My Experience in Gardening as an exercise in optimism!

By Francis Saldanha

Bellevision Media Network

 

Bahrain, 08 March 2015: Gardening has always been a passion with me since I moved in to my company accommodation since several years now.  We all know that nature has great solace to offer. At the beginning of the winter season nothing could deter me indulging in to my favorite past time hobby in the gulf - Gardening. By converting a small patch in front of my house in to a bountiful green flower garden and not even my long working hours in the office or my other sporting activities or the inclement weather in the Gulf would not dampen my spirits and love for nature.

There is something fascinating about being able to grow flowers of different colors in our own home garden, which are a treat for everyone’s eyes. Gardening is an incredibly relaxing hobby and a good stress buster especially when one is faced with the odd challenges of keeping the garden going in spite of the harsh windy and dusty weather in the region. The winter months from October to March are very promising and the season is the best time to grow the flower plants of many varieties at their best and most of the less hardy varieties invariably perish during the harsh summer months. Hence, the winter time in the Gulf is a blessing in disguise for gardening and outdoor activities.

To grow flower plants, it is always nice to use organic manure from kitchen waste, dry leaves from the trees with local dry farm manure (cow dung) mixed with new soil is very ideal for healthy plants and flowers at our own home garden.  Never the less the small greenish garden in front of the house is also a place for the local birds and bees as well and this adds on to the pleasures of gardening. As always the sounds of nature in the garden can create subtle moods. The graceful leaves of ornamental plants rustling in the breeze, bees buzzing, and the sound of bird activities provide a sense of serenity and excitement, that’s the atmosphere I enjoy the most with my family members at home during winter. 

 

 

 Nothing beats the unexpected blast of perfume from seemingly dormant winter gardens, carried on crisp and clear air. It is hard to shift most of us from the comfort of the sofa to the chilly reaches of the garden in the winter season. But on a pale, breezy afternoon, the scent of these plants and flowers on the cold air will draw you to outside and lift the spirits.  Scented plants are the ones that produce pleasant odors and including plants such as roses, herbs and jasmines. Throughout history scented plants have been associated with mystical healing, refreshing and stimulating effects on the human body.

I try to find enough time to pursue my passion every winter season. With great love for nature, whenever I find little time to make an attempt to grow plants and flowers in my garden and at the end it turns out to be simply incredible with plenty of colorful flowers and fauna for a wonderful outdoor set-up for my house. Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul.

My love for gardening is a seed once sown that never dies!