[FESTIVAL] What if we all planted a tree in our garden? As a host how do you act for sustainability?

[Laëtitia-Stephy0]

This year, a fantastic community Leader came to visit us at our home in Carcassonne, France.

We became friends thanks to the Olympic Games, an extraordinary opportunity to bring people together, and we've been trying to stay in touch ever since.

We were able to show them the Mediterranean garden we created with my children. It's an area on the property where we've planted plants typical of our region that require very little water : lavender, thyme, rosemary, olive tree, and almond tree. We were also able to purchase a water collector and grow aromatic herbs for everyone to use (mint, parsley, chives, etc.).

With his wife, who takes great care of nature, they offered us a tree. @Till-and-Jutta0 had thought of everything: soil, tools, and gloves so we could share this activity. We planted it in the garden together with my son—a GREAT MOMENT rooted in sustainability. This surprise was made with the aim of giving roots to our Friendship. It's a Callistemon (bottlebrush in French), and it's already very popular with butterflies and our guests!

Our village has already experienced flooding, the land needs to regain green spaces, we are trying to contribute to this at home. Year after year, we learn and share the right actions: Every little detail counts, we enrich the earth with our food leftovers and our coffee pods, and you?

Well, our friendship will grow, and this tree will offer its resources to passing bees. This is our collective contribution to the Earth and sustainability.

Finally, gardening is also a good way to raise awareness among our guests, moreover we have interesting discussions.

What if we all planted a tree for a better future, that of Fraternity with Airbnb?

[Andrea6232]

Cycas Revoluta in Venice

Buongiorno @Laëtitia-Stephy0,

in our tiny garden in Venice, we only have one pomegranate tree (there's no room for more 😂), but last year I brought a beautiful potted Cycas Revoluta from Rome. I was a little worried about the harsher climate in Venice, but I can see that it's growing really well now 😍. I don't know how much it will contribute to Earth sustainability, but I'm happy about it.

Andrea

[Laëtitia-Stephy0]

Buongiorno  @Andrea6232 ,

C'est déjà un premier pas, en végétalisant autour de nous on contribue à oxygéner nos espaces de vie.

C'est également apaisant pour nos voyageurs. 

Bravo à toi. 

À bientôt 

Laëtitia 

[Google translation]

Good morning   @Andrea6232 ,

This is already a first step, by planting vegetation around us we contribute to oxygenating our living spaces.

It is also soothing for our travelers. 

Well done to you. 

See you soon 

Laëtitia 

[Alex]

Hi @Andrea6232! That's a beautiful plant. I remember my dad used to have a bonsai. It survived for many years, but it's really delicate. Since it's a small tree and you are concerned about space, maybe it's the type of tree you need! 😃

[Guy991]

Hello @Laëtitia-Stephy0 

Great topic, and I like that you actually bring sustainable awareness through action and not just words.

In our garden we grow simple things like cherry tomatoes and broccoli, and we encourage our guests to enjoy them as much as they like. We give them the experience of picking fresh produce and appreciating micro gardening. I am a strong believer in micro gardening because it has many advantages, one of them being that it can be introduced to children from a young age, helping them build a real connection to nature. We do not preach it, we do not overexplain it, we simply let them enjoy it and hopefully take this wonderful experience back home.

[Laëtitia-Stephy0]

@Guy991 bonjour,

Merci pour ton témoignage. 

Comme tu dis, laisser les voyageurs jardiner spontanément et être là pour partager nos ressources et savoirs.

Bravo à toi 👏🏽

Laëtitia 

_______________________________________________________________________
 
Google Translation added by Community Manager:   

Certainly! Here’s your translation in native British English:

@Guy991 hello,

Thank you for sharing your experience.

As you said, letting guests garden spontaneously and being there to share our resources and knowledge.

Well done to you 👏🏽

Laëtitia

Let me know if you’d like a more formal or informal tone, or any tweaks to make it sound even more local!

[Alex]

Hi @Guy991! 

I always enjoy so much reading your contributions to various topics! 🤗

My family has always practiced micro-gardening, and I remember how my grandma used to show me how to grow eggplants, tomatoes, and grapes during my childhood. It was so pleasant to eat the vegetables we grew, and I remember those days with a lot of joy. 🥹

Including these fresh vegetables is something truly special that guests must enjoy a lot. Are there any other vegetables you’re thinking of growing? 🍅 

[Guy991]

Hello @Alex ,

Glad to hear that your grandma was such a positive influence in your upbringing.

Yes, eggplants are also easy, and we grow those too. We also have raspberries, black raspberries, grapes , radish  and spinach. Every season we try new things. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail. For example, with red peppers we are still trying to figure out why they are not growing.

We love our garden, and so do our guests. On the day of check-in I send a message with the produce that is ready for them. Sometimes we just harvest and share with guests when we see them, or during check-in. Welcoming guests with a few fresh broccoli from the garden is always funny and unexpected for them.

And yes, every year we plant a new tree.

@Emilie  and @Alex , do you know this wonderful phrase?

There are two moments to plant a tree. The first was 15 years ago, when you could already be enjoying its fruit. The second is now.

All the best,

[Till-and-Jutta0]

Thank you so much for your contribution, @Laëtitia-Stephy0 !

This remembers to a best-seller book published back in 1985 by the German science journalist Hoimar von Ditfurth So laßt uns denn ein Apfelbäumchen pflanzen – Es ist soweit (So let us plant an apple tree – The time has come).

The author begins his book with the words “End times... things are not looking good for us.” Nuclear war, environmental destruction, population explosion, and the inability of human society to respond appropriately threaten the survival of the human species.

What makes his work special is the philosophical second part of the book, which explores the question of whether humanity as a collective is capable of changing its behavior, as this is a fundamental prerequisite for its survival.

So let’s continue planting trees - literally and figuratively - as a sign of hope and confidence in a better future, where we live in peace and fraternity!

[Adeline-Et-Stéphane0]

Bravo pour ta publication Laëtitia.

J'ai accompagnée une amie pour la mise en place de son airbnb. Et je lui ai tout naturellement amené un olivier pour marquer le début de cette aventure.

Chez moi ils ont accès aux arbres fruitiers et ils sont souvent charmés par nos figues.

Je n'ai pas la main verte mais maman qui habite juste à côté est en charge du jardin, des arbres et des fleurs, primordiaux pour un logement en pleine campagne !

[Translation] 

Congratulations on your post, Laëtitia.

I helped a friend set up her Airbnb. And naturally, I brought her an olive tree to mark the beginning of this adventure.

At my house, they have access to fruit trees and are often charmed by our figs.

I don't have a green thumb, but my mom, who lives next door, is in charge of the garden, trees, and flowers—essential for a home in the countryside!

[Karan173]

@Laëtitia-Stephy0 My listing is in Goa, India and it’s a very tropical environment here. 

There was enough land in our property to build another house but we chose instead to plant a ton of local tropical trees(4 years ago) and today it is the highlight of our listing! 

Guests just love to hang out in our garden, and it also adds to the natural charm of being in a tropical environment. 

Of course, the lush dense garden comes with its fair share of issues like mosquitoes and bugs, but we mention that in our listing description and inform the guests when they arrive. We also provide mosquito repellant and advise on “mosquito hours”.

 Because to coexist is the way forward for humanity- and that means with all forms of life.