Lycopene is believed to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Dietary sources of antioxidants known as lycopene include the tomato, which is also rich in vitamin C and other natural antioxidants. Anthocyanins are natural antioxidants that may help the body maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Research plants native to your area that can be used to shade a garden pond. Native plants require less maintenance and have a higher chance of flourishing. Also, make sure you know how tall and wide the plant will be when fully mature. This will help you when spacing out your plants.
Rain gardens absorb excess runoff in yards. Designed to drain within 48 hours to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, a rain garden absorbs water from roofs, driveways, sidewalks and other impermeable surfaces before it can flood your yard. Water soaks away in the amended soil, or plants take it up in their roots. Put the rain garden at least 10 feet away from your house, along a water-flow pathway, such as a rock-lined channel leading from a driveway or slope. Dig the soil to a depth of 2 feet, adding 5 parts sand and 3 parts compost to 2 parts topsoil.