Harvesting Wisdom: Life Lessons Learned From the Garden
Therapeutic Gardening
Harvesting Wisdom: Life Lessons Learned From the Garden
Starting in May 2024, we will proudly embark on our 3rd year of cultivating a garden plot. As reflected in a number of A Solution B’s blog entries, my focus often gravitates towards the crucial intersection of nutrition and mental well-being. It dawned on me that securing fresh produce posed a significant challenge, especially given my upbringing and current living situation in what is known as a food desert.
A food desert entails having to travel over a mile in an urban area or over three miles in rural settings to access fresh, nourishing food options.
On top of this obstacle is the stark reality that such circumstances disproportionately affect communities predominantly comprising of black and brown individuals along with those of low socioeconomic status. Recognizing this issue of accessibility to fresh produce, I took the initiative to nurture my own crops and involve clients in this endeavor. My goal is multifaceted: to obtain vital nutrients, acquire skills beneficial to their families and neighborhoods, and explore therapeutic practices like mindfulness, embracing natural sunlight, physical activity, and Incorporating hands-on kinesthetic learning techniques which can greatly enhance one's grasp of barriers, plus both healthy and unhealthy coping skills. Much like the ethos of my private practice “there is always another solution”, the fundamental premise is rooted in the belief that there exists an alternate approach to every challenge.
As time has progressed, my journey through gardening has been enriched with invaluable life lessons gleaned from the dedicated volunteers and clients I've had the privilege to collaborate with. In reflecting on this shared experience, seven insightful things stand out as impactful and transformative for me which I have shared below.
7 Life Lessons from Gardening
Amending Soil: When I initially passed by the area where I hoped to rent a plot and create a garden, everything appeared to be thriving. Unbeknownst to me, what seemed flourishing at first glance actually included weeds and lots of them. When I first obtained my assigned plot and began to work on planting, I discovered that my soil was not as fertile as I initially believed and extremely dry, resembling cement though it was clay. To introduce any plants to this area, I had to moisten the soil, wait for 20 minutes, then plant and water it thoroughly. I sought advice from fellow community gardeners and conducted research to understand the situation better. I realized the importance of amending my soil to began a nourishing foundation for the plants I’d like to grow, amending soil is a key principle in gardening. Similarly to life, we often must make adjustments and enhancements to progress and prosper. Since I established the garden in 2021, I have amended the soil in various ways. This includes planting crops suitable for clay with shallow roots, cultivating root vegetables to improve soil structure and aeration, and introducing compost to revitalize the foundation.
Soil is Living and Must be Nurtured: Soil is often perceived as an inert substance that provides a foundation for plants. However, it may come as a surprise to learn that soil is actually teeming with life. Recognizing soil as a living organism emphasizes the significance of tending to the very basis upon which our cultivation relies. Since the inception of my garden back in 2021, my objective has extended beyond merely improving the soil; I aim to nurture it in a manner that fosters self-sustainability, allowing flowers and vegetables to thrive with minimal intervention. Just as a solid foundation is crucial in life, ensuring the health of the soil is essential for optimal growth. Presently, the soil has become more manageable, facilitating the plants in developing their root systems effectively. The initial challenges of working with clay soil have decreased, enabling me to spend less time preparing the soil for new plantings. By tending to the plants with water and organic nutrients, I am not only caring for them but also nourishing the very foundation that sustains their growth.
Gardening Can Be Meditative: Engaging in gardening activities often offers a profound sense of peace and tranquility, creating a serene space where we can foster a deep connection with nature and ourselves in a truly meditative and reflective manner.
Learn a Skill, Feed a Community: Therapy sessions held in a garden offer many advantages that extend far beyond the counseling environment. Clients partake in a unique experience where they not only gain insights into the foundational aspects of gardening but also learn about the dedication required to cultivate a self-sustaining garden. This knowledge is not confined to a solitary moment but rather serves as a skillset that can be passed down through generations, becoming a legacy of sustainable practices.
The impact of these therapeutic garden sessions transcends individual growth, potentially leading to long-term benefits for the community. As clients are equipped with the knowledge of how to create and maintain a garden, they hold the key to increasing the availability of fresh produce within their local community. By choosing to share their harvest over time, they contribute to enhancing access to nutritious food for those around them, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and reciprocity.
In essence, gardening in a therapeutic context not only empowers individuals to acquire practical skills but also instills in them the values of giving back and communal support. Through the act of cultivating the land and sharing its bounty, clients engage in a meaningful form of reciprocity that enriches both their own well-being and that of the community as a whole.
Weeding takes dedication: Just as we tend to believe that a garden maintains its beauty effortlessly, the reality is that gardening bears resemblance to the journey of life. The act of weeding serves as a crucial and continuous task essential for the flourishing of plant life. This process is not a one-time event but rather a recurring obligation that may even be required unexpectedly, mirroring the unpredictability of life itself. Similarly, to the concept of tending to a garden, establishing boundaries is a nuanced and ongoing matter that may require regular evaluation and open communication. Just like weeding, boundary setting often involves the repetitive reinforcement of personal boundaries over time.
Weeds can be deceiving: In both gardening and life, we encounter challenges that may seem harmless at first glance but have the potential to hinder our growth if not tended to promptly. Learning to differentiate between what serves us and what doesn't is a crucial skill. It is interesting because habits and behavioral patterns can appear healthy until we find out they aren’t helpful in other environments nor in other situations. Just like in counseling we have to be able to identify coping skills, thought patterns and behaviors that served us well, may be getting in the way when it comes to other areas of our lives.
Thunderstorms are growth opportunities: When I first began growing my garden, I used to worry about how it was faring in this harsh Michigan weather conditions. Some days, I would feel disheartened by what seemed like little to no growth in my plants. However, I soon realized that after enduring heavy rains and thunderstorms, my plants actually flourished, growing even taller than before. This experience taught me a valuable life lesson - that facing obstacles head-on can not only help us withstand challenges but also empower us to speak up and defend our interests. Ultimately, such trials have the potential to make us more resilient and stronger individuals.
Summary
In summary, Gardening offers valuable life lessons that can be beneficial in therapeutic environments and contribute positively to the community through many avenues. The act of cultivating plants not only nurtures individuals' well-being but also fosters a sense of connection with others and the environment. The benefits extend beyond personal growth to encompass social and ecological impacts, making it a versatile and rewarding practice for individuals and communities alike.
At A Solution B, LLC, we offer engaging workshops on the vital role of nutrition in mental health, as well as specialized CEU classes for mental health providers focusing on the disparities present in black and brown communities. If you're in the Greater Grand Rapids Michigan area, our services can seamlessly integrate the calming essence of a garden into your sessions upon request. For those outside the state, fret not! Our innovative approaches include virtual ways to incorporate plant therapy and mindfulness with house plants into your therapeutic journey. Reach out today to schedule an intake and embark on a holistic approach to mental well-being.
I’d be interested to learn from you in the comments below whether gardening has played a significant role in shaping your life's journey. Have you had the chance to explore the deep-rooted life lessons that tending to a garden can share with us?
Written by: Reynelda Jones, LMSW-C, ADS, CIMHP
CEO of A Solution B, LLC
If you are located in the State of Michigan, New Jersey or Vermont and you would benefit from a holistic therapeutic approach, Schedule an Appointment today to start your healing journey.
To learn more about A Solution B, LLC click here
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