The column last week was focused on introducing you to the wonders of horticulture therapy. If you missed that column then it is important for you to know that horticulture therapy is the formal practice that promotes a natural sense of wellness by using goal-centred activities using plants and horticulture to improve the quality of life physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. This therapeutic approach is not new but is not always recognized to have the value that it brings to those who are involved with this type of program.
Horticulture therapy programs help participants to develop new ways of thinking about life and self-care. It also helps to develop positive leisure skills and increased self-esteem by acquiring new skills and by completing successful projects that involve horticulture and plants. This year, in spite of coronavirus, Orchid Horticulture brought to some special elderly people in a local home Christmas to the Table where the activity centred on building holiday centerpieces with fresh greens while enjoying Christmas music. This fun activity brings back memories of that wonderful smell of a real Christmas tree and triggers thoughts of all the happiness that has been experienced during the holiday season.
Gardening could be considered a type of horticulture therapy. It is one of those simple pleasures that continues to bring great satisfaction to people of any age. It is a passion for many and an enjoyable pastime for others. Like horticulture therapy, there are no restrictions on gardening – you can be young or old, sick or healthy. Gardening is also an effective therapy that adds contentment, pleasure, healthy food and joy to your everyday life. Often gardening means hard work that leads to sore muscles and tired backs but overshadowing all of these temporary ailments is the ability gardening has to soothe your soul. In the summer season, the therapy is easy to access, as gardening is simple when the climate co-operates. In the winter months however, you need not give up – you just need to be a bit more creative.
At Orchid Horticulture we train individuals to have the education, skills and experience to become professionals in the field of horticulture. We recognize the importance of learning the practice of horticulture therapy. We see the benefit of experiential learning for our course participants, but we also like to see benefit in our communities. We are thankful and appreciative that we form partnerships with many members of our communities and having the privilege to deliver horticulture therapy programs.
Horticulture therapy programs are designed to actively engage the interest of the participants. The program should match the capabilities of the user group while at the same time help to ignite creativity and imagination. All activities should have firm objectives that are focused on exercising the body appropriately while stimulating the senses and increasing awareness of the external living environment. Participants experience a comfortable environment where they can express creative energies which leaves them more settled and focused on the positive aspects of life. For the students, this horticulture therapy experience is life changing from a professional self-development perspective.
We hope you have enjoyed learning a little bit more about horticulture therapy. We wish you a healthy holiday season and may 2022 be all that you dream it could be.
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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