Horticulture therapy is a formal practice that promotes a natural sense of wellness. The focus is on goal-centred activities with defined outcomes that encourage participants to engage in the natural world around us. Plants are part of our natural world and have been an important part of life forever. Historically, they have provided food, medicine and shelter, while today they are often removed from our daily life. It seems that each day is not long enough to complete the necessary duties at home and at work so our leisure time has also been compromised. Our levels of anxiety, stress and impatience are rising and we look for instant fixes for all aspects of our lives.
Perhaps what we should be doing is pausing, reevaluating our priorities and basically slowing down the merry-go-round of life. When was the last time you charged your personal batteries? Why not spend a little bit of each day doing some therapy, just for you? Maybe a little bit of plant-based activity might be worth a try. Horticulture therapy is a recognized way to improve the quality of your life spiritually, physically, mentally and socially.
Learning about horticulture therapy is a recognized and important part of a journey to become a horticultural professional. Better yet, sharing this journey with community members is also important.
Our session last week was a grand success. The focus of the activity was to build happiness by planting an assortment of bulbs with the clients that would continue to bring the essence of spring indoors over the next few months. We called the session Planting Spring in Winter and we truly did. All of the participants enjoyed the process of beginning life by planting dormant bulbs in warm, moist media that in itself reminded us of the scents of spring. Some of the discussion centred around how plants are really much like people, as both need sunshine, nutrients, water, warmth and, of course, a little bit of love. Even more beneficial is the caring these plants will receive over time by ensuring they continue to be given the necessary care by those clients who are at a time in their lives when they also receive care from others.
Other benefits will continue to be gained over the next period of time as the bulbs will astonish us all with their miraculous growth and the wonder of producing beautiful, scented blooms. We shared a gift that truly does continue to keep on giving. The social interaction of the session was filled with smiles, laughter and excitement.
It is our hope that by sharing a little bit more about horticulture therapy with you in this column we will also pique your interest in perhaps trying out some horticulture therapy in your lives. Watch for the column next week which continues to share a bit more about horticulture therapy.
Hanbidge is the lead horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at ; by email at [email protected]; on facebook @orchidhort and on instagram at #orchidhort.
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