Yearly Archives: 2009

07 Jan

WINTER BLUES

Jack Carman, FASLA Healing Gardens 0 0

Less day light and colder temperatures can limit out time outdoors, especially for older adults. The results can be, for some people, seasonal depression. We always benefit from from spending time in the sunlight. Taking a walk through the park or even out in the garden can do two important things to help alleviate these feelings of depression. The first thing is that exercise will help to boost production of serotonin levels and that will help to make us feel better. The second element to this activity is that the sunlight will help to balance our circadian rhythms which are the natural wake, sleep cycles of the body. The key here is to remain active and a good way to do that is in the outdoor environment. Sometimes, during the winter months, when it is not possible to get outside on certain days, visitng an indoor garden may be the next best thing. If there is a botanical garden in your community, look into becoming a member or just making a visit to get acquainted. Spending time in these indoor gardens can be another good way to help relieve the winter time blues. The warmer temperatures and humid air will help you feel like you are in your garden in the summer time. All of the lush plants and great variety of species will defiinitely excite the senses. Think of it as a mini vacation in your winter therapeutic garden. Be sure to bring a book, maybe some of those plant catalogues that have been arriving in the mail and a note pad to jot down all of those good ideas. Spend some time, as often as you can, and look forward to spring when you will be outside again in your own garden. And – be sure to keep an eye out for those early spring bulbs. It may be a little too soon. However, as the saying goes – hope springs eternal.

04 Jan

BENEFITS OF NATURE

Jack Carman, FASLA Healing Gardens 0 0

We intuitively believe that nature is good for us. Research by Mayer, Frantz, Bruehlman-Senecal and Dolliver has shown that we do benefit from spending time in the natural world. The research study ” Why is Nature Beneficial? The Role of Connections to Nature“, Sept. 5, 2008, demonstrated that people who walked in an arboretum “experienced higher levels of private self-awareness and awareness of their immediate environment.” The study indicates that people who are outside in nature “reap greater psychological benefits.” There exists a greater need to create outdoor environments that encourage people connect with the natural world. Examples include and are not limited to the involvement in organic gardens, nature paths, arboretum, bike rides, nature centers and other nature focused settings. The ability to spend time in nature is very important for ourselves and everyone. Our goal should be to create the opportunities that allow people to access nature on a dialy basis.

02 Jan

SEED CATALOGUES

Jack Carman, FASLA Horticultural Therapy 0 0

Seed catalogues have started to arrive and they are a welcome sign that spring cannot be that far away. Many of the catalogues are highlighting more of the heirloom vegetables. These plants offer greater variety in the garden in the way of color and flavor. There are tomatoes, as an example, that are orange, pink or purple in color. These tomatoes offer flavors that are different from any of the more common beefsteak varieties that are on the market today. It is worth searching out these plants as seeds of the plants themselves. They are sure to bring fun and excitement to the garden. And to the table as well. It may even be a reason to get some people to try vegetables that they may have not wanted to eat in the past. [The garden pictured above is a community garden that Nancy & I share with two other families, here, in Medford. The garden plot is approximately 20′ by 20′. There are other gardens pictures in the photograph. The community garden has been a place to experiment with new or older varieties of plants. I have been wanting to use more of the heirloom tomatoe plants and will try them this year. Half of the fun is getting together at the garden to do some weeding, pick the vegetables as they ripen and to share a glass of wine. The garden is as much a place to socialize as it is to grow our own fresh, organic produce.]