Born in Karachi, brought up in New York, and now happily settled in Amsterdam. After living in everything from bustling metropolises to a city with a village vibe, it was only when he reached Amsterdam that he realised how pleasant it was to have nature nearby. A park, a lake with an urban beach, even a forest of sorts, and all within walking distance! If there’s one thing he’s sure about, it’s that he never wants to live in such a densely populated, high traffic, built-up area again.
However, when he looks at his own garden, it’s far duller than he would like. It’s covered by tiles, and there is a single, lonely flower pot in a corner. Bland fencing encloses his small garden on all sides. Ahmed is rather disheartened as he sits across from me, and asks whether he’s supposed to just accept his grey, unwelcoming garden as it is. After all, it’s so small – surely there’s nothing that can be done?
However, things turn out not to be so bleak after all. Greenery can be introduced into any and every environment. Hand me a small urban garden and my mind goes full throttle! And there are definitely green solutions for Ahmed’s garden too. Of course you can always walk to a park, but just imagine looking outside from your kitchen table and seeing refreshing green instead of dull grey!
During our conversation, I outline a few simple interventions: removing the tiles, replacing them with the right kind of soil, creating space for the greenery that matters. Finding the right plants takes a little legwork, but it’s worth every bit of effort in the end! A green outlook, no matter how small, really does make all the difference. During our conversation, I notice that Ahmed is getting excited at the green prospects available for even his garden.
Don’t ever take the dullness around you for granted. With just a few simple steps, you can turn even a tiny garden into an oasis of greenery. Whether you go outside and immerse yourself in green, or simply admire it from the kitchen table, it’s a win all round!
