The Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening
As a kid, I recall picking peas in my grandparent's backyard in the summer. At that time, I was not a pea eater and couldn't understand why anyone would voluntarily consume a small green pebble that tasted like dirt. However, the adults seemed to enjoy the pea-picking ritual and looked forward to it each year. As I grew older and my tastes changed, I discovered that it wasn't really even about the peas (which are now delicious): it was about the experience, the act of gardening, that was so captivating. I began to understand why the adults coveted their time with the peas, and slowly developed my own appreciation for what gardening (often literally) brings to our table. As a therapist, gardening has become even more important to me. It helps sustain my own mental health as well as inform my practice and how I relate to my clients in the therapeutic relationship.
The therapeutic quality of gardening is universal. Before anyone starts thinking "but wait! I don't have a green thumb!", I want to challenge us to consider that gardening doesn't require any green digits to take part in, or to relish. Below I will explore several aspects of gardening that can be very therapeutic, whether you intend to grow prize-winning roses or gain appreciation for how a seed so small can turn into a tree so big. Let’s set aside our goals for the moment and think about the fundamental benefits of gardening.
Relaxation
Gardening has many meditative qualities. For instance, there is the rhythmic motion of using a tool to dig out weeds, the attention to how much water to give a flower that requires presence of mind, and the sensory experience of plants that grounds us to the earth. When you have the opportunity, I challenge you to try your meditation in or near a garden. Open your senses and observe how dynamic and rich your meditation becomes.
Challenging oneself to something new
Trying new things is hard, but also very rewarding. Gardening can be a safe way to try something new and to stretch what you believe to be possible. When we try something new, we open up the possibility that we might find joy in the experience, and may even engage in some self-discovery in the process.
Confronting failure and death
Sometimes the plants we try so desperately to grow do not survive. This is a fact of life, but it is not synonymous with failure. Sometimes our efforts may be defeated, but we do not have to engage in the binary nature of success and failure here. Plants can be composted and returned to the earth, where they will nurture future generations. Similarly, the ritual of gardening can help us work through grief and loss, ultimately providing comfort in the regenerative nature of birth, growth and death.
We feel connected in nurturing another living thing
Gardening is very symbolic and it allows all of us to nurture something, no matter our identity. Plants do not discriminate and quite happily accept the care of anyone. This can be especially empowering for people who may struggle with mental health issues related to self-worth, loneliness, and isolation. Contributing to the growth and transformation of another living thing is affirming.
Lastly, gardening contains a whole host of other benefits, including helping us improve our memory, cognitive abilities, motor skills, and socialization. While I am focusing on the mental health benefits of gardening in this article, I would be remiss in not mentioning the physical aspect of gardening as well. Gardening is very useful in physical rehabilitation in that it encourages strength and conditioning, improves balance and agility, and helps people practice coordination.
If you haven’t thought about giving gardening a try, this is your cue. There is still plenty of ime left in the season to engage in some horticultural therapy of your own. Included below you will find a list of resources that may interest those who aren’t able to garden in the traditional sense, or do not have access to a garden near their home.
Public green spaces/green houses:
https://kingcounty.gov/services/parks-recreation/parks/parks-and-natural-lands/parksatoz.aspx
https://seattle.curbed.com/maps/seattle-botanical-gardens-visit-horticulture
My favorite conservatory at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill: https://www.volunteerparkconservatory.org/
Planting indoors:
https://www.thespruce.com/indoor-gardening-beginner-guide-5199347
Community garden plots/P-Patches:
https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/programs-and-services/p-patch-community-gardening
Kristen Lindley is a Self Space Seattle therapist who has experience working with people who are experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, aging, grief and loss, eating disorders, trauma, and women’s issues.