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CherryBombSenior Contributor
Does anyone do any gardening for mental health?
Gardening Australia is having a special show for Mental As, which is specifcally about gardening and mental health.
Would love to hear from some gardners, or even people who just enjoy being in gardens. Would love to see some pics if anyone want to share!
@Appleblossom @Abiel @Charli @chookmojo @Mazarita (apologies if you are not a gardener, just taking a stab in the dark).
In response to: Growing your Zen Garden
TerrySenior Contributor
yes i have just four plants (and am trying to keep one of them alive at the moment). they say if you can keep a plant alive it proves that you can and are coping. I got a hardy succulent for this reason and have kept it alive. i also have a rather demanding peace lily that wants watering all the time and it has rewarded me by flowering profusely this december which seems significant and beautifully celebratory. i have another little polyp of a plant that looks like seaweed - it is also a succulent. Succulents are very independent and like their own company and don't want to talk much. If i dont manage to keep them all going i simply go out and buy another however two out of three succulents in my household are very well and don't need any help from anyone, thank you very much. they are a little joy to look at and try to tend to and provide a little diversion and occupation. I was (and am not) never a green thumb in particular but this small foray into plant life at home has given me just a taste of how rewarding it could be tending to a garden as part of one's health and happiness therapy.
In response to: Re: Growing your Zen Garden
AppleblossomSenior Contributor
Love your personalisation of plants @Terry.
I think your wise to get replacements when you want and not to read too much into whether they live or die ... sometimes I am naughty and break off a little from council plants as they are mostly easy to propagate.
Or maybe thats me just being a bit mad about being told too much about how to propagate faith ... I wanted to learn other more basic forms of propagation as well.
In response to: Re: Growing your Zen Garden
AppleblossomSenior Contributor
@Former-Member PPssst Over here!
I get the feeling your place is more Aussie bush than Zen in style ...
but probably truly Zen in Spirit
In response to: Growing your Zen Garden
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: Growing your Zen Garden
Unknown userMember
Hi @AppleblossomAppleblossom, your pics finally came through above, are they cabbage? Quite like the Japanese look pic too. This as a photo of the Rock Garden I built out front in memory of my girl. Have you been in the garden this week? We have lots of rain this week so everything is sure gonna cone along now, including the grass. Have a hood day today sista xox
In response to: Re: Growing your Zen Garden
CherryBombSenior Contributor
Oh, I'm so happy this thread has been brought back to life @Former-Member and @Appleblossom.
I love your garden @Former-Member, and the symbolism of the 'Yesterday Today & Tomorrow (forever) is amazing.
Here's a pic of some flowers I picked from my garden last year. I must admit, I haven't really done much. I think the previous occupants must have set the garden up because in winter time, the garden really comes to life all by itself.
Hmmm, who else do we know that gardens on here?
In response to: Re: Growing your Zen Garden
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
I love playing in the dirt, it makes me feel super calm.
In response to: Re: Growing your Zen Garden
AppleblossomSenior Contributor
Heu @Phoenix_Rising Thats my line .. playing in the dirt .. my new giant sandpit for grownups etc etc .. its about experimenting and lloking and caring and watching.
Its not about .. self crit re .. a seedling did not take .. or pressure .. Itry and breed my plants tough so they are drought tolerant .. etc.
Yep @Former-Member Its a weird giant cabbage plant.
In response to: Re: Growing your Zen Garden
Unknown userMember
Me.....I do too. Hadn't seen this before. This is my old garden, I loved it. Hoping to recreated bits of it one day. I just need to see if I can hold onto this place before I plant out the garden. I still have lots in pots but it's tough growing natives in pots. I lost a few this summer 😢. I just have to keep them alive one more year before I know if they can find their permanent home
In response to: Re: Growing your Zen Garden
Unknown userMember
Love your flower pics @cherrybomb and @Former-Member and know what ya mean about 'finding the right spot to plant of pots' - all that decision making lol Better in the ground though. I excelled myself today. Grass needs doing badly so got the shovel and dug out two buckets full of bindi while the ground though as soft. Still worked up a sweat. Got the messy wire & junk onto trailer for next tip trip. Potted a couple plants. Not a good photo but this butterfly and mate were bouncing around me he yard - big beautiful ones
Moving the trailer pinched my back when the little wheel got stuck in soft dirt grr - wasn't thinking. This is the culprit
Anyway, trying to lay down less, little rests then go again. Its all my mess so just have to get on top of it somehow. The garden and yard work is the best though. That's all I got for today. Night xox
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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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