In our present hustle-and-bustle society, finding a quiet place where you can still and refresh your soul seems a worthy pursuit. For many, a personal garden is a place of soul healing and rejuvenation.
If you find yourself in a place where you have the space and desire for a personal garden but are uninspired by the views outside your windows, , consider enhancing it with ornamental trees, Japanese maples, and expert Japanese garden design. These elements create a serene environment that soothes the senses while adding timeless beauty to your home. Give us a call at 717-653-1273. We delight in bringing joy and natural beauty to our clients’ outdoor spaces, large and small.
But what if your circumstances do not allow you to create a garden oasis of your own? Emilie Barnes, gardener and author of Time Began in a Garden, offers some suggestions for adding the refreshment of green, growing things to your life. Maybe one of them can become your perfect garden escape!
~ A Friend’s Garden – Perhaps you can bring over a batch of cookies or offer to help with a garden chore in return for an afternoon retreat in his or her outdoor rooms.
~ Public Garden – If you live close to a botanical garden, visit often and be refreshed!
~ A Park or Walking/Hiking Trails – Most cities and communities have public parks and trails that offer the healing benefits of fresh air and natural beauty.
~ Historical Sites – For a small fee (or for free) you can wander through restored gardens to find rest and inspiration.
~ A Local Nursery or Garden Center – The experience of walking into the moist, earthy atmosphere of a greenhouse can awaken your senses and restore your soul. You may even want to bring home a plant or two for your window sill or balcony.
~ A College Campus – Many academic institutions provide landscaped areas where you can sit and reflect.
~ A Garden Club – You may be able to find a club that is open to the public. Some may even offer tours of private and public gardens.
~ A Gardening Co-op – Call around to find out if your community has a community garden where you can care for a garden plot of your own.
Whatever your location and situation, find a way to be outside in God’s big, beautiful world. Breathe deeply and be at peace. Even a short garden stay is better than none at all. Your spirit, mind, and body will thank you.
Suggestions are taken from Emilie Barnes’ reflective garden writings in Time Began in a Garden, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 1995.
Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& frequent garden visitor)
