New year, new seedlings

January 31, 2020

The greenhouse seemed very bare as we returned to work at the beginning of the year, after all the Christmas wreaths, trees and decorations had been packed away. Fast forward to the end of January and it’s again full of new seedlings: Chilli, Tomato and Geranium amongst others. This means we have a head start compared to last year and are planning to grow a surplus of plants which we can sell in our Farm Shop and use in other projects. Spring bulbs are starting to appear in our planters and raised beds around the greenhouse, so signs of new life are starting to appear which is always a tonic as Winter draws to a close.

Seed sowing and Pricking out seedlings – Therapeutic benefits

It continues to amaze me how the same activity can be applied differently to achieve a variety of therapeutic benefits.

Physical

Alternating between sitting and standing, this activity can be used to increase physical rehab goals such as improving standing tolerance. Using different sized seeds (broad bean to pea to geranium) can help to improve manual dexterity. Using different textures: seeds, plants, compost, and perlite can help work on de-sensitisation.

Mental Health & Well being

Engaging and focusing on this activity can help distract from negative thoughts and provides an opportunity to practise mindfulness. The change from a clinical to an outdoor environment can further support this.

Cognition

Performing the task in the correct sequence, using the correct equipment, being able to follow verbal and visual instruction and recall instructions given, provides opportunity to further assess cognitive skills. This has been particularly helpful for the OT’s supporting  the weekly Neuro group for continued assessment of their patients.

New skills and interests

Providing greater detail about what is a seedling? How they germinate and grow? What to grow at what time of year? All can help to develop knowledge for an individual patient wishing to continue gardening at home and perhaps develop a new hobby at the same time.

Friends of the Tenth Memorial

We have been care-taking the tulip bulbs kindly donated for planting in the memorial garden. The space is not quite ready for their final resting space so we are growing and will lift ready to put back in the memorial  garden ready for flowering next year.

Waterperry Gardens

I attended a seasonal creative Therapeutic Horticulture workshop run by Lynne Evans and Caroline Cook at Pop Gardens Horticultural Therapy. Always useful to take inspiration for new ideas, resources and evidence to incorporate into current practice as well as meeting others working in similar fields. I had time to see Waterperry Gardens too which were full of snow drops and houses the National Collection of Saxifraga.

Happy Gardening, Jane

Patient pricking out chillies.

Seedlings growing away in the greenhouse.

Hellebore in the Pears Walled Garden.

Heritage seeds.

Seasonal creative therapeutic horticulture workshop.

Snowdrops at Waterperry Gardens.

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