gardening [dictated]

[beastisbeauty]

Um, hi. I have an idea, but I could use some advice. I don't want to step on any toes or get backlash from the castle. I'm thinking of setting up a sort of meditation garden...like a zen garden, but with more plants? I thought it'd be nice to have a quiet, comfortable place outdoors, where people could go to meditate or pray...somewhere quiet and peaceful. With all the stress the castle causes, we could probably use a good place to relax.

Um. I could also use some gardening advice. I've never been in a position to have a garden before.

Comments

[dictated]

[socovert]

That actually sounds like a really nice idea. What specific kind of gardening advice are you needing? I'm not really much of an expert, but back at home, I had a few plants around my house and outside.

Re: [dictated]

[beastisbeauty]

I'm not really sure. I guess I should start by finding out what sort of plants grow best around here and maybe ask people what kinds they would find most relaxing. I mean, I guess I was thinking of flowers and ornamental trees, but I'm open to suggestions.

[dictated]

[socovert]

I would guess a variety of things grow around here, seeing as the place is, uh, unique. As far as more plant suggestions go, maybe different kinds of rosebushes because of the nice smell they give off in addition to the fact that they look nice, and they're pretty simple.

Re: [dictated]

[beastisbeauty]

Yeah, roses are a must...in at least one section anyways. I hadn't thought about fragrance, but yeah, making sure people have soothing smells would be good. Do mint plants smell minty, when they're growing?

[dictated]

[socovert]

Mint plants couldn't hurt, and would be another good idea. To me, the fragrance isn't as obvious as the fragrance of rosebushes or lavender or lilac plants, but that doesn't mean other people don't have better senses of smell than I do.

Re: [dictated]

[beastisbeauty]

I was thinking of herbal plants...some of those could be harvested for teas, too. Chamomile and the like.

[legacydeck]

I could probably help - I've seen plenty of traditional meditation gardens, and planted one or two myself. The set-up is the hardest part, really.

[beastisbeauty]

Yeah and I'm really not sure where to start...well, literally. I haven't decided where to plant, yet.

[legacydeck]

Hmm. There should be some areas with the right mix of sun and shade around the castle. Some of them have other gardens but I'm not above redecorating.

[beastisbeauty]

Thank you. I'm thinking of something rather large, so more than person can meditate, without people disturbing each other. It could include things like gondolas too...maybe some fountains.

[legacydeck]

If you plan right, you can fit a surprising amount into very little space - generally you have to have shrubs or trees to block off paths that would otherwise be side-by-side, but the illusion is quite convincing.

Semi-natural streambeds and waterfalls are very traditional as well.

[beastisbeauty]

Maybe, but I'd rather give everyone as much real solitude as possible. It's harder to meditate, if you can hear someone breathing not far away.

Yeah, those sound good. I'm a bit weak in botany, I'm afraid, though. What kind of shrubs are we talking about?

[not_nikkiheat]

I think that's a great idea. I'm no expert, but I had houseplants back home, and it would be nice to be outside.

[beastisbeauty]

Thanks. Yeah, it's good to get out sometimes, when I'm not in a lab. What kind of plants do you like?

[not_nikkiheat]

Most of my plants back home were low maintenance because I'm not home much. But I really like colorful flowering, fragrant plants.

[beastisbeauty]

Yeah. We also need some good shade plants, too, and some that bloom in winter. Uh. Do you know what the winters are like here?

[not_nikkiheat]

The weather seems to be mild year round. I arrived here in February, and it was very pleasant.

[beastisbeauty]

Hm. It didn't snow? I would think the castle would like to use the weather against us.

[not_nikkiheat]

We had a huge earthquake, that was terrifying. But no snow. Or it was gone by the time I arrived here at leas.

[kungfuwitch]

I think that's a wonderful idea. I don't know too too much about plants but I love the idea of a meditation garden. I meditate in the garden, anyway, but it can get pretty noisy sometimes.

[beastisbeauty]

Oh, hello, Phoebe. Yeah, the castle is luxurious, but not exactly quiet. It could use a calming influence.

[kungfuwitch]

Oh absolutely. Anything I can do to help just let me know.

[beastisbeauty]

How good are you at not killing plants?

[kungfuwitch]

Not too bad, though my older sister, Piper, was always the one putting new plants in the conservatory.

[beastisbeauty]

Hm. I have no plant experience, but I figure, if I can do lab work and mess with dangerous radiation, I can hopefully keep a plant alive. I did manage to keep a dog healthy. How much harder can a plant be?