Posted in texts on 05/22/2009 08:31 pm by Ana Carvalho
Something new starts, a life form, from something that was there before. Before, at start, I had a seed and an idea, for Lavender and for a garden too. Before the seed and the idea there was another plant and another garden. Both grew and, although still rather small, something else started there, at the same time and as consequence, which will carry on if the appropriate conditions arise. Good process and positive thought may be the reason which will allow both the garden and the plant to reach closer to happiness and full potential. Yesterday I learned that the design of some gardens in Japan, although apparently chaotic, keep the design for centuries. This is aiming at eternity as a Renaissance painting. Now I remember, flashback of three weeks, we learn so much in silence, alone and with other humans, other animals and plants. We also learn when we talk.
Posted in Gardens on 05/22/2009 08:30 pm by Ana Carvalho
Unit 1
Peppermint, Lemon balm and Melissa Officialis, Clemantis, Estragon, Back beans, Forget-me-not (blue and white), Shamrock, Parsley, Nettle, Ironweed (Verninia), Ground-elder
Unit 2
Strawberries and Rhubarb
Unit 3
Rocks
Unit 4
Rhubarb. Around, on the borders - Pinto Beans.
Unit 5
Potatoes. Around, on the borders - Broad Bean.
Unit 6
Back Beans, Naked Lady (Colchicum Autumnale), Crocus.
Posted in Gardens on 05/22/2009 07:30 pm by Ana Carvalho
The weather was favorable for the last day of the gardener in her garden.
Beans of several kinds and potatoes were planted. Last adjustments and changes were made. From here on this garden depends on other people and nature itself to take it back or develop further.
Posted in Documentation on 05/20/2009 08:30 pm by Ana Carvalho
A.
Other plants which can go in each unit without discontinuing each of the themes.
Unit 1. Senses. Any useful plant can go in the garden, from weeds to leafs for teas and to cook. At the beginning the idea was to have flowers and herbs together. With this in mind, it could be turned it to a unit of herbs for food and teas.
Unit 2. Oppositions. There are all sorts of red fruits and they all have important anti oxidant properties. They could go in here.
There is not much you can plant where nothing should be plant (Unit 3. Nothingness). So, in need of space, this unit could change the name.
Unit 4. Unity. May the rhubarb plant grow and be enough to many pies.
Unit 5. What is hidden implies that all goods are underneath the soil. So other things to add to potatoes are for example carrots, onions, garlic, parsnip, beetroot, all in their big diversity and colorfulness.
Unit 6. So far has been chance. Whatever happen to have at hand to plant. So I suggest here anything which doesn´t fit in other categories.
B.
There are salads missing (lettuce, rocket, tomatoes) as well as pumpkins and other plants which fruits grow near the ground. They could be planted around the garden or they could go into new units.
New units could continue to be designed using the shape of the dome. If the drawing of the garden as it is at the moment is rotated 180degrees you will find position for three other units away from the center. The units at the center overlap. Here would be interesting to see how the overlapping is resolved. It could include ornaments, stones for example, or objects that make small sounds.
C.
Something interesting to explore is how cultures can grow together with weeds, or how can these can be used to benefit the plantation. Perhaps to look into the book One Straw Revolution and find out appropriate cultures and perhaps also adapting the method.
D.
It would be great to see the garden develop in creative ways. There are a couple of things the garden would be better with which can be thought through, by combining creativity with knowledge from the surrounding and long term gardens. These are covers for the plants, when winter comes and a green house to have a nursery for plants as well as grow plants who need extra care.
E.
From my experience I think is very rewarding the exchange of plants and goods from the garden. So I would suggest exchanging seeds with artists who also grow gardens (or may be interested to start one) back home. This way a sense of belonging can be continued and the garden can grow in stories and in diversity. This exchange can be extended to schools, to neighbors, to anyone.
To take away part of a plant should be done carefully and in a way that doesn’t damage its growth and should even be beneficial.
Posted in Gardens on 05/20/2009 07:00 pm by Ana Carvalho
Temperature is low and the gardener has a cold.
Garden works postponed.
Posted in Documentation on 05/19/2009 08:00 pm by Ana Carvalho
Posted in Gardens on 05/18/2009 08:30 pm by Ana Carvalho
From inside, the outside looks really magic.
Posted in Gardens on 05/18/2009 08:00 pm by Ana Carvalho
The last unit is designed on the soil. With this task done, the drawing is all implemented on the physical space.
Posted in texts on 05/17/2009 08:00 pm by Ana Carvalho
By working on the soil, the gardens start to take shape. Ideas develop and evolve. The chosen plants and the elements that give specific features to each unit get connected. Its by doing that learning and sequent decisions takes place.
Materials used in the garden: several stones, wood and others, are collected from what there is on offer within the surroundings or found on wonderings. These thins apparently belong to no one so they can be of use by anyone.
Posted in Gardens on 05/17/2009 07:30 pm by Ana Carvalho
Inside, the first little and fragile leaves of lavender came to the surface. One other plant is showing some very small developments. I may change some of the vases to the bathroom where there is more moist, more sun light and temperature is also better.