DALBY Garden

30/04/2026

25/04/2026

One of the most protective things you can have in your life is something that depends on you to thrive.

A person. A pet. A garden. A community project. It doesn't matter what. It matters that you have a reason to show up consistently, even when you don't feel like it.

Research on caregiving (in reasonable doses) and on pet ownership consistently shows health benefits. People who care for others or for living things report greater purpose, reduced depression, and better cognitive function.

One famous study in nursing homes found that residents who were given a plant to care for showed better health outcomes and even reduced mortality compared to residents who had plants cared for by staff. The difference was responsibility.

A meta-analysis on purpose in life and mortality found that purpose significantly reduced risk of death. Caring for something, literally having something depend on your continued presence, is a potent form of daily purpose.

In my practice, I've watched grieving patients find renewed vitality after adopting a dog. Isolated older adults transform when they started tending a community garden. Someone lonely find meaning volunteering at a cat shelter.

When something depends on you, you have a reason to get up in the morning. You have a reason to take care of yourself (because it needs you). You have rhythm, responsibility, and the dignity of mattering.

If you don't have something to care for, consider finding it. A pet. A plant. A volunteer role. A mentee. A community commitment.

What do you care for? And what could you start caring for?

14/04/2026

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It’s your garden, dear. You choose what gets to grow.

Every single day, something is planted within you. Words spoken by others, thoughts you quietly hold onto, the presence of people you allow to stay. Some seeds arrive gently, others without your permission. But what remains, what takes root, and what continues to grow is always yours to decide.

Be mindful of what you water. Not every thought deserves your attention, not every voice deserves your belief, and not every presence deserves a permanent place in your life. Because in time, your inner world will bloom from the very things you chose to nurture, whether they bring you peace or quietly steal it away.

13/04/2026

Stop believing health only happens in a gym. Some of the healthiest people I've ever treated never set foot in one.

Research consistently shows that lifestyle activities like gardening count as moderate physical activity. The repeated bending, lifting, digging, and walking involved in tending a garden builds strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness without ever feeling like exercise.

But gardening does more than move your body. It puts your hands in the soil, which research suggests may positively influence mood and immune function. It gets you outside in sunlight, which supports vitamin D, circadian rhythm, and mental health. It connects you to a living, growing thing that depends on your care.

A meta-analysis published in IJERPH in 2022 confirmed that time in nature significantly reduces anxiety and depression. Gardening combines all of these benefits into one activity.

In my practice, I've met 90-year-olds who credit their garden for everything: their mobility, their purpose, their reason to get up in the morning. They don't call it exercise. They call it tending.

You don't need acres. A patio with pots counts. A windowsill with herbs counts. A single tomato plant on a balcony counts.

Growing something is an act of hope. It tells your body you expect to be here for the harvest.

Your muscles, your mood, and your microbes all thrive when your hands are in the dirt.

What are you growing this season?

23/03/2026

ABOUT THIS PLANT 👇🏽

These images show a fascinating plant often called Wood Sorrel (specifically members of the Oxalis genus, like Oxalis articulata or Oxalis tuberosa). While many people recognize the clover-like leaves, those translucent, radish-looking structures are the real stars.
​Here is the breakdown of what makes this plant unique:
​1. The Roots (Storage Organs)
​Those white, fleshy structures are succulent rhizomes or tubers.
​Purpose: They act as water and energy storage, allowing the plant to survive droughts or dormant seasons.
​Appearance: They are often translucent and segmented, looking almost like "glass" radishes or small witchetty grubs.
​2. Edibility and Flavor
​Most Oxalis species are edible, but with a few "pro-tips":
​The Taste: The leaves, flowers, and even those tubers have a sharp, tangy, lemon-like flavor. This comes from oxalic acid.
​Culinary Use: People often toss the leaves into salads or use the tubers as a garnish for a citrusy crunch.
​The "But": Because of the oxalic acid, it should be consumed in moderation, especially for anyone prone to kidney stones (the acid can interfere with calcium absorption).
​3. The "Sleep" Movement
​This plant is nyctinastic, meaning it reacts to light levels.
​At night or during heavy rain, the heart-shaped leaflets fold downward, looking like tiny closed umbrellas.
​They "wake up" and expand again as soon as the sun hits them.
​4. Identification vs. Clover
​It is frequently mistaken for a Four-Leaf Clover, but there is a simple trick to tell them apart:
​Clover: Round or oval leaves, usually with a white "V" mark.
​Wood Sorrel: Distinctly heart-shaped leaflets with a crease down the middle.
​A Note for Gardeners
​In many places, certain species (like Oxalis corniculata) are considered stubborn "weeds" because those little tubers can break off and stay in the soil, regrowing a whole new plant even after you think you've pulled it all up.

Most people pull this ‘weed’ out of their garden… but they have no idea what it hides underground.” 🌱👀

12/03/2026

09/03/2026

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https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ArAXTDrUK/

Along some busy highways in Singapore, a new kind of green infrastructure is quietly working to improve air quality. Instead of traditional roadside plants, vertical panels filled with living algae are being installed along major roads. These transparent structures contain water and fast-growing microalgae that naturally absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the surrounding air through photosynthesis.

As sunlight reaches the panels, the algae begin converting carbon dioxide into oxygen while multiplying rapidly. The system functions much like a compact biological air filter positioned directly where vehicle emissions are highest. Because the panels grow vertically, they require very little ground space, making them ideal for dense urban environments where land is limited.

The algae biomass produced inside the panels can also be harvested and reused for bioenergy or other sustainable materials. By combining biotechnology with urban design, Singapore transforms ordinary highway barriers into active environmental tools. The result is infrastructure that not only manages traffic but also contributes to cleaner air and a healthier city environment.

12/12/2025

05/12/2025

A remarkable discovery in Masungi Georeserve has drawn national attention after conservationists confirmed the presence of rare prehistoric plants that date back to a time long before dinosaurs walked the Earth. These plants, known as cycads, are among the oldest seed-bearing plants in existence, with ancestors that first appeared more than 200 million years ago during the early Permian period. Flourishing through the Jurassic era, cycads have survived mass extinctions and dramatic shifts in Earth’s climate, making them some of the most resilient and ancient living species known to science. Their presence in Rizal highlights the Philippines’ extraordinary biodiversity and the ecological value of protected sites like Masungi.

One particular species, Cycas riuminiana, is endemic to Luzon and thrives within the limestone landscapes and forested areas of Masungi Georeserve. Conservationists emphasize that these plants are living witnesses to Earth’s deep history, offering insight into prehistoric ecosystems that once shaped our planet. Their survival today underscores the importance of safeguarding threatened habitats from development, mining, and deforestation. As these Jurassic survivors continue to grow quietly in Baras, Rizal, they serve as a powerful reminder of the ancient natural heritage the Philippines is responsible for protecting.

Science Department |