Sabrina Hahn's Easter Garden Guide: From DIY Cubbies to Plant Stalking
Gardening expert Sabrina Hahn suggests that many Australians will opt to stay home this Easter weekend rather than travel, citing concerns like fuel supply issues, rising prices, floods, cyclones, and increased food costs. She views this as a sensible decision and encourages turning it into an opportunity for a memorable holiday by focusing on fun, garden-based activities that often get overlooked in busy schedules.
Creative Backyard Activities for Easter Fun
For those who enjoy camping, Hahn recommends setting up a tent in the backyard, firing up the barbecue, and inviting friends or neighbours over for an evening under the stars. To make the garden come alive for children, she proposes an Easter egg trail with chocolate surprises hidden in secret spots, mimicking rabbit behavior. Additionally, leaving materials for building a DIY cubby or campsite can spark creativity and provide a festive nesting area for kids.
Smart Plant Shopping and Garden Revamping
With most nurseries and shops open during Easter (except Good Friday), Hahn highlights this as an ideal time to rejuvenate a summer-stressed garden. She advises against impulse buying and stresses the importance of planning when replanting. Become a plant stalker, she suggests, by researching factors like growth height and width, flowering frequency, soil preferences, and sun exposure before purchasing. This approach, akin to Tinder-dating your plants, helps avoid wasting money on unsuitable choices.
Embracing Nature's Calm and Connection
Hahn encourages making it a priority to simply sit quietly in the garden during Easter, engaging with surroundings by listening, smelling, and observing. She notes that in our chaotic lives, we often forget the simple joys of doing nothing. We are all inherently connected to nature, she says, explaining that it calms us, reminds us of our origins, and honors those who came before. Whether going on a bushwalk or having a family lunch under a tree, spending time outdoors refuels us with hope, joy, and a sense of community.
Tip of the Week and Essential Garden Jobs
Hahn's tip for the week is to discover the simple joys of home, share food and laughter with loved ones, and practice humility and kindness freely. She also lists three key garden tasks:
- Keep cutting dahlia blooms and bring them indoors as they make excellent cut flowers lasting up to two weeks.
- Save space in your garden for potential purchases at the Perth Garden Show from April 17-19 at McCallum Park.
- Fertilize lawns now to extend their growing season before cold weather slows growth in winter.
For those with gardening questions, Hahn invites submissions to her column, Green With Envy, in Saturday's The West Australian, though she notes not all queries can be answered due to volume.
