Satisfying your inner caveman/woman in your garden

Hi there

These days we tend to live a complex and stressful life that we weren’t designed for. In many of us there is a need for a less stressful life away from the crowds, technology and other pressures.

But what were we designed for, what are our basic needs?

Back in prehistoric times our needs were for meant  warmth, food, and somewhere to cook it,  a small group of companions of our choice, water, nature, safety and rest. 

You CAN meet all these needs in your garden!

Shelter

From the sun, rain or wind, a shade sail, a pergola, a garden room or shed; odds and ends for children to build a den with.

Warmth

 A spot in the sun sheltered from the wind, a chimnea, gathering your own wood from walks in the countryside or using any prunings from woody shrubs or trees in your garden.

Water

Anything from a blue saucer filled with water that the wind makes ripples on and the birds 

bathe in – to a pond or water feature or even a wild swimming pool.

Nature

A wild area perhaps with long grass and wildflowers, plants to attract birds, butterflies and bees

safety

 Our garden is our territory, only the select few we invite can come in to it . It is our place to hide away. Screen in with trees and shrubs. When its dark put up strings of lights or use spotlights so we can feel safe and know no sabre toothed tigers are approaching. 

Food and a fire to cook it with

Grow things to pick and eat, an fruit tree or fruit bush needs little looking after. A raised bed or container with salad or vegetables in it. A simple barbecue (it needn’t be expensive ) a chimnea or a firepit. Or you can make your own campfire on the ground.

 Rest

A hammock, a swing seat, a comfy chair to lie down on with soft cushions. Soft grass to lie on perhaps with a rug, your eyes level with the daisies and buttercups. Rest from people, solitude if we need it

Have you considered the caveman or woman in yourself in your garden?

Enjoy the rest of your day and thank you for reading!

Caroline

xx

To learn more about me and Caroline's Cottage Gardens please visit my website. https://sites.google.com/site/carolinescottagegardens/

Viburnum Tinis - taming the monster - loads of free stuff!

Hi there

Beautiful flowers aren't they. This is Viburnam Tinis - perhaps its seems the perfect bush - lovely glossy evergreen leaves. Beautiful flowers from around late November well into Spring with a lovely delicate scent. What's not to like?

Well we have one in our front garden - its around 35 years old and in spite of regular pruning its about 20 foot by 15 foot. It should be pruned after flowering but that is when its full of nesting birds so we can't touch it. If we prune earlier we miss out on the lovely flowers.

I decided to "lift the crown". Cutting back the lower branches to leave the arching leaves and flowers at the top of the bush. The birds can still nest in it and we can still enjoy the flowers.

My lovely husband stepped into the cold with his electric saw and special blade for cutting green wood. Half an hour later the job was done. The cuts look raw at the moment but they will soon blacken up and not be so noticeable.

As a result of our labours we now have many free sacks of small logs which we will mature for a year or so then use on our open fire. We also a free sack or two of small twigs for kindling as well as some sacks of greenery to shred to make free mulch.

Just to complete the list of freebies we also have two vases of the flowers from the bush gently spreading scent in the house.

A good mornings work and enjoyable - We are now rewarding ourselves with cheesy chips. Well we must have burned off a few calories!

Just as I finished clearing away I  noticed Mr and Mrs Robin from a previous blog finding lots to eat around the area we had been working.

I'm a happy frugal gardener!

Take care

Caroline

xx

To learn more about me and Caroline's Cottage Gardens please visit my website. https://sites.google.com/site/carolinescottagegardens/