http://www.icangarden.com/document.cfm?task=viewdetail&itemid=5309
Gardening To Nurture The Spirit
by Yvonne Cunnington
I am a garden writer and photographer living near Hamilton, Ont. My articles have appeared in Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Canadian Gardening and Gardening Life magazines. My book for beginner gardeners, Clueless in the Garden: A Guide for the Horticulturally Helpless (Key Porter Books) was published in 2003.
My husband and I tend a large country garden, which has been featured on TV’s Gardeners Journal and in Gardening Life magazine. We have had numerous bus tours visit our garden.
Visit her website at http://www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/
June 3, 2007
In her own garden Karen York, the author of The Holistic Garden: Creating Spaces for Health and Healing (Prentice Hall Canada, 2001), puts into practice what she preaches. “Of course, the garden didn’t start out that way,” says York, “like most gardens, it kept evolving – through the years, we just kept digging up more lawn and adding plants and shaping the space so it would please us.”
York’s garden and book are full of ideas to help you create your own personal garden sanctuary to nurture mind, body and spirit. “First,” she says, “don’t worry overly about the which plants to get at the beginning, but spend some time thinking how you can shape the space to create a feeling of serenity.”
Here are her favorite tips:
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Create an inviting entry – A gate, an arbour, an opening in hedge or even walking through an attractive grouping of pots or a pair of upright evergreens gives the sense that you are entering a special space.
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Invite diversity – York calls this “the kid-in-a-candy-store effect”. In terms of natural and garden ecology, the more diversity of species, the healthier the environment. In human terms, the more variety in the garden, the more there is to stimulate the senses. Think about how you can incorporate sight (a variety of textures, contrasts, forms and colors), sound (water features, trees and shrubs to encourage birds), fragrance (from intoxicatingly scented flowers to aromatic herbs), taste (edibles, including veggies and herbs or perhaps berries) and touch (smooth stones, rough rocks, downy leaves, fluffy seed heads, and so on).
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Create enclosure – spaces that are enclosed provide a welcome sense of security and sanctuary and downright practical protection from natural forces such cold winds and burning sun. “You might enclose the entire garden with a hedge or a fence, or just set off a smaller personal space within the garden,” says York. Trees can add to the feeling enclosure by giving the garden a ceiling. To idea is to create a welcome measure of privacy.
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Encourage a sense of mystery – “A garden should beguile. It may have a path going off into the distance or around a corner or the sound of water – something to draw you in,” she explains.
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Go for natural shapes – “The rounded shapes of hills, ponds and other natural features are deeply pleasing in a way that hard-edged human construction often isn’t,” says York. Rather than clipping them to within an inch of their lives, most plants are happier left to grow into their natural shapes and forms. “The world definitely doesn’t need more forsythia balls,” she adds.
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Creating a serenity corner in your garden
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Choose a spot with privacy in mind – the element that screens out the world (or an unwanted view, for that matter) may a shrub or tree, or it could be a built structure, such as a trellis fence or pergola. Do try to soften built elements with plants, such as vines. Consider a spot in the shade – it’s safer for your skin and more comfortable than a sitting in the hot sun.
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Add water. It could be as simple as tucking a birdbath, assembling a pond in a pot with a small fountain, or setting out a ceramic container brimming with water into a foliage rich corner. If you are thinking about adding a permanent pond or a reflecting pool, York’s advice is to make it twice as big as you think. “Otherwise, I guarantee you’ll be wishing you had made it bigger.”
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Pick a comfortable seat – or preferably two, so you can welcome company. Try out garden chairs, lounges or benches before buying. If it isn’t comfortable, you won’t use it. Add outdoor-proof cushions to double your comfort, and a small table, to give you a spot to serve a snack and set down a drink or your book when you’d rather lie back and relax.
For more garden design ideas, visit Yvonne’s website: www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com and click on “Garden Design”.
Orange Spice Potpourri
Difficulty: Very Easy
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Breathe easy with this pleasantly scented Orange spice potpourri craft. It's an economical way to create many small Christmas gifts that let people know you're thinking of them. (i.e. mail carrier, hairdresser)
What you'll need:
1 pound Orange peel (Dime Size)
1/2 pound Lemon peel (Dime Size)
1 pound Whole Star Anise
1 pound Small Cinnamon Sticks (1 inch)
1 pound Whole Allspice
1 pound Whole Cloves
4 ounces Fixative Orris root, Cellulose Fixative
1-2 ounce bottle with dropper of Orange, Cinnamon, or Christmas Oils.
How to make it:
If making a small amount, use a jar. If making a larger amount, use something that you don't mind having the aroma in forever. When I make it I use a plastic shoe box container. When finished I can put my craft supplies in it and whenever I open it I get the most wonderful aroma.
Mix together all ingredients except the oil. After mixing, add the oil by dropping it onto the potpourri. Trying to get as much as possible of the oil on the fixative. Continue to mix as you drop the oil into the potpourri. Use 1/2 of the oil. Check the aroma by smelling 2 or 3 days later; you can always decide to add more oil.
Let the potpourri sit for 2 to 3 weeks in a cool dark spot. Stirring every couple days. When finished bag up and label. I use Ziploc snack bags and make labels using address labels on my computer.
Remember you can make as little or as much as you want with the recipe above — just add and adjust to your liking. Good Luck.
Tips:
This would make a nice gift for your teacher, school nurse, librarian, or others at your school.