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Gardening is a therapuetic way of making the environment, in which you live, more beautiful and restoring your own well being.I have found, over the years, that spending time with mother nature is the best way to give yourself balance,both physically and mentally, few other activities will supply. Why spend money at the gym when you can design and install magical beauty in your own backyard? The investment of time will reap rewards for generations to come, not to mention the instant gratification of a job well done, all the while boosting your house's curb appeal!

Spending time sifting through books and catalogues and contemplating landscape, is the best way to rid yourself of stress and the anxieties that come with everyday living in the modern world. Colors and textures will awaken the senses and renew your spirit. Walking through garden centers and picking out flowers is one of the best afternoons of the year. The warm sunlight and fresh breezes combine to lower your blood pressure, while the flowers bring beauty and joy to your mind. The aromas wafting through the air wake up your innate zest for life, which make the installation part a joy rather than a chore. As you wander through the garden center, pick flowers according to color and texture.

When installing we then must account for soil, drainage and sunlight. I have found that it takes years to build an exceptional garden. When conditions are right the flowers will thrive and multiply, so in the beginning, make sure the soil is full of nutrients and has the right sunlight. Watering is important, especially, in the first couple weeks, (to establish rooting) however, mother nature will lend a hand, occasionally. Amazingly, after I've been digging and planting, I will sit back with a cool drink and watch as the birds chip in with pest control and debre removal. They appreciate the work more than anyone and will come back with their young.

The stretching, bending,digging,placing,moving and lifting are great warm-ups prior to a long walking session. Tilling and raking also help build muscle tonning and areobic strength. After a few hours of this kind of muscle movement, it will be obvious that you have been working your muscles in ways that no other work-out, besides yoga, will bring. In fact, I've called my work-out yoga gardening.

The old saying "reaping what you sow" comes into play when you are able to harvest beautiful bouquets and healthful herbs and vegetables for your dinner table. Ironically, the cutting of flowers, will cause power back into the plant which produces more flowers. Harvesting fruits and vegetables will bring seeds for further plantings to come. It is natures way and it is the best thing in life.

I have also been inspired by the richness and peace that spending quite time in the garden will provide. Meditation and spirituality are the by products of a job well done. Healing through the art of gardening is the best thing to bring balance and structure to a soul. Forget about your troubles and get digging.

Learn more about this author, Janine Culotta.
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