| How to Prepare Hydrangeas for Winter Posted: 13 Nov 2018 04:00 PM PST Hydrangeas are woody shrubs with beautiful white, blue, pink, or purple blooms. Although these plants are hardy, special care should be taken to prepare hydrangeas for winter. No matter what climate you live in, you should offset the cold weather and loss of moisture by watering the soil and adding compost to it. In climates where winter temperatures do not dip below freezing, a layer of mulch will suffice to protect your flowers. If you live in a climate with winter temperatures below , you will have to build hydrangea shelters before the first frost of the season to protect your plants. EditFortifying the Hydrangeas - Fertilize the soil around the plant in mid-summer. It is ideal to fertilize your hydrangea plants in the spring or summer so that new blooms can prosper in the warm weather. Fertilizing your hydrangea plants too close to winter will encourage the growth of new, fragile blooms that will be vulnerable in the cold. Avoid feeding your plants in the fall so they have a better chance of withstanding winter conditions.[1]
- Applying too much fertilizer at any time of the year may help the plant's leaves grow while hindering its flowers from blooming in the spring.
- Add of compost in the fall to feed hydrangeas in the spring. Compost breaks down slowly, so applying it in the fall will give your plants nutrients in the spring when they need them. Apply a layer of compost to the top of the soil. Using a rake or hand rake, gently till the compost into the top of the soil.[2]
- If the ground has already frozen, lay the compost on top of it. It will break down over the winter and be ready for your plants in the spring.
- Make your own compost with materials like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, paper, leaves, and grass cuttings.
- Water the plants thoroughly every few days before the ground freezes. Hydrangea plants need ample amounts of water to keep them hydrated and healthy. To prepare the plants for cold weather, water them deeply in the late fall. Saturate the root area with water every 2-3 days and allow it to sink into the soil gradually to reach the base of the plant.[3]
- Start doing this in the fall, 1-2 months before winter.
- Watering the plants deeply in the fall will give them extra moisture before winter.
EditLaying Down Mulch - Prepare organic mulch materials. Placing organic mulch around the base of your hydrangeas will protect the roots and the stems of the plant from harsh weather while keeping some moisture in the soil. The best mulch materials for this purpose include straw or fallen leaves. Purchase straw and collect leaves in the fall to use as mulch.[4]
- Make sure that your mulch materials are free of insects since bugs such as aphids and beetles may harm your hydrangeas.[5]
- Apply the mulch in late fall or early winter, or once the ground is frozen. Laying mulch while it is still relatively warm out is likely to attract rodents who are preparing their winter shelter, and may cause rotting and disease in your hydrangea plants. If you live in a very cold climate, wait until the ground freezes to lay down mulch. In warmer climates, wait until at least the late fall.[6]
- In very cold climates, mulching may not be necessary as other more extensive sheltering from winter conditions may be required.
- Lay down of mulch around the plant base. Hydrangeas require a thick layer of mulch to protect them properly throughout the winter. Scatter your mulch materials to cover the ground around the base of your plants. Make sure that the mulch is at least high.[7]
EditBuilding a Shelter - Insert stakes into the ground at least from the plant. Using a hammer or a mallet, drive 4 wooden stakes vertically into the ground around all sides of the plant. The stakes should be placed at a distance of at least from the base of the plant. Drive the stakes at least into the ground to make sure they are secure.[8]
- The stakes should be as tall as your plant.
- Do not allow the branches of your plant to rest on the stakes.
- Start building the shelters about a month before the first expected frost.
- Wrap burlap around the stakes to create a "cage" for your hydrangeas. While your hydrangea plants need protection for winter conditions, they also need steady air circulation. Be sure to choose a material for your plant "cages" that will allow air to flow through easily, such as burlap. Wrap the material around the outside of the wooden stakes until the circle is closed.[9]
- Garden fleece is an alternative to burlap that can be found at most garden centers or online.
- Staple the fencing material to the stakes with a staple gun. Attach the top, middle, and bottom of each stake to the breathable material wrapped around it. Position the mouth of your staple gun directly over the cage material and wood behind it. Press the trigger of the staple gun to insert the staples firmly into the wood.[10]
- If you don't secure the material to the wooden stakes, heavy snow or wind could remove the cage.
- Fill the enclosure with leaves if you live in a very cold climate. If you expect harsh, cold conditions over the winter, add extra insulation to your hydrangea plant. Fill the "cage" to the top with leaves so that your plant is completely surrounded. The leaves will protect your hydrangea plant from the cold without weighing it down or damaging it.[11]
- Adding mulch to the base of your plant will not be necessary if you do this step.
- Pine needles may be used as an alternative to leaves.
EditThings You'll Need EditFertilizing the Hydrangeas - 10-10-10 plant fertilizer
- Watering can
- Compost
- Rake
EditLaying Down Mulch EditBuilding a Shelter - Wooden stakes
- Hammer/mallet
- Burlap
- Staple gun
- Leaves or pine needles
EditRelated wikiHows - Prune your hydrangeas in mid to late spring, when you can assess any winter damage.
- Wait to remove winter shelter form your plant until all danger of frost has passed in the spring.[12]
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| How to Get Out of Your Own Way Posted: 13 Nov 2018 08:00 AM PST Realizing you're an obstacle to your own success can be frustrating. However, standing in your own way is a common problem you can overcome. You can get out of your own way by letting go of negative thinking so you can create a positive mindset. By practicing mindfulness, you can learn to live in the present moment rather than in the future or past. Then, you can work to overcome your bad habits and pursue your goals! EditLetting Go of Negative Thinking - Confront your inner dialogue that holds you back. The messages you tell yourself determine your perception of yourself, as well as your ability to accomplish your goals. If your inner dialogue is negative, you may become the greatest obstacle to your own success. Look for the following types of statements:[1]
- "I'm not good enough."
- "Everyone knows I don't belong here."
- "I'll probably just fail again."
- "Everyone else is ahead of me/doing better than I am."
- "I waited too long/wasted too much time."
- Counter negative inner dialogue with positive self-talk. Notice when your inner voice feeds you negative messages. When this happens, replace that thought with a positive message. Over time, the negative messages should diminish.[2]
- As an example, you might notice this negative thought: "I'll never be able to finish a race that long." You could replace that with, "Everyone starts somewhere. If I work hard, train smart, and stick to it, I can accomplish my goal."
- Determine the source of your fears about failure or success. It's normal to have fears, but they can hold you back if they're left unchecked. You need to figure out what you're afraid of so you can confront it. Question the reasons behind your fears, then face them head on to challenge their truth. Ask yourself questions like these:[3]
- What am I afraid will happen?
- What in my past has made me afraid to put myself out there?
- Why do I think I will fail?
- What will happen if I fail?
- How can I overcome my fear?
- Acknowledge your feelings without letting them control you. Trying to suppress your feelings won't make them go away. Instead, they'll just bubble beneath the surface waiting to explode. Let your emotions come and acknowledge how you feel. Then, release them.[4]
- For example, you may notice you feel sad about losing a competition. Say to yourself, "I'm sad right now because I really wanted to win." Allow this feeling to pass.
- Stop comparing yourself to others. Don't let someone else's life become your measuring stick for yours. You'll always come up short because you only see the highlights in their life, not the daily struggles. No one's journey is the same as yours, so you can only compare yourself to you.[5]
- Use the past version of you as your measuring stick. As long as you're improving upon yesterday, you're on the right track!
- For example, don't compare your life to what you see posted on social media. People usually post only their best moments and may even misrepresent how well they're doing. It's not a fair comparison!
EditCreating a Positive Mindset - Acknowledge your accomplishments. Celebrating your talents, efforts, and achievements helps build your confidence. This helps you realize your full capabilities. Here are some ways you can note your accomplishments:[6]
- Write down all of your achievements, both small and large.
- Accept compliments from others. Say, "Thank you," not "It was nothing."
- Share your achievements with others.
- Display awards you receive and accolades you earn.
- Practice self care. Taking good care of yourself supports your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Proper self care helps you operate at your best and maintain a healthy mindset. These are some examples of self care:[7]
- Get enough sleep each night.
- Soak in a hot bath.
- Enjoy your favorite hobbies.
- Create something, such as a painting or craft.
- Go for a nature walk.
- Spend time with your pet.
- Journal.
- Engage in a spiritual practice.
- Make a gratitude list.
- Watch a funny movie.
- Talk to a friend.
- Give yourself the tools you need. Make sure you have all of the things you need to work toward your goal. Place them within easy use so you can get to work immediately. This will make it easier for you to get to work and avoid procrastination.[8]
- You can store your tools within reach by placing them in a stylish container or choosing items that blend into your decor. For example, a writer might keep a cute notebook and a patterned pen cup on their side table.
- As another alternative, you might get a storage cube for your home. You could get cute fabric drawers for your cube to hold your supplies, such as workout gear, craft supplies, art supplies, or filmmaking gear.
- Do what's right for you, not everyone else. Trying to please others is not only impossible, it's also detrimental to your own goals. You can't make everyone happy, but you do hold your own happiness in your hands. Make decisions that work for you without apologizing for meeting your own needs.[9]
- This doesn't mean to be unkind or selfish to others. Just don't make decisions because you think it's what will make everyone else happy at the expense of your needs.
- Surround yourself with positive people. You've likely heard the old saying, "Misery loves company." This reminds you that negative people will drag you down. On the other hand, positive people will lift you up![10]
- Spend more time with people who are supportive of you, while minimizing the time you spend with negative people.
- If you want to meet new friends who share your goals, join groups on sites like Meetup and Facebook to meet new people. Going out and interacting with people will also help you meet new friends!
- Build your own community by helping others. Share what you have to offer with others. For example, you might offer your knowledge, experience, or abundance with others. Not only will this help you be more positive, but it'll help you build valuable relationships.[11]
- You can volunteer with an organization or just help people you know. Any assistance you provide has value.
EditPracticing Mindfulness by Being in the Present - Avoid ruminating on your thoughts by taking action. Getting stuck in your own head is one of the worst ways you can get in your own way. You need to break free from your cycling thoughts. Taking any action can help you do that! Here are some examples of ways to take action:[12]
- Go for a walk.
- Take a small step toward your goal.
- Meet a friend for coffee.
- Clean up your workspace.
- Purchase items you need to accomplish your goal.
- Connect with the present moment by engaging your 5 senses. Being in the present helps you avoid getting caught up in "what ifs" and overthinking. You can ground yourself in the present by focusing on each of your five senses. Here's how:[13]
- Describe the setting around you.
- Listen to the sounds you can hear.
- Smell the air, trying to pick up scents.
- Notice how your feet feel against the ground or how your bum feels on the seat. Touch the different textures around you.
- Taste the air or enjoy a flavorful treat.
- Meditate daily for at least 10 minutes. When you meditate, your mind becomes more resistant to overthinking. That's because meditation teaches you to release your thoughts instead of holding onto them. By spending time each day in meditation, you can help yourself overcome thinking that holds you back.[14]
- Do a simple meditation by sitting in a quiet room with your eyes closed. Simply notice your breath and release your thoughts.
- Guided meditations can help you get more out of your practice. You can find them online or on an app.
- There are several free apps for meditation, including Insight Timer, Calm, and Headspace.
- Live in the moment, not your future or past. Getting caught up in future worries or past mistakes will make it hard for you to move forward. This turns you into your own obstacle! Instead, let your mindfulness exercises help you stay in the present. Your life is happening now, so don't miss it.[15]
- Living in the present doesn't mean you can't plan for your future. However, don't let your concerns about the future stop you from living today.
- If you struggle to let go of a painful past, work with a therapist to learn to let go.
EditBreaking Bad Habits - Let go of perfectionism. Trying to attain perfection is harmful and unproductive. No one is perfect. Everyone fails, and your failures can be your best teachers![16]
- Do your best and let that be enough. If you tried your hardest, you've accomplished something. Be proud of yourself!
- Celebrate your effort rather than the outcome. For example, be proud that you trained for a race, even if you came in last.
- Avoid procrastination by taking small daily steps toward your goals. Procrastination is a common struggle and can prevent you from reaching your goals. The longer you put something off, the harder it seems. You don't have to do everything at once, so get started with baby steps.[17]
- Set a goal to work for 15-20 minutes at a time. Use the timer on your phone to keep yourself accountable.
- Focus on the steps you need to take, not the final product.
- Ask for help when you need it.
- Make time for your goals by saying "no" to unimportant activities. Putting too much on your plate makes it hard to find time to do the things you want. Keeping yourself busy does not make you a more important person. Give yourself permission to say "no" when you need to.[18]
- For example, don't take on tasks that others can do for themselves. Similarly, don't take on responsibilities that aren't yours.
- Don't agree to go to events if you don't want to go. Your time is valuable, so spend it doing something you like.
- Speak up when you have a problem with something. You need to be able to advocate for your own needs. No one can read your mind, so the only way they'll know how you feel is if you tell them. You have a right to share your opinions, so speak up![19]
- Use a calm, professional tone to explain how you feel.
- You might say, "I feel like I'm doing the bulk of the work on our project. Can we review the workload again?"
EditWorking Toward Your Goals - Make sure your motivation is internal. You're more likely to be successful if you're pursuing a goal that is your own rather than one you feel forced on you. Consider your purpose and motivation for accomplishing this goal.[20]
- Pursue goals that matter to you, not others.
- In some cases you might be working toward a goal that isn't a top priority for you but is still important. For example, your goal might be to excel in a course you find boring and purposeless. When this happens, refocus your efforts by considering how this goal will help you reach your overall goal, such as getting into your desired college.
- Break your goal down into small steps. Looking at your goal as a whole can be overwhelming. Instead, create a checklist of the small tasks you need to do to reach your goal. It doesn't have to be a perfect plan, as you can adjust it along the way.[21]
- If your goal is very large, you might create smaller sub-steps for each action you need to take.
- Be flexible. It's normal for your plans to change.
- Adjust your plans as necessary. As you accomplish each step, take a moment to assess your progress. Based on your experience and current outcomes, make changes to your plan, if necessary.[22]
- If you're struggling to accomplish a step, consider if you've set expectations that are too high. You might be attempting too much at once.
- Keep the promises you make to yourself. Reaching your goals will take good self-discipline, so hold yourself accountable. Letting yourself down can make you feel bad about yourself, but staying true to your word will help you feel confident.[23]
- You may have days when you can't keep all of your promises to yourself. As long as you do your best, give yourself credit for trying. Consider why you couldn't meet your goals that day, then adjust as necessary moving forward.
- Take regular breaks. Don't expect yourself to work constantly, as no one can keep up with this pace. Give yourself permission to rest, relax, and blow off steam. In the long run, you'll be more productive![24]
- Dedicate one weeknight each week to relaxation.
- Spend one weekend day engaging in fun or relaxing activities.
- Take a few vacation days each year.
- Enjoy your holidays with your favorite traditions.
- Listening to music can calm your mind, keep you focused, and give you motivation. Choose a style of music that helps put you in your desired frame of mind.
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| How to Cure Knock Knees Naturally Posted: 13 Nov 2018 12:00 AM PST Knock knees is a medical condition in which a person's knees point inward and touch when they stand. While the condition is most prevalent in children younger than 10 years old, it can also afflict adults of any age. In nearly all cases of early-childhood knock knees, the condition will resolve itself in time. In adults, knock knees can be caused by damage to a growth plate or by a disease like rickets.[1] Fortunately for adults, the condition can be treated relatively easily through dietary and lifestyle changes. EditCorrecting Knock Knees in Children - Allow the issue to correct itself in children under 7. Although seeing your child walk with their knees touching and their ankles apart can be worrisome, it's no cause for medical concern. The condition corrects itself over time in nearly all cases. As toddlers learn to walk and hold their bodies upright, the knee issue will correct itself.[2]
- While nearly a third of 3 year olds walk with knock knees, less than 1% of 7 year olds still have knock knees.
- Take the child to a pediatrician if their knock knees are extreme. Occasionally, knock knees is a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. This is very uncommon, but can occur. Schedule an appointment and take your child to the pediatrician if their knock knees are abnormal severe. If your local pediatrician isn't able to diagnose the issue causing your child's knock knees, they may refer you to a pediatric orthopedist. Signs of severe knock knees include: [3]
- Extreme and painful-looking leg curvature
- Unequal leg curvature between the right and left legs
- Knock knees persisting after the child turns 7
- If the child is abnormally short for their age
- Ask your pediatrician about a nighttime shoe brace for an older child. If your child's knock knees persist after the child turns 7, the doctor may recommend a shoe brace. This device is only worn at nighttime and will help straighten out the child's knees. Or, instead of a shoe brace, the doctor may recommend that your child wear specific orthopedic shoes to correct the knock knees.[4]
- Medical corrective devices like metal braces used to be used to help correct knock knees in children. However, now these devices are seen as largely useless and often emotionally detrimental to children forced to wear them.[5]
- In cases of severe, long-lasting knock knees, your pediatrician may recommend corrective surgery.
EditCuring Knock Knees in Adults - Lose weight to take unnecessary pressure off of your knees. Knock knees is often linked with obesity in adults. The added bodyweight can put a great deal of strain and pressure on the person's knees, causing the joints to flex inward. Losing weight to avoid obesity can also help lower your risk of developing arthritis, which frequently causes knock knees in aging adults.[6]
- There is no single weight range that's ideal for every person. Talk to your doctor and ask about ways you can reach a healthy, reasonable, sustainable weight.
- Avoid high-impact physical exercise to avoid straining your knees. If you have begun seeing signs of knock knees, try to cut high-impact physical exercises out of your workout routine. These sports and exercises place a great deal of strain on your knees and can worsen (or accelerate) the progress of the knock knees. Taking a break from these activities will give your knees a chance to heal. High-impact exercises include:[7]
- Jogging or running
- Playing soccer or tennis
- Playing basketball or football
- Include vitamin D and calcium to your diet to strengthen your bones. Adults who produce and consume insufficient vitamin D are more likely to develop knock knees.[8] Your body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Make an effort to spend at least 5-10 minutes outside at least 2-3 times per week. This will decrease your rick of arthritis, which in turn will lower your changes of contracting knock knees.[9]
- You can also take an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement if you're in an environment without much sunlight.
- Consume plenty of calcium to prevent arthritis and knock knees. Preserving bone strength and preventing arthritis is a large part of preventing the onset of knock knees in adults. To this end, adults ages 19-50 should consume at least 1,000 mg of calcium per day.[10] You can purchase over-the-counter calcium pills at a local drug store, or add calcium-rich foods to your diet. You can find calcium in foods like:[11]
- Milk and butter
- Yogurt and cheese
- Broccoli, spinach, and beans
EditWorking with Your Doctor to Correct Serious Knock Knee - Describe your medical history to your doctor to help with a diagnosis. If your knock knee isn't cured through dietary and lifestyle changes, there may be an underlying health problem causing the condition. If the condition lasts for longer than 2-3 months, schedule an appointment with your doctor. When you make your visit, be prepared to answer questions regarding your family medical history. The doctor may also:[12]
- Inspect your legs to see if their lengths differ
- Look at your knees to see if they align
- Ask you to walk around the room to see how your knees move.
- Talk to your doctor about orthotic shoe inserts to modify knock knees. If your doctor believes that orthotics will be useful in curing your knock knees, they may suggest that you try to physically re-align the angle of your knees with orthotics. You'll place the orthotics into the bottoms of your shoes and alter the angle at which you walk or at which your foot touches the ground.[13]
- You can purchase orthotics at a physical therapy supply store or at a medical supply store.
- Ask your doctor about exercises to decrease knock knees. If you're healthy enough to perform exercises, your doctor can recommend an exercise regimen that will strengthen your leg muscles and let the knock knees correct themselves. In some cases, the doctor will also recommend that you work with a physical therapist.[14] Recommended exercises include:[15]
- Discuss surgery if other means of curing your knock knees have failed. If you have a severe, painful case of knock knees that doesn't respond to any other means of treatment, surgery may be the only remaining option. In most instances, the doctor will perform an osteotomy by inserting a small permanent metal plate into your knee. The plate will align your knees properly to fix the leaning joints.[16]
- You shouldn't feel any pain during the operation, since you'll have been given a local anesthetic.
- As a medical condition, knock knees is technically known as "Genu valgum."
- Cases of Genu valgum in adults are relatively harmless in themselves but can stem from more serious underlying conditions. For example, knock knee can be a symptom of arthritis, severe vitamin D deficiency, or obesity.[17]
EditSources and Citations
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