Horticultural Therapy heals the mind, body and spirit. This is National Horticulture Therapy Week, March 17 -23. This is a special year for the American Horticultural Therapy Association, as it is their fortieth anniversary. Therapy is blooming throughout South Florida.
The Forum at Deer Creek, a senior residence in Deerfield Beach, has a healing butterfly garden and a rose garden, all initiated by the residents. “I want to have a gardenia in our courtyard. It would be nice to enjoy the aroma while walking through the garden, “says resident Peggy Rodriguez. The nature club there meets every Friday, led by Robert Bornstein, a registered horticulture therapist with the American Horticulture Therapy Association.
At Forest Trace a deluxe senior living compound in Lauderhill, the garden club also meets once a week. Drvora, a new resident says, “We downsized to move here and we had to leave our garden behind. It’s nice to have a garden club. “Potted vegetables and herbs line the shuffle board court. Residents walk by the paths along the lake and enjoy picking a cherry tomato as they stroll along.
Broward Nursing and Rehabilitation has a courtyard garden that includes raised beds. Here the residents can garden from their wheelchairs and walkers. A butterfly garden greets visitors. The milkweed has been eaten by the monarch caterpillars so we know more monarchs are on their way. Herbs are used by the recreation therapy staff for those too sick to leave their rooms. They bring the garden to the residents, by the use of cuttings. Some lucky residents have rooms with a door that leads out to the patio. Strawberries, roses, tomatoes and even bok choy grow heartily among the many songbirds that nest in a nearby native fire bush in the corner. This is an enchanting healing garden.
As a tribute to National Horticulture Therapy Week, other wonderful programs will be featured this week.
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Gardening improves the mind body and spirit it is called horticulture therapy. Thank you for taking the time to learn about how it can improve your life. Visit my website.
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