“Choose your favourite animal” I requested. The creative juices flowed and so began my journey into mosaicing. It was a really fun activity with my three young children 24 years ago.

Arguing over who was going to hold the hammer to smash the tiles (the favourite job of all), mixing the adhesive, then with paddle pop sticks at the ready, gluing on the tiles. The gecko, the platypus and the shark came to life when the grouting was complete. These treasured stepping stones travelled from Darwin to Murwillumbah and now take pride of place near my front verandah.

Meandering through my garden are several gravel pathways, but the rough, sharp surfaces are like walking on a coral reef. The solution? Why not more mosaiced stepping stones with their smooth, cool surface welcomed by my bare feet. Abstract designs, animals, mandalas and flowers all feature, using all the colours of the rainbow.

Sitting out on my back verandah, water feature gurgling, birds twittering, water dragons scampering and leaves rustling, mosaicing is a rewarding, relaxing activity. Both practical and attractive, it adds another dimension to my garden.

Gardeners with neat and manicured gardens beware. This plant is not for you. Like an octopus reaching out its tentacles in search of prey, this plant rambles over, under, around and between, providing a tapestry of colour during winter. Native to Central and South America, the Nasturtium was taken to Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century.

What started out as a small punnet now weaves its way through many parts of my garden. Blooms of red, orange, yellow, and watermelon, both bright and subtle. Dying down when the weather heats up, Nasturtium self seeds so it will pop up again next Autumn with new surprises of colour and position.

The leaves, flowers and seeds are all edible, with a peppery taste. Attracting beneficial insects and acting as a living mulch to suppress weeds, Nasturtium is a real winner. I love it and look forward to their arrival each year.

Stepping out of my back door in Spring into a tapestry of colour, I am met with a majestic sight. An abundance of pink and white (Apple Blossom) Hippeastrum capture my attention. Heroes in my garden for just a few weeks, the flowers bloom and multiply like clockwork every year. Hippies do best with protection from strong winds as their tall, sturdy stems are hollow. How disappointing it is when the huge flowers can be standing tall one day then knocked to the ground the next. My Hippies nestle under my sprawling Dracaena in amongst rambling Nasturtium. Native to South America and the Carribean, Hippeastrum bulbs grow very well in the Northern Rivers.

My garden is mostly quiet and dormant, like a sleeping bear in winter, with bare branches like a skeleton, stark against the sky. After the quiet months of winter, it reawakens with bursts of growth and a rainbow of colour. Every morning brings a new surprise — tiny shoots pushing through the soil, buds beginning to swell, and that unmistakable freshness in the air that only spring can bring.

Spring is the season of life, colour, fragrance and sounds. I love planning my plantings for the months ahead, moving pots around to catch the morning sun, and watching the bees return to the blossoms. It’s also a wonderful time for a good tidy-up — trimming, feeding, and gently coaxing everything back to life after its rest.

This time of year always fills me with energy and ideas, and I can’t wait to share how my garden transforms in the coming months.

There’s something truly special about spending time in the garden — that quiet rhythm of life unfolding at its own pace. My name is Helen Stubbin, and for as long as I can remember, gardening has been both my creative outlet and my peace of mind.

I started In My Garden to share the joy I find in nurturing plants, experimenting with new ideas, and simply observing the small changes that happen day by day and season by season. Whether it’s the first spring blooms, the hum of bees on a sunny afternoon, or the golden light that falls over the garden at dusk — these are the moments that make it all worthwhile.

In this space, I’ll be sharing stories, photos, and tips from my own garden. I hope they inspire you to slow down, get your hands in the soil, and discover the simple pleasures that come from growing something beautiful.

So with gloves and secateurs at the ready, let’s enter the rewarding and enjoyable world of gardening.