The Beginner’s Guide to Gardening for Wellbeing
At The Sensory Home, we believe gardens and green spaces can profoundly transform mood and behaviour, especially for individuals with sensory sensitivities, enhancing their overall well-being. Spending time in nature through gardening offers a sense of purpose and a deep feeling of belonging, away from the stress of modern life. It’s about finding peace and calm in green spaces, where caring for plants can be soothing.
The National Autistic Society Garden
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the Chelsea Flower Show, and the sensory experience was truly magical. Being surrounded by nature not only makes your surroundings more beautiful but also improves your overall well-being. In our busy world, green spaces provide a much-needed break and a chance to connect with nature. I was offered a tour of The National Autistic Society Garden, designed by Sophie Parmenter and Dido Milne. The garden’s unique use of cork was both innovative and purposeful. The large cork walls, constructed with breeze blocks, created a visually striking barrier; as the cork compresses, a residue is released, binding the concrete blocks together. These blocks, with their small square holes, offerer a glimpse into the other side—a metaphor for how autistic individuals often present a part of themselves without fully exposing their inner world. This design allowed for a sense of safety while maintaining a connection with the outside.
Walking through the garden, you descend to a lower level that envelops you in a cocoon-like embrace. This space felt incredibly safe and calming. As you move deeper into the garden, the gentle sound of running water enhances the sense of tranquillity. The tactility of the site, combined with the soothing sounds, created a calming environment that felt sensitive to the needs of its visitors. What struck me most about this garden was its abundant choices. There were numerous pockets and areas where you could hide away or be in a more open space. This element of choice is fundamental. For autistic individuals, deciding where and how to engage with their surroundings is crucial for their well-being.
Choosing environments that calm the senses
Gardens bring immense comfort to autistic individuals and those on the spectrum for various reasons. Firstly, they offer a controlled sensory environment. Gardens are rich with natural sensory inputs like the rustle of leaves, the scent of flowers, and the feel of different textures underfoot. These natural stimuli are often less overwhelming than artificial environments, helping to reduce sensory overload and providing a calming effect. Gardens offer a sense of structure and predictability, and many autistic individuals find comfort in routines and structured environments. Gardens, with their regular patterns and cycles of growth, offer a predictable and consistent space. The changing seasons and growth patterns can also provide a gentle form of variation that is soothing rather than disruptive.
Tools for Every Gardener with Spear & Jackson
Whether you’re new to gardening or have been doing it for years, nurturing plants can be highly therapeutic, giving you a sense of purpose and belonging. And to those who avoid gardening for fear of getting it wrong – gardening isn’t about being perfect; it’s about personal growth and discovery. Even if you don’t know where to start, every seed you plant and flower you care for helps you connect with the natural world. Besides the happiness of seeing your hard work coming to life, gardening enables you to stay mindful and reduces stress. It encourages us to slow down, watch nature’s cycles, and ultimately find comfort in its simplicity.
To help you embark on your garden adventure, we’ve curated a guide on essential tools for beginners in collaboration with Spear and Jackson. From ergonomic trowels and secateurs to comfortable kneeling pads, each tool will aid and enhance your gardening experience while respecting your sensory needs.
Gardening for All Spaces and Sensitivities
Whether you have a windowsill, a balcony, or a big garden, anyone can enjoy the pleasure of gardening to feel more connected to nature and themselves. For young children and individuals with sensory sensitivities, gardens offer gentle sights, textures, and scents that can soothe and awaken the senses, reduce stress, improve mood, and foster a sense of peace and well-being. Gardening can also provide a sense of accomplishment, encourage mindfulness, improve focus, and promote physical activity. Put simply; gardening has incredible physical and mental benefits.
Encouraging Young Gardeners
At The Sensory Home, we want to encourage young individuals, especially those with sensory sensitivities, to embrace the joy of gardening. Gardening offers them a tangible way to connect with nature, fostering a sense of accomplishment and confidence. It’s a journey that can transform simple acts of planting and nurturing into lifelong skills and a comforting hobby.
If you’d like to explore more articles on the garden, please take a look at our article on Why Gardens Calm Individuals with Sensory Sensitivities. If you’d like more information on Spear & Jackson, take a look at their full collection here.
