Did born a flower in purple hue
that stole a tint from the fiery red
and bit of dew from the moist blue

Lone Beauty in Purple - Chrysanthemum

What a time of the year and season it is! Purple flowers, purple petals, purple blurs, purple sharps, purple purple. This world seems to have come alive in shades of purple, lavender, lilac, pale pink, magenta and more.

Nature has blessed us with lavenders, chrysanthemums, pansies, phlox, violets, asters, jacarandas and so many crazy permutations and combinations of purple on earth that laugh and breathe. Look in your garden, take a walk down any lane, go window shopping or simply go to your kichen… the world is suddenly bursting with purple.

Such happiness comes in clusters - Purple Jacarandas

Think of that omnipresent brinjal, lascivious pomegranate, clusters of jacaranda, window dressed mannequins, artworks, billboards, flora, books, to even food, this color is omnipresent. What a season this is…. pleasurably purple.

Another bunch of happiness with a funny name - Blue Billy Goat Weed

This is one color I have seldom used in my life, wardrobe and palatte. But now things are seemingly different for there is so much purple in the malls, on walls and wherever your eyes fall.

Purple, the color of good judgment, higher consciousness, spirituality, royalty, mysticism, sacredness, and divine energy, is no longer hard to miss or ignore.

See through me - Purple Petunias

Stressed? Go lavender
Romantic? Try Wisteria
Exotic? How about purple
Dress to Impress? Play purple
Meditate? Purple again

Things get better with other colors around!

This is the month for enjoying this color. So go ahead… grab your purple beret, dab on lavender scent, pick up a purple book, or load your paint brush. This color seems to rule for some reason.

What do you really feel when you see the color purple? Try and see what it does to you when you indulge in it.

An old friend of mine

This color seems to augur the good times that are about to come. So brace up!

Birds have borne the worst brunt of our times. From lack of green cover, decrease in food availability, climatic changes, to cell phone tower radiations, it is no surprise that they are disappearing at an alarming rate, in large numbers and in variety of species. We have now reached a stage where we scream in delight if we spot the little sparrow outside the city limits.

Birds are indicators of the environment.
If they are in trouble,
we know we’ll soon be in trouble.
Roger Tory Peterson

Make your own rustic bird feeder - Click on the image for the tutorial

I live in soon-to-be-extinct-place where there are few birds left. Apart from crows and eagles, I get to see sparrows, humming birds, sun birds, cuckoo, and many that I don’t identify. Mornings bring in the ubiquitous chirps and flutter, thanks to few green trees and shrubs around.

And here is my attempt to make a simple bird feeder that is easy to fill, clean and offers a great view of the lovely little creatures.

Bird feeders are plenty in design shapes and sizes. The simplest is placing a plate full of grains by your window sill to the most complex web-enabled, solar-powered, automated bird feeder that I recently heard of. Phew!

Here is a simple visual tutorial that needs no sweat or sophistication and is ready in few minutes. All you need is a plate, binding wire in metal or rope, pliers or scissors. It is a simple hanger thought I would like to try my hand at some complex contraptions that I fancy, in future.

3 Simple things for a Simple Bird Feeder Tutorial

I had an old favorite plate that I had picked from flea market two decades back. It served its purpose of holding my paints and art supplies. When I looked around for a plate with an edge that would make a perfect perch for the bird’s delicate feet, this fitted the bill. So this lovely old plate graduated to being a bird feeder. I was happy to be able to use something that was already there.

Binding wire is available in all hardware stores and sells by kilograms. This is one versatile material that can be put to many uses and is any craft makers staple material of choice. I used two long metal wire strings to secure the plate and to join it at the top to be able to hang the plate.

This plate is so beautiful and shallow that it also makes a perfect bird bath. That would be my next project if I find something more suitable to feed the birds with. Till then, its Bon appétit for birds!

3 DIY Steps to Making Bird Feeder

The wire holds the dish so make it as sturdy as possible. Im this case, the plate was very heavy and is less likely to topple in the city winds. The weight holds the dish down so I could make do with few wires without securing the plate. Also, it makes it easy for me to remove the dish for washing or replenishing the grains.

I had an old ball of knotted roots that I used to conceal the hideous wire knot on top. You could use anything there. Or even better, tie a good looking knot. Throw in an extra twig of branch for more grip or perching options for birds.

Bird Foodgrains in the bird feeder

Bird Feeding – Care and Concerns

The biggest challenge would be to keep the bird feeding plate clean as it tends to get dirty due to the birds or weather, which in turn may lead to birds falling sick.

The bird feeder needs to be close to some kind of refuge that the bird can take I case it senses danger of any kind. In this case, there was a small tree nearby. Hang it in a way that no cat can jump to grab them.

They say that it takes time for birds to find this new source of food and it may take a few days for them to become regular visitors. But I guess since birds frequent here a lot, this feeder will be discovered soon. I hope that I can keep it clean, filled and safe – always.

Feed the Birds - Create a Clean & Safe Haven

Its been a happy event to make this feeder with my kid in tow. The bird feeder now hangs, filled with birdie-goodies, swaying gently to the cool evening breeze. We cannot wait to see a bird feeding there. Im so full of anticipation but also know that surprises happen when you least expect it.

There are so many lovely people, organisations, and societies that are doing their bit to save the birds. We know that these minute things cannot match the pace of destruction that is taking place. But making little changes helps and inspires. When all of it adds up, there are results to show.

One fine morning, the birds might just start chirping in your balcony. So why dont you go ahead and try it? And when you do add your love and hope into it.

Do share with me your ideas and projects.

HAPPY UPDATE
After weeks of making this feeder, I could finally capture the little birds on my camera. Everyday, the grains depleted but I could never spot the birds. I was wondering if I should change the location to attract the birds. But lo behold, I am more than happy to share this.

Bon appetit Birdies

Lovely little pecks!

Stomach full of Happiness

I learnt about patience now. Nature works in its own ways.

Green Gift of Life for your Loved Ones

Gifting season is coming soon. Festival after festival, occasion after occasion, there are plenty of good times waiting to happen to everyone. This is the time when you start to budget for the holiday season. And this is also the time for us to recap green gifting options.

Eco-consciousness is serious business for every Government, company, association, community or individual. One can never emphasize much on the value of green gifts, handmade gifts, recycled gifts and and more… as everyone is more or less trying to turn ecofriendly in their individual capacities. People are changing but the pace is not quite enough to reverse the damage we have already unleashed on our planet. But we must try true.

Plants always top as gifts for someone who love nature.  These living gifts, in right hands grow, bloom and blossom into lifelong companions. They keep reminding you of the love that lives, the love that grows and the love that will be shared for years to come. There is never a case of oh! not another one! with plant gifts.

Here is a quick visual step-by-step tutorial on making this simple green gift of plant which work great for any occasion such as birthday, wedding, family parties, thank-yous, etc.

Things you need for giving the gift of green:

• Fresh well watered and drained plants
• Roll of corrugated paper or old cardboard paper
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Satin Ribbons
• Thats all

Plants, Paper and Tools - For Gifting Green

Green Gift Making and Wrapping Tutorial:

You need to create a container out of the corrugated cardboard paper to hold your plant securely. The photos are self explanatory to help you make the plant wrapper with corrugated paper.

Wrap the paper around your plant pouch and secure the shape with staples. Cut the bottom base of the corrugated paper cylinder into 4 slits and fold them as shown above to seal the base. Staple this base well.

Step-by-Step Tutorial for Wrapping your Plant Gift

Insert the plant pouch back into the little wrap you have made. To carry this gift in your hand, add a handle with a strip or corrugated paper or use a satin ribbon. Staple to secure the ribbon strip. Or you could also use a ribbon instead of the paper strip.

Recycled or Handmade Paper for Ecofriendly Gifts

The green gift is ready for its recipient. You could further embellish it with satin ribbon bows, dried flowers, paint, etc.

Who says green gifting is a bore?

It does not take long to make many of these. You can make these party favors in advance and keep the plant’s soil moist with few drops of water now and then.

In the plant gift below, I have used satin bow make it look as a gift for I had made if for the first time and was not sure of the reaction if it did not look like a gift

Ecofriendly Party Favors Ready for the Party

The next time, I used the ribbon itself as a holder to carry the gift.

Green Party Favors Return Gifts for Birthdays and Other Parties

And on both the occasions, it was pure delight to give and take. And I hope that these plants are thriving in different homes, in different containers and soil. And I am happy that I did not use off-the-shelf party bags and goodies.

Need more on Eco friendly gifts?

For a more detailed tutorial on how to make this plant gift, please click to my article on Gift a Green Plant at TreeSouls and make these cute green gifts for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or any parties.

And if you happen to make this too, do share your pictures and you ideas to help me improvise these party favors… for there are many occasions in life to celebrate. And being close to nature in everything you do, is the closest you can get to life.

Tell me.

Glamourous Gladiolus in Red

A bunch of gladiolus flowers is a sight to behold. The most easiest flower arrangement option is to pop these lovely flowers into the crystal and enjoy them each day. Gladiolus blooms every day as many of the buds open up slowly. There are always fresh blooms midst the wilting ones.

And it is no less when it comes to being a stunner for they are also known as sword lilies. Claude Monet was inspired enough by his gladioli to paint them in oils (circa 1876).

Since Gladioli are the cheapest flowers for floral arrangements in the Indian market, they do not enjoy the status of roses, lilies or orchids. But I’d say it is one of the most beautiful flowers that is found everywhere. Each little flower on the bunch is a beauty by itself. They are beautiful even when dry.

When the gladioli flowers start to dry, hang the bunch upside down and let them dry in a shade. They don’t lose too much color and still look beautiful. These flowers are here to stay.

For those who think it is a flower of last resort for floral arrangement, see how chic it can be with a little bit of embellishment. Here is a the most quickest way to enlivening your dinner table with nothing but a bunch of gladioli and a string of fairy lights. I made this arrangement in few minutes without a plan. Party table arrangement cannot get any simpler than this.

Simple floral decoration idea for your next party

Flower Arrangement with Gladioli and Fairy Lights
I have worked with many colors of gladioli before but something about this deep red color caught my eye. I never worked with red so I picked it to see what I’d end up doing with it. It is always nice to pick up something at random, follow your instinct, and create something new.

Trim the flowers stems with a sharp blade/ knife. Searing of stem ends is not necessary for gladioli if they are freshly picked. Remove any old wilting flowers from the base. Remove excess leaves from the stalks as they make the water muddy/ slimy faster.

Take care to keep the electrical connection safe and away from flowers and water.

I created a circle of twinkling fairy lights strand and placed the vase in the middle. I did not place the lights in the flowers as I did not want whatever minuscule heat of the LEDs to touch the blooming petals.

The best option was to place the soft fairy light below and up light the arrangement. And of all the colors, I chose red lights to go with the red flowers just so as to surprise myself with the outcome… though it was the combination I would never have otherwise tried.

Switch on the lights. And lo behold!

Wedding and Parties Table Centerpiece Idea with Fresh Cut Flowers and Fairy Lights

This floral decoration works great for weddings, birthdays or any special occasions where there are many tables that need to be embellished. What a sight it would be with tables full of flowers up-lit in soft lights.

They are a lovely serene sight during the day; scorching red stunners by night.

Please do try!

How would it be to wake up to the sound of chirping of birds early in the morning or a hot cup of tea in your cozy couch with the balmy morning sun shining through tender green leaves? Or how would it be to walk up to your balcony to pluck some fresh coriander for your garnishing your curry, or dig out some fresh carrots for your carrot cake? And all this even when you are living in an apartment?

Balcony Garden - Create your own little green refuge

As concrete jungles expand to keep pace with burgeoning human population, the city dweller is left with no option but to go vertical in this rat race for space and shelter. This simply means making a big compromise – having to come to terms with little or almost miniscule balcony spaces.

Modern living meets nature
For nature evangelists and plant lovers, who need the green lung space in their apartments, balcony gardens and green balcony landscapes are possibly the only refuge one can seek in today’s growing urban landscapes. Many people are opting to create semi outdoor living spaces in their balconies that translate into mini gardens.

Loner or an entertainer – your balcony can serve as a great space to unwind, relax or rejoice. Come sunshine, rain or chilly winds, there is no better place than this in your home, to put your feet up or let your hair down.

Balcony gardening is the easiest way to bring in nature into your living spaces, offering endless beautiful sights and delights. Every season brings with it a gush of color, with leaves and flowers. From the parched brown twigs of winter to the scorching colored flowers of summer – your balcony garden will never cease to amaze you. Gentle flowers, fresh herbs, oxygenated air, chirping birds and humming bees, cool breeze, sound of rustling leaves, fresh vegetables and sweet fruits are some of the delights of balcony gardening.

An art and a science too
Balcony gardening is not a one-time act of buying the best looking plants and arranging them at appropriate corners. You have to consider a host of challenging factors such as load bearing, water system, sunshine, city conditions, plants, neighbors and more. Balcony gardens are not created as a one-time or stand-alone activity as the goal is to help the garden thrive and flourish. It takes time, commitment and love to grow and nurture your balcony garden.

For the balcony gardener, here is some basic information on planning, designing, and growing your apartment balcony garden, and tips and tricks to making your balcony green, eco-friendly and inviting.

Cozy Sunlight Corner in the Balcony with Bamboo Screens

Designing your Garden Balcony
First, design your balcony garden on paper. The idea is to create a green space that is not jam-packed with plants. There has to be some space for the plants and you to breathe. It is the empty spaces in balcony that give you a visual relief, circulate air and ensure that sunlight reaches most of the leaves. Check your balcony’s status for the feasibility of creating your little garden. There are many structural and hardware related issues that you need to look into.

Structural and Hardware Aspect of Balcony Gardens
If you are planning for a full fledged balcony garden, take care of the structure of the balcony such as support, age of building, floor type, water proofing, etc. Also check for water seepage, leakage, water inlet-outlets, and many other factors. Ensure that the balcony is water proof, does not hurt your neighbors below and that the water outlet does not make a mess elsewhere.

Water proofing, watering system, fixed plant areas other than movable pots and planters, lighting, etc are some of the hardware elements of garden design. Once these are in place, rest is all about placing and moving your potted plants to best suit your space.

Selection of Plants for Balcony Gardens
Balconies are constrained gardens with limited soil and sunlight – thereby impacting the growth and growing pattern of most plants. Invest in plants and saplings that can thrive in your city conditions.

More often than not, people invest in seeds and seedlings from hilly climes to grow in the city conditions – which simply don’t grow. But at the same time you should keep experimenting, for nature is resilient and always springs surprises. So keep gardening while keeping the faith, for life somehow finds its way.

As you continue to experiment with your plants in the balcony, get yourself a good seasonal handbook for growing plants in local conditions. These will not only help you plan and plant according to seasons, but also give you ideas for a beautiful and bountiful balcony garden – all year long. Have some flowering plants in the balcony to attract birds and bees for cross pollination.

Remember that plants lend to the garden’s character and determine the look and feel of your balcony. Plants help you design this space with additional accents. Different plants such as climbers, creepers, bushes, etc., lend their charm and help you pick up cues on designing your balcony space.

Design Themes for Balcony Gardens
From the colored lanterns and iron accents of Morocco, to the clean cut designs of Zen simplicity, balcony gardens have come of age with designer themes and look.

The current rage amongst modern balcony gardens is to go Zen, Moroccan, Oriental, Balinese, Japanese, Indian, etc. Each of these themes has unique design elements, look and feel. Research, see and get inspired on creating your balcony space.

If nothing works, take a walk in your neighbourhood to pick up local accents such as wood, tree trunks, used tin cans or glass bottles, terracotta pots or designs, etc, to set up your own designer balcony where you design its look. There is no end to what you can do.

Outdoor Furniture and Design Accents for Balcony Gardens
Bamboo furniture, futons, wicker stools, swings, hammocks, wind chimes, accent pots and decorative items, are some of the standard embellishments.

You can add art prints, murals, terracotta tree art, wrought iron furniture or wall embellishments, mirrors, tree trunks, dried flower arrangements, bird baths and feeders, and more to make your balcony eclectic, exotic and interesting. Don’t hold back on creativity here… for you don’t have to worry about blending it with the house décor.

If you do not have much space in your balcony, you can take your garden vertical with custom made iron pot holders, shelves, of steppe slabs or tables.

Fairy Lights in Plants and Balcony Space
Twinkling fairy lights and tea light candles nestled among the green plants look magical at night. For a quiet evening, entertaining your guests, late evening tea, or even dinner, this soft magical ambient lighting is indeed a sight to behold.

Tea Lights and Fairy Lights - For a lovely evening in your balcony

Don’t miss out on this great design accent for soft lighting and fairytale look. LEDs are better than normal string lights which hurt the plants with heat. Ensure that the light bulbs do not touch the plant stems and leaves. Also do not use the lights for longer duration as it may hurt the plant.

Eat your Organic Garden Produce
Your balcony can also contribute to your kitchen by way of fresh vegetables and herbs, while the kitchen waste becomes your garden’s manure.

Apart from ornamental plants, make use of your balcony space to grow herbs, vegetables and fruits. There is no great pleasure than walking up to your balcony to pluck out the freshest of herbs and vegetables for your meal.

Fresh Home Grown Vegetables from Balcony Garden

Most common balcony produce includes herbs such as coriander, curry leaves, tulsi-basil, etc along with most of the green leafy vegetables. Vegetables include tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, beans, and a whole range of vegetables and fruits that do not need much deep soil.

Have some flowering plants to attract birds and bees for cross pollination as most of the vegetable plants do not have bright colored flowers.

Container Gardening for Balconies
Apart from growing vegetables interesting containers can add a great visual impact to your garden. Left over tins, bottles, cans, buckets, etc can be converted into good looking planters for balcony. Group different colored-shaped containers for interesting plant arrangement

Container gardening works best for most root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, ginger, etc. Big planters, outdoor pots, and geometric planter are good for creating an interesting visual space as well as for letting the roots run deep. Even sacks and bags containing good soil can be used for growing potatoes.

Green Lung Space with Eco Friendly Balcony Gardening
The basic requirement for a balcony garden is to follow green principles to derive maximum joy and full foliage. Make you balcony garden in tune with the principles of earth.

There are many ways of going green for a green garden. Look around your landscape for accents. Don’t go too far to source your materials. Invest in solar powers lights. Use mud and terracotta pots instead of plastic ones. Use khus or bamboo curtains for coolness. Route or recycle your kitchen or bath water to your balcony garden. Kitchen waste such as peels, egg shells, etc makes excellent manure. Make design accents with waste or un-used articles.

Balcony Gardening with Children
Balcony gardening are perhaps the only way we can sensitize our children to plants while we live in these sprawling cities. By getting them involved in watering, tending, caring and enjoying the time spent among plants, you can initiate your children into caring for them. This is the least we can do, on a daily basis.

The Soul of your Balcony Garden
Gardening is a give and take relationship. Have a balcony garden only if you love plants. There is no point in creating the most gorgeous garden but not being able to sustain or nourish it. Do not have it to make a style or lifestyle statement.

Read about your plants but try to feel them more. Plants are living beings. They sense and feel too. A lot has been written and researched on the secret lives of plants. And to live amongst these green living beings is a blessing in itself. Apart from providing food and sustenance, there are many sacred reasons for plants to exist. From plant auras, plant energy vortexes, communication between plants, plant souls, and more, there are many unknown facets of plants that will unfold with time. Scientifically, it has been proved that plants act and react. It is a matter of time that this will become a norm.

Plants know when they feel love. They respond to your voice and your state of mind. Over a period of time you will find yourself forming a bond with your garden where plants and you will communicate in ways unknown.

Plants flourish when you deeply care. Your words, acts of love, your thoughts towards plants, and your deep feelings go a long way in making your plants feel and stay healthy.

Plants germinate, grow, flower, fruit, and die… only to rise once again. And to witness this cycle of life, in front of your eyes, keeps us reminded and grounded of the simple things in life… that give simple lessons…for us to live simply.

Go; enjoy your little garden… wherever it is.

Written above are my thoughts on balcony gardens. Having lived in an independent house as well as an apartment, I could create and enjoy some beautiful green spaces that not only served as a semi outdoor garden but also are a great dining, working, entertaining and meditating spaces.

For anyone who needs specific information on what to grow where, and things that you can possibly do with your balcony such as plans, design ideas, discussion, etc, please get in touch.