Our veterans in the garden: horticultural therapy

Imagine yourself in their shoes

While Memorial Day is the day for honoring those who died serving our country; Veterans Day is the day that all veterans are honored. There seems no better place for Veterans to find peace than in the garden. All over the country there are Horticultural Therapy Programs for Vets. Some programs allow Vets to grow and sell their produce. Many new gardening programs for Vets are being established across the country.  In the US, the VA Hospitals have been using horticultural therapy in a variety of programs for many years.  Other VA Hospitals have greenhouses where the Veterans can grow many of the plants that will be planted in the garden. The UK has The Gardening Leave project which was set up in 2007 as a horticultural therapy pilot project to enhance the therapeutic experience of ex-military personnel with combat related mental health problems. 

Horticultural therapy is the practice of horticulture as therapy to improve human well-being. Horticultural Therapy first began in the 1790’s when patience worked in the gardens to pay for psychiatric care and doctors began to see improvement in these patients. In 1817 Friends Hospital in Philadelphia began the first gardening program. Dr. Benjamin Rush— a medical professor in Philadelphia who is often considered the first psychologist — noted in the late 18th century that field labor in a farm setting had a curative effect on mentally ill patients (1). 

• For those in a wheelchair, user-friendly tools are now available with short handles, for easier cultivating, weeding, and planting. There are many lightweight tools on the market that lessen the strain on the back, joints, and muscles. 
• For those who use walkers, canes, or wheelchairs, it is especially important to have smooth, nonskid ramps or paths that are wide, firm, and flat so they can have safe access to their gardens.  
• To reduce hauling, gardeners can store heavy materials, such as potting soil, in wheeled trashcans. Tools can be transported in wagons, backpacks, or even in wheelchairs by way of a side attachment.
• Weeding and watering should be made to almost take care of themselves. Mulch and groundcover decrease the need to water and weed, and if the gardener must water, sprinkler systems work best. If a hose is needed, make sure it’s lightweight. 
• Large planters that stand at least three feet off the ground, high enough to allow an easy reach from a wheelchair, are a must and should be made so there’s access completely around each pot with the ability to still reach the center. 
• Raised beds with walls constructed of lumber, concrete blocks, or bricks can provide a seating ledge while working. 
• Chairs and gazebos are a great addition for relaxing and admiring the world around the garden. A carefully thought out garden for the gardener with a disability compensates for his or her special interests, needs, and skills.
• A fragrant garden will help the disabled gardener to use their sense of smell
• A textured garden will help the gardener to use their sense of touch