Small acts of nature conservation. A couple of these we already do but others would be new and different to work on this year, in the garden especially. Includes things like not raking up all the leaves in the Autumn. You can rake them off the grass and into the flower beds, good for the plants and the wildlife.
I've known about lawns being mowed in patterns for years, but didn't really think of it as a hobby, or an art form. It is though. So far I haven't found anything about it, other than how to guides. I would not be surprised if there is a group somewhere for lawn mowing art.
Meanwhile, I'm leaving a link about how to mow your lawn in patterns, from the Spruce site. Seven Common Lawn Mowing Patterns and When to Use Them
Not so related, I found: The Art of LawnMowing by Molly O'Connor, a video post.
This is called a dawn redwood tree.
In 2015, it was voted as the most unique tree in the Great Toronto Tree Hunt. Unfortunately this is now 404 on the site and I could not find the photographs of the winning, or nominated trees. This is a very strange looking tree. I hope it is still standing and lasts a very long time.
This type of tree has been around from the ages of dinosaurs and it can grow in zone 5 but likes lots of sun and water. I looked for more photographs of this tree. Not all were as red as this. It might depend on the lighting at the time the photograph was taken, or the conditions may have been just right for it where this tree is planted.
Interested in growing one in Ontario? I found a post about growing dawn redwoods, a variety called gold rush, for Ontario gardeners at Canada's Local Gardener magazine: Dawn Redwood.
Near the Children’s Centre and Teaching Garden sits a massive and rare find – a dawn redwood (aka metasequoia), believed to be one of the oldest deciduous conifers in Toronto. It was a winner in the uniqueness category of LEAF’s Great Toronto Tree Hunt, submitted by author Jason Ramsay-Brown. It’s said to have been planted in 1960 on a plot bathed in early-morning sunlight on June 20 each year – the birthday of the wife of the gardener who planted it.
Source: Hidden Toronto: a growing list of the city's best-kept secrets
Two of my biggest problem with working at my home office are focus and clutter. Yes, they are connected and you could say they are the same problem really. But, I see them as individual issues which I try to deal with.
Clutter being actual stuff on the surface of my desk, taking over too much of the space. Focus being how easily distracted I am by things which don't really matter. So you can see the connection.
This little Zen sandbox caught my attention this morning.
Not only does it give you an excuse to deal with the clutter on your desk (how else will you find space for it?), but it can bring some peace to your mind to dip a finger into the sand, move a stone, rake a bit of sand and then get back to what you really should be doing. Could this help you?
I'm looking at my desk right now. I can see how nice a mini Zen garden would fit on that right back corner - if I didn't have a stack of paper and a bottle of hand sanitizer there. I don't need to those things there. I have a handy file cabinet with room to spare. I just have not put those things back where they belong. If I made myself responsible for the care and maintenance of a tiny garden... I'd have at least some reason to keep clutter from crowding out the garden. Adding something pretty would help me keep the clutter monster from taking over. (In theory at least, I do know how tough the clutter monster can be).
Focus is really my bigger project. I am too easily distracted. I procrastinate when something starts to get complicated. Often I am working on a project but it unravels on me when more parts come into it and I have to look up facts, figure out how something else works, and so on. So much of what we do when we work from home requires us to be self sufficient and able to focus and stick with it, without a boss expecting or checking on our performance of the job at hand.
I don't think it is possible to stay entirely focused for an eight hour day. There are reasons for coffee breaks, lunch breaks and the addition of smaller and bigger tasks which help to break up your day. Adding a little garden to your work day is a nice way to break things up. Keeping you from straying too far into actual procrastination but letting your mind take a break, find a moment of peace and then gather your focus again before you go back into battle again.
Actually, I'd like to order the mini Zen kit just to have the fun of unpacking it and setting it up. I can think of assorted little miniature accessories, like tiny people. I could build a miniature village in my Zen garden... but that would be something for my spare time... in theory.
For the full Zen garden experience you should be outside in a real garden, with relaxing music. When the mini desktop garden isn't enough... go for at least the video Zen garden to help you unwind and settle back into where you need to be.
A Gothic garden can be a mix of ghosts, vampires, zombies and haunted houses growing with creepy plants in a terrarium, window box or something more creative.
A creepy, spooky, haunted garden may be part of your dream home or landscape but if you live in a small space you have to go with a smaller garden plot. You might even choose to have an indoor garden so you can enjoy it all year round, no matter what the season is.
A Gothic garden can be a lot of fun and a creative (even green friendly) outlet. Start looking for ideas and decorations right away and use these to plan the type of garden you will make.
A Gothic garden can be a mix of ghosts, tombs, gravestones, wrought iron fences, vampires, zombies and haunted houses growing with creepy plants in a terrarium, window box or something more creative.
Choosing the Container
Will you work with a window box, a standard sort of plant pot, or build a glass terrarium or some other option for your indoor garden?
A container can be concrete or stone or you can get clay pots and decorate them. You will need to have drainage in whatever container you use. Also, something under it to catch the water which drains.
A terrarium does not need drainage, it's enclosed and ideally, it won't need very much watering.
As you pick a container consider other fixtures which can go with it like a plant stand which could be a pillar or column or something wrought iron with a creepy, twisted look. You may choose to have a garden which is small enough to fit in one pot and hang from a chain or a fancy, Gothic plant hanger.
If your garden sits on a table pick out just the right tablecloth or dark lace doily and other pieces which could go along with the theme. Even your watering pot can be set there as part of the creepiness.
Your garden will need natural sunlight at least part of the day so pay attention to which windows get the best light. Not all plants want direct sunlight, some are part shade or shade friendly. If you don't have a great sunny window make sure you keep this in mind as you choose plants for your garden.
Plants to Use for the Gothic Theme
Choosing the Plants
Seeds or plants for a Gothic garden are those with black flowers or foliage, night bloomers, sensitive to touch or change in the environment and herbs known for their dark, medicinal (poisonous) use in the past.
Some types of plants may not be available due to government regulations. If you do use poisonous plants make sure anyone living with (or visiting) you knows to leave them alone. Keep children and pets safe by making your indoor garden inaccessible to them.
You can plant seeds for some, others will work out better if they are small plants when you start them. However you start your plants, they will need extra care in the beginning. A good soil for indoor plants and extra water while they get roots established.
Don't forget common plants which make a good contrast to the sinister, haunted look like simple daisies, pansies and others known as sweet and romantic flowers.
There are deeply red and even nearly black roses too. Find them in miniatures by contacting nurseries and commercial growers.
Look for very low growing ground cover, like moss, which can spread and grow to appear like grass - especially nice if you are creating a village, cemetery or haunted house where you would usually find grass growing.
Remember or learn about the plants you choose for how they grow. Some will be too tall, some will spread too easily and need to be "weeded", some will grow as hanging plants and need to overlap the container they grow in.
Of course, even indoor plants are still seasonal. Plan your garden around the seasons and don't be surprised to find things become sparse during the off season when some plants are completely dormant and others are just waiting for Spring to give them new energy.
Add Garden Decorations
This is your time to add the flourishes like garden gnomes, gargoyles and haunted houses to your indoor garden. Look for miniatures if you want to build something with huge plants taking over. Or, look for toys to have something on a larger scale. Whatever you start with, nothing is set in stone. Change things, move them around and decorate with seasonal versions of the Gothic theme.
Add small rocks if you don't have anything else at first.
Watch for creative elements to add, like teacups and saucers, chess/ game pieces, miniatures from model train sets or doll houses, beads, gemstones, Pagan gadgets and accessories, Barbie parts, vintage glass jars, bride and groom wedding cake toppers, alchemist and medical gadgets.
See if you can find a vintage store, auction house, or a niche store like a curiosity shop which caters to people with unique interests.
Add tiny lights to your garden with battery operated tea lights. Real tea light candles can be used if you are at home and able to keep an eye on them.
Don't forget the dollar stores and thrift shops for cheapie ideas like plastic mice and spiders. Watch for birds like crows, ravens and owls too.
Place the garden inside another object like an iron bird cage, a large seashell or a temporary container like a jack-o-lantern for more dramatic affect.