In the garden with Shobha Vanchiswar
May 30, 2008
Creating a family garden
As spring days lengthen,
the young limbs strengthen.
Leaves in packets gently unfold
bathed in sunlight’s burnished gold.
Buds awaken and slowly emerge
filled with Life’s renewed surge.
Opening to reveal the secrets of earth
reproduction, resurrection, regeneration, rebirth.
I’ve been giving a great deal of thought to family gardens lately. Now that the outdoor season has officially begun, both adults and children have a claim to the garden. Each group has rather different ideas about the purpose of this space. Happily, the garden is not mutually exclusive and all can be satisfied.
Often, in a rush to provide children with something to keep them active and entertained, plastic sandboxes and tubular climbing frames are set up. These hardly blend into the garden as a whole and do very little to actually engage children with the natural world.
A combination of the aesthetic and the practical is not just ideal, but very doable. Some thinking and planning is involved, but it goes a long way to enriching the time spent outdoors. In fact, in such a space, one is inclined to spend more time there. Large or small, every garden can provide for multiple needs. The idea is to create a place where the family comes together.
Children in the garden
For now, I’m focusing on children in the garden. After attending various outdoor gatherings, BBQs, pool parties and such, along with working with some clients, I’ve noticed how uncommon it is to see a child climbing a tree, sipping nectar from honeysuckles, sitting quietly to observe a dragonfly or bird, or simply exploring the area.
As adults, we have neglected to expose our children to the exhilaration of outdoor play. We need to provide a space for imaginations to soar high and wide, limited only by time and space. Fantasy play is important, as are hiding places (that you are secretly aware of) and trees for climbing. If mature trees are not available, bamboo climbing frames are a great alternative. Bamboo is used as scaffolding material in India and other Asian countries. It is “green,” super strong and yet has an inherent pliability. It also sits well in a garden without calling attention to itself.
A labyrinth or maze (even a mini one) can be visually appealing and yet a place for fun. Be sure to include a spot for quiet reading, dreaming or napping!
Water has great appeal for children (adults too). In natural pools and wetland habitats, hours can be whiled away observing and playing amongst reeds, frogs, butterflies, dragonflies and mud. Adventure and mystery keep children endlessly busy. They are not aware of how much their observational and sensory powers and skills develop in this sort of play. They learn not just to appreciate nature but to respect and honor it. An enticing, interesting garden offers thrills and excitement. It should be the place a child would want to be in forever.
Dreaming of a family garden
We have become accustomed to the convenience of pre-fabricated play sets and structures. But these only offer organized and orchestrated entertainment. Nothing is left to the imagination. We can and must do better for our children. This is less about money and more about our own imagination, time and participation. Close your eyes. Take yourself back to your childhood. Remember the smell of the earth just after a much needed rainfall? Can you recollect the colors of the roses, lilacs and peonies? Recall what you enjoyed outdoors as well as what you wished you had. Now, think about how you could incorporate that into your garden. Resolve to put in the effort and discuss it with the children. Together, you can create the ideal garden for your family, one that is useful, productive, imaginative and very beautiful.
A garden for children is not a regular playground in miniature. That is what children’s parks are for.
Our children are tomorrow’s naturalists, artists, scientists, teachers and leaders. Providing them the correct environment in which to thrive is crucial. One’s own backyard is an often overlooked classroom and laboratory. Show a child how to grow flowers and vegetables, starting with soil preparation, then planting, caring and finally enjoying the bounty of flowers and produce. Gardens teach a great deal. Patience, responsibility, the rewards of hard work, appreciation of the seasons and the wonders of nature are qualities that can only be acquired from the doing.
A simple but important task like watering will provide reason to observe how the plants are faring and what needs doing, such as, weeding, staking or deadheading. Don’t have children assume an automatic sprinkler will take care of the chore. The more we automate, the more disconnected they will be from nature.
Build climbing structures, create a nature table
Climbing trees, tree houses, wigwams made of willow or morning glories supported by giant sunflowers are all time tested pleasures. We must help create delightful memories with our children. You don’t need to go further than your garden to do that.
Create a nature table. Found objects like interesting stones, leaves, seed pods, pine cones, feathers and empty fallen nests can all be placed here for closer inspection and inquiry. Teach your children the names and characteristics of the flowers. When the vegetables are ready for picking, the joy and pride on their young faces at providing the family table with food will be reward enough for you.
I know all of what I’ve said thus far sounds idyllic to some of you and to others what I’m suggesting seems too much effort, ridiculous, or like a fairytale. All I ask is that you give some thought to what I’m saying. Let us inspire our children. In turn, they will inspire us.
You can create a healthy and safe environment for exploration
I share your fears of mosquito bites, Lyme disease, and worse. Tick checks, bug repellents and sunscreens are mandatory. But don’t let our fears for the safety of our children stunt their growth and understanding of the outdoor world. Instead, we can create a healthy and safe, but exciting, joyful and attractive garden that will nurture and support their development.
I’m including a rough list of adult and children’s needs in a garden as a guideline. Pick and choose. Make your own additions. Knock yourself out. Just have fun.
Two years ago, at the festival at Chaumont-sur- Loire in France, the theme was Jouer au Jardin (play in the garden). It was full of creativity, fun and whimsy for adults and children alike. I’m adding a couple of photos from there just so you get a sense of the play I’m talking about.
Wish list for a family garden
Adults
Entertainment area
Relaxation area
Water feature
Privacy
Flower garden
Vegetables and herb garden
Storage area or shed
Lawn (make it minimal!)
Trees
Greenhouse or studio
Swimming pool
Children
Tree house, play house, or den
Space for a tent or wigwam
Climbing tree or frame
Hiding places
Sand pit: Keep it natural, in-ground or contained in a wooden box (white cedar does not splinter), and remember to provide cover so cats don’t use it as a litter box.
Pond or wetland
Woodland to explore and play
Flowers and vegetable gardens
Swings
Space for running around
Swimming pool
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