Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world. That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that aging ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br
Whoever said that summers were not a loving time for a garden hasn’t quite planted a produce-happy summer garden. While winter vegetables are more heart-warming than a summer bounty, summer vegetables still have a lot going for them. The good thing about summer crops is that they only need a good hot and sweaty day to take root (and some watering). You can plant your summer produce from May to June. You can even plant them a second time around if the days are still hot and your veggies will continue to thrive till the beginning of fall. Your first planting can be of varieties that mature later. But as summer wanes, make sure the seeds you choose are the early-fruiting ones.
Before you arm yourself with summer seeds and go about scattering them in your garden, here’s what we all need to know and remember about summer season planting. Even though Mother Nature is full of sunshine these days, it’s always good to have some tricks and tips up your sleeve.
Summer Planting Tips
- Prepare The Soil: Summer soil tends to leach nutrients faster due to frequent watering, and this holds especially true for container plants. Tilling the soil before planting and using a good fertilizer (but half the amount) is what may work for summer soil.. and make it ready to bear baby plants well.
- The Right Summer Veggies: Make sure you have a list of veggies right and in accordance with the kind of heat and sun in your area. In case your seeds need a cooler climate, see if you can plant them under the shades of trees or canopies.
- Plant And Mulch: Once you have planted the seedlings, layering mulch over the soil is also a good idea to help the soil retain moisture for longer. Organic mulches mixed with slow-release fertilizers work well in summers.
- Remember To Prune: Deadheading flowers and pruning off any dead leaves and branches will make your plants sprout more flowers and fruits. In fact, deadheading flowers will spur growth in plants and make them bloom, or fruit all through the sunny days of summer.
- Watering Tips: Watering in the early morning hours is usually the best as the soil is cool at the time and lets plants absorb the water they need. In case the soil looks or feels parched in the evening, water again but wet only the soil and not the foliage lest mold takes root on leaves.
- Appropriate Pest Control: Summers can also bring in a host of more pests on your plants, deadly enough to ruin a good amount of your garden’s produce. So make sure you do your pest control in time and do it well. Like with everything, begin with small and relatively safer pest control methods before moving on to the heavy-duty chemicals.
- Learn To Let Go: A particular hot spell coupled with too little watering can be the death knell for your plants. If the wilted parts are turning yellow and dropping even further or the branches snap like twigs…well, all plants cannot be revived and some need to be gently let go of.
Best Veggies For Summer
Glowing tomatoes, fiery peppers, cool green summer squashes and cucumbers, jewel-colored eggplants, sweetcorn, and melons—summer is almost as delicious as winter. Summer’s bounty is more fruity than winter’s leafy goodness—but it is no less in nutrition and health.
Hope your summer garden shines as brightly as the sun. And in case you have some summer growing tips for us, do write to us in the comments section below.
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