Spring really has sprung

Hello again

In my view, there is no better time of year than the first flush of spring. Plants and gardens are bursting with life, the birds are busy nesting, the sun is warm, the air is cool and everyone feels a little more optimistic.

We have been through a long, cold winter; both meteorologically and economically and finally we can see the first signs of hope and positivity. Winter clothes are put away, the evenings are lighter and the barbecue can be dragged out of the shed and set up for the coming months. I run a garden irrigation and garden lighting business and we are finally into the spring and are busy visiting and maintaining around 550 gardens that have a watering system and/or garden lights.

Individually, we might not be able to do much about the recession (apparently, it's a global issue that was made in the USA!) but collectively we can make our worlds a better place. It's the little things that everyone can do that can make the biggest difference. It's about creating and reinforcing communities. Imagine the difference there would be if everyone said good morning to each other, smiled at each other a bit more, looked out for their neighbours, picked up a bit of litter, planted a tree in their front garden. These are all things that we can do that will improve our lives and the lives of the people that live around us. We all get bogged down in the day-to-day "busyness" of life but all we can do is try to make an extra effort.

Planting a tree in ones front garden (if you have one) is a good example of a minor effort producing a huge reward over many years. A single tree in a front garden will improve the look of your house, prevent wall-to-wall paving of front gardens, soften the architecture, provide shelter for birds, convert CO2 to oxygen and reduce particulate pollution. A tree in every front garden in a road will completely change the atmosphere from being a street to being an avenue or boulevard, provide shade from the harshest sun, slow the windspeed and take the visual emphasis away from hard surfaces to a softer, more natural feel. It's no coincidence that the most desirable streets are those that are lined with trees.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to preach at anyone, I just think the recession has changed the rules for ever. It is no longer acceptable for us to behave in the way we have for the last decade or so; consumerism, conspicuous consumption, greed and turning a blind eye to the environment is unsustainable. It is apparent that we will all have to change our behaviour over the coming years. Changing the global environment is probably best achieved via the ballot box but your your local environment can be positively influenced you, now. So, don't wait for everyone else, do something.

Until later