Through the lens of Therapeutic Gardening

Let’s review –

Gardening is focused on plants; 

Therapeutic Gardening focuses on the well-being of people in the garden.

A Therapeutic Garden is a garden space intentionally designed to

improve the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of the people who

use the garden.  

The GCW Therapeutic Gardening team (Geneie, Sheila, Melissa) is inviting Wiscassett’s Community Garden Teams to join us and take a look at the gardens we care for ‘Through the Lens of Therapeutic Gardening’. Our goal is to expand the understanding of what makes gardens beneficial for different groups of people and to offer simple ideas to assist those who enjoy gardening that can be incorporated into what we are already doing.

First, we identify the people who use a specific garden. Next, we describe how they use the garden and what types of activities they engage in. Then we look to see what could improve their experience in the garden and increase the therapeutic benefits of their activities. After we understand the profile of a garden, we explore possible solutions and make a plan.

Note: Not all gardens were designed to be ‘Therapeutic Gardens’, but most can be tweaked to be more therapeutic (user-friendly).

Ready to get started?

Identify who uses the garden, what they do while there, and ways to improve their garden

experience.

1. We, the GCW volunteers, are garden users! In some gardens, the Community Garden Teams are the primary users, in other gardens, not.

a. We do the actual gardening work. We tend, we bend, we pull, we dig, we prune, rake, lift, haul, and we water. We meet on-site to plan, rest, chat and enjoy our labors.

b. What would improve our gardening experience?

Crafting a garden that’s easier to work in, increases our bodies’ ability to garden longer with less aches and pains. That certainly improves our physical well-being!

Raising beds where ever possible, saves backs and knees. That’s definitely beneficial! Having a quiet spot, with a place to sit and meet, increases the chances we will actually sit down and engage with our fellow volunteers. Social engagement is mentally and emotionally beneficial. Adding color, texture, fragrance and gentle sounds to a landscape increases awareness, stimulates the senses and enlivens our mood. Incorporating water features, wind chimes, or three-dimensional sculptures creates a calming environment, provides a central focus and invites quiet contemplation that contribute to both mental and spiritual well-being. 

c. What ideas do you have that could help the gardeners (us) do our job better and easier plus improve our gardening longevity?

• Raising the beds?

• Add seating? A table?

• Adding a focal point?

• Increase plantings for sensory stimulation?

• Other ideas?

2. Visitors are Garden Users. Who makes up the visitor groups? Families? Youth? Elders? Handicapped? Others? Do any of them have special needs? What draws them to this garden?

a. Visitors come to look, to learn, to sit and watch, to stroll, hangout, relax, look for inspiration or maybe have a picnic. Some visitors come to learn about the plants we grow. Some come to connect with the natural world. Maybe while they’re in our garden, they discover the work we do and want to join our club.

b. What would improve a visitor’s experience of a garden they visit? Most everything that would enhance our experience as the gardeners would also benefit garden visitors. Who doesn’t appreciate a nice place to sit, or the sight, sound, smell or texture of interesting well-tended plants? Connecting with nature’s sensory smorgasbord does wonders for our mental status. Being able to learn something about your surrounding provides a sense of belonging. Experiencing a sense of safety affects us on all levels and is paramount to the sense of well-being.

c. In addition to the list above, what other ideas do you have that could improve the experience of garden visitor?

• Add a Garden Kiosk to inform and educate?

• Improve safety with attention to safe surfaces and handrails, where appropriate?

• Other ideas?

3. Do we want more groups to enjoy this garden? Who? What would they need to improve their experience?

Last week, the TG-Team took a quick tour with Linda Biden of the Pownalborough Courthouse Garden and with Terry Heller in the Sunken Garden, just to get a few ideas. Looking at our gardens through the lens of Therapeutic Gardening is interesting and fun! We would love your company. Please join us! Contact Geneie, Sheila or Melissa.