The Positive Impact of Gardening and How It Can Help in Therapy

Therapy can come in many different forms. There’s talk therapy, art therapy, exposure therapy and even garden therapy.

During the summer months, gardening is often incorporated into many of Wellpoint Care Network’s occupational therapy sessions.

“When you’re outside, it’s just easier to think,” said Elizabeth Morgan Smith, occupational therapist at Wellpoint Care Network. “When you’re playing in dirt and water, you’re in the moment, you’re not really thinking about the other pressures of life.”

Morgan Smith started gardening with those in her care during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to get outside. Because of the positive impact she saw, it has continued for the last several years.

The yearly process usually begins in April.

“The kids will start by planting seeds indoors,” said Morgan Smith. “We have a variety of packets on hand, and they’ll flip through the pictures and see what they want. Then we have a dirt bucket with seed starter in it. It’s all about incorporating tactile, or sensory, play.”

Then around June, the sessions (and plants) move outside.

“Kids mainly like to dig in the dirt, which is fun and functional,” added Morgan Smith. “We focus on helping kids with their fear of bugs or flying insects that may be around. Also, being able to tolerate being outside in different temperatures and being wet and dirty. They all lend themselves to therapeutic goals.”

Morgan Smith says what started as just something fun to do has blossomed into a yearly tradition, with new aspects being integrated along the way.

“This year, we started naming the plants,” she said. “So, the kids wrote all their names on sticks, and they stuck them in the dirt. That’s a way to work on handwriting and personalizing something and making it your own. Then other kids might ask, ‘What did he name that plant?’ Then you have a social aspect as well. We just keep coming up with ways to make it fun, make it engaging and work on real, functional skills at the same time.”

And, there’s of course a learning aspect as well.

“Often times, kids don’t know where their food comes from,” added Morgan Smith. “They don’t know that fresh vegetables or fruits come from what you planted and that you can eat them. They also might not have a lot of experience with being outdoors, unless they’re at school or at recess. So, they learn that being outside can be relaxing.”

Now in its fifth year, Morgan Smith has many stories of success and can see how gardening has truly helped those in her occupational therapy sessions make great strides.

“I have an older teenager who is receiving services from us so he can prepare for being more independent,” said Morgan Smith. “So, we’ve really worked on standing tolerance and not sitting around so much. The garden has really helped with that because he was standing at the garden beds planting things. He wasn’t just going and throwing himself down with his phone and playing games. Being outside for a longer time also lends itself to improved exercise and improved mood. His mom has noticed now that he’s happier and he’s more engaged with her and the family. He’s started doing more things independently, like taking the dog for walks. He’s not just stuck on his tablet or his phone all day.”

To learn more about Wellpoint Care Network’s occupational therapy services or to book an appointment, click here.

For more on the benefits of gardening, click here.

Please note: Wellpoint Care Network’s community garden is not open to the public this year due to ongoing construction, but will return in 2025.