Week Four: Social & Therapeutic Horticulture

This week I completed the first stage of my Social & Therapeutic Horticulture course with Thrive. The benefits of gardening on our wellbeing is not a new concept. It was interesting to learn about the history of gardening for wellbeing and that this dates back to Ancient Egypt when royal physicians would prescribe a spell in the palace gardens for those of a troubled mind. From 1936 the use of horticulture became more recognised within Occupational Health as a specific treatment for physical and psychiatric disorders. As I am learning some of the theories behind gardening and why it is good for our physical and mental health, I am reflecting on my own experiences of volunteering at the Long Eaton Community Garden and how this has helped me to set goals, have something to nurture, and feel a sense of fascination and escape from everyday life. It has helped me to step away from thinking of things within the past and to focus on the current moment or make plans for the future. There are sensory elements that I enjoy too. Sticking my hands in the soil and listening to the sound of water sprinkling onto my plants. It has helped me to gain a sense of achievement and pride in watching plants grow from seed, and has tested my patience and problem solving skills when things have gone wrong. One thing that I've really enjoyed this year is collecting the flower heads to dry for natural colour making, and coming across all the seeds inside for next year!

Allotment

As I continue with my studies into Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, I am excited to share that I have been offered an allotment plot after being on the waiting list for two years. The plot has been disused for some time and has become overgrown but I see the potential for what it could become. This will now provide an opportunity for me to scale up from my raised beds of approximately 10 plants at the Community Garden. As I don't have access to a garden at home, this will provide me with a green space to dwell in, look after and be creative with. Keep an eye on the Blog for updates on how the plot is being developed.