My motto for a very long time has been: "Playing in the dirt is my therapy and I'm in therapy a lot." I'm not often frustrated but I think one quickly forgets even the smallest frustrations or worries when enjoying nature; whether it's digging in the dirt or sitting and listening to the birds sing and gazing at the nature around us!

The truth Indeed!!!!

I've used it successfully for grief.

OK here is some thing from the days when a large part of the population dug in the dirt.
https://getpocket.com/explore/...

RpR said:OK here is some thing from the days when a large part of the population dug in the dirt.
https://getpocket.com/explore/...

I must admit that that's the first time I've actually come across the (incorrect) idea that people usually died at young ages in ancient societies.

I so agree Lin! One of the main reasons I have such a hard time in the winter is not being able to get in the garden. A walk in the woods help quite a bit when the weather permits!

I garden year 'round. I am surrounded by daylight and fresh air. You know that lovely smell right after it rains? I get that twice a week in my house. Right now I have a citrus tree blooming and a Dracena that is about to bloom and overwhelm the place. Just planted 12 cuttings yesterday. Very therapeutic!

Night Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) is currently in bloom here; we walked over to a neighbors house a few nights ago and the fragrance was absolutely heavenly!

I get dirt under my fingernails 4 or 5 days a week.

Oh I garden inside but it's not quite the same as being outside in the warm sunshine that's for sure!

I was outside digging in the dirt today ... but then, I live in Florida and we are currently having fall like weather in my part of the state. The maple trees are finally losing their leaves and many plants are in full bloom; here area few photos from my yard today ...

Plumbago auriculata (Blue Plumbago)


Thyrsacanthus tubaeformis (Red Firespike)


Tecoma capensis (Cape Honeysuckle)


Cordyline fruticosa (Ti Plant)


Hoya australis subsp. tenuipes (in a hanging basket in my pool area)-blooms are so fragrant at night.


And, the Night Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) that scents the entire neighborhood at night.

Pretty blooms. I can't imagine year-round gardening (must be lovely), but I do enjoy my four seasons. Always a give-and-take I guess.

Does 8b have 4 real seasons? I live all over the world and settled down here in WI for many reasons. One was it was the first place that actually did have 4 seasons. I like the changes and variety.

I am in the Pacific NW, which is a temperate Zone 8b. I recognize and enjoy four definite seasons, although I suppose fall and winter might be considered similar to some - wet and gloomy. We usually get a bit of snow, though, and the temps are definitely colder in winter than in fall. I've always lived in the PNW, so perhaps my read on seasons is different than someone used to being snowed in for long periods of time. I don't think I would care for that, and definitely know I would not thrive in overly hot summers.

Spring:


Summer:


Fall:


Winter: