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“In life, as in a garden, you reap what you sow.” – Nancilee Wydra

Nothing makes me feel better than being outside on a warm sunny day working in my garden. It helps me relax, gives me time to think and just makes me feel really good. For me it works better than meditation or yoga or even traditional therapy. The stress just melts away as I dig in the dirt and pull weeds. I love the anticipation of wondering what the flowers will look like and I get excited every time a bud blooms. It is such a great feeling to know that I had a part in creating something beautiful. At harvest time I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I can put fresh food on my table and say, “I grew that,” or, “That came out of my garden.” I love sharing the fresh fruits and vegetables with my family and friends.

Humans possess an attraction to nature, a kinship. Being outside can create feelings of appreciation, peace and tranquility. Gardening can heighten those feelings. After many studies, science is starting to understand that gardening can actually improve health and well-being.

Garden Therapy, also known as Horticultural Therapy, has been implemented in hospitals, prisons, schools and communities. The American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) defines it as “a discipline that uses plants, gardening activities, and the natural world as vehicles for professionally conducted programs in therapy and rehabilitation.” The benefits of horticultural therapy include physical activity, relaxation and enjoyment, skill development, creative expression, social development, psychological well-being, sensory stimulation and intellectual and personal growth.