Social & Therapeutic Horticulture
Therapeutic Horticulture (sometimes prefixed with ‘Social and…’ or STH) is a process whereby trained practitioners, using plants, gardening and nature connection, work with people to help them improve their physical and psychological health and wellbeing, skills and abilities.
Research Library
Gardens and gardening do great things for our health and wellbeing, and the evidence of these effects is now significant.
Set up a Therapeutic Gardening Book
Get your copy of the Trellis Guide - How to set up a Therapeutic Gardening Project.
Adaptive Gardening™
Adaptive Gardening™ is the practice of making gardening accessible for everyone, finding ways to overcome physical, psychological and social barriers to taking part in gardening activities.
Recommended Reading
We are often asked for recommended reading on various aspects of therapeutic gardening. This page share some reading suggestions from our network with their recommendations.
Health & Safety
By law if you employ five or more people you must have a written health and safety policy.
Find Funding
Many therapeutic gardening projects rely on a patchwork of grant funding from charitable trusts and foundations perhaps mixed with self-generated income e.g. from plant sales or fees for service provision to support the various facets of their projects: staffing, rent, equipment, materials, core costs, training etc.
Gardening and Dementia
Trellis factsheet Dementia and Gardening is a starting point for anyone gardening with people with dementia or interested in developing or setting up a garden for people with dementia.
Working with Volunteers
Many therapeutic gardening projects host volunteer gardeners, tea makers, weeders, publicity agents, fundraisers and even those who don't mind doing paperwork! Volunteers bring ideas, skills, enthusiasm and experience.
The Benefits of Therapeutic Horticulture
Therapeutic horticulture offers a whole range of powerful and lasting benefits to our health and wellbeing. It’s an evidence-based practice that’s very cost-effective and carries very few or no side effects or downsides.
Horticulture
Seed Suppliers:
Sutton Seeds - Get a discount with the Trellis membership