Our body is a natural marvel and it is at its best form when it is surrounded by nature. And horticultural therapy facilitates to recreate that missing connection.
So, what is exactly horticultural therapy?
A horticultural therapy, unlike the regular therapy uses plants and gardening activities to engross an individual to accomplish specific recovery objectives, with the help of a qualified therapist. This form of therapy uses physical presence of flora to induce the human body to feel healthier, which eventually leads to an improvement in the mental state. The main aim of horticultural therapy is to aid the person to accept their inhibitions naturally and help them resolve whatever ordeals they are dealing with. It is an effective healing technique which can bring a purpose and a sense of belonging to the person.
How does it work?
This therapy encourages people to take up planting and gardening activities which creates a positive and a fulfilling ambience. It increases outdoor activities, concentration, motor skills, and regulates the heartbeats and blood pressure as well. Besides fostering psychological and physiological benefits, it also aids the person to boost communication in a social setting. There are certain group activities conducted which are specially designed to bring people together, which promotes the ethic of collaboration, friendship and respect. And obviously as horticulture is an opportunity to learn a new skill, it increases cognitive capabilities, happiness and self-esteem.
Who can participate in a horticultural therapy program?
Horticultural therapy is valuable for elderly, disabled, felons, and people suffering from mental disorders or terminal illnesses, and also for individuals recovering from physical trauma. But anyone can participate in the horticultural therapy to escape the maddening stress and tensions of the routine. It’s effective and safe for people of all background and ages. Apart from the fact that it uses plants to re-establish a sense of spiritual harmony, horticultural therapy is extremely inclusive about its learners. You will find that this therapy is practiced in various sorts of social settings such as hospitals, senior citizen homes, correction centers, rehabilitation homes, botanical gardens, foster homes, etc.
Are there any educational courses to be a professional horticultural therapist?
Unlike the past, horticulture in the present has evolved on a drastic level. There are many channels which have opened to make horticulture an accessible recovery program. If one is aspiring to become a horticultural therapist, there are many college programs and certifications for which one can enroll. As a horticultural therapist, individuals will get an opportunity to work in retirement centers, schools, hospitals, correctional programs, etc.
If you are looking to go fishing, Texas is probably the best place for you to go try out your luck. It becomes the best state for fishing as it has almost all varieties of fish. If you are looking for a saltwater fish or a freshwater fish, you can go to Texas for fishing. The state has all types of fish for everyone’s needs. Some of the hotspots in the state are outstanding in terms of quantity, quality, and in some cases both. The ideal way to go about fishing in any part of the country is to keep an eye out for the peak times. Read along to find out what to find in spring and summer according to the fishing reports of Texas.
Spring (March, April, May)
Spring is fairly the best time for you to go fishing for largemouth fish, according to the fishing reports of Texas. Out of the 50 biggest largemouth fish that are available in Texas, 34 can be found in Lake Fork. The record for the biggest largemouth fish is 18.18 pounds, which was also found in Lake Fork in March. If you go to the mid-term of Spring, you would have to move to Lake Buchanan and get your hands on the blue catfish. Lake Buchanan also has a good number of channel cats and flatheads. Lake Texoma if where you would want to be towards the end of the season. The Stripers that have migrated during Feb and March start to show up in the open water areas.
Summer (June, July, August)
Red snapper is the primary fish to be found during the initial stages of summer in the Gulf of Mexico. However, it is an issue among the fishery officials due to the quotas and season dates. The fishing reports of Texas also state the fish to be the most wanted fish as well as one of the tastiest fish in Texas. Lake Tawakoni is the home for Channel Catfish that are found in abundance during the mid-term of the summer. West Tawakoni is also deemed as the “Catfish Capital of Texas.” The annual catfish haul takes place during the summer and it is an event you must not miss out on. August would bring in the end of the summer and Laguna Madre is the place to be so that you can get your hands on some fresh Speckled Trout. Fishing reports of Texas have shown that the “Mother Lagoon” is one of the best places for you to go fishing during this period.
If you are looking to go fishing on a Sunday afternoon, there is one thing you must keep an eye on before heading out of home the fishing report. A fishing report is written by people who go fishing, it essentially talks about the type of fish available in a certain area, the weather conditions, tidal waves, and the intensity of the ocean current. A fishing report is ideally used by fishermen to know where they can find a certain type of fish they are looking for. It helps them determine where to cast their lines.
The water temperature can define the activeness of the fish in that area. If the temperature is high, then the fish would not move around a lot as it will be significantly hot. Similarly, if it is cold, then they will not move at all. To sum it up, unless the temperature of the water is pleasant, the fish will not indulge in a significant amount of movement. It is difficult to lure resting fish as they will not bite or chase the lure.
Another important component of a fishing report is the water conditions. Whether the water is still or moving, the pace of the movement (if any), if the water is muddy or full of debris are factors to be kept in mind. If the water is moving too quickly or there is a significant amount of mud in the water, then it will be a bad day to go fishing. The fish will not be able to exercise complete control on their movement and will not be able to see the bait if it is too muddy.
These reports are made according to different regions which help the fishermen decide when and where to go fishing. For example, fishing reports of Texas, Washington state, green bay etc. A fishing report of Texas would broadly include the weather condition, wind speed, when the fish are biting, where they are biting, and the types of bait that are effective.
Fishing report of Texas
Texas is home for Saltwater fish like Black Drum, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, and many others. If you are going out fishing in this season you will come across Snapper (red), Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, Redfish, and Black Drum. The best time to go fishing during spring is late-afternoon and early evenings. The fish bite due to a high metabolism and digestion. The sun overhead helps the fish move around adequately.