I read an interesting article by Mark Cullen; you probably know Mark because he's the gardening expert on Canada AM, as well as the author of many gardening books.
The article that I read was about a fascinating aspect of gardening called "therapeutic" gardens.
The benefits of gardening are many, and this has blossomed into a movement called "horticulture therapy". There is even a school to learn more about this: the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association. The CHTA "promotes the use of horticultural therapy and therapeutic horticulture for diverse populations and in a wide variety of settings."
Started in 1987, the CHTA teaches how horticulture therapy can use plants, horticulture activities, and the garden setting to bring out well-bring for those taking part. From what I read, they encourage interaction between the patients and the plants and garden to help enhance their health and lives, not only physically but emotionally and spiritually as well.
I read that in caring for hospitalized war veterans, gardening and horticulture activities greatly aid in rehabilitation. In Mark's article, he mentions Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, where over 500 war veterans can bask in the beauty of nature, as well as helping to plant and grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Mark's Uncle Tom is a resident there, and it sounds like he really enjoys and benefits from helping out in this project.
Horticulture therapy and therapeutic horticulture are practiced all over the world, and there are certificate programs available. It's interesting, isn't it, that in a world that seems to be speeding ahead faster and faster with all kinds of technology, we are now discovering the value of connecting with the earth.
It's already the beginning of September, the unofficial start to fall! It's been a challenging gardening year, so I guess we should just focus ahead to next year.
At the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society regular meeting on September 15, Frank Woloschuk will be our special guest speaker, telling us about how to prepare our garden for winter. There are many tasks that can be done now, to make spring work a little easier, so Frank will tell us what we need to know. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Yorkdale Student Centre, and everyone is welcome. (People keep asking me this, so just as a reminder, you don't have to belong to the group to come to the meeting. Of course, we'd be very glad if you joined us, but you don't have to be a member to attend.)
Then on Friday, September 17, it's time for the Fall Plant and Bulb sale, from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Parkland Mall. Fall is the perfect time to add perennials to your garden, and this sale will feature a great selection of plants, I'm sure. There's always a crowd waiting for the sale to start, so if you are looking for a particular plant, please come early! That's Friday, September 17 at the Parkland Mall.
Till next time, let's savor these precious last summer days, and get out and enjoy some "horticulture therapy" of our own! Have a good week!
