Dear LPG, 

I still live in the house that I moved into when there were five of us and lots to do, and back in those days, it was my job to make sure that the garden looked respectable.  In my humble estimation, I think I did a reasonable job back then, but these days I leave more and more of the work to my son when he visits even though I could do more myself.  

Now that I am on my own, I seldom feel much like getting out there, and the past two pandemic years’ have taken their toll on the state of the place, but even if no one else can see the difference, I think that it is making a bit of a comeback with my help this year.  

I read with interest what DT had to say about one way of finding a pastime which might relieve stress, allow your mind a little breathing space and (ever so slightly) improve the state of the ozone layer while leaving you a visual reminder of your achievement, and it got me thinking about something sort of similar that I saw on the internet.

The bonsai value of small trees sounds like fun, and the sense of that mystique eastern aura that can only promote peace does have its appeal, but I feel that something a little more significant might be the way to go for me.  

I have been inspired by those spiralled bushes you can buy to put on either side of your front door if you have space, but it seems that although I could buy a couple, it might be a challenge to do it myself.

Many other shapes might interest you, and perhaps you might come up with an original by design or luck.  From what I can see, it does not look that difficult and keeping it spiralled (or maintaining whatever shape I end up with) will force me to get out into the fresh air and exercise.  This is not about the money; the internet shows that it would be just as cheap to buy a readymade pair but imagine the sense of achievement that would be derived from being able to say you made it yourself…

I think I will start with one rather than a pair, but this is a challenge that a few more readers might be interested in taking on.  I have asked LPG to add links to instructions for other interested readers.

JS, Deptford.
   
 

JS shares the instruction that she has found…

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While JH is starting small LPG thought it might be fun to show you the bigger picture…

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