Organize your garden by first sketching a map of your space. Make beds accessible by keeping them narrow (3 to 4 feet wide), arrange plants by height (taller ones in the back to avoid overshadowing), and map out paths that allow you to easily navigate and water.
In gardening, the "70/30 rule" is a flexible guideline used in several different ways depending on your gardening goals. The three most common interpretations involve native plants, garden design, and vegetable growing.
Add Your Plants
As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.
Yes, gardening can effectively help lower blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic Health System outlines three main reasons why:
The "3-hour gardening rule" is a safety guideline advising gardeners to avoid working outdoors between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the summer months. This window is when the sun’s UV rays are at their strongest and temperatures peak, posing risks for both you and your plants.
Never put chemically treated wood, non-porous barriers like plastic or landscape fabric at the base, or heavy native clay into a raised garden bed. Additionally, avoid invasive spreading plants (like mint) and sprawling crops (like giant pumpkins or sprawling watermelons) that consume the entire space.
Read on to learn some of the most common mistakes made by beginner gardeners—and how to avoid them.
Cardiologists consistently advise avoiding processed meats (bacon, sausage, hot dogs), sugary drinks (soda, sweetened coffee), and fried foods (french fries, fast food) to protect heart health. These items are high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars, which elevate blood pressure, raise bad cholesterol (LDL), and promote inflammation.
Chinese cat's claw has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat many diseases, including high blood pressure. This herb has the scientific name Uncaria rhynchophylla and is commonly known by other names such as Chotoko and Gou-Teng.
If you love to putter around your garden or keep your yard in tip-top shape, you'll be happy to know that you're also doing something good for your body – you're exercising. Digging, weeding, trimming, raking, tilling, lifting and other gardening activities use major muscle groups and burn plenty of calories, too.
The first thing a gardener sets in a garden is their feet.
Planning a garden layout starts with observing your space and sketching it on paper. First, identify a spot with 6–8 hours of sunlight and easy access to a water source. Measure your dimensions, then sketch paths, tall plants, and sprawling crops so everything has room to thrive.
Here are some of the most common landscaping mistakes and how to avoid them, along with how to create a beautiful garden in your own yard.
Bugs, critters, and shade are all enemies of my garden.
Generally speaking, 200 square feet of garden space per person will allow for a harvest that feeds everyone year-round. For an average family of four, plan for an 800 square-foot garden—a plot that's 20 feet by 40 feet in size should do the trick. If your family is larger (or smaller), scale up or down as needed.
🍁 Mid-Fall (Late September – October)
This is the ideal window for insulating your plants and protecting soil before winter. By now, soil has cooled but hasn't frozen, making it the right time to apply mulch for root insulation.
High blood pressure (hypertension) itself is known as the "silent killer". It earns this nickname because it rarely produces noticeable warning signs, yet it quietly damages your cardiovascular system and vital organs until a life-threatening complication occurs.
For an immediate and science-backed boost, beetroot juice is the best morning drink for high blood pressure. Naturally rich in dietary nitrates, it converts into nitric oxide in the body, which relaxes and widens blood vessels to improve blood flow.
"Stroke-level" blood pressure refers to a reading of 180/120 mmHg or higher. This is considered a hypertensive crisis and is a life-threatening medical emergency.
Cardiologist Tip of the Day: Avoid Potato Chips and Other Packaged Snacks. Don't eat chips and other ultraprocessed foods sold in vending machines, says Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado.
When your heart isn't pumping efficiently, it often sends subtle, "quiet" warning signals long before a major health crisis occurs.
The #1 worst drinks for your heart are sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), such as regular sodas, sweetened fruit juices, sports drinks, and energy drinks. Cardiologists and medical bodies consistently rank these highest in danger due to their ability to drive up inflammation, blood pressure, triglycerides, and heart disease risk factors.
Gardening acts as sustainable, low-intensity exercise that improves flexibility, balance, and heart health. Daily gardening is associated with lower risks of Alzheimer's and dementia. Some studies suggest gardeners have higher wellbeing scores and lower stress levels compared to non-gardeners.
The absolute easiest vegetables to grow for beginners are radishes, leaf lettuce, and bush green beans. These plants germinate quickly, forgive minor mistakes, require little maintenance, and can be grown directly in the ground or in small containers on a patio.
The high representation of Mexican and Latino workers in landscaping stems from historical labor trends, established community networks, and the physical demands of the job.