N.C. Botanical Garden plans week of programs detailing horticultural therapy

CHAPEL HILL -- Horticultural therapy, which focuses on gardening as a therapeutic activity for people of all ability levels, has its own official week to highlight the profession and its benefits.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s N.C. Botanical Garden will celebrate the week with daily programs March 21 through 26 on horticultural therapy.

"Gardens and gardening can change lives," said Nancy Easterling, education specialist and horticultural therapist at the garden.

"I once knew a veteran gardener who had lost his wife, his garden and his ability to live independently. After moving to a nursing home, he grew increasingly depressed. But when the therapist took him to the garden, he found an opportunity for physical fitness, socialization and a renewed sense of worth. Almost every day, he was there with a tiny paint brush, moving from blossom to blossom, lending the tomato pollinators a hand."

Horticultural therapy encompasses many kinds of activities providing participants with opportunities to change physical, cognitive and or psychosocial levels of functioning, Easterling added.

The garden’s horticultural therapy programs begin at noon and are free to the public. The location is the garden’s visitor site on Old Mason Farm Road, just off U.S. 15-501 Bypass (Fordham Boulevard) .

Following is a schedule of events, led by Easterling and other N.C. Botanical Garden staff members:

• March 21: "Horticultural Therapy at NCBG" will feature a tour of the accessible horticultural therapy area, including raised beds.
  
  
• March 22: "Horticultural Therapy Activity Analysis" will feature horticultural therapy activities in the Herb House. Attendees will make "sweet bags" (potpourri) and try other activities involving plants and motor skills.
  
  
• March 23: "Horticultural Therapy: A Personal View" will introduce attendees to gardeners working in horticultural therapy.
  
  
• March 24: "Tools of the Trade" introduces attendees to gardening tools, from shovels to shears.
  
  
• March 25: "Resources and More" provides a review of horticultural therapy resources. The garden’s resource library and many book catalogs will be available.
  
  
• March 26: "Sensory Stimulation" features hands-on activities in the garden and horticultural therapy beds. Attendees will learn how herbs stimulate the senses.

Walk-ins are welcome.

On the national level, the third "Celebration of Horticultural Therapy" will be held at the U.S. Botanical Garden in Washington, D.C., on March 25 .

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Note: Contact Easterling at (919) 962-0522.

N.C. Botanical Garden contact: Laura Cotterman, (919) 962-0522 or lmcotter@email.unc.edu
News Services contact: Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415 or deborah_saine@unc.edu