Page 60 - Designing Ways 242

ON THE
TERRACE

Garden sanctuary

he global turmoil that has changed off like a rocket in this uncertain time like
almost every aspect of our lives there is no tomorrow. Expert gardeners
Tduring the last 14 months, leaves are digging deeper into their gardening
an evident trail of “collateral damage” activities while some newbies are looking
behind, forcing most of us with no choice for ways to start growing their own food
but to move or adapt to new situations, in the backyard.
environments and lifestyles on a daily Some gardeners have taken every
basis. bit of time-on-hand opportunity to
Feeling awkward and uncertain in a action weeks of “spring-cleaning”, as the
strange situation is absolutely normal overgrown shrubs and mulching has
at first, but human beings are one of the been left to accumulate for years on end,
most adaptable creatures ever to walk and now the garden refuse is truck-loads
this earth. We adapt, bounce back and instead of a wheelbarrow or two.
overcome any obstacle, and manage to Tackling other garden challenges, such
find a way to be positive and keep busy as turning a shady corner into a lush area
with the task at hand. And it is as simple with the right plants, redecorating the with more greener fingers than yourself.
as that. cactus corner, planting trees or fixing The sustainable gardening movement
Among the many creative solutions in patches on the lawn, all still leads us back continues to grow, with more and more
the basket, some people are discovering to the need to understand gardening gardeners looking for information about
the solace that comes from gardening basics such as soil composition, compost, how they can make their gardens more
and adding greenery to their lives. There pests and diseases. That is without environmentally friendly.
is something intensely satisfying about mentioning the various specific plant Practising water conservation does not
tending to something and watching it requirements which could change with only mean considering water-wise plants
thrive. the season or the size of a plant. in your landscape, but moving plants
Whether your garden is a windowsill Taking the guesswork out of technical that need more water to spots where the
or an acre of land, gardening has taken issues, one can Google or ask someone soil naturally stays moist. Make a plan

60 Issue 242 • dw