Page 61 - Designing Ways 242

have all been there - one can take only so
much of the four walls and then you need
to get out... some fresh air in the garden
or balcony, having lunch outdoors or even
just a cup of coffee.
Many people are turning their gardens
into a special place to relax. Balconies and
backyards alike are being transformed
into places to retreat, escape and unwind...
which are just synonyms of sanctuary.
Which is exactly what we need most to
cope with the ever changing conditions of
a new world, where we stay more at home
than go out, and spend more time with
family and friends online than before. It
is no wonder that we put a lot more effort
into making our immediate environment
cosy, comfy and an awesome place to chill
and feel safe.
Online garden services give gardeners
the opportunity to get advice from people
with years of experience when meeting
in-person isn’t possible. But fortunately
that is more the exception than the rule -
as for now, we can have coffee and “kuier”
and chat about all things green and lush
creating our own garden sanctuary. dw

www.ineeden.co.za

to collect and use rainwater. Make your
own compost. Choose low-maintenance
plants that bring beauty but don’t require
unmanageable work.
Container gardening continues to rise
in popularity – probably because anyone
can do it, and it opens up options to move
plants to better spots, or to hang them to
free up floor space. It is not a new concept,
but while some plants actually do better
in pots, others just won’t make it in a
container too small or placed in the wrong
spot. Ask advice from someone with
experience for some guidance to increase
the survival rate of your pot plants.
As children are spending more time at
home with home schooling and distance
learning, parents are looking for ways to
get them outside and keep them busy. In
addition to the many health benefits of
being outside, being involved in gardening
offers endless learning opportunities. Get
the kids going with their own tools and
their own raised beds. They’re much more
likely to eat vegetables if they grow them
themselves.
Consider a space for quiet
contemplation like a Zen garden, and add
the sound of water with a small tabletop
built-in fountain or a small pond. We

dw • Issue 242 61