Gardening Specialties with Sowing Joy

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A kitchen garden is a dedicated outdoor space where fresh, edible plants, like vegetables, herbs, fruits and edible flowers are grown for everyday culinary  use.  It brings the farm-to-table experience closer to home, offering convenience, sustainability, the comfort of knowing what you are eating and serving your family and friends is pesticide free and organically grown.

Why Have a Kitchen Garden? 

•  Designed for easy access to fresh, homegrown ingredients for cooking.
• Typically located close to the kitchen.
• Can be raised beds or container gardens
• Ability to grow an abundance of food no matter how small your space is.
• Easy maintenance with my way of planting.
• Helps reduce grocery bill and food waste while promoting healthy eating.
• Variety of plant selections tailored to your personal preference.
• Provides an engaging activity for families and a sense of accomplishment.
• Growing fresh vegetables and herbs year-round.

What is therapeutic gardening?  Unlike your standard garden with flowers and vegetables, a therapeutic garden is used to provide therapy to many different populations. It is a designed garden, either outdoors or indoors, intended to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.  These gardens use the natural elements of plants, flowers, textures, scents, and sounds to create a restorative environment that suports healing and relaxation. 

Therapeutic gardens are often tailored to meet the needs of specific groups such as individuals with physical disabilities, cognitive challenges, or mental health concerns.  

These spaces are commonly used in healthcare facilities, senior centers, schools, and residential settings, but they can benefit anyone looking for a place to rejuvenate and find peace. By integrating purposeful design with the healing power of nature, therapeutic gardens help reduce stress, improve mood and foster a sense of well-being.

A combination of non-toxic  plants and herbs are used along with organic soil, pest control and fertilizer. 

A sensory garden is a carefully designed outdoor space that engages all five senses.  These gardens are often used for education and recreation.  The sensory garden will  feature a variety of plants and design elements that appeal to each sense.  For example:

• SIght - Vibrant flowers, colorful foliage and visually dynamic layouts.
• Smell - Fragrant, non- toxic, flower and herbs.
• Sound - water features, winds chimes,  bird feeders to attract birds.
• Touch - Textured plants, smooth stones and soft moss.
• Taste - Organic edible herbs, fruits and vegetables.

There are multiple eduacational benefits with this type of  garden. Math, science, language arts, social skills, gross and fine motor skills and life skills are areas that the sensory garden can enhance.

Design considerations:

• Safety
• Accessibility
• Interactive features
• Seasonality (year round gardening}