How to Make Your Garden Sing
Here is how you can create wonderful sound effects in your patch of green and bring alive the outdoors
Sound forms a huge part of how we perceive space, but it is often overlooked as a garden element. Even while taking a walk in the garden, we are unaware of the different sounds and the element of surprise they add to a garden. But listening for the sounds of your garden catches your attention, keeps you alert and thus, more in tune with the other elements of your garden and the seasons. Read on to know more about various natural sound devices you can employ to create wonderful, soothing sounds.
Bells
Bells are another way to create gentle musical notes that respond the the breeze. Metal adds a distant melodious tinkle, while bamboo and shells softly clack and clatter. On a different level, these musical notes help you take notice of the changes in the wind.
Bells are another way to create gentle musical notes that respond the the breeze. Metal adds a distant melodious tinkle, while bamboo and shells softly clack and clatter. On a different level, these musical notes help you take notice of the changes in the wind.
Musical sculptures
Musical sculptures perform a double role, acting as garden art and musical instruments. The best thing about these sound devices is that they are completely dependent on nature, adding impromptu sounds that are as natural as the rustling of leaves.
Musical sculptures perform a double role, acting as garden art and musical instruments. The best thing about these sound devices is that they are completely dependent on nature, adding impromptu sounds that are as natural as the rustling of leaves.
Water
Water features are one of the most common and effective ways to bring sublime sounds into your garden. Whether you’re looking for the totally serene feel of a murmuring brook, or the more dynamic rushing of multiple waterfalls, the sound of water can have a calming influence on any environment.
Trickling water
A simple fountain gives the gentle sound of trickling water and, in addition, an eye-catching sculpture. All you need is an electrical source for the pump, and the pump can be hidden inside the feature.
Water features are one of the most common and effective ways to bring sublime sounds into your garden. Whether you’re looking for the totally serene feel of a murmuring brook, or the more dynamic rushing of multiple waterfalls, the sound of water can have a calming influence on any environment.
Trickling water
A simple fountain gives the gentle sound of trickling water and, in addition, an eye-catching sculpture. All you need is an electrical source for the pump, and the pump can be hidden inside the feature.
Water fountain
The soothing sound of running water adds another experiential layer to the garden and also welcomes birds to bathe. Making a water fountain will introduce gentle babbling sounds that are not very intense, but not something that you can ignore, either.
The soothing sound of running water adds another experiential layer to the garden and also welcomes birds to bathe. Making a water fountain will introduce gentle babbling sounds that are not very intense, but not something that you can ignore, either.
Waterfalls
If you want to drown out unwanted sounds coming from outside the garden, waterfalls are the way to go. These produce strong and intense splashing sounds, and are a spectacle to behold, especially during the monsoons.
If you want to drown out unwanted sounds coming from outside the garden, waterfalls are the way to go. These produce strong and intense splashing sounds, and are a spectacle to behold, especially during the monsoons.
Plants
The rustle of leaves is one of the loveliest pieces of the natural soundscape, and you can easily add to this aspect with a few well selected plants.
For example, golden bamboo is an excellent choice to introduce into your garden for the purpose of creating a soothing rustling sound. Its dry leaves and hollow stems respond well to the breeze.
The rustle of leaves is one of the loveliest pieces of the natural soundscape, and you can easily add to this aspect with a few well selected plants.
For example, golden bamboo is an excellent choice to introduce into your garden for the purpose of creating a soothing rustling sound. Its dry leaves and hollow stems respond well to the breeze.
Sounds made by you
You might not consider the sounds you make while walking as a part of your garden, but rest assured, all the creatures sharing your garden do. Whether it’s the crunch of gravel underfoot, the thud of feet on wooden decking or paving stones, or the soft and quiet effect of stepping on wood chips – you can’t enter your garden without becoming a part of the soundscape yourself.
You might not consider the sounds you make while walking as a part of your garden, but rest assured, all the creatures sharing your garden do. Whether it’s the crunch of gravel underfoot, the thud of feet on wooden decking or paving stones, or the soft and quiet effect of stepping on wood chips – you can’t enter your garden without becoming a part of the soundscape yourself.
Unwanted sounds
Think about how you can use all these different sound devices to block out the not-so-good sounds from outside. Dense vegetation, planted as a sound barrier around your garden, water sounds and plants that attract plenty of wildlife will go a long way in filtering them effectively.
Think about how you can use all these different sound devices to block out the not-so-good sounds from outside. Dense vegetation, planted as a sound barrier around your garden, water sounds and plants that attract plenty of wildlife will go a long way in filtering them effectively.
Read more:
Zen Gardens for Urban Homes
8 Best Shade-Loving Plants for Gardens That Get Less Sunshine
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Zen Gardens for Urban Homes
8 Best Shade-Loving Plants for Gardens That Get Less Sunshine
Tell us:
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it and share your thoughts in Comments below. Join the conversation!
The wind pulls everything together. It brings not just sound, but air and movement. The sound of the wind in the garden changes daily and seasonally.
Wind chimes
Wind chimes, when activated by a breeze, can add a tinkling sound effect at night and in the daytime, adding a pleasing sound element to your garden.