Capturing Rain From One of Our Sheds

Capturing Rain From One of Our Sheds
These copper rain gutters are beautiful and help harvest rainwater!

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Blending Together Ideas...

Is something we try to do often at A Place to Grow. It seems that everyone has something beneficial to offer! So today, in honor of Halloween and the blending of ideas, I thought I would share one of my favorite fall crafts. The Succulent Pumpkin Planter! A perfect blend of the Central Coasts love for succulents and this season's symbol, the pumpkin. Though today is Halloween, don't worry, these decorative planters are the perfect accent for all of autumn or even year round.

In order to create this fun and easy twist on the typical Jack O' Lantern, here is what you will need:
  • A Pumpkin- Mix it up! Any shape, size, or color will work.
  • Serrated knife and scooping spoon
  • Potting soil
  • A variety of succulents
The process is pretty simple. First, cut a circle around the stem of the pumpkin (as you would a normal Jack O' Lantern). Remove the lid you have just created and begin scooping out all the seeds and gooey pumpkin insides. Then fill the inside half way up with soil and place in the desired succulent. Fill in the empty space inside the pumpkin with more soil, if needed. You're done, your very own Succulent Pumpkin Planter!

Enjoy spending time with your family and friends as we head into the thick of the holiday season, and remember use it as a chance to get creative with all you grow in your garden!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Creating Sacred Spaces...

is one of the things I enjoy the most about our unique outdoor structures. We recently installed a greenhouse in Paso Robles and the new owner asked politely if we would mind "participating in a blessing of the greenhouse".  Of course we would love to, what better way to learn and grow with our community?

We began by forming a circle, holding a candle. The color of the candle was pink, a representation of Tibetan Pink Quartz which signifies peace, joy, intuition and protection. We lit the candle and passed it person to person while reading the following blessing prayer "To the divine spirit, in lighting this candle we summon love, harmony, peace and prosperity into this house. May we be blessed with good health, happiness, success and abundance. May those that visit feel peace and love. We decree that this house be shielded from harm, illness and misfortune. Thank you for bringing light, love and energy into our hearts, this room and our endeavors. With tremendous gratitude, we thank you." We then let the candle burn for one hour in the structure.

It is these moments that continue to remind me of why I chose this path. Each and everyone of us has a sacred place, a place that is highly valued, important, or greatly respected. Whether it be the end of a hiking trail, the dinner table, a sun-drenched shore, or in this case a newly created greenhouse. It is place we can be satisfied and peaceful just being. The idea of sacred spaces reminds me of a quote by John Muir, a well-known naturalist, he says "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and give strength to the body and soul".  We agree,  and could not be happier that we at A Place to Grow have a hand in creating those sacred spaces.


We look forward to sharing and creating sacred spaces with you all!