National Garden Bureau names five Therapeutic Garden Grant program recipients

Five therapeutic gardens received grants and in-kind donations totaling $7,500 through the National Garden Bureau's Therapeutic Garden Grant program, which includes sponsors American Meadows, Ball Horticultural Company and Sakata Seed America.

This year marks the 10th year NGB has provided resources for therapeutic gardens. The philanthropic program launched in 2014 to support the building and growth of therapeutic gardens across North America. It also furthers NGB’s mission of promoting gardening to gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

The five winning gardens are:

© National Garden Bureau

Insight Garden Program, San Gabriel, California ($3,000): Insight Garden Program's mission is to facilitate innovative gardening and landscaping training so that people in prison can reconnect to self, community and the natural world. The program says the “inner” and “outer” gardening approach transforms lives, ends ongoing cycles of incarceration and creates safer communities. Currently, the program is at 11 prison yards in California. The program hopes to build a therapeutic garden for incarcerated women at the California Institute for Women, the second-largest prison for women in the state. The women in the program will co-design the garden space, work the land and hopefully have the opportunity to harvest from it.

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The University of Tennessee (UT) Gardens Horticultural Therapy, Knoxville, Tennessee ($1,500): UT Gardens is a 10-acre garden utilized by students and the community. The horticultural therapy program launched in 2012 and has served more than 9,000 people since. It provides programming for a variety of client populations, including behavioral health, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and youth from camp programs. Programming goals include using horticulture to promote health and wellness, teaching participants about nutrition and healthy eating, and the development of vocational skills.

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Care Plus Horticultural Therapy, Paramus, New Jersey ($1,000): The program at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is designed for adult residents with multiple and complex physical, cognitive, psychological and/or social challenges that require a regular regimen of care and attention by qualified health professionals. Residents range in age from 30s to more than 100 years old. Horticultural therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic modality utilizing plants, seeds and natural plant-based materials in spaces dedicated to these activities. While the greenhouse and dayroom are housed within the medical facility, there isn’t a medical machine, drug cart, thermometer, etc. in sight. Each long-term care unit is assigned a one-hour greenhouse session monthly or more as needed. Horticultural therapy helps residents improve memory, cognitive abilities, task initiation, language skills and socialization.

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Edgerton Hospital Healing Garden, Edgerton, Wisconsin ($1,000): Edgerton Hospital and Health Services has maintained a 3-acre healing garden for 12 years. Its intent is to provide both passive and active engagement for patients, staff, visitors and the public. The garden manager works with rehab staff to create outdoor activities for patients. The garden has a strong sensory focus, with fragrant and tactile plants. Raised beds provide opportunities for people with disabilities. The garden’s edible plants are used in the café and patient meals, with the surplus going to food banks.

© National Garden Bureau