Formosa Gardens Nursery director Katie Wright said this latest snap lockdown had caught many businesses and customers off guard. She said the quick change in restrictions has customers concerned about doing the wrong thing when leaving home.

Under the Victorian government's lockdown rules, people can leave home for essential goods and services but retailers can offer delivery and contactless pick-ups.

"People are genuinely concerned about doing the wrong thing and that's a massive challenge," Ms Wright said. "Gardening is so good for your mental health...Spring is just around the corner and there's still lots to do in the garden.

"Even if you're not planting, a lot of people just like to take a look at what they might do."

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Formosa has had to keep its gates shut to help prevent customers from mistakenly wandering into the nursery, which is not allowed under restrictions, but Ms Wright said the nursery was fortunate to have created an extensive website for people to browse from home.

Ms Wright said collaborations with other small business was a key feature of this in supporting each other.

Spot on Pots and Nursery owner Carly Macdonald has been forced to take a different pivot. The short, unexpected jump back into lockdown left her nursery unable to set back up a drive-through option.

Ms Macdonald said Spot on Pots was instead promoting a personal shopper, allowing people to call or make videos calls for advice in choosing the right products.

She said the uncertainty of lockdowns made each lockdown harder.

"People need to shop in a way that makes them feel safe," Ms Macdonald said. "We really believe in following guidelines. If we can do this in a way that allows people to be safe, while also keeping people sane in the garden, we want to try and find that balance."

Ms Macdonald and Ms Wright said the novelty factor from early lockdowns had definitely worn off. This also made it tough with an influx of new living stock to shift on short notice.

Commerce Ballarat chief executive Jodie Gillett said there was a real sense of "crisis fatigue" in the community that was making a sharp, widespread impact on business.

Commerce Ballarat has been quick to issue a Ballarat retail challenge, urging people to post photos of purchases with #BallaratBuys on social media with prizes to be won. This aims to get people thinking broader than food and hospitality in ways they can shop and support.

The business advocacy body has also launched a Share the Love campaign, encouraging people to send well-wishes and to name their favourite Ballarat shops as a show of support when a lot of community business owners were struggling.

"You can't underestimate the impact on business for sharing messages of support," Ms Gillett said.

Indoor plants remain a huge trend with people still spending so much time at home - and Ms Wright said customers reporting how a little bit of colour or a new leaf shoot could bring a lot of joy to her staff too.

For Commerce Ballarat's mental health clinician: 5333 3233.

Or, support is available via Partners in Wellbeing helpline 1300 375 330, Monday to Friday 9am-10pm, Saturday to Sunday 9am-5pm.

For crisis support, phone Lifeline 13 11 14.

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