Seeds of Strength: Why Gardening Can Be Part of Healing
- Kylie Emery
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
Not all healing happens in an office.
Sometimes it happens outside, in quieter moments, doing something simple with your hands.
That is part of what Seeds of Strength offers. A different kind of space. One that feels a little slower, a little softer, and often easier to step into.
Why gardening, though?
It might seem surprising, but there is actually a growing amount of research showing that gardening can support mental health.
People who participate in gardening or nature-based programs often report feeling less stressed, more connected, and more emotionally steady¹⁴. Some studies have also found improvements in depression and overall wellbeing when people regularly engage in these kinds of activities¹.
So what is it about gardening that makes a difference?
It gives your mind a break.
Life can feel loud and demanding. There is always something pulling your attention.
Natural environments tend to feel different. Research suggests they may help reduce mental fatigue and give your brain a chance to reset³.
You might notice it without even trying. Things feel quieter. A little less overwhelming.
It helps you come back to the present.
When you are gardening, you are not just thinking. You are doing.
You are touching soil, noticing textures, paying attention to small changes. These kinds of sensory experiences can help bring you back into the moment and out of spiraling thoughts¹.
For many people, that shift alone can feel relieving.
It creates gentle structure.
Gardening offers something many people need but struggle to find. Not rigid structure, but gentle structure.
There are small, manageable steps. Planting. Watering. Checking on growth.
Research suggests that this kind of hands-on activity can help interrupt cycles of overthinking and support emotional regulation². It gives your energy somewhere to go.
It can feel easier to connect.
Connection can be hard, especially when you are anxious, overwhelmed, or not sure what to say.
Gardening creates a different kind of social space. You are not expected to sit face-to-face and talk the whole time. You are focused on your own process in a space that can feel more open and less isolating than a traditional office.
Research shows that shared gardening activities can increase feelings of belonging and reduce loneliness⁴⁵. It creates connection in a way that often feels more natural and less pressured.
It helps rebuild confidence and trust.
There is something powerful about caring for something and watching it grow.
People often describe feeling more capable, more grounded, and more hopeful when they engage in gardening activities⁴. Over time, those small moments of success can start to shift how you see yourself.
This can be especially meaningful if you are working on rebuilding trust with your body, with food, or with yourself.
Why this fits with Seeds of Strength?
Seeds of Strength is not just about being in a garden. It is about what the garden allows.
It creates space to slow down, engage your senses, and reconnect with food in a more hands-on way. It also allows you to approach things that feel difficult at your own pace.
Research on nature-based care also supports the idea that outdoor, sensory-rich environments can feel less overwhelming and more supportive for people who struggle in traditional settings⁷.
For some people, this makes it easier to show up, stay present, and begin doing the work.
Who might benefit from this kind of support.
Gardening-based work can be especially helpful for people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected in more traditional settings.
Research suggests it may be beneficial for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and chronic stress¹. It has also been used as a supportive approach for people navigating eating disorders, trauma, and other experiences where the body, environment, or food can feel difficult to engage with.
For some people, sitting in an office and talking can feel intense or hard to access. A garden setting offers a different entry point. It allows for movement, sensory engagement, and a slower pace, which can feel more manageable.
This kind of environment may also be a good fit for individuals who:
struggle with emotional regulation
feel disconnected from their body or from food
benefit from hands-on or experiential approaches
feel more at ease outdoors or in less structured spaces
Gardening is not a replacement for therapy or medical care, but it can be a useful complement to it¹². It creates opportunities to practice skills like mindfulness, grounding, and gentle exposure in a way that feels more natural and easier to engage with.
References
Tate, C., Hashmi, S. M., O’Kane, N., & Hunter, R. F. (2026). A systematic review of horticultural therapy and urban agriculture interventions targeting depression, anxiety, and acute stress disorder. Cities, 169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.106554
Xu, M., Lu, S., Liu, J., & Xu, F. (2023). Effectiveness of horticultural therapy in aged people with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1142456
Joye, Y., & Dewitte, S. (2018). Nature’s broken path to restoration: A critical look at Attention Restoration Theory. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 59, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2018.08.006
Lampert, T., Costa, J., Santos, O., Sousa, J., Ribeiro, T., & Freire, E. (2021). Evidence on the contribution of community gardens to promote physical and mental health and well-being. PLoS ONE, 16(8), e0255621. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255621
Spano, G., et al. (2020). Are community gardening and horticultural interventions beneficial for psychosocial well-being? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103584
Wood, C. J., Barton, J. L., & Wicks, C. L. (2022). The impact of therapeutic community gardening on wellbeing, loneliness, and life satisfaction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013166
Leavell, M. A., et al. (2019). Nature-based social prescribing in urban settings to improve social connectedness and mental well-being. Current Environmental Health Reports, 6(4), 297–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-019-00251-7
