Benefits of Gardening and Landscaping While Stuck at Home

While many of us are stuck at home doing our best to social distance and make the most of stay-at-home orders, some are taking to gardening and landscaping as an outlet for creativity and energy.

According to the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, there has been a significant “increase in consumer interest in horticulture, house plants, improving curb appeal, upgrading/renovating backyards for staycations, edible gardening, cut flowers, and other green industry activities.”

Not only is gardening a great way to use the new-found time, but there are also many benefits that make it a great way to handle the uncertainty of our times. Spending time outside can be a great family activity, or if you prefer a great way to find some peace and quiet alone.

We’re here to help! At Hidden Creek Landscaping we understand the benefits that come with increase time outdoors. Our experts are available to help you design a plan that makes the most of your efforts, helping you to create the perfect outdoor oasis.

Why should I consider gardening and landscaping while stuck at home?

Imagine being outside, the fresh breeze whispering around, the sun warm on your face. Connecting with the earth by patting the soil around a freshly planted flower. And think of the satisfaction of personally creating your own vegetable garden or a lush outdoor oasis that gives you space and comfort to relax outdoors.

As we grapple with the effects of the pandemic and rethink how we spend our time at home, gardening and landscaping have never felt so beneficial and rewarding as now. Gardening is a great way to regroup and relax during stressful times. It has many benefits that you may appreciate even after “social distancing” becomes a thing of the past.

Plus, if you plant and nurture a vegetable garden, one of the best fringe benefits is a steady supply of food! Farm-to-table has been trendy at restaurants for some time. Now you can have your own harvest-to-table experience right at home.

Your shelves and pantry could overflow with fresh produce. If you plan properly, a steady supply of food like kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, collard greens, and the like could be available even through the winter.

Are there any health benefits to gardening and landscaping?

Without question! Depending on the type of gardening you do, you will at a minimum achieve a level of exercise. It’s not running a marathon, but all kinds of gardening and landscaping require a certain degree of physical activity.

Digging, kneeling, raking, and lifting things over and over again increases the heart rate and blood flow, all while improving your range of motion and working out your muscles. Since gardening and landscaping don’t have to be high-intensity workouts, they are a perfect form of exercise for those who may have physical difficulties, are out of shape, or have other physical challenges.

It’s also a great way to build hand strength and dexterity. Gardening and landscaping conditions hand muscles, keeping them agile and strong. One tip is to alternate between the right and left hands while gardening so that both get a great workout.

Gardening and landscaping have also been shown to improve immune system functions. When you are washing the dirt out from under your fingernails it may not seem likely, but gardening and landscaping is one of the “cleanest” activities you can do. The bacteria commonly found in garden dirt has been proven to help alleviate symptoms of allergies, psoriasis, asthma, and is even known to decrease anxiety levels.

Are there mental health benefits to gardening and landscaping?

Indeed there are. A recent study found that participating in activities like gardening and landscaping can reduce the risk of dementia in older people, and it is known that gardening is beneficial for those with depression and stress.

The therapeutic properties of planting and watching things grow helps us to be in touch with our environment, creating a beneficial response and bettering our mental health.

Gardening and landscaping also decrease stress levels. It has been shown to decrease cortisol levels and improve your mood. Cortisol is commonly known as the primary stress level. By decreasing your stress level, you become more relaxed, further boost your immune function, and make you more energetic and productive.

Also, the confidence and satisfaction of watching your harvest grow, your plants flourish, and your yard look the best it ever has is a decided mental health benefit!

We’re here to help! If you are looking to get started but don’t know how, or if you just need some advice on design or the best plants for our region, the experts at Hidden Creek Landscaping are available to assist you in creating the perfect outdoor space to spend time at home.

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What is Plantscaping?

One of the latest gardening trends that has become popular in recent years is plantscaping. Plantscaping involves placing potted plants in an indoor area. Although this seems simple, plantscaping involves strategy and offers many benefits.

What is Plantscaping?

Plantscaping is the strategic arrangement of plants in an indoor space. When done correctly, plantscaping can bring beautiful visual appeal to your home. Plantscaping can also be used to spruce up deck and patio areas.

Plantscaping depends on a number of things. What do you want to accomplish with your plants? Do you want a bright, flowery look? Or something more toned down? Plantscaping is a great way to extend your outdoor garden into your home. It can bolster the ambiance of an area. For instance, no air freshener will ever smell as beautiful as a natural lavender plant. For a trendier look without a scent, you can add some succulents to your space.

Benefits of Plantscaping

Having plants inside your home is both visually appealing and offers some practical benefits. Plantscaping in your living area can help to purify your air. There was a famous NASA experiment done in the 1980’s showing that potted plants indoors can help cut down on cancer-causing compounds in the air. The more surface area your plant has, the cleaner your air will be.

Indoor foliage can also help boost your mood and energy.  They can also help you feel more relaxed and at ease in your space. Studies have shown that companies with indoor plants have healthier and happier employees. According to Forbes, offices that have a higher amount of indoor plants showed a boost in cognition and sleep quality. Overall, having plants in your work-space is incredibly beneficial to your mood and productivity.

Effective Plantscaping

Every garden is different and likewise, every indoor plant space will be different. If you are new to plantscaping or gardening, it’s smart to start with plants that don’t require a lot of attention. Spider plants, peace lilies, aloe, and dragon trees are all great starter plants. Once you get the hang of these beginner plants, you can move onto ones that require more complex care.

Evaluate your space. Will your plants be exposed to enough sunlight? Will they have ample room to grow? Are they in danger of being bowled over by kids or pets? Once you know what you are capable of, you can begin setting up your plantscape.

Next, work on your setup. Arrange the plants in a way that adds to the room without becoming an overwhelming presence. Layering your plants can add design and depth to your space. Hang some from the ceiling, leave some on the ground, and place them everywhere in between. This will add a fun and trendy dimensional feel to your living area.

Choose pots for your plants that tie in with your area. If they coordinate with the other decor in your room, the entire space will have a more cohesive look and feel.

Care and Maintenance

To begin, pick a good soil potting mix to home your plants. It is important not to take soil from your yard or garden. This may be filled with insects, fungus, and weeds. Buying soil will ensure that your plants have access to all the minerals and nutrients they need to thrive. Some soils even come with fertilizer built in. Talk to experts at your local gardening center to see what brands they recommend.

To begin, only plant one type of plant per pot. Different plants have different needs and it can be hard to accommodate light and watering schedules when you have too many variations of plants sharing a small space.

Because your plants are indoors, they will need more care than outdoor plants. Giving them fertilizer is a great way to ensure that all of their needs are met. Deadheading (aka trimming off dead parts of the plant) is also an important way to keep your plants healthy.

Beware of Pests

Even though your plants are indoors, there are some pests to be aware of to keep your plants safe and healthy. Mites, mealybugs, and scale are all things that can threaten the health of your plants. The key to success here is preventative care. Groom your plants regularly and keep an eye out for any threatening-looking growth or activity in the pot. It is also important to not overwater your plants and to be aware of their exposure to moisture. Too moist of an environment can lead to rot and eventually kill your plants.

Overall, plantscaping is a great way to boost your health and to benefit your space. Plants help keep you healthy and happy and can give your home a trendy and fresh new feel. Bringing plants into your home offers many benefits. If you are interested in plantscaping and have any questions, contact our experts at Hidden Creek today.

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The Singular Elegance Of A Tuscan Garden

Celebrating the old world style of Italy, Tuscan Landscaping epitomizes charm and elegance. Hidden Creek Landscaping can create the simple beauty of a Tuscan garden. Its singular look has many characteristics, but there are some elements that epitomize the earthy, yet graceful style.

Using materials and colors found in nature, the Tuscan garden has an earthy appeal. Surfaces are often natural stone with warm tones, like slate, flagstone, or even gravel. Crafted items, for other purposes, include materials like terra cotta, or brilliantly colored ceramic tiles that incorporate rich natural jewel tones. The warm tones of teak in benches and other furnishings carry on the Mediterranean ambiance while wrought iron accents express old world appeal.

Vegetation in a Tuscan garden plays a key role. There are many varieties of the Mediterranean plants typical to Tuscany that can be grown in a colder climate, as well as hardier species with the same style of plant life from Tuscany’s temperate climate. Larger trees like the Italian Cypress, or the Boxwood, provide a genuine atmosphere. Shrubs and smaller trees can be grown in strategically placed large urns or planters. A functional garden, with fragrant herbs, fruits and vegetables, provides an authentic touch.

Hidden Creek Landscaping can create a one of a kind Tuscan masterpiece with an expertise that comes only from a long history of exceptional landscape design. We pride ourselves on our ability to include our customers as partners, because it is only by listening to their wishes that we can truly succeed. Contact us today for more information about our landscaping services, and to get started on your landscaping transformation!

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