned now. Then there are also other plants and bushes and hedges around the garden that can be done too! Before you know it, your garden is going to start looking mesmerising again, further encouraging you to want to do other jobs around the garden.
TAKING GOOD CARE OF HOUSEPLANTS
You may recall from our 2020 Gardening Trends Blog a few months ago, that we forecasted that houseplants were going to be an increasing trend this year. With so many of us having houseplants around the house and patio areas, now is the perfect time to make sure we take good care of them. After all, we now currently have the time to do so.
Make sure that they are regularly watered and receive the levels of sunlight they need. Relocate them around the house to areas where you know they’ll be more prosperous. Seeming as they help to make our homes feel much more homely, it is beneficial that we take good care of them – especially during a time where we are having to stay home!
If you are looking to add further plants to your home or garden, why not check out our newly added plant range on our online shop which enables you to purchase plants from the comfort of your living room!
Top Tip: If you see your leaf plants are getting brown leaf tips, they’re lacking humidity in the air – try moving them else where in the house.
GARDENING TO HELP KEEP YOUR CHILDREN ENTERTAINED
With it being difficult to keep little one’s entertained and active in the current Coronavirus crisis, why not encourage them to spend time in the garden. Whether that is simply playing, or even helping mum and dad with some gardening, being outside can help build personal bonds and increase creativity among children. It will also help to teach kids how wonderful nature is.
KIDS ENJOY GETTING MUDDY AND DIRTY!
As much as parents do not like it when their kids get dirty and mucky, dirt in fact is actually good (to an extent) with improving children’s immune systems and reduce chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, allergies and obesity.
Therefore, children should be encouraged to help plant seeds, dig soil and pull out weeds as it will enable them to get their little hands dirty. This in turn will help kids to sustain a bond with the garden and the overall natural environment – meaning they would want to spend more time in the great outdoors when we can all get back to our normal day-to-day lives.
HELP TO SUSTAIN THOSE CLOSE FAMILY BONDS
Parents can make children feel connected to the garden through allowing them to help choose types of flowers and plants which can be put within the garden area.
Regular gardening can help to sustain and further develop relationships, whilst also laying the foundations of hard work and the importance of team work. Having such values at a young age can be such as fundamental life skill.
HELP THEM TO BURN ALL THAT ENERGY!
We are sure that with children being stuck indoors, they have a lot of energy to burn. That’s why it is imperative to let them enjoy the garden in a responsible manner as a method to make isolating a bit more fun!
There are added benefits such as it gives them important vitamins such as vitamin D from the sun, which is imperative with regards to children growing up with healthy skin. The fresh air which is further aided by the plants they have helped to plant in the garden is another great reason to encourage kids to burn off some energy in the garden.
STAYING SAFE
We all at Polhill Garden Centre wish that you remain healthy and safe through this difficult period. We encourage that you do all you can to protect both yourself and others and hope that your garden serves as an element of relaxation and a positive distraction from all that is going on.
Please stay safe everyone!
From everyone at Polhill Garden Centre.
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