"Gardening is Murder!"

Find out why at our April monthly meeting on Wed. April 2 at 7:00 PM!  Don't forget we now meet in Harmony Hall at the Dracut Historical Society.

All are invited to attend this meeting, including spouses, with local author Neal Sanders. Neal is the spouse of an avid gardener, so he has "lots of time to observe gardeners and their foibles.  He weaves those observations into an illustrated talk that is humorous, informative, and poignant."  

Neal and his wife, Betty, maintain a 2-acre garden in Medfield, Mass. that has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and included in the Garden Conservancy's 'Open Days' program. 

We hope you can join us for this fun night! 

Hooray!

image credit:  blog.gifts.com

Feng Shui in the Garden

Our 1st meeting of 2014 started off on a balanced foot.  Dracut Garden Club members were treated to a presentation by professional Feng Shui consultant, Natalia Kaylin.  Feng Shui can be defined as the ancient Chinese science and art of creating beautiful and balanced environments that are in harmony with people and nature.  Natalia's presentation focused on how to apply Feng Shui principles to our landscape and gardens.  We learned how to maximize Shen Chi or Vitality, and minimize Sha Chi (negative, unbalanced energy). Natalia says that "we respond to our surroundings through our five senses which are sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.  If we consciously engage all of these senses in the garden, we can enrich our experiences and emotional states".

Natalia showed us a picture of The Bagua Map, an important tool that consists of 8 compass directions.  Each direction or part of a space correlates with particular areas in life.  The map can be superimposed over a room, building, or landscape and by applying Feng Shui principles, you can energize a certain area of life.

image credit:  take5moment.com

Using the Bagua Map and the 5 Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), we learned where and how to create a Wealth Garden, Love Garden, and a garden for Meditation & Healing.  Natalia encouraged us to create balance (Yin/Yang) in our gardens and homes, and to observe and enhance the flow of energy.

"By engaging all of our senses within the garden, we create a deeper connection between ourselves and nature, and this is the essence of Feng Shui."  --Natalia Kaylin

image credit:  www.designershowcaseaustin.com