A Report On My Cyclone Ravaged Downunder Garden.

oh how devastating Bernieh. these beautiful plants and trees all broken . thank goodness you are ok though.

I hope that after the floods and the cyclone you are having a more peaceful time, I know the garden sadly needs help but as Helen says you are all ok and given time I'm sure your garden will recover, is there an area that is now letting in more light? or creating a vista that was blocked before maybe you could look at it a different way xxx

Oh Bernie what a shame your beautiful garden, but I echo the thought's of above, at least you are safe and your home. It may take along time but it will become your beautiful garden again....take care xx

Dear Bernie
It has been one thing after another. Plants become dear friends and to see them broken is very upsetting. But plants like people can recover .....glad your safe.
Linda x

Glad you are ok B...most importantly....:>)

Oh, this has made such very sad viewing. Thank goodness you came to no harm, I cannot imagine how you must feel each time you clear more debris away, just awful. One day at a time, Bernieh, it's the only way. Take care. : o )

You're all so kind ... thanks for the supportive comments. It's much appreciated right now ... sometimes the job just seems never ending. I know we will get there eventually though.

Helen ... yes we are definitely fine thankfully. Of course hard work never killed anyone, but we're definitely feeling it in our old bones!

Pamg ... such a positive way of looking at it. Yes there's definitely different views at the moment. The trees that are left have all been stripped of their leaves so where there was lots of shade before, we're now seeing lots and lots of blue sky, lol!

Thanks Mavis ... I'm sure I'll feel a whole lot better this time next year when the garden is fully recovered. I'm looking forward to it.

Linda ... it is a bit like losing dear friends. I'm still weeping over the loss of my beloved white Bauhinia. That will be a reall loss for my garden.

Motinot ... thanks also for you kind thought. Yes at least the devastation of some areas in the garden is the worst of it ... it could have been far far worse as it has been for those who live further north of us! They have lost their homes and precious belongings which must be absolutely devastating for them.

Shirley ... I've been shedding a few quiet tears I have to admit, but most of the time I'm just too tired to get any more upset! At least there's still a few lovely spots left ... my greenhouse garden was not touched, so that's something!

Im devastated for you Bernieh, Those lovely trees that took so long to grow, just wiped out like that, so sad, heres me moaning about a bit trellis blowing over and a few plants that are easily replaced, and the wildlife suffering too, tut tut.. Bu**er!!! Will you replace with the same plants? or go for hardier plants, like the one's that have survived through the Cyclone..

Hi YoungDaisy. Replacing is going to be difficult as the ground is now so compacted and extremely difficult to dig into, especially along both sides of the gravel driveway ... and there's rock everywhere.

I'm thinking of perhaps adding groundcovers here and there to fill in some of the empty spots. I do also have some Croton and Pentas cuttings that I've been growing for a little while now and they may just be what's needed if I can find a few spots to dig a hole for planting. Both these have proven to be quite tough survivors here ... and I rather like them.

It's early days yet, though, so we'll have to see just how it all works out as we clear more and more of the debris.

I really feel for you Bernieh but the safety of you, family and your home is obviously good to hear. At the moment it is obviously distressing and also hard work but as you say the plants will grow again albeit different choices in some cases.
Take care xx......

can you grow things in big pots Bernie ( less weeding) until the trees and shrubs regrow--- provides instant colour anyway----

So sorry about your ravaged garden berneih, after all your hard work getting it just how you wanted. Lets hope that now the weather will improve and you will soon have it looking healthy again....

You will think of something, just need to get over the shock :( Yeah ground cover is a good start and as Pamg said, maybe pots this year, untill you have a plan :) Im thinking about the cost !!! :)

im so sorry for you bernieh, i would be in tears if it were me to, but knowing you it wont get you down for to long once you get your thinking head on, i wish you well ;o)) x

Bernieh, I don't know what to say that could bring any comfort to you. I'm so sorry you have lost all this, but at least you and your family have come through a terrible experience relatively unscathed. As we all know, nature heals itself in many different ways, lets hope it does, for your wonderful garden. X

Good luck with the cleanup :o)

how terrible for you...soo much work.....but at least you are safe.....x x

Devastating when so much work and love has been put into a project - but you're still here and some things will recover. Be strong. :o))

I Can't just imagine how devastated you must be to see your wonderful garden torn apart, but the main thing is your family is save and unhurt, with your TLC and hard work I m sure that most of the damage will begin to repair its self xx

So sorry to see your damage Bernieh I am sure your hardwork will restore your super garden and as you say bad as it is, it could have been so much worse, you and your family are all safe and able to repair and replace nature's ravages, good wishes with all that work..... hugs too x

I've just seen the devestation in your garden! What a real shame, years of growth and work gone, you poor thing, no wonder your heartbroken, I would be that's for sure! The most important thing is, that you and your family are safe! All the best for the future!

Thank you so much kind people ... it's so lovely receiving so many supportive and emphathetic comments. Hubbie and I have been working hard at clearning the mess ... mostly hubbie, I have to say as so many of the branches are very heavy! We've worked our way down the long gravel driveway into the property, but there's still lots more work to do in other spots around the place.

The pile of green waste that's now out on the road edge waiting for the local council trucks and loaders to pick up is huge ... and I mean Mt Everest huge!!!! We've actually run out of space and the road edgings here are very wide.

Our local council have been very busy collecting green waste from footpaths and road edges ... they then turn it all into mulch which is free for anyone with a trailer to come and collect. Re-cycling at its best!

Isn't it good how good things come out of tragedies!