The healing qualities of nature

Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery, Nankate. I love gardens and really want to lick my relatively compact council house garden into shape, but because of 3 disabled people in household, we need someone do initial heavy digging/rotivation to clear more or less virgin soil, so we can get to work, which we just can't afford at the moment. I know we could put down plastic sheet and spread gravel, but that is not the look I want. Anyone got any ideas?

A couple of weeks ago I went for a walk with a friend in the pouring rain. We were pretty miserable until we noticed that a grass verge, which had been mown only a week or two before, was covered in bee orchids. It lifted the spirits and made my day! The next week they has all disappeared

I've just read this article about 'forest bathing' - a Japanese approach to healing through walking through forests. Sounds like pure heaven ... www.betterbones.com/blog/post/Forest-bathing-healing-in-nature.aspx?

Hi NanKate, I do hope you feel better soon, we take our health for granted till something goes wrong, don't we. I love Springwatch, it encourages youngsters to take an interest in nature. If you can take a gentle stroll round your neighbourhood it gives you a chance to be proper nosy and see what others have in their garden, sometimes it gives you ideas, also the fresh air and a change of scenery is helpful, good luck with whatever you do.

Skweek1 try contacting your local Age UK, they usually have a list of recommended people able to undertake all sorts of small jobs that we are no longer agile enough to do ourselves. Alternatively, see if you have a local drop-in centre such as the one Anniebach mentioned earlier in this thread. Someone there may be happy to help.

Sufjansgranny there is a uk company that provides woodland chalet holidays that sound fantastic. I'm trying to persuade my DS and family to book one, and take me with them!

There is nothing like gardening to lift the spirits, apart from feeding the birds. I get packs of gloves from £1 shop and throw them away when they split as my nails are very fragile. If you can't get out plants can be bought on line which are very reliable. Just ask for a replacement if the plants aren't any good. Hope you feel better soon.

ANYA
Have you tried tobacco plants in your haven they really wonderful their fragrance comes out in the evening not during the day. Can't understand why they call them tobacco plants though. ??

LIke DanniRae, I also use (mainly old) rubber gloves. I wash them as Gagagran does and pop them on the line to dry. They last longer than the latex and survive my prickly plants pretty well. I have very dry hands and find that if I don't use gloves of some sort I suffer afterwards.
Do have a go in your garden. I'm sure you will feel so much better even for a few minutes at a time.

Re tobacco plants - they are all the same family. Think they're nightshades?

So glad that nature has helped you feel better. I have found that the sound of wind in the trees is so soothing - better than all the tranquilisers. Watching the birds is also calming, and as for long, waving grasses in the garden - I could nod off quite easily. Have a good weekend.

NanKate I am so pleased you have found the healing powers of nature, and the Springwatch programmes are helpful for you.

Several years ago I suffered a Stroke which left me feeling depressed and anxious. I too found solace in nature which I find is a great healer. I remember watching the Johnny Kingdom programmes which were based in the West Country, they brought me so much comfort. Slowly but surely I got stronger and more confident.

Nature has been the best medicine for me over the years as I hope it will be for you, and may you continue to grow stronger. ?

In the big picture nature will cure everything we manage to do to this planet, it mat take a million years or two, but nature will overcome.

Evening folks,
I, too, love the therapeutic benefits of nature: by my little 'sun trap', there is a bees' nest.
I have taken to noting down the flight paths, both in and out, of these tiny beings,(pardon the pun!)
It is quite relaxing to watch them going in and out every two or three minutes; going about their daily business.

Swanny we've stayed at Forest Holidays several times with our grandchildren and dog . It's wonderful. Very quiet, the lodges are beautiful and very comfortable. We love the hot tub too.

I can really recommend it.

Today my husband and I visited a village nearby that was participating in 'The Open Gardens Scheme. (The N.G.S. do them as well).
We managed to visit 15 gardens all different, with their owners willing to share their plant knowledge and advice.
There was also afternoon teas and plant sales in the village hall.
The weather was lovely and it was a really pleasant and therapeutic way to spend a few hours.