burning calories

august 98

Before we begin our litany of gardening chores for late summer, let us digress and talk about the benefits of gardening both on our bodies and sense of well-being. Did you know that there is a therapy used in nursing homes, mental hospitals, and in physical and therapeutic therapies called horticultural therapy? The term was first used in 1948 to recognize the fact that gardening was known to have healthful benefits for hundred of years. Ancient Egyptian physicians used horticulture in the form of prescribing long walks in gardens to calm patients. Oxford University in 1621 established the Botanical Gardens to produce plants with healing properties. The therapeutic benefits of gardening were discovered almost by accident. Indigent patients were forced to work for their hospitalization in vegetable and fruit gardens. They recovered more quickly than those richer patients who remained in bed. By the 18th century, gardening was prescribed for the mentally ill. Benjamin Rush, the father of psychiatry in the U.S. and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, documented the psychological benefits of gardening. After both World Wars, greenhouses and gardening were important parts of the rehabilitation of returning veterans. Today, gardening is essential for the rehab of stroke, industrial accident, and spinal cord injury patients. Why do plants enhance well-being? One thought is that working in the garden with plants is an effective way of holding our attention and diverting awareness away from ourselves and our worries. Another way of saying this is that when we have our hands in the soil, are planting, pruning, weeding, etc., we are focused on our task and our thoughts remain there. We no longer are as overwhelmed by the worries of our everyday existence. For those of you who exercise regularly or who have a hobby or interest, you know this phenomena. When you are concentrating on it, the rest of the world takes a short holiday. What is especially appealing about gardening, however, is that the results of your labors, whether a water garden, pot, or lush beds, bring back this feeling when you have a chance to enjoy the beauty and "fruits" of your labor. Still another reason that gardening works is that nature often reminds us of other times. For some, it's vacations. For me, a lovely garden reminds me of the peace and safety of my childhood home. No wonder, no matter where we have lived, the first thing I did after moving into a new home was to plant certain things: lilacs, roses, poppies, clematis, hedges of boxwood, flowering cherry trees, etc... all reminders of various gardens of my childhood home. Walking in our yard after a long day of mothering, doctoring, and everything in between, calmed and soothed me so that the hard work to make the gardens beautiful seemed a small price to pay. Now to the August chores in the garden. August is hot in most parts of the country and so it's a month that many people overlook their gardens. These chores can be done at your pace, so don't think that all of them have to be done in one day. They are a combination of suggestions of master gardeners and extension centers. But, before "what to do," let's first think about "how to do it" so that you remain safe and in good glucose control while gardening. Before you start, make sure your physician and health care team have given their ok for the activity. Check your blood sugar level and make sure you are in a good range for this type of exercise. If you think you'll be outside for more than 1/2 hour, take glucose tablets with you. Be alert for any signs of low blood sugar and/or heat exhaustion. Our colleagues at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, MA, with whom we collaborate on our cookbooks, make this suggested guideline to follow in The Joslin Guide to Diabetes, A Program for Managing Your Treatment by Richard s. Beaser, M.D., with Joan V.C. Hill, R.D., C.D.E. (Fireside/Simon & Schuster): "For exercise of short duration (30 minutes or less) and of moderate intensity (such as gardening), if blood glucose is less than 100, eat a snack consisting of 2 carbohydrate (1 bread/starch and 1 fruit), plus 1 protein (meat) exchange. If blood glucose is 100 to 180, snack should be 2 carbohydrate (1 bread/starch and 1 fruit). Levels of 180 or more, a snack may not be necessary." Time, knowledge of your blood sugar levels, and prior experience as to how you respond to exercise will help you determine if you need to make adjustments. Be sure to ask your health care team for help, and always follow your doctor's orders when it comes to any kind of exercise. Make a list of what you need to do yourself and what you can have a son or daughter, neighborhood teen, gardener, or lawn service do. Drink water before, during, and after being outside. Reread the article from July on this topic so you are ready to enjoy the garden and don't wind up in the ER dehydration. Work in the early morning or in the evening, but not in the heat of the day. You know "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun." Here in Oklahoma it remains hot into the evening, so I garden very early in the morning. If the temperature's above 80°F (26.7°C), you shouldn't be outside gardening -- this is even more important if you have heart disease. Wear long pants, not shorts, and a thin long sleeved shirt to protect from insect bites and ticks. There is a mosquito plague this year, and at least here in Oklahoma, they dive bomb for me as I walk into my yard. Use a bug repellant if you are not allergic. Use sunscreen even if you are going out early as the sun will get strong sooner than you think. Do a little each day. Every morning when I water pots, I pick some weeds. I'm done in 10 minutes, and the beds, although not perfect, will survive until it gets cool enough to completely clear them. I prune the ever growing wisteria the same way. Once a month the gardener does heavy pruning of the hedges that surround our home and beds. In between, this type A personality does a little each week. Mulch to keep down weeds and keep moisture in the ground. This task needs someone strong, as it is hard work to drag 20 to 30-pound (9 to 13.5 kg) of mulch and then pour out their contents. Protect your knees with a thick towel, small rug, or kneeling bench. Make sure your feet are protected with proper-fitting shoes and dry socks. Change your socks when you come indoors. Pace yourself. Work and then rest. The garden will still be there if you come inside and put your feet up for 10 minutes. Most of all, enjoy the fruits of your labor. Take time out to look at the flowers, plants, bushes, and vegetables. Walk around the garden and smell the freshness and blooms. It will rejuvenate you, and you'll know the pleasures of the earth. Now for August tasks: Remember, these are suggestions from which you can pick and choose. Don't feel you have to complete every item on the list. Look at your azaleas. If the leaves are turning yellow they may need iron. You can remedy this by applying aluminum sulfate or cheated iron compounds around the base of the bushes. Poor leaf color can also occur on gardenias, camellias, hollys, and some grasses. Many azaleas may also have lace bug damage. Apply recommended insecticides when the lace bugs are present, usually each spring, late summer/early fall. During August make sure to water chrysanthemums as they will wilt quickly without water. Don't over water as you can cause root rot. Lightly fertilize every week with the proper agent. Do not pinch or prune mums this month if you want fall blooms. Do prune hydrangeas this month, however. If you're going on vacation, move house plants outside to a shady spot and water. Bury the pots in the soil or peat moss to cut the need for extra water. Mow the lawn and water it just before you leave. Soak the flowering beds that have annuals and cut off all blooms to encourage more blossoms when you return. If you have an automatic sprinkling system, be sure the timer is set correctly to water in your absence. If you don't and are going to be away for more than a couple of days, arrange for someone to water for you. Spray plants with insecticides and fungicides for protection against diseases while you are gone. Weed beds before you leave to stop the spread of their seeds. If you're planning a fall garden, early in August is a good time to transplant tomatoes and peppers. Also seed broccoli, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, turnips, cucumbers, lima beans, shallots, and Southern peas. Mid-to-late August is a good time to plant carrots, beets, snap beans, and lettuce. You can also transplant broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Late August is a good time to prune roses, especially those that have suffered through the heat of summer. Fertilize with a slow-releasing agent after pruning. Continue with a good disease control program for maximum fall blooms. Azaleas and rhododendron should be fed again with a 10-8-6 fertilizer as well as a bit of Sulfate or Potash 0-0-50. You can still plant petunias, blue salvia, impatiens, marigolds, dusty miller, browallia, and rudbeckia for fall color. I don't know if I've been remiss in their treatment this year, or it's been just too hot, But, I've had to replant pots and move them to more sheltered spots. In August start fall-flowering kale and cabbage so that you can transplant them this fall. Don't forget to fertilize vegetables. The trees under the eaves of your house need lots of water during this time of year. If you're going to fertilize, use slow release nitrogen for evergreens and shade trees. Now is the time to take cuttings from impatiens, geraniums, and wax begonias to over-winter indoors. Order spring-flowering bulbs for fall planting. Cut herbs and flowers to dry for winter cooking and flower arrangements, or to enjoy fresh, now. Dry the thick stalks of your basil. Dried basil stems are sold at gourmet shops as an "aromatic wood" for your barbecue or grill. Hand prune and destroy bagworms, fall webworms, and tent caterpillars. Prune out and destroy the raspberry and blackberry canes that bore fruit this year. They not only will not produce fruit next year, they might harbor insects or disease. In the garden, harvest your spring plantings and enjoy. Remove fading and dead flowers and till the soil for fall bulb planting. A long list, yes. Gardening is great exercise; just don't overdo so you stay well to enjoy the results.