Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
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
Unknown userMember
hello @Smc @Former-Member @eudemonism @Adge @Faith-and-Hope
Time for me to have some self care in the garden again today...can't do too much..
water pots again which I enjoy...as love water...
I should have been a dolphin....
years ago when on holiday on the great ocean road we went for a swim just before dusk..swimming around enjoying the feel and smell of the sea...
next thing saw fins....aaahhhh.then diving up and back into the water....3 dolphins...they swam between us touched our legs...came back as we stayed still...they let us pat them...magical moment...so blessed to have experienced that...they felt so unusual that I cannot put it into words...no I had not had magic mushrooms...
sorry digressed...egyptian walking onions...is that a slip in translation from the egyptian text...would love to see them doing their thing laugh...
what is everyone else doing in the garden today?
In response to: Self care by growing a garden
Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
SmcSenior Contributor
@Former-Member, I love swimming too, but growing up inland, my closest encounter was putting a hand on a turtle thinking it was a rock. It was a bit startling when it swam away.
Dolphins would have been amazing.
I've had an unexplained sore spot in my back for the past two days that has slowed down my gardening and other efforts. I tried to do a bit yesterday, but was confined to tasks that I could do standing bolt upright. If I tried to bend down, the back bit me.
Feeling improved but not completely over it today, so I want to put the sprouting sweet potato I found in the cupboard into a large pot (50mm). It's a bit late in the season, given our first frosts are in April, but I may be able to put it somewhere protected as the weather cools down. We don't usually get them sprouting, but the weather's been unusually humid this summer. I think that's probably what's done it.
The other garden job I really want to do today is picking up windfall peaches and making something with them before they spoil.
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
SmcSenior Contributor
@Faith-and-Hope, As a bit of an encouragement for me, I've set up some veggie patches at my parents' house. I don't go up there over Christmas and the school holidays, but the self watering pots that I've set up (homemade imporvised from stuff Dad had around the yard) have kept a few plants alive and well. Might that we worthwhile for you? To last out the time you'd be absent, I'd think you'd want them to be at least bucket sized, maybe bigger.
There's also some potted plants at their place that are lasting out despite complete neglect. Mostly cacti and succulents, plus a few irises and a tough variety of bromeliad. Maybe you could set up a succulent trough? (Or other shaped planter according to preference.)
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
Unknown userMember
laugh @Faith-and-Hope
you could always put it out there for some creative suggestions....
the mind boggles at what will come up laugh..
could be fun
if you make another thread...as much as I hate too many threads...could be fun..
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
Unknown userMember
my gosh @Smc
how would you like to come and live here with us..
we have 5 acres that you can play with...be inventive...
in fact some egyptian walking onions might just do the trick if they self seed or bulbs spread underground...
actually you are all invited...to a garden party....come and rescue our garden...
if only in the real world...
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor
😏 @Former-Member .....
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
Unknown userMember
bromeliads have stunning flowers....I have some that are spreading out
@Smc @Faith-and-Hope
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor
I have no outside space at all @Smc @Former-Member .... and not enough inside space for buckets of water or anything .....
Its not the sameof course, but I have found little artificial potted herbs .....
In response to: Re: Self care by growing a garden
SmcSenior Contributor
@Former-Member, with all the other responsibilities taking their toll on me, I am struggling to use our 1/3 of an acre properly...
5 acres would be interesting though. Once you get bigger than houseblock size, the type of plantings and management that work change somewhat. On a block that size, I'd probably be fencing off protected areas for groves of drought tolerant productive and/or habitat and/or beautiful trees and understory, and having some sort of livestock keeping the grass down between them. A small dam somewhere might be a good idea. Maybe an adaptation of an English style hedgerow along the fencelines, with plants that suit Aussie conditions and don't turn into weeds. Close to the house, things that need attention and watering like veggie beds and the less tough fruiting or ornamental trees, plus garden beds full of flowery and attractive leafy things that will tolerate being neglected. If there's any high care flowers they'd need to be somewhere near the veggies area so that they can get fed and watered at the same time- maybe as a border around the patch.
But that's me in my fantasy 5 acres- how's your actual 5 set up? 🙂
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.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
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.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
