Create an Interactive Oasis at Home
I wish I could take even partial credit for this beautiful garden in my neighborhood. The truth is, I’m a simple benefactor of others’ creativity and hard work, and of the peace and inclusion the garden adds to the community. From the carefully selected flora to the inviting benches and interactive rock garden, it’s a place where folks can visit during a walk or gather on a sunny day.
Create an interactive garden for sensory experiences in your yard or community. Spaces like this offer the emotional and physical benefits of nature immersion for children and adults alike. Touch and smell the plants and soil and listen to, and visit with, the wild friends you attract…human and more-than-human!
ON CREATING
Having little experience with creating such detailed and beautiful interactive outdoor spaces, such as the garden in my neighborhood, I direct you to the experts.
FIRST, A LITTLE INSPIRATION
Interested in creating an interactive garden but need a little inspiration first? Artists are influenced by their surroundings and the works of others.
Cornell Botanic Gardens at Cornell University is a great first look. In this virtual visit, you can explore the campus gardens as well as natural spaces on and off campus. If you’re so inclined and able, you can plan to visit during an educational event for all ages or arrange for a tour. And learn about Cornell’s conservation and sustainable practices along the way.
Another peek into interactive gardening brings us to a tropical paradise in Costa Rica. Osa Interactive Gardens is an environmental education center and reserve in Puerto Jimenez. Feeling inspired to get away? Volunteer with Osa for a few hours or a few weeks and learn how to attract butterflies to your garden. Or explore their list of events, including instruction on permaculture design.
You can also learn about permaculture (locally sustainable gardening) from the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center in California. Check out their website for a list of instruction and events. You can even earn your Permaculture Design Certification during their two-week course.
PLANNING AND BUILDING
Let’s get busy building that inviting outdoor oasis.
What more notable authority for guidance on creating the interactive and immersive garden of your dreams than Better Homes & Gardens? Create a green space that encourages spending time outdoors while attracting almost-magical creatures to your yard. You can even download BH&G’s Plan-A-Garden app to create a visual representation of your space before breaking ground. And don’t forget to add your own eco art design touches along the way!
SHARE YOUR CREATIVE GARDENS
I would love to see the interactive green spaces you cultivate, and so would Ecopsyched!’s community! Share your photos with Ecopsyched! on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (#ecopsyched)!
-Lisa B
APPLE PODCASTS | ANDROID | GOOGLE PODCASTS | EMAIL | RSS