Article by Margaret Rowan

Making Miniature Gardens with Children

Children love gardening and making miniature gardens is a great family activity. If you are lucky enough to have a garden outside your house then this is ideal place in which to start. Gather together any interested children and give each of them a small plot or two friends or siblings may choose to share.

Miniature flower garden: Ask friends and neighbours for help – people with established gardens have flowering plants or seedlings which have become too prolific and need thinning out. They are often glad to find a good home for these. Plants that grow well in neighbouring gardens are likely to do well in yours. Alternatively, take a trip to a plant shop or garden centre and look for special offers or investigate the seeds available – read the packets and buy easy to grow varieties suitable for children. Show the youngsters how to arrange their plants so the taller ones are towards the rear of the plot and the lower growing flowers to the front. Let children be creative and add pebbles, garden ornaments, plastic zoo animals, interesting pieces of wood or whatever they wish.Miniature Vegetable Garden: Children love growing food and will eat the vegetables they have grown more readily than those from the supermarket. In the Spring seeds will grow in a fine soil straight into the garden once the frost is over or start them off in a seed tray under cover. Good crops for children to grow are lettuce, salad leaves, peas, radishes, potatoes, strawberries, chives, basil. All of these will grow happily in containers if no patch of ground is available. My grandchildren started by planting potatoes in large pots – they are easy to look after and produce a good crop, delicious boiled and eaten on their own with a little butter and salt!Miniature Garden in a Container: Plastic seed trays are ideal for making the garden as they have drainage holes and are freely available as people with gardens often find they have too many. However, any container or box will be fine although drainage holes are an advantage if children want to plant seeds or flowering plants.Put soil or compost in the tray/s and encourage children to arrange their own miniature gardens – stones may become rocks and small pebbles can be positioned to make a winding path. Ask for plants from friends who have gardens or use freely available natural materials like beach pebbles, driftwood, sand, gravel, feathers and moss. Create different levels with the soil. Make a lawn from grassy weeds cut with scissors and a pond from a lid or small plastic container with the edges covered with moss. If you have plants, plant them in the soil and water them carefully. There is lots of room for individual creativity with the addition of anything that is around – rose petals, shiny paper, small solar powered lights, people or animals made from play dough or plastic, flags made from sticks and paper and whatever else you can think of. Miniature Environmental Sculpture: Another idea is to encourage children to use their container – or garden plot – to make an Andy Goldsworthy type of environmental land art sculpture using natural materials – driftwood with hanging shells, pebble mosaics, woven willow, stones piled into cave shapes. Or children may want to create a wild and magical landscape from “Lord of the Rings” or “Harry Potter”, a make believe world for fantasy role play using dolls or other plastic figures.

Enjoy a happy afternoon together being creative and inventive and then have a garden festival to display your completed gardens! Take photographs and make a display as a lasting reminder of a happy family fun day.

Article by Aidan Allred

Where is it?Good question…..over the hills and far away!But, oh so worth it!Truly, just maintain following the signs from the turn off to Mastihari….and maintain on going, and going, (you really do think you’re lost at one point), until you see signs to Black Pearl Beach Bar, and Vagi Beach! You will come extremely close towards the huge electricity creating in Kos (enormous red and white things that look like lighthouses from far away), after which you know you’re nearly there. Don’t give up! You are able to also reach this amazing cultural centre from Kardamena and Antimachia too.In the event you appreciate walking back in time to years gone by, and obtaining the really feel of ancient Greece, within the times of actual democracy, in the days of old. This garden, and also the two houses are like a museum, you are able to wonder freely, taking photographs, and taking your time to take in every thing that you see.Guided tours are also available on request, and if you have any questions and queries concerning the history, actually anything at all, then you are free to ask away, and you will be also enlightened on many aspects concerning ancient Greek civilisation.You’ll endevour into a time of toga’s, when all individuals (except from the slaves), were one, in a democratic society, there had been no social classes as such, all citizens had the exact same kind of houses, and any extra funds had been fed into the community and communial projects of a region.The entire theme is based on ancient Greek civilisation. The Greek house is infact a replica of a home from the 5th century B.C. from the days of Hippocrates.Hippocrates, who’s mentioned so many times within the history of medicine and Kos, was a man who practiced his own methods of medicine, and taught many others in this field. A man of integrity and ethics, which is also of fundamental importance within the well being program all through the globe these days. The Hippocratic oath for example.The main house it self is a two story stone creating (which has been created from nearby stone in Kos). It has the old style tiles which have been place over a wooden roof. All the furniture that you see featured in this house has been made according to ancient times, replicas, it’s like a mini museum, having a beautiful mosaic on the floor (created of pebbles).It took nicely over a year for the project to be completed, and help was also given and some funds by the European Commission which had been extremely interested in this remarkable concept.In the gardens lie a theatre region which is based on ancient Greek/Roman styles, (ampitheatre) and can seat over 100 people. Numerous performances and cultural events have been held here, and will continue to be held. A magical spot, and real a remarkable walk back through history itself.There is also Dimitras Museum which is really a collection of paintings, and even farm tools, which had been utilized during this period. Machinery utilized for both honey (nectar), and wine, food and drink fit for the gods!A replica of an ancient altar also stands proud.It is not just a museum for foreign visitors, but a center of celebration, for all those that live in Greece and on the island itself.Kids and adults can learn not just about classical civilisation, history and philosophy, but about the new age too, environmental projects for example, (recycling, protection of particular species), there has been numerous excursions involving school children, which has observed over 700 trees planted, and numerous seeds all through the garden locations and beyond.There are also classes available in ceramics, art and mosiacs, the powers of herbs and plants for healing, all you have to do is ask for further information and availability.Throughout the lengthy summer holidays parents, and friends can bring their children to understand about the ancient times of Greece, they can sit and relax in the tranquil gardens and bring a picnic even if they like! there is a shaded region of chairs and tables, perfect for this. Refreshments are also accessible too.Julia is the co-ordinator of the entire project, and who you’ll meet at the center that has been up and running for 3 years, is fantastic with children (has Nursery School Teaching qualifications). Julia is also an expert in classical Greece, philosophy, enjoys the artistic side of life too, photography and writes poetry, a woman of multi-talents, along with a believer in keeping the spirit alive, each in ancient times and in the here and now. A powerful environmentalist, with a passion to make the globe a much better location.You must also take a appear at the video link below that was also fairly current project in direction and production.You will also discover the Ancient Gardens on Facebook, where you will have the ability to keep in touch with any cultural events happenening all through the year, from exhibitions to theater productions, and so much much more.There’s also a little entrance fee of five euro for adults, and three for children, and an opportunity to buy actual herbs utilized for medicine, soaps created from St John’s Wort, and a collection of beauty products too, so make certain you keep in mind your purse, and your camera obviously! Appreciate!

Gardens in homes form an integral part of home exteriors. People nowadays understand that the exterior of the place is as important as the interiors. However, the exteriors are subjected to varying weather conditions making it imperative to install natural stones that can bear the changes in climate and maintain their strength and appearances.

Strength

This is the greatest factor in deciding the type of garden stone paving. Sandstone is tough and hard in texture. It is available in earthy colors to merge with surroundings and alleviate the natural beauty of the place. Sandstone is used to make different styles and patterns out of it. This way the beauty and aura of a place is enhanced dramatically.

Aura

Garden paving slabs are arranged in defined patterns.

These are arranged in a creative way to enhance the beauty and aura of gardens. However, these stones are mostly available in earthy colors that are just best to suit the purpose of the person. One can always install different shaped garden paving stones to form a geometrical or an abstract figure as per home owners’ liking.

Patterns

Sandstone circles are basically used as garden paving stone to form large geometrical figures as per green area and choice of home owner. Geometrical patterns like sandstone circles are also installed in gardens meant for public use. Professionals work with creativity and come-up with beautiful landscaping patterns. Space is not a constraint in gardens for public use.

Professionals have full freedom to play with creativity to install garden paving slabs in large spaces and make the place praise-worthy.

Corporate houses

Corporate houses have their own buildings. Relevant department hires professionals who create beautiful patterns with garden paving stones. Stones are generally large in sizes. Then these are cut in right shapes to form sandstone circles and different other figures. The art and craft of the place casts a magical feeling and provides beauty to the place.

Residential Buildings

Residential buildings with many flats have to maintain a green area, compulsorily. These areas are quite large in size and are main attractions of dwellers and visitors. These are landscaped with garden paving slabs for better maintenance for decades. People walk on these slabs with ease. Also green area beauty is maintained as people generally prefer to walk on garden stone paving. The strength and aura of garden paving slabs is simply incredible.

Preferred for Low Maintenance

Sandstone is a tough stone and withstands weather with ease. It should be installed properly under professional guidance. Low maintenance means that the structure doesn’t need regular care and maintenance all the time. These stones should be looked for at regular intervals as per professionals’ instructions. Sandstone is available easily and is not so costly. Hence these can be used with ease. Further, their maintenance factor doesn’t cost much even under changing weather conditions and excessive footfall.

Sandstone garden stone paving is getting popular as more people are inclined towards natural stones to adorn residential and commercial structures and green area available with these.

Article by Earl Coughlan

Where is it?Great question…..over the hills and far away!But, oh so worth it!Really, just maintain following the signs from the turn off to Mastihari….and maintain on going, and going, (you really do believe you’re lost at one point), until you see signs to Black Pearl Beach Bar, and Vagi Beach! You’ll come very close to the large electricity creating in Kos (enormous red and white things that look like lighthouses from far away), and then you know you are almost there. Don’t give up! You are able to also reach this amazing cultural centre from Kardamena and Antimachia too.In the event you appreciate walking back in time to years gone by, and obtaining the feel of ancient Greece, in the times of real democracy, in the days of old. This garden, and also the two houses are like a museum, you are able to wonder freely, taking photographs, and taking your time to take in every thing which you see.Guided tours are also available on request, and if you have any questions and queries concerning the history, actually anything at all, then you are free to ask away, and you’ll be also enlightened on many aspects concerning ancient Greek civilisation.You will endevour into a time of toga’s, when all people (except from the slaves), were 1, in a democratic society, there were no social classes as such, all citizens had the exact same kind of houses, and any extra funds had been fed into the community and communial projects of a region.The whole theme is based on ancient Greek civilisation. The Greek house is infact a replica of a house from the 5th century B.C. from the days of Hippocrates.Hippocrates, who’s mentioned so many times in the history of medicine and Kos, was a man who practiced his own methods of medicine, and taught numerous other people in this field. A man of integrity and ethics, which is also of fundamental significance in the well being program all through the globe today. The Hippocratic oath for example.The primary home it self is really a two story stone building (which has been made from nearby stone in Kos). It has the old style tiles which have already been place over a wooden roof. All of the furniture which you see featured in this house has been created according to ancient times, replicas, it’s like a mini museum, having a stunning mosaic on the floor (created of pebbles).It took well over a year for the project to be completed, and help was also given and some funds by the European Commission which were extremely interested in this remarkable idea.Within the gardens lie a theatre region which is based on ancient Greek/Roman styles, (ampitheatre) and can seat over 100 people. Numerous performances and cultural events have been held here, and will continue to be held. A magical spot, and real a remarkable walk back via history itself.There is also Dimitras Museum which is really a collection of paintings, as well as farm tools, which were utilized throughout this period. Machinery utilized for both honey (nectar), and wine, food and drink fit for the gods!A replica of an ancient altar also stands proud.It isn’t just a museum for foreign visitors, but a center of celebration, for all those that live in Greece and on the island itself.Children and adults can learn not just about classical civilisation, history and philosophy, but concerning the new age too, environmental projects for example, (recycling, protection of particular species), there has been many excursions involving school kids, which has seen over 700 trees planted, and many seeds all through the garden areas and beyond.You will find also classes accessible in ceramics, art and mosiacs, the powers of herbs and plants for healing, all you need to do is ask for further info and availability.Throughout the lengthy summer holidays parents, and buddies can bring their children to understand about the ancient times of Greece, they can sit and relax within the tranquil gardens and bring a picnic even if they like! there’s a shaded region of chairs and tables, perfect for this. Refreshments are also accessible too.Julia is the co-ordinator of the whole project, and who you will meet in the center that has been up and running for three years, is wonderful with children (has Nursery School Teaching qualifications). Julia is also an expert in classical Greece, philosophy, enjoys the artistic side of life too, photography and writes poetry, a woman of multi-talents, along with a believer in keeping the spirit alive, each in ancient times and within the here and now. A powerful environmentalist, having a passion to make the globe a much better place.You need to also take a appear in the video link below that was also fairly current project in direction and production.You’ll also discover the Ancient Gardens on Facebook, where you will have the ability to keep in touch with any cultural events happenening throughout the year, from exhibitions to theater productions, and so a lot much more.There’s also a little entrance fee of five euro for adults, and three for children, and an chance to buy real herbs used for medicine, soaps made from St John’s Wort, and a collection of beauty products too, so make certain you remember your purse, and your camera obviously! Enjoy!

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Article by Louis Wright

World of garden art is just an extension of your home décor and can be organized in a lot more fun way than you can imagine.Many garden stores have a range of garden accessories to choose from-sculptures, bird houses wind chimes are only few you can name. And the best thing is that you can always pick you own garden art which reflects your own taste and personality.

Let’s check out some of the simplest stuff that you considered junk but could be surprisingly turned into one of the wackiest garden art you ever thought-

Bathtub-You must have always wondered what how to get rid of your old bath tub. It’s simple, you can turn it into a wonderful planter and plant all you favorite flowers in it. Also you can turn your sink into a cute little planter by hanging it in your patio.Bottles-Try hanging out all your colorful wine bottles from the tree which make a sweet chiming sound in wind.

Broken Dishes-Don’t worry if you’ve broken your favorite set of china dishes because you can always put them together to convert them into a mosaic stone or table top.

Kids garden crafts-Gardening can prove to be whole lot of inspiration for your kids as it just adds up to that creative streak in them and make turn them into nature lovers.

Sculptures-Our modern garden experts are trying out sensational ideas in transforming our gardens into a new living room which is more than just a place to share a cup of tea. It can be turned into your very own outdoor art gallery where you can keep unique sculptures of Buddha, gnomes, flower fairies, angelic cherubs, fountains and a lot more.

Since it the holiday season so how about keeping with the flavor of the season and putting up some a wonderful Santa Claus statue with reindeer or the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus.

Bird feeders-Planting some exciting bird feeders is another engaging way to turn your garden into a place of attraction. From simple stylish hanging gazebo bird feeders to shimmering swirls of copper bird feeder the choice before you is endless.

The world of garden art could also be explored using some interesting garden themes using your favorite garden accessories. Garden themes can be seasonal or based on the plants or animals one loves. It can also be based on colors, for instance growing plants of alternating shades. Depending on your taste you can also choose a garden that comes alive at a certain time of the day fro instance evening gardens could be created by using highlighting features with strategic lighting, fragrance and tinkling sound of water against the evening sky.So explore these killer garden art ideas to make your garden one of your favorite places to hang out with your buddies, and wait till it gets on the A-list of hotspots to host that next big bash!

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