What is Therapeutic Horticulture?

Over the ages, horticulture has long been recognized as a healing practice. Recently, gardening has become the number-one leisure activity of Americans. It is not by accident, then, to find horticulture incorporated into the therapeutic process toward individual and community health and wellbeing.

Therapeutic horticulture is a planned process of intervention applied toward specific change. The goals of this change are to maximize individual quality of life, enhance individual daily-living skills, and promote community integration.

Our Purpose
The Arboretum's therapeutic horticulture staff have wide training and experience in therapy, horticultural education, and community integration. We provide high-quality therapeutic horticulture opportunities and services to a wide range of individuals and groups, including seniors, children's programs, adult day-care centers, and other community-service programs.

Our Philosophy of Service
The Arboretum dedicates the use of horticulture as an effective means toward individual independence, decision making, and simple pleasure and delight. We further dedicate our programs and services to the elimination of barriers (physical and attitudinal) to horticulture, and to the inclusion of as many people as possible in horticultural activity. We strive to benefit the person, group, and community beyond the parameters of the service or program itself.

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Training

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's therapeutic horticulture staff can help you train your staff or volunteers to use horticulture as a therapeutic tool either at your facility or at the Arboretum. You can choose from many educational opportunities throughout the year.

The Arboretum holds annual workshops on topics in therapeutic horticulture and collaborates with other organizations to present the benefits of people-plant interactions. A variety of formal classes, experiential workshops, consulting, and demonstrations can fit your specific needs.

NEW! Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Program

This new certificate is designed for a wide range of professionals and students who want a better understanding of how to use plants as therapeutic tools, and learn the specialized skills necessary for success in addressing the needs and issues unique to the field. 

See Horticulture Therapy Certificate Program (pdf format)

Download Adobe Acrobat

Programs

You can participate in a concentrated program facilitated by Minnesota Landscape Arboreum staff, either at your site or at the Arboretum. A variety of program options can be tailored to suit your individual or group requirements. With all Arboretum offerings, you have the option of evaluating the beneficial effects of your chosen program and its impact on participation.

Fee: Therapeutic horticulture programs are based on a sliding scale, plus mileage and supplies.

Resources

The Arboretum's Therapeutic Horticulture Library is a rich source of information and ideas that you can apply directly to your situation. You may visit this library at the Arboretum, obtain assistance or information by telephone, or receive materials by U.S. mail. Whether you need a plant list for a sensory garden, or the design specification of a raised bed, we can help you!

Sample topics include:

• Plant Suggestions for a Sensory Garden
• Step-by-Step Instructions for Constructing a Raised Bed
• Readings in Therapeutic Horticulture

Green Thumbs Without Pain    (go here???)

To avoid pain from inflamed wrists, lower back strains, and a host of other "garden variety" orthopedic injuries, following these six easy instructions:

• 1. Design a garden that suits your needs - plant in containers that are easy to get at or use a raised bed to plant your vegetable garden
  
• 2. Plan Ahead - Choose three reasonable tasks "to do" based on difficult, moderate and easy criteria - alternate among the activities to keep your body working at its peak
  
• 3. Stretch - before and cool down after gardening. Always stretch slowly and gently - it should never hurt
  
• 4. Use the right tools - if you opt for newfangled ergonomics or the traditional implements, try before you buy to be sure they suit your needs. Also keep you tools in good working order - dull shears stress your hands more than freshly sharpened and well-oiled shears.
  
• 5. Be kind to your back - If you must life something heavy, position your feet should-width apart for stability and life with your legs, not your lower back. Always try to keep the weight as close as possible to your body's center of gravity.
  
• 6. Rest and Rehydrate - Heat and humidity can quickly sneak up on you. Take frequent breaks and enjoy a long drink in the shade while you survey the work you have accomplished.

Facts: Gardening

• 1:4 Americans list gardening as a hobby - ranking it behind reading, music and cooking in popularity (Discount Store News, 1999)
  
• The average household spends approximately $350.00 on yard and garden products annually (National Gardening Association, 1999)
  
• The primary reason people garden is to get outdoors (72%) aesthetic pleasure (42%) stress reduction (39%) exercise (35%) (Discount Store News, 1999)
  
• There are more than 42.6 million homes that list flower gardening as a primary leisure activity (Lifestyle Market Analysis, 2001)

Facts:  Pain and Strain

• Chronic pain has been estimated to affect between 8.7 % to 100% of adults. 90% localize the pain to the musculoskeletal system (http://www.pain.com/)
  
• Back pain, migraines an arthritis account for medical costs of $40 billion annually (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1997)
  
• Pain has been the cause of 25% of all sick days taken annually (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1997)
  
• Unrelieved pain as many negative health consequences such as increased stress, metabolic rate, blood clotting, water retention, hormonal imbalances, impaired immune system, and gastrointestinal functioning (California State University, 1997)

Accessible Gardening for Therapeutic Horticulture

(go Here???)   needs editing !

Sensory Garden

Clotilde Irvine Sensory Garden

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum invites you to visit the Clotilde Irvine Sensory Garden. This fully accessible public garden offers not only a delightful aesthetic experience, but also a multitude of ideas for garden design, container planting, and plant materials. Cost to visit the garden and participate in programs is free with regular paid admission to the Arboretum. Look for program information in your local newspapers, visit the Events Calendar, or call the Arboretum's event line at 952-443-1400.