As global anxieties and economic pressures continue in 2026, renowned gardening expert Sabrina Hahn proposes a powerful, accessible antidote: getting your hands dirty in the garden. In a recent piece for The West Australian, Hahn argues that redirecting focus to the controllable aspects of our immediate environment—like cultivating a green space—can significantly enhance our sense of purpose and mental wellbeing.
The Therapeutic Power of Connecting with Soil and Life
Hahn, a trusted voice for Australian gardeners, emphasises that interaction with nature has proven, beneficial effects on emotional and psychological health for all ages. The act of gardening creates a calm space for immersion, pulling focus away from despair and towards growth and observation.
She highlights that the process begins by witnessing your garden's evolution through the seasons. This journey introduces you to a complex web of ecological partnerships, from the millions of microscopic organisms in the soil to the arrival of spiders, beetles, native bees, and birds. This connection not only enriches your understanding but fosters an appreciation for your role within a diverse planet.
Starting Small and Supporting Local Biodiversity
You don't need a vast estate to begin. Hahn stresses that a gardening journey can start with just a few pots, a compact courtyard, or a neglected garden patch. Her key advice is to always seek local expert guidance on suitable plants, optimal planting spots, and soil improvement.
As your garden develops, it becomes a sanctuary for urban wildlife. Your green patch contributes to cooling the environment, restoring crucial biodiversity in cities, and providing you with a dedicated space to relax and switch off. This engagement with plants and wildlife produces deeply calming and restorative effects, enhancing awareness of our place in the broader ecosystem.
Sabrina Hahn's Practical Gardening Tips for Right Now
Hahn includes actionable advice for gardeners in her column. Her tip of the week is that starting a garden need not be expensive; opt for smaller plants, grow from cuttings or seeds, and make your own compost.
She also lists three key jobs to do now:
- Hill up soil around tomato and corn plants to encourage extra roots that support developing fruit and cobs.
- Grow lettuce in pots placed in semi-shade and water daily to prevent them from bolting to seed prematurely.
- Deadhead flowering plants like ivy geraniums, calibrachoa, and petunias to encourage continued blooming.
For those seeking personalised advice, Hahn invites questions for her 'Green With Envy' column inside Saturday’s The West Australian. Submissions can be sent to 'Ask Sabrina' at GPO Box D162, Perth, 6001, or via email to home@wanews.com.au, including your full name and suburb.
