Creating ‘hanging gardens’

Space is becoming a big challenge in urban set-ups. The luxury of having a big lawn in front or behind one’s house is fast fading in the new settlements.

Those entrusted with the authority of allocating plots in cities are not as generous as they used to be decades ago. Recently, they created high density areas that leave little space. Such houses usually have a small concrete car park which also serves as a playground.

Those who have a passion for flowers often find themselves planting them in flower pots. In some instances, these may not be enough for those who never get contented with the flowers they have. Such people continue to yearn for more space to plant more flowers.

These are people who always introduce new flowers to their collection. They do this by buying from florists or sharing with fellow enthusiasts. Whichever method is used, the result remains the same. More varieties of flowers in their yard.

This passion (or is it an obsession?) for flowers becomes a challenge for those in residential areas where there is little room for planting flowers.

There are, however, people in our midst who have refused to lose their love for flowers by creating space for flowers even in the tightest of spaces.

Some have turned to old motor vehicle tyres. They cut the tyres into semi-circles. Then they punch a few holes on the bottom side of the half-tyre. These holes help to drain water.

Then they use ordinary wires or ropes to create a hanger attached to the half tyres. The rope is hanged on a tree or on a brick wall.

Without knowing it, some people have created their own hanging gardens albeit in a small way. The challenges we face should not stop people from creating an environment that makes us happy.

History records that “Nebuchadnezzar II built the Hanging Gardens for his Median wife, Queen Amytis, because she missed the green hills and valleys of her homeland,” according to Wikipedia. We may be contributing to the annals of history by making use of the little space. Our stories may be told someday. Who knows?

Wishing you dear reader a week full of activity. If you want it perfectly done, do it yourself. n