Sensitive Canberra: Your guide to creating a chronic illness inclusive sensitive garden
Posted on
Life with chronic illness can come with fatigue, pain and limited mobility, so maintaining a garden might feel like another impossible task on the list, especially if you don’t have a green thumb.
But plants, fresh air, sunshine, vitamin D and moments outdoors are another important aspect of health and self-care.
Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese word for forest bath, a mindful practice of spending time in nature for wellbeing, engaging your senses, slowing down and being present. For me gardening is embracing messiness, growth, patience, flow and quiet purpose – chronic illness in a nutshell.
Chronic illness chic is about designing each part of life in an inclusive, accessible, delightful way, so this article explores gardening within your abilities. From indoor plants and balcony gardens to larger spaces, or being part of a community garden, let’s discover ways to bring a bit of nature into spoonie life.
Gardening, adapted
Just as I adapt my daily routine around my condition, learning to garden has been a process. I’m lucky to have a husband who loves looking after our garden and doing the heavy lifting, so my contribution is gentle and accessible – basically picking flowers, pruning and any light, fun tasks.
Asking for help, especially with more physical tasks, is essential in chronic illness life. Whether it’s your partner, loved ones helping in exchange for snacks, or hiring a gardener, assessing how much you can do in a day without taking spoons from other areas of life, is an ongoing balancing act.
One of the biggest lessons chronic illness teaches us is the importance of pacing, and the gentle art of gardening is a great time to practice. Breaking tasks down into manageable parts and enjoying the process – say, weeding a small section each day instead of attempting the entire bed in one go – is sage advice if you are a classic Type A over-doer like me. And guess what, it doesn’t need to be perfect.
I dress for the weather, stay nourished, hydrated, and sun protected (with hypo-allergenic products), use a folding chair or kneeling pad, time gardening for my most energised part of the day, and listen to my body and symptoms. If I’m feeling a flare-up, the garden will be there tomorrow. Luckily, Canberra has winter where I, and the garde,n can hibernate, saving my energy for the wild growth of summer.
Accessible design and expert landscaping advice
Your garden could be a place where you feel comfortable, safe, and at ease, with thoughtful design transforming a potential obstacle course into an accessible and inviting space.
Design starts with how you and your family would love to use your garden and your specific needs. Is there a sunny spot you would like to sit with loved ones for meals and gatherings or read in the afternoons? Do you enjoy growing herbs or produce? Will you use the space for outdoor activities or BBQ-ing?
Accessible design can include features such as wide paths, ramps, specific materials, furniture or coverage, raised beds and container gardens. These are great options for chronic illness gardeners, reducing bending and kneeling by raising plants to a comfortable, seated height.
Dan Cusack (AKA Dan The Plant Man) Director of Get Plants Delivered says that “A well-planned garden can help set you up for success.”
“Make sure you have solid pathways – concrete may be best to reduce trip hazards– to move around the garden with less fuss or stress and consider raised beds to help take some of the strain away from gardening. Not only that but your plants will love it too, as they will have access to much better soil and improved drainage.
“You may even want to consider a wicking bed product like a ‘Food Cube,’ which is a wicking bed and once set up, only requires topping up with water around once a week, which saves a lot of time and stress.”
His other advice is to make sure you start small so it doesn’t become overwhelming
“Be sure to stop every now and then to enjoy the wins, whether it be fresh herbs for the kitchen, or a new flower on one of your plants. It’s important to stop every now and then and reflect on what you’ve achieved.”
Working with a garden designer like Dan could help you optimise your space by considering the layout, how the sun and wind move through your garden throughout the day and year, soil, drainage, water use, easy care plant options and seasonal planting.
Experts can also advise on more technical approaches such as low-maintenance and water planting, native species, self-seeding and perennial varieties, natural pest control, soaker hoses and drip irrigation, or No Dig gardening, which reduces weeding and enhances soil over time.
Organic or natural approaches and growing your own produce
For many chronic illness and allergy warriors, weed spray, insecticides, and other garden chemicals are immune triggers. So organic, more natural or permaculture approaches can be helpful.
In our garden, we use fragrant herbs around our deck area, remove water sources and clear leaf litter to reduce insects. Simple household items such as vinegar or boiled water can be used for weeds, especially on gravel or in between pavers. Ask the experts at your local nursery for suggestions suited to your space, especially if you have children or pets.
Dan says you should consider using plants in your garden that also act as prioritising natural pest deterrent.
“You could use companion planting, such as marigolds to repel nematodes and nasturtiums as a trap crop for aphids,” he explains.
“Herbs like rosemary and lavender can also help naturally deter pests, and they also smell great! You also want to try and encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to create a self-regulating ecosystem, for a healthy, chemical-free garden”.
Growing your own edible plants feels amazing at whatever scale suits you. I have a few herbs near the kitchen to use in cooking and teas, but some people might have the energy to grow a veggie patch. Nurseries such as Rodneys Plants Plus in Pialligo can recommend easy-to-maintain or small space options such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, and strawberries, along with tips for when to plant and harvest.
Indoor plants
Potted plants or herbs are a fantastic way to bring nature indoors, and many varieties can improve indoor air quality, perfect for chronic illness and allergies. Just one plant on your desk or in the kitchen can bring calm and a touch of Shinrin-yoku to your day.
“I always recommend folks consider a Spathiphyllum, AKA Peace Lily, indoors. They are fantastic at air-purifying and are also quite dramatic – they flop over when they need a drink, so they can act as a good reminder to water your other plants,” says Dan.
“They are one of the toughest of the indoor plants, so can be pretty forgiving if you neglect them for a little while.”
Community gardening
Joining a community garden or a local gardening group can provide valuable social connection, shared knowledge, and a sense of belonging. It’s a wonderful way to connect with others, and you might even connect with other chronic illness chicks who understand the nuances of adapting activities to fit their lives. Community gardens often have shared tools and the ability to be involved in a way that suits your abilities, schedule and energy.
Ergonomic tools
Investing in tools designed for ease and comfort can make a big difference when gardening with chronic illness and pain. Look for lightweight options and long handles to reduce strain and bending, plus padded grips to protect your joints. There are tools with arm supports and lightweight trolleys to carry your chair, water bottle, plants and implements, allowing gardeners to comfortably work seated or standing.
A breath of fresh air
Gardening with chronic illness is the perfect time to take a breath of fresh air and feel grounded, even on stressful or symptomatic days. Enjoying our garden through the window is a joy, whether at our desks, washing the dishes, or having a flared afternoon in bed (IYKYK). Seeing our garden change and grow through the seasons has been an unexpectedly beautiful thing for my husband and I to experience, and as we become more confident gardeners, we’re dreaming, planning and designing for the future.
Until next month, we’d love you to share your Sensitive Canberra tips and your favourite garden moments. Connect with Lisa on Instagram @chronicillness.chic or simplicity.canberra@gmail.com
Disclaimer. These articles don’t include medical advice. Please consult your medical team, or Sensitive Choice (National Asthma Council Australia) for verified allergy inclusive products.
