Real World Gardener: Therapeutic Gardening-All You Need To Know

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Therapeutic Gardening-All You Need To Know

GARDEN AS THERAPY

Therapeutic Horticulture part 1

What makes a garden therapeutic? What is therapeutic gardening?
Are these two things connected or are they separate?

You would think that yes gardening is therapy, so doing a bit of gardening would amount to therapeutic horticulture but you would be wrong.

To understand therapeutic horticulture, you have to be across two areas:-health and well-being and horticulture. You can start from the health sector and then gain some qualifications in horticulture or vice versa..
Therapeutic horticulture then means using gardening as an activity to improve people's health and well being through the use of plants .
There are lots of courses that can assist you with training to be a therapeutic horticulturist.
The next step is to gain some hours through volunteering with an organisation, eg aged care, through NDIS, and disability sector.
It's also a good idea to join THA or Therapeutic Horticulture Australia https://tha.org.au.

photo M Cannon

If you have any feedback email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

Therapeutic Horticulture part 2

The next part of my interview with specialist Cath Manuel, is more about how anyone interested in this field can get started plus the actual benefits for participants.

Cath was asked what kind of activities she creates or devises?

Cath uses basic gardening skills and/or tasks but the activity is very much person centred.

For example, someone with low confidence and low self-esteem who is unable to participate in a community garden, perhaps on the NDIS then simple tasks such as sowing seeds, simple propagating, growing crops and fruit, watering.

Corporate sponsorship for organisations is very important because it can provide materials such as plants, gloves, potting mix, and other garden related products.
photo M Cannon

Observations

Cath has seen a lot of successes over the years, one she mentions in particular is when she works with the 'Memory Support Unit' for dementia patients.

Patients within a few minutes of being in the garden, are suddenly transported to being the gardener they once were. They are happier, often start talking to others and communicating better.

Training-How to Get Started

For anyone that wants to train in therapeutic horticulture, there is training online with https://soiltosupper.com

There are two programs, one for individuals and one for those wishing to train in therapeutic horticulture.

Support is provided by Cath Manuel

Let’s find out more
I'm talking with Cath Manuel, Therapeutic Horticulture Specialist . Listen to the podcast.

Cath Manuel is the founder of Soil to Supper website and a specialist in therapeutic horticulture and kitchen gardens. https://soiltosupper.com

If you have any feedback email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

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