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.

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.

“NGB is proud to continue our annual therapeutic garden grant program to sponsor the growth of therapeutic gardening across North America," said NGB past president Nick Pucci. "Gardening is a great tool of healing for so many and we understand the importance of the grant program to allow for these programs to flourish and grow in our communities."

The five winning gardens are:

City Green, Clifton, New Jersey ($3,000)

© All photos courtesy of National Garden Bureau

City Green is a nonprofit farming and gardening organization with programs that offer practical, technical and financial resources to foster equitable access to local food and green spaces in support of sustainable, healthy communities. Its Therapeutic Horticulture Program offers therapeutic and vocational opportunities for special populations, including local transition services programs and older adult centers.

Hope Grows Healing Garden, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania ($1,500)

Hope Grows’ mission is to inspire hope through nature while empowering family caregivers to seek wellness of mind, body and spirit. Its therapeutic landscapes are designed as havens for family caregivers.

Frelinghuysen Arboretum Hort Therapy, Morristown, New Jersey ($1,000)

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum Hort Therapy garden is a series of raised beds for wheelchair accessibility, plus 24 raised beds for individuals to have their own garden areas. The arboretum grows annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs through several programs participants can experience. Interns from local schools help maintain the gardens.

Gospel, Inc. Healing Haven, Lakeland, Florida ($1,000)

Gospel Inc. is a Christ-centered community providing a home and micro-enterprise work opportunity to the formerly homeless at Gospel Village. The “Healing Haven” project aims to create a therapeutic garden designed to promote mental health, physical well-being and community engagement in their local area.

Wayside House Healing Garden, Delray Beach, Florida ($1,000)

Wayside House is a women’s addiction treatment center founded 50 years ago by Susan B. Anthony, great-niece of the women’s rights advocate. The garden is an integral part of a full-circle horticulture therapy and nutrition program. The clients grow vegetables, herbs and fruit trees in raised beds as part of their ongoing therapy.

The judges who read all the applications and narrowed them down to the five finalists were Patty Cassidy, vice president, American Horticultural Therapy Association; Barbara Kreski, retired director, horticultural therapy, Chicago Botanic Garden; Alicia Green, Buehler Enabling Garden coordinator, Chicago Botanic Garden; Isabel Fuenzalida, culture and organizational development director, Sakata Seed America; Mike Lizotte, owner/managing partner, American Meadows; Mark Gross, corporate giving, Ball Horticultural Company; and Nancy Ketchmark, owner, Flowers Contained.

Applications for the 2025 grant program will open April 1, 2025.