GardenGates

Hi. Welcome to my GardenGates

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Gardening articles to help you grow your garden

Landscape design to make your garden beautiful, practical and eco-friendly

Garden videos, news and reviews

Wildflowers of Southern California

Jane’s bio

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Gardening and Landscaping

Gardening is one of the top hobbies in the world.  The look of your home can be altered dramatically by the landscaping that surrounds it.  There are so many benefits from working in the garden that can help us physically, psychologically, socially, practically and even economically. Fresh air, exercise, absorbing vitamin D from the sun are all critical to keep our bodies functioning at their best. The brain relaxes and regenerates when working in the garden. Wandering around in nature or lounging in your outdoor space can reduce blood pressure and calm the spirit. Using your landscape for play, exercise, sports, for entertaining or other social activities will release endorphins to the brain. Setting up your garden for children and pets adds practicality and expands the usefulness of your living space. Growing fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers to cut and bring into the home improves your diet, decorates your home and saves you money. And these are just some of the benefits of getting involved with the landscape around your home.

There are endless ways to set up the look of your landscape so it fits your lifestyle, compliments your house and offers you the benefits you want. Thousands of different kinds of plants can be used for different effects and exposures, each plant with individual assets and needs. Soil needs to be considered just as temperature, lighting and climate extremes do. And then there is the whole growing world of eco-friendly techniques and products that are helping our gardens serve us well while adding to the environment rather than damaging it.

Whether your interests lie in growing plants, designing beauty, setting up hardscapes (the permanent features in the garden), providing food, creating stress relief, getting exercise, extending useful living space beyond your house structure — whatever goals you have for your property — gardening and landscaping can pay back in so many ways, making your life a better place to live.