Spring (spring)

Crafting a rustic wreath

Posted on 23 March 2017 at 2:30pm

Working in the garden to clear weeds in a vain attempt to improve conditions for grass to grow proved fruitful in quite an unexpected fashion. Whilst dealing with the lighter roots of a magnificent beech tree which stretch out under our poor excuse for a lawn, buttercup roots also came into play. With the vigour of many perennial weeds, these particular roots seem to travel beneath the surface for miles, certainly in lengths adequate enough to make something of them beyond a platform for little yellow flowers.

Without doubt, growing grass decent enough to qualify as lawn material of even the most modest type, is not without its pressures. A bonus along the way, none-the-less, is there are buttercup roots enough to get crafty with.

Creating something pretty to look at out of less than appealing materials has the propensity to present a sense of achievement - no matter how small. Sat on the patio wall with a cup of tea, it occurred to me that buttercup roots would make good material with which to craft a wreath to pin on the shed door.  This would be nothing glamorous, as you can imagine, but ‘rustic’ would do.

The process began by washing the roots to clear them of dirt. Whilst the roots were wet and still pliable, it was a simple enough task to create circlets by weaving the roots in and around each other to build up the wreath. Once all the roots had been used up, the wreath was left to dry in the shed. Once completely dry, this not too shabby work of art was pinned to the outside of my shed door. To brighten up the wreath, I daubed it with paint used to protect wooden fencing and sheds. Over the following months, adding a few springs of wild flowers from my mini-meadow, roses buds, and seed heads, marked the seasons as they rolled through from one to the next. I’m pleased to say, it has survived the winter without falling apart or winging its way in a westerly direction on the wind.

All that remains is for me to get back to the original job in hand, and take another look at working towards improving the conditions for the grass. Nurturing a credible, not least weed-free, lawn is a work in progress; and one which is hampered by a beech tree of considerable girth and height; dandelions, daisies, and, if I’m honest, still a good many buttercups all securely anchored by good welsh clay and a water table currently six inches above ground. What I'm aiming for, is an emerald carpet worthy of Lord’s and a deck-chair from which to sip Pimm's on sunny days wearing a big straw hat. Lofty aspirations, indeed.