It all began with one of those curve balls life throws at you when you’re not looking. Oh, I don’t mean being a gardener. I’ve always been happiest with my hands in the dirt (in fact, family lore has it I was found under a cabbage leaf as a babe – no joke!). Rather, I mean how this tiny garden project came about.
In the the past I’ve always had ample room to create gardens; sometimes even hectares of space. Downsizing my home presented new challenges, not the least was how I could have a garden in an apartment complex. I imagined a balcony crowded with pots, cramped but do-able. I was delighted to eventually find a ground floor apartment with a tiny courtyard – just the ticket!
The courtyard had its genesis in a barren imagination – definitely not one belonging to a gardener. When I moved in, a scrap of lawn, a few misplaced shrubs and a tree in one corner was the sum of it.
So, I set about digging up turf, scraping to re-level, lugging bags of soil, heaving bricks, laying pavers, setting up irrigation, spreading stones and building a small retainer wall. I didn’t realise how handy I was. Anything I needed to know, I learnt from asking others or YouTube. Sometimes I prowled the aisles at Bunnings, accosting unsuspecting attendants or even fellow customers who might be in the know.
Then I planted.
I created my garden from plants I brought from my old abode, some that I grew from cuttings or bought at the markets, some that were plant gifts from friends, and others I inherited from ancestors and relatives who had moved on to other states, both geographical and spiritual.
Periodically, I stood back and surveyed the result as a painter might survey her canvas. Slowly the whole picture began to take shape, each element having its own story: tiny triumphs, little disasters and huge satisfaction.
I have proven a beautiful garden can be created in the smallest of spaces with very little cost. All that is needed is imagination, some resourcefulness and the will to succeed – much like living a life I think. The benefits far outweigh the effort.
It is these stories of creating and learning from gardening in my tiny space that I wish to share with you.
Found you, keep a look for the Rusty Waterfowl
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Great detective work! I’ll try to make it worthwhile.
I have both eyes open hoping for a sighting. : )
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A lovely introduction to your garden’s beginnings… shall look forward to reading how it grows.
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I appreciate your comment Gail. A garden is always full of surprises.
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A blank palate to fill with beautiful plants ( and some with history & memories). I know someday we’ll be downsizing and probably should do it sooner than later, but I have so many plants, shrubs and even trees given as gifts, that I would have to leave behind. The furniture I can live without!
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There’s something liberating about it Clare, even given the circumstance in which it occurred. Cuttings of those plants you can’t take are a good way to transport the memories with you. Many of my plants are incarnations of those belonging to relatives long since passed. I like to think some small part of them lives on in those plants. Thanks for your insightful response.
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Yes, the memories are kept inside those plants.I have my great grandmother’s white lilac, my uncles variegated hostas, my mom’s forsythia, the weeping cherry birthday gift from Charley, the azalea Mothers Day bushes form the cats and so many plants from other people’s yards. Maybe I’ll just sell the house eventually with the condition that I can return to live in the Gazebo during the summer months?
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That is some memory garden Clare!
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Clare, I agree. I know we will leave this house someday…and most of all I dread leaving my garden. I’ve even thought of volunteering to come back and weed it.
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🌺🌻🌸🌷🌼
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A garden never belongs to you. You are its custodian for a time, so a new garden will await you where ever you go Joanne
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Unfurling, thank you so much for visiting me. Did you find me via Claremary?
What a lovely garden. And what a wonderful beginning for it, plants from ones you love.
Melinda
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Hello Melinda! Yes, I follow Clare’s blog and found you there. I like the way you write. You have a great sense of self-deprecatory humour. I have only read one post so far but I’m looking forward to reading more about Strawberry Girl.
Thanks for the kind comments about my garden. Although tiny it gives me immense pleasure
Robyn
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You’re so welcome, Robyn. I’m glad you enjoyed. I do like to poke fun at myself!
I’ve found I’m enjoying my tiny garden too. I just moved in June, and I have 1 coral double hibiscus, some purple periwinkles, some white ones, and a circle of mexican heather. AS you can probably already guess, I love purple!!
Melinda
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Purple is a royal colour Melinda, you chose well. I would love to see your garden. If you’re growing hibiscus and Mexican heather you must enjoy a temperate sub-tropical climate? Good luck with the transfer of all those memories.
Robyn
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Thanks. I’m in Fl. Here is a glimpse;
Enjoy. Melinda
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Good to meet you. I write poetry at mine so feel free to visit. 🙂
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Hello Robyn! Thanks for visiting my blog and sorry it took me this long to get back to you, it’s been busy! But come hang out with me at http://www.thatssojacob.wordpress.com soon and have a great day!
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Hi Robyn, your garden is lovely and reminds me of one my aunt had prior to relocating. It was like a tiny oasis and I marveled and ever so slightly envied her creativity but it was truly a thing of beauty.
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Thank you Stephanae! My garden smoothed the transition from one life to another. Having my hands in the dirt assists my perspective.
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Well as one gardener to another, I have to follow your blog, even though you grow all the plants that I can’t. You appear to have crammed a LOT in to your courtyard and maybe I’ll get some tips from you. I am moving soon and will have a quite small plot for the first time in years! Can’t wait!
Jude xx
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I had to laugh when you noticed how much I cram into the space. That has probably been my greatest mistake. I like the overgrown look but its becoming a little overwhelming as things grow. It’s time to prune back and refine what I have in terms of structure. Good luck with the move and the new plot. It’s always exciting to begin a new garden. I look forward to hearing about it.
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Robyn, It seems like you did an amazing job! I can’t wait to read more about you and your garden!
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Thanks Jo! I see by your writing we have much in common.
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I admire your passion!
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Thank you!
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Nice to meet you, Robyn. From a fellow Aussie. Looking forward to reading more of your blog and seeing how you keep link social anthropology and gardening!
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Thank you! I am planning a visit to your site.
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Nature and fresh air makes you healthier. Nice post
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These things are essential. Architects are beginning to realise this and are incorporating all kinds of green spaces, vertical and horizontal in inner city buildings. It’s so encouraging to see.
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Yes it is!!!
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Also, thank you so much for following me.
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Beautiful. I love gardens. But forget about me ever keeping any plant alive. It’s never happened yet, and I seriously doubt that after I managed to kill the “unkillable” plant a friend gave me as a housewarming present, and a Bonsai tree, I doubt it’ll ever happen. 🤣 There’s something so peaceful about gardens.
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Don’t give up! Bonsais are notoriously needy. Plants can be like partners, you just have to find the right one for you. Keep enjoying gardens and soaking up the benefits. Thanks for visiting!
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I’m definitely enjoying the gardens! Love that analogy with partners. The Bonsai Incident happened over 20 years ago. Nothing’s changed since. 🤣 Though I do really appreciate your kind words.
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such a lovely site here 🙂
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Why thank you kind friend!
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Hey robynshaynes.wordpress.com,
Gary here from PlantCareToday.com
I’m emailing you today because we just updated our article on caring for Moth Orchids.
While researching the article, I noticed you linked to:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/orchids/spathoglottis-ground-orchids.htm
in your post here:
Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis) are often the first experience an aspiring orchid grower may have with orchid care. This native of southeast Asia is one of the most beautiful, and long-blooming orchids available for homeowners.
Review the article at:
https://plantcaretoday.com/phalaenopsis-orchid-care.html
Might make a great addition and resource to your page?
All The Best,
Gary
PlantCareToday.com
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Thank you Gary! I will add the link. Very useful.
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You have to feel so wonderful. I live in an apartment and have always wanted a herb garden… but most of my efforts at emerging life is with words. My latest is a book on silence — cultivating it in the craziness of city life, to be precise. When I read what you wrote, it resonated with what I sought to do too: grow something that would normally take much more space. Made me smile. Would you care to read the book when it comes out in July? I can mail it over 🙂
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How kind of you. Perhaps you can send me a link to where I might find it. It sounds like it’s premised on an interesting idea.
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Hello, I live in a different part of Australia ( Central Tablelands NSW) and would love to follow your blog although you grow different plants from me. Gardening is so good for the soul and endlessly fascinating.
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Hello Jane! Thanks for visiting. I’m interested in gardens wherever they are. I will visit your blog to get to know your region.
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Once a gardener, always a gardener, even if only in our minds. Glad you have a space to play in.
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The mind is the best garden to play in Lisa. Thank you for visiting
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