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Unknown userMember
A SOS to any green thumbs out there
I have always found gardening to be therapeutic and it has given me great joy. However, after a major crisis with Mr Darcy's health I have not had been able to get back into it. Have other gardeners suffered from a similar hiatus and how have you recovered and got going again?
Darcy
PS have a spot that needs filling any recommendations for a 1m high cool climate white flower plant?
In response to: Self care by growing a garden
outlanderSenior Contributor
In response to: Self care by growing a garden
eudemonismSenior Contributor
In response to: Self care by growing a garden
CatcakesSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
SmcSenior Contributor
@outlander, First thing is make sure the pots are a decent size. Anything smaller than 20cm diameter will probably be too small to support a good, deep root system, and also smaller pots dry out quickly.
Really tall growing things that get deep taproots (cone shaped roots that look like carrots) won't do well in pots, so big sunflowers are not a good choice, but a lot of the seedlings sold in nurseries will be fine in pots. If you plant two or three together the pot will look more filled out and pretty- for example, put a snapdragon plant with an alyssum plant. The snapdragon will grow tall, and the alyssum will cover the soil.
Possibly best if you list a few flowers you're interested in, and others in the group can tell you which would suit pots? There's so many choices, we could be here forever listing them. 
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
Unknown userMember
Just saw this thread for the first time - what a garden idea for self care! I will be moving soon and wish to establish a small garden so will be following this thread with interest. I will go back now and read all the posts. Anyone with suggestions of plants that would do well in pots by the seaside would be very much appreciated. My inground garden plot would be in sand - something different for me. Any advice on suitable fertiliser for such to build it up would also be appreciated
In response to: Self care by growing a garden
outlanderSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
SmcSenior Contributor
@Former-Member I haven't tried seaside gardening myself, but what I've read from other gardeners is that the biggest challenge is that everything you put into the soil quickly washes out again. I've heard of some gardeners adding clay soil to their beds to help hold water and nutrients, and as a short term measure, I've heard of people digging a pit, lining it with newspapers (to slow down the water) and then infilling with soil, compost, manures etc.
General rule would be to use things like manures for fertilising. Soluble fertilisers or liquid fertilisers would wash out too quickly. The fibrous stuff that is in the manures acts like a sponge to hold the nutrients in the plant root zones for longer.
Look for any plant that has "coastal" or "sea" in its common name. Seaside Daisy (Erigeron), Coastal Banksia, Sea Kale (a vegetable, but also gets spectacular white flower heads), Sea Lavender (a type of statice). Also, once you've moved, make a point of going for morning or evening walks around your area, and pay attention to what grows well in other people's gardens, and in public gardens. If there's a town botanical garden anywhere near the coast, that will be a jackpot of information, because usually they've got all their plants labelled. If they don't, you should be able to find a gardener to ask.
In response to: Self care by growing a garden
Unknown userMember
In response to: Self care by growing a garden
outlanderSenior Contributor
In response to: Self care by growing a garden
Unknown userMember
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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