Show #22/1609. Chadwick Arboretum

Use of Containers in Horticultural Therapy

Richard likes the fact Jenny is using containers. Containers show one doesn't need a permanent place to garden. The containers here are so important because a lot of participants cannot get down in the garden, they can't get on their hands and knees and work in the soil. Thus these containers are a perfect solution. They have many different varieties, in particular some are large and plastic. Which means they're lightweight. They take old plastic pots, line the bottom with something like empty cans or plastic bottles, then fill it with soil. This makes them easy to lift. They can take them out of the hot sun and bring it into the shade for the participant. They also have wonderful wooden planters. They're elevated, on legs, like a table. They're wheelchair accessible and a great height to stand and work. It's comfortable. One can easily reach to the middle of the container to work. Some elevated containers have been fitted with wheels or casters, these enable Jenny to move them around easily. These adaptations allow everybody to garden, it's inclusive.