Sacramento Digs Gardening: Garden through the coronavirus crisis

The natural world is still there -- get out and enjoy it. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)

Reasons why getting outdoors is good for you

At least you can still garden.

During the coronavirus crisis, people are re-evaluating what they can and cannot do. The list of “cannots” seems to be getting longer by the minute.

But gardening is a relatively solo activity. Plants are not coronavirus carriers. We can be safe while tending our flowers and vegetables.

Here are some reasons to keep gardening during the coronavirus closures:

1. Gardening relieves stress. The current atmosphere of crisis has been extremely stressful. Our immune systems are more vulnerable when we’re stressed out. Less stress; we’re automatically healthier.

2. Gardening is good exercise. Getting outdoors and doing something physical helps keep us healthier, too.

3. Our garden needs us. Its care is our responsibility. Go out and see how things are growing, especially during this ever-changing almost-spring weather. What’s sprouting? What’s about to bloom?

4. Gardening feels normal. We need some normalcy during such uncertain times. In gardening, we (almost) have a sense of control that’s lacking in everything else right now.

5. Our garden can feed us. (Especially if we concentrate on growing edibles.) We may need those fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs.

6. Gardens lift our spirits. Bring some flowers indoors to enjoy. Share a bouquet with a friend. It will bring some much-needed joy.

7. Gardens help us focus on the future. Gardeners are always planning ahead – what to plant, when to harvest. By looking ahead, we help assure ourselves that there is a positive outcome, that life will get back to normal and we will have time and reason to smell the roses.

So, be healthy, stay safe and keep gardening! We’ll be there to help.

GENERAL GARDENING

An article about gardening.

Keywords:

gardening Sacramento exercise coronavirus garden plans stress management why garden edible gardens flowers

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Garden Checklist for week of May 19

Temperatures will be a bit higher than normal in the afternoons this week. Take care of chores early in the day – then enjoy the afternoon. It’s time to smell the roses.

* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. If you haven’t already, it’s time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters.

* Plant dahlia tubers. Other perennials to set out include verbena, coreopsis, coneflower and astilbe.

* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia and verbena.

* Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth.

* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.

* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.

* Don’t forget to water. Seedlings need moisture. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants.

* Add mulch to the garden to help keep that precious water from evaporating. Mulch also cuts down on weeds. But don’t let it mound around the stems or trunks of trees or shrubs. Leave about a 6-inch to 1-foot circle to avoid crown rot or other problems.

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