How You Can Turn Your Garden Into A Calming Space For Contemplation
As Sikhs, we are taught that we are stewards of God’s creations and that we must respect and care for the life around us, including all parts of nature. This is why the Sikh community strives to care for the community and its surrounding. One good example is the pledge to plant 1 million trees to fight climate change in 2019. Even in their own homes, Sikhs view their gardens as a place of peace and tranquility - a place of reflection where you can relax your body, mind and soul. However, not every garden starts off as an oasis of peace. Creating a tranquil garden takes time, preparation, and a few DIY attempts, but the rewards can be enriching for you, your family, and your mental health.
Hang Up String Lights On Your Patio
If you're going to spend evenings in your garden, the right lighting can create a cozy glow. There's a wide range of outdoor lighting options to create a cozy atmosphere, such as spotlights or hanging pendant lighting. However, string lighting is an easy DIY job, and can cost just a few dollars. You can also get creative with your lighting placement by either wrapping your tree or going for paper lantern lighting. For instance, string lights on a hanging tree at a corner of the garden coupled with a comfy blanket or cushion can make the perfect makeshift secluded reflection spot.
Create A Greenhouse Space
Gardening can improve your mental health by reducing anxiety and stress, according to a recent study. Increased access to green spaces like a greenhouse can not only improve your physical fitness, but also reduce anger and improve overall psychological wellbeing - particularly if there is water present. A greenhouse also gives you a quiet hobby to maintain while connecting with your Sikh faith and giving back to the world: gardening gives you the opportunity to promote sustainability through composting organic waste (like your lawn trimmings) instead of taking it to a landfill.
If you choose to create a vegetable garden, your lawn clippings can be an excellent addition to your compost, since they are rich in nitrogen. Another use for your grass clippings is to place them under your hedges to prevent weed growth. Growing vegetables in your greenhouse also allows you to fulfill one of the three pillars of Sikhism - Vand Chakko (Share and Consume together).
Whether you choose to create a small vegetable garden or a greenhouse space for a cozy retreat filled with tropical garden plants, it can be a great place to have some time of quiet and reflection. In fact, a greenhouse can be the ideal place to rest and recharge, with its leafy surroundings and natural light streaming in. If your garden is small and you're worried about space, you can try a combi - a combination of a greenhouse and shed.
Create Privacy With Enclosures
Having an enclosed garden (or a sense of it) can give you the peace of mind of privacy and the illusion of a place where you can simply sit and enjoy the sounds of nature. While one way to create a garden enclosure is to erect walls, you can also use trees and shrubs to create an enclosure. You can even separate your garden and create a dedicated enclosed space using hanging vines on a wooden frame and an awning. Some plants that are great for garden walls include climbers like wisteria, honeysuckle and clematis. Alternatively, you can extend your vegetable garden by going for trailing edibles on your garden wall, such as tomatoes and squashes.
We all need a place to relax, reflect and find peace. With a few small touches and some DIY effort, you can create this place of tranquility in your garden - a place where you can practice Simran and Naam Japo, the meditation and contemplation of God.