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 What
is
Horticultural Therapy?
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Horticulture is the art and science of
growing
plants.
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 Horticultural
Therapy (HT) is
the practice of engaging people in horticultural activities to
improve physical,
emotional, social, vocational, and / or spiritual
health. Therapeutic benefits occur
when people are exposed to plants and when they take part in
planning, planting, growing, and caring for plants.
Horticultural
Therapy is not
just performing a plant based activity. For the exercise
to be considered as a valid therapeutic tool, it must contain:
- A
defined treatment program
that is based on horticultural or gardening activities
- A
client with a diagnosed
problem and in treatment.
- A
treatment goal
and outcome that can be measured
and evaluated
- A
professional
to deliver the HT treatment and make the evaluation.
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Healing
Gardens
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Healing
Gardens-
It is important to understand that 'healing' is not the same as 'cure'
when discussing healing gardens. The garden itself cannot
cure
the patient of disease but it can reduce stress and give peace
and
solace to the user. Healing
gardens
are plant orientated and include other aspects of nature. The garden is
designed as a retreat for clients, visitors, and staff. A healing
garden can help the user can gain a sense of well-being and can be
especially effective for the therapy of long term health care patients
(Kamp 1997).
Healing
gardens can be subdivided into specific garden types:
Enabling
gardens (also known as Accessible Gardens)
are designed to be acessible to everyone whatever their ability. The
garden design may feature raised beds, wide paths and dramatic colour
or smell to arose all senses. The garden should be engaging to the
user.
Therapeutic Gardens
are designed for use within a treatment program. When a garden is
designed to be used with a specific population or user the
garden
is considered to be therapeutic. Treatment goals for the client can be
accomplished and the garden can be designed to provide both
horticultural and non-horticultural activities.
Horticultural
Therapy Gardens
are designed to accommodate horticultural therapy treatment goals and
to perform horticultural activities. It may well include an area with a
workstation for potting up plants, seed germination and other such
activities pertaining to HT sessions.Horticultural therapy also teaches
vocational skills that can be applied in many work settings.
Restorative
Gardens
or meditation gardens may not be necessarily associated with
health care. This garden provides a place to achieve mental
repose, reduced stress and emotional well-being. The design of the
restorative garden focuses on the psychological, physical and social
needs of the visitor.
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Where
is HT used?
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Horticultural
therapy is a worldwide practice.
Presently, horticultural
therapy programs can be found in a wide range of settings;
mental
health facilities, rehabilitation programs, substance abuse programs,
hospitals, hospice and palliative care, homeless shelters, correctional
facilities, schools, community gardens, botanical gardens, senior day
care, elderly residential homes and many more.
Horticultural
therapy has the ability to be used across a wide range of
populations
with a range of ability from the very young through to the very old.
Garden
projects can be small intimate places, perhaps organised
and run by
local groups or they can be more formal, larger organisations and
charities. Projects may share or have their own site, perhaps within a
garden, school, hospital or community. |
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Coming Soon
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 Herbs
coming soon
Herb Activities
How to Grow |
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 Healing Gardens
coming soon
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