By Candy Venning
by Candy Venning
We as a species, have looked at the garden in so many ways – is there enough space for a lawn, is there too much lawn, is it too wild, too hot, too shady, too ….something and not enough something else?
May I humbly suggest a different way of approaching the overall aesthetic for your greenspace (see last months article re practical first steps to laying out a plan) approach the garden as ‘medicine’.
What can you envision and then create that soothes your soul, calms the mind and reduces your blood pressure while making you smile and heal yourself?
Personally, I’ve always wanted water as a source for birds to enjoy, as a reflection of the sky, as a reminder of lakes, rivers and oceans. It can be as simple as a bird bath (although) or as complex as a pond with water plants & fish. Each choice comes with some knowledge requirements to keep it healthy but those interactions, I.E. birdbath water must be changed daily, especially on hot days, can become meditative and a reason to step outside and interact with your garden.
Craving privacy while outside in an urban area ranks highly for most people and with a bit of effort – a temporary structure with ropes and second hand curtains (think plain canvas or stripes vs floral patterns that may resemble old sheets) can be thrown together – bonus points for a few hanging lanterns, a carpet and huge throw pillows, now you have a Sultan’s tent or a fortress of solitude – you decide.
Lush greenery can take time but if you’re willing to keep it from climbing your home (not fun to remove from eavestroughs and brick) I suggest Virginia Creeper. This native, but vigorous, vine will climb fences and trees quickly, tolerates urban conditions and a fair amount of shade as well as providing fall berries for our feathered friends. (not messy)
Seating area sounds simple enough but can be a source of additional maintenance/storage woes, expense and inconvenience. One way to avoid all the decisions and cost is to utilize large tree stumps, (ask your local arborist to drop some at your home 16”-18” in length and as wide as possible) I leave these in the garden year round and have pillows I can top them with as well as foldout ‘camp’ chairs for additional guests while using any extra stumps as side tables. This gives a very cottage-y feel and works best with sand or cedar mulch as the ‘floor’.
A garden should be more than mere decoration, function surely, beauty definitely, but also life! Through water, native plants, shade giving trees (the earliest source of pollen through their inconspicuous flowers) and a place to immerse yourself. A space to share with and invite birds, moths, butterflies and friends, a space to heal and re-set the jangled bones of existence. Within your garden, you have a source for the best medicine.
