Gardening to divert depression

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  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited November 2011

    Hello everyone!   Glad I found this thread...I love to garden.  Mostly I do it when we are at our summer home in N. Carolina.  Everything grows so beautifully in the mountains.  If I can figure out how, I will post some photos of my peonies in full bloom, and also my prize dahlia.  I have a beautiful perreneal garden that blooms all summer with different kinds of flowers that you can't grow in Florida.  I love the daylillies!

    Now that we're back in Florida for the winter, I have limited space to plant, but I did put in some vinca flowers (red) that should grow all through winter into the summer months.  My DD has a ranchette with 2 acres and has talked about planting a vegtable garden for several years, but never quite gets around to it.  I am going to volunteer to help her plant it so we can have organic vegetables for cooking.  My GD who is a vegeterian will love it, as will my GS who likes to do projects like this with his Mom.

    3jaysmom:  I love pansies...didn't know they would grow in Florida (too hot) let me know if you have luck with them.  Probably need a shady spot away from hot sun.  I call them happy flowers because I feel happy when I see them.  Also, I had an orchid plant my GD gave me that lost its flowers.  I put it outside under the tree and it bloomed again last year.  This year when I returned to Fl, it looked dead.  Do you think it will bloom again? 

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  • Maya2
    Maya2 Member Posts: 468
    edited November 2011
    Yes 3jays, it is the heat that takes out the pansies. The 80s will cause them to have smaller flowers, get leggy and eventually croak. But if the greenhouses are selling them where you live, they will probably do fine. And you likely won't have to knock ice and snow off them in sunny land. Cool
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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited November 2011

    Hi! Cherie, Maya ! I think pansies loves winter season. In my place we used to plant pansies only during cold season.  But I nver try to grow pansies in my garden as it needs lot of care. I love crysanthemum, dahlia, roses. I have just picked few plants and planted it in the pots. I have made 2/3 beds in which I threw seeds  of  spinach, mustard, peas, corriender leaves, beans , tomatoes , balsam (local one) etc. by  not spoiling the original  landscape at the  backyard of our construction site. It is on a bit  sloppy but we made temporary steps to climb up to the space.I  have to be  there at the site continuesly these daysjust to speedup the work. Almost major postion have been finished but interior takes much time. So  waiting my sons arrival to  the site atleast once to have their opinion. 

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited November 2011

    oh sneh; im so excited for you! you're getting your new home; along with a place to plant!!!

       i haven't tried to even find the pansies, yet, Kaara; but Maya has had lots of luck with them.. gonna try soon to plant them.. thank goodness its been so rainy; i don't think i've gone out my front door(not even to water) in 2 weeks, except to drs. or diner out... maybe this wkend. Mur has fri off, and extra day...

      for those of you who follow my cleaning projects in the house MTCOUCH IS OFFICIALLY GONE!!!

     SO, NOW, WE'LL HAVE A LOVESEAT FOR COMPANY, (WHICH WE HARDLY EVER HAVE!!!)  a very dear friend was the last person to sleep on it before it made its way out.. and, we'll have our 2 easy chairs to watch tv with.. our liv rm/din rm is so samll.. im looking forward to less chaos, more order.. all around.. maybe the chaos in my head will subside some, then.... have a grat week everyone............3jays

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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited November 2011

    Yeah Cherie, I agree with your ideas of having less household chao. I know it is really big headace for us at this stage. We should always try out something which is feasible for us. I dont mind having  small  din.rm or living room , we should have as per our convenient to fit the requirement as we are not expecting frequent guests like in our peak times( I mean  our past periods) . That,s why we have built only two bedrooms, one din cum lvn room, a small kitchen besides two bathroom/toilets. I dont still trust on the service of  maid servant , as it is wastage of time and money, so I will have the way I dont need to do more.

    If there is rain over there, the weather must be too cold. We have dry & cold weather these days. Day time is somewhat okay but  we need blanket in night.

    Have a nice day dear....

    sneh

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  • Maya2
    Maya2 Member Posts: 468
    edited November 2011

    Hi Sneh & Cherie! Sneh, I'm so happy for you! Your house is nearly complete!

    3jays, hope it stops raining long enough for you to plant those pansies. So the couch is gone. Sigh.

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited November 2011

    good to see you both!!!don't worry, i have the hospital bed for anyone in the guest room, and a tv all set up.. and there's always the loveseat, which is big enough for me to snooze on.. so, its all good!

       its getting cool, but not cold here. fall weather, and a little less rain.. still no pansies, but soon,,....3jays

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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited November 2011

    3jays!   as soon as your treatment is over, you try to jump out of the hospital bed as fast as you can, I did jump out on the third day of the major operation with 3 plastic bottles with pipe which connects  in my rt.breast, second in my arm pit and third one my back and walking at hospital corridor/stairs. That time, no one was there to support me morally, like I am getting from you all. So,whole 15 dyas, I was listening to slow rock  songs of Steve Wonder . I do like "Dont worry , be happy".... When Everyone  saying  " brave lady" to me, I had just smile as if  I am,  but it  was not inside me  at all.  I was always scare about my future. They didnt see through me. So ! look ! now it is almost 5 and 7 months past, I am happy and sharing with you all, almost forgotten those unfaithfull days. So dont worry be happy !

     Get well fast and start dancing like a girl ..Laughing

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited November 2011

    hey, sneh: im WAY over treatment, unfortunately, because of the MS; ii now sleep in a hospital bed. My DH and i have 2 together, to make a king; AND we have one in our guest room... hoping Maya or you would fill it one day!!!!

        thigs are "just" ok right now, but i AM trying to be happy, and not worry!!!its' such a joy to see you both back here. you've been sorely missed...hows the planting at the new house going?

       it was cool here, all wkend, but just a little cold front that'll clear up soon....no rain, so i had to water... at least it gets me out of the house for a bit. ive become a recluse......3jays

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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited November 2011

    Here dry weather whole day with no sunsine , feeling so cool because of  which I was down with cold fever and  had to take antibiotics . Feeling okay  since yesterday and  I am flying high  with my household cores. Winter has just started which will  last till end of Feb.   Waiting for my eldest son for his opinion on sanitary designs, false ceiling as well electric fitting etc. Probably, we will take the house by Jan,2012 as  year  2011 seems to be a bad year.. so decided to skip this year.

    The seeds  which I had shown last week has just germinated. I have to wait another 2 months to see them growing. It is feeling very good to see them in the garden. I have propogated few chrysanthemums by stem cutting. .. really dont know whether it will flower or not as I never have any experience of gardening.  I copied the ideas mostly  from net. Smile

    sneh,

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  • Maya2
    Maya2 Member Posts: 468
    edited November 2011

    I love gardening, even when the weather doesn't cooperate. Planted more pansies today. Still want more. They seem so happy and with grey weather approaching, their bright faces make my day.

    FlowerPansies.jpg image by GrandPrixRidesFree

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited November 2011

    hi gals: my MIL went to the hospital this wkend; so, no time to shop for pansies..hope to get them this week..you're right, Maya; they're such a pretty, "happy " plant. i do hope they do well here in cool months!!!

       I'm glad you're feeling better, sneh. the idea of starting in the house in Jan. sounds wonderful.. the beginning of a new adventure!!! what will your husband do, travel to work, are you close enough, or will he retire???

      be well, my gals........................3jays

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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited December 2011
    Hi! Maya & Cherie!  I was so occupied with the finishing touch work of our house. We have no plan for any travel right now but  will be going out of the city in mid Ja,2012 if all the  works is over well in time as per our target set. My husband is in sports business after he took voluntary retirement from Bank Job since 2006. I will get my retirement in 2018, eagerly waiting for it as I want to be at home peacefully , doing lot of gardening etc... Office work is quite hectic, sometimes I feel to resign from the job but for the sake of my health I quit. Smile
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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited January 2012
    its so good to see you here, snh..Happy New Year!!!!i sent you a pm...cherie/3jays
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  • Maya2
    Maya2 Member Posts: 468
    edited January 2012

    Hi Sneh, good to see you back on the message boards. Are you moved into your new house? I'm due to retire in 2017. Also want a place where I can garden a lot.

    Cherie, are the pansies surviving your warm winter? What colours did you choose?

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited January 2012
    hi maya: sorry to say, i;ve been too sick to even try... but got the christmas tree up, instead.hahahah...3jays/cherie
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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited January 2012

    Hi Cherie ! cheer up ! You know when I was very ill in my school days,  bed ridden for about 1 month.. my father  said to me  one word ..."baby this is nothing .. see.. when you are dying you should feel that you are not then only  you will be alright and be able to join  with your friends". I still keep his words in my heart and applied it  when I was in hospital bed I felt too good. So dont be upset ! just cheer it up as we are borne for once only.

    Hi! Maya!  It is good for you You may not be knowing how fast time goes.  You can start planning on what to do after the retirement.

    Shifting got stuck due to our religion as  we  are bound  to wait for the auspicous date for it. May be by end of this month depending  on  the date fixed by the  "Pujari" ( the one who chant hindu prayers).

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited January 2012

    thank you, sneh.. ill find comfort also, in what your father said to you..

      i think its wonderful to have your new home "dedicated" by prayers.. well worth waiting for  !!!cherie

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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited January 2012

    How do you feeling today !  Still has the same problem...How is weather over there ?

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  • Maya2
    Maya2 Member Posts: 468
    edited January 2012

    I once worked for a business that had a First Nation medicine man come bless the new office before we moved it. I liked that a lot.

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited January 2012

    hi sneh, maya... still feeling the same. im afraid that wont change any time soon, no matter what txs we finally decide on.. the thyroid/prednizone is working, slowkly, but is a devil to live thru!!!

      had a big celebration today, and went, but boy oh boy, am paying for it... tommorrow im sleeping in, a bit.. but we have yet another friends funeral to go to at 11:00.. im sick of burying friends, but i guess its just a sign i've lived this long, right?

      hope all is well with the two of you.. its been a cold xmap here, in the 50's and all the plants are covered. it  out a forced bloom on my passion vine,and hibiscus, but by sunday the sheets can come down again.. i've neglated the garden terribly, in the past few monts, but when the xmas dec. come down monday, i can start taking off dead leaves, and watering more..... be well, both of you.....3jays/cherie

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  • Maya2
    Maya2 Member Posts: 468
    edited January 2012

    You need to get in your garden as quickly as possible. Even dead-heading plants can take our minds off our troubles. I can't do much right now, but cleanup on a nice day. We've had temps in the 20s, but the herbs are still holding on.

    I'm sorry that you've lost a friend. Cry Sometimes it seems that the losses just don't stop. Getting my fingernails dirty always seems to help, even in winter.

    Sending a hug sweetie. M

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited January 2012

    i have been gardening as i can. being connected in the garden, helps me remember how connected we are in life!!! got my neighbors light down today, but convinced her to keep the ones in her inside garden up.. i love the ones in mine sooo much!!!!

      rommorrows a drs. day, but then wed out to deadhead, and trim the front.. the temps are warm enough to do at least that! thats' one of the good things about so fla.. garden all year!.....3jays

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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited January 2012

    Temperature goes down to 7 degree celcious in minimum  and 18 in maximum , very dry  , no sunlight, feeling quite dull to do  any work. I have to  give water to my plants every morning or evening as they are drying. I feel pity for them.. as  most  of them  are not happy in the tubs , so I have to replace them  in the garden. Maya and Cherie ! take care!

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  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited January 2012

    May I join you? I love to garden, but it's snowing off and on here. I love African violets, but my cat ate my last one along with several other houseplants. My DD gave me a terrarium with a fern and 2 African violets. Now I can enjoy the blooms without worrying they'll be gone in the morning. 

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited January 2012
    glad to have you here, wren.. not a very active thread...hahaha but we all love to garden!.......3jays
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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited January 2012

    Hi! Wren! How do you Do? Thanx  for being here. I had assumed that no one likes this thread but I was wrong . You are most welcome to join .. you can express about your ideas on how we get relief on the topic Gardening. Whenever I spray water in my plants, I always feel very good and satisfied as my plants are growing happily. My plants are happy too. I used to start from seedling. I feel really happy and relief seeing  propogation process of the seeds. Its is quite natural. I used to do stem propogation partcularly of big plants.

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  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited January 2012

    I'm loving my terrarium and the mini tulips my SIL sent me at Christmas are blooming a cheery red. I'm reading seed catalogs--always a dangerous thing to do. I tend to order more than I should. I love vegetables and we have a good climate for plants that don't need a lot of heat. I grew up in Oklahoma where okra is almost a weed, and it's insanely expensive when the stores here have it at all.

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  • Maya2
    Maya2 Member Posts: 468
    edited January 2012

    Hello Wren, how are you doing in all that snow?

    Glad to see you back Sneh. I used to start all my plants from seed, but just didn't have enough window space for everything I wanted, so use seedlings now. Are you moved into your house? Hope it all went smoothly.

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  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited January 2012

    No problems for me with the snow. I live in a fairly flat part of the city and there are very few trees large enough to be a problem. It's raining today and almost melted. Just a little slush left. Very different story in some of the towns at higher elevations.

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