With technology and screens to distract us, many of us do not spend much time outside to relax anymore. Sure, there’s the stretch of lawn
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
you walk past or on to get from your car to the front door, but when was the last time you spent time outside for enjoyment and not as a passing stage getting from one point to another?
The 12th of March is Plant a Flower Day, and while one can celebrate this by literally planting something in a garden, the symbolism of what this represents goes much deeper than that. This is the perfect excuse to reconnect with nature and interact with the very real world that we actually inhabit. Soil – symbolically the Earth – is the key of the plain that we exist on, yet so much of it is paved over that we forget we are intrinsically dependent on it for so many things, not the least of which are crops. Flowers can bring beauty, fruit, and sustenance – aesthetically, literally, and on a soul level – to our day.
Grow your own
We often forget that our gardens are ecosystems and that we can cultivate them not only to the advantage of the larger ecosystem of our area, but into oases that remind us that we are part of a larger ecosystem. There are many ways to go about making your garden a place that thrives and feeds your soul: some people enjoy cultivating fresh herbs which they then use in cooking, while others plant vegetables like eggplant, lettuce, and tomatoes, which are hardy and not necessary to fuss over.
Plant diversely
The diversity of the flowers in your garden will attract insect life that helps the food chain, so you can feel free to plant as much colour and life into your garden as you like. Restricting plants to one or two varieties is not recommended as it severely limits the development of your garden, and let’s be honest, splashes of various colour are a feast for the eyes and remind us of the glorious diversity found in nature.
Optimise your space
If space is an issue, or you live in an apartment, you can always get a pot plant to brighten up your day and have something else that is alive living in your space. There are even herbs that will grow in water (provided the bottles are dark for the roots to spread) that you could use in cooking! So you can bring some of the outdoors, indoors!
There are so many wonderful plants, seeds, and trees out there: find the ones that speak to you, that bring a little natural joy to your life, and make your home and garden colourful spaces that bring a smile to your face.
