Author: Urša Mihevc
Gardens have always been a very important part of the space where humans lived. They represented a connection with nature and provided people with a space for relaxation. Already in ancient times, people liked to embellish the surroundings of their homes with garden designs, and the Babylonian gardens were even considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Everyone is surely familiar with the story of Adam and Eve in the biblical tale of the Garden of Eden, and when learning about modern history, no teacher can avoid mentioning the gigantic gardens at Versailles.
Around the Giser miners’ house, which we, together with young volunteers, were renovating during the summer months of 2021, there were once carefully tended gardens and meadows. Over the years since the house was abandoned, these areas had become overgrown, but we managed to clear and organize them nonetheless. Initially, it was necessary to remove bushes and vines, after which we, together with our mentor, devised a plan for planting the freshly cleared green spaces. After researching the surroundings and some gardens in Idrija, we decided to issue a public call and ask local residents for donations of plants.
We were surprised by the response of the locals, who enthusiastically answered our call on Facebook and donated more than 200 seedlings of 60 different plant species. The plants we used to populate the gardens around the Giser house were not purchased from a store; instead, we transplanted them from existing gardens in the vicinity of Idrija. This allowed us to introduce as many local seedlings as possible to the surroundings of the Giser house. In the garden, you can find common mugwort, which was once a part of the bitter miners’ drink, various types of beans, mint, wild garlic, and spinach. We also planted some flowers in the garden, aiming to combine utility and beauty. When considering that we also managed to renovate the garden shed – called a lusthaus in Idrija – where garden tools will be stored and where shade will be available for resting, we have truly succeeded in creating a pleasant environment around the miners’ house. We will be eagerly observing how the gardens will thrive in the future.
Članek je nastal v okviru projekta “Idrijska krajina – navdih iz preteklosti za trajnostno ustvarjanje mladih”, ki ga je finančno podprlo Ministrstvo za okolje in prostor Republike Slovenije.
