My Green Corner

Mulching the garden helps in controlling undesired wild grasses and prevents grass seeds from germination. Mulching is also helpful in stabilizing soil temperatures within the root zone. Mulching also smothers small weeds within the garden area. Garden mulch with thick layers will support maintaining soil moisture and make it available to the plants. This prevents moisture in the soil from getting evaporated from the soil surface.

Garden mulching is directly related to the rate of erosion and crusting of the soil. Soil erosion and soil crusting can easily be prevented if thick and heavy mulch is applied with care. The soil can easily be protected this way. Heavy rain will rather dribble through the mulch and will make its own way with rapid run off.

In case soft mulch is considered to be applied in the garden, it will turn in to compost subsequently and will reduce the damages caused by frost and freezing. Plant roots will be protected during winters because the system around plants will be converted as an insulator.

Different types of garden mulching will give a completely different outlook to the garden. Mulching will help fruits and vegetables including strawberries, cucumbers, dwarf growing tomatoes, brush fruits coming off the ground with minimum decay.

Generally, one should prefer mulching during middle of the summer season.  Mid-summer times are most suitable as the surrounding heat also impacts the soil temperatures. Soil temperature plays a vital role in proper mulching.  Late mulching or spring mulching should be avoided. You must know that soil needs to be warm at the time of mulching.

Mulching is a systematic process. One should not apply mulch around the plants early as the soil will remain cool for a longer time and plant’s growth will be slow. Ensuring right temperature of soil will help plants growing.

If the plants are relatively young then the mulching can be placed at 7cm deep over the ground. Similarly, while caring for the new vegetable seeds which have been grown from seed and transplanted in to the beds one will have to mulch sparingly with a depth of 3 cm in the ground, Increase the depth up to 7 cm gradually.

If there are lettuce and radishes in the garden the mulching would require different approach. When applying mulch to lettuce and radishes and other low growing plants, it must be done properly on all sides of the row with 4 cm depth. For cucumbers and melons mulching in entire area is strongly recommended. Systematic and proper mulching will result in to less fruit loss from diseases. Mulching is necessary for overall health of the plants.

The material constituting garden mulch is very important. Nature and basic characteristics of ingredient materials would largely affect the resulting harvest. One should always prefer rapidly decomposing garden mulch after the crop is harvested as it becomes far easy.

There are a variety of basic ingredient mulching materials available but as a thumb rule the materials available in nearby areas should be selected if these materials are rapidly decomposing in nature. Bark, finely shredded cedar, and shredded wood chips generally found under trees and shrubs are some of the most common and good mulching materials. You will find cocoa bean hulls very useful for making mulch for your flower garden. Cocoa beans will spread a chocolate fragrance around your garden. You must ensure watering after placing this for keeping it safe from spreading .If you have a pet dog, better avoid using this mulch. Dogs generally love the taste of cocoa beans and will chew the mulch away.

Grass clippings are good mulch material if fresh. Grass clippings also contain high moisture and nitrogen. Fall leaves are nature’s favorite and therefore it is always advisable to use them as mulching material. Fall leaves must be chopped up properly in to fine pieces before their use as mulching material.

Straw also make great mulch specifically when applied to the vegetable gardens. Pine needles are comparatively long lasting and light mulching materials. Straws and pine needles make good mulch material specifically for woodland gardens.

One extremely important aspect related to mulching must be taken well care of. You should never leave the garden mulch loose and light. Mulch if left loose and light will more probably be blown or kicked about in such a condition. At the same applying mulch too tightly would also affect the health of plants. Apply mulch carefully as it can prevent aeration killing the roots.

Soil’s nature could be acidic or basic. Measurement of such nature of soil is commonly known in scientific terms as the pH of the soil. Take care of the soil because improper mulching could increase acidity with reduced pH. This reduced pH of the soil would cause a deficiency of nitrogen in it. Nitrogen is one of the most important elements responsible for plant’s growth. Some of the mulches have untidy appearance and therefore you should select the right material to make your garden mulch.

 Basics of Prostate Glands

A walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system is the “Prostate Gland”. Changes occur in this gland as the man ages can cause disruptions in his life. The change may be from annoying urinal symptoms to the dangerous prostate cancer. Although younger persons can be affected by the prostate problems, mostly the prostate problems come to the surface after 50 years of age. The causes are exactly not known but studies show that a combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors such as diet also plays a role.

Prostate inflammation with painful or difficulty in passing urine is “Prostatitis”. The erectile function is not affected by ‘Prostatitis’. “Prostatitis” frequently strikes younger men unlike other prostrate diseases and treatment can be difficult.

Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostrate that can interfere with urination is “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)”. Erectile function is not altered by this disease called “Prostatitis”. Prostrate cancer is common in older men. About 70% of the men aged over 65 are diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is more common in African American men than any other group and tends to hereditary.

Location of prostate is in front of the rectum and just below the bladder. The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body wraps around the upper part of the urethra. The connective and glandular tissues found in the prostrate glands produces a thick milky-white fluid that forms part of the semen that is a liquid ejaculated during sexual activity. The prostate gland requires adequate amount of certain hormones for functioning properly such as testosterone that is produced by the testicles as well as other hormones from the pituitary and adrenal glands.

Prostate Disorder Diagnosis

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)

DRE is used to determine whether the prostate is swollen or has any lumps or abnormally textured area in which the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger in to the rectum and feels the surface of the prostate glands. DRE also helps doctors to screen diseases of the rectum such as rectal cancer. All men ages 50 or older have to take a yearly DRE, advises the ‘American Cancer Society’.

Conflicting results are produced by the studies and the study conducted by ‘Mayo Clinic’ demonstrated that men who get DREs are less likely to develop prostate cancer.  DRE is a useful screening test. The accuracy of DRE depends on the skill of the doctor and interpreting the test. DRE cannot detect early cancerous tumors as they are too small and cannot be located by the doctor’s fingers also. Because of this DRE sometimes miss the smallest and most treatable tumors. Tumors which cannot be felt by the physicians are less likely to be dangerous.

PSA Test

PSA is a blood test which measure the level of a protein called “Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)” which is produced by the prostate. This is used to detect prostrate cancer but cannot provide a correct diagnosis. Because an above normal PSA level does not always shows the presence of cancer i.e. more than 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood and the levels of 4 ng/ml or less than that does not mean that the person is completely prostate cancer free.

The clues besides cancer also can provide by the PSA test. The mildly elevated PSA levels do not have cancer. The non-cancerous conditions such as “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia” and “Prostatitis” are accompanied by elevated PSA levels. An elevated PSA also means that prostate glands naturally release more protein in to the blood. According to some studies the ejaculation can elevate PSA levels for up to 48 hours. Doctors also use PSA test for follow-up after prostate cancer treatment and also to predict which patients with BPH are likely to develop troublesome symptoms.

PSA Screening

Prostate cancer is more common but only 3%-4% of men die of prostrate cancer.

Screening increases the chance of finding prostate cancer but does not decrease of having it.

It can detect early stage cancers.

A normal PSA level does not mean that the person is cancer free.

Higher PSA level may force the person to seek treatment resulting in possible urinary and sexual side effects.

BPH and Prostatitis are also the conditions that can elevate the PSA level.

Home gardens normally have space limitations. For a home gardener the ‘space-management’ becomes an important feature. Well planned gardening strategy is required which should be oriented according to seasonal aspects along with several other criteria.

Selection of plants therefore becomes one of the most important aspects of this gardening strategy. Because of limitations pertaining to space you might be often facing indecisiveness as what you should plant in your garden.

There are several alternatives available but they often create a big confusion as which one is the most suitable for your needs. In order to arrive at a final selection you will have to adapt certain specific alternatives, tools, and methods which are your need specific.

There are some common strategies that the gardeners across the world apply. You must have visited several nurseries looking around the plants you should have in your garden and you could have felt quite uncertain as which plant would be more suitable and will do well in your yard.

One good way for you could be to approach professional horticulturists at local nurseries or garden centers. Professional horticulturists and gardening experts are also available at many online nurseries now days. These professional horticulturists would happily answer your queries and would help you out in selecting the right plants for your garden.

While taking help from these sources you should never forget taking certain precautions.  One of the most common psychological aspects that affect normally every gardener ending up in wasting time, energy, and money is “Impulsive buying”. This is one such psychological behavior that you must be wary of.

Plants that bloom that week normally feature on the list of garden centers because these plants sell well this way. A plant that is looking great and fascinating in the nursery may not be fit for your garden. So be careful and extra-cautious while choosing the plants.

Many experts have designed several types of pre-defined tools and resources for gardeners that they claim to serve the basic purposes. These tools are definitely advantageous and if you take help of these specific pre-defined tools then it is more likely that you will end up selecting the most suitable plants for your garden.

It is always advisable that you must have a complete knowledge about the growing conditions of your garden. This includes all possible aspects like soil quality, watering facility, sunlight, and several other related aspects. This preparation based selection of plants would help you in selecting the right plants for your garden.

In order to derive more benefits it is even better if you are well equipped with plant reference books, reputed internet resources including good informative websites on gardening, local public gardens , and the universities having agriculture, horticulture or related Departments.

You may find it beneficial to have a check whether your local land-grant university has any coordination with the horticulture cooperative extension service covering your area. You can check this online as well. You could also explore establishing an access to respective plant database, ongoing plant trials, new plant introductions, and plant recommendations with such types of resource centers in your area.

Referring to the “Plant Awards List (PAL)” is a great idea in itself. A typical ‘plant award list’ is one of the best tools available which will definitely facilitate you with narrowing of your choices. The plants with proven performance in different regions are included in this list. The “Plant Awards Lists (PALs)” serve as a basis of setting standards for plant breeders. These awards also provide quick references for superior performances for general public. A selection of plants for your garden which is based on these recommendations has a high probability of suitability for your garden as it is based on several factors including gardener’s conveniences.

Plant awards and recommendation are generally based on certain specific factors including trials, public polls, competitions organized by horticultural societies, professional organization’s conventions, and experienced gardeners and amateur growers. Trials of plants are generally conducted by botanical gardens, professional gardeners and growers, universities, and other horticultural institutions.

The “Plant Awards Lists (PALs) also have a “general rating system” in place which is provided to all the plants that have been included in the plant award lists. These plant ratings are based on several important factors like ornamental values, disease resistance and many other features.

Such types of ‘Plant Award Lists (PALs)’ are certainly one of the immensely helpful resource base and tool facilitating you with the best and most suitable plants selection for your garden.

Gardeners therefore avoid a situation of indecisiveness as this consumes a lot of time. Better take help of these tools and give your garden a new look every time.