When U.S. Navy vet Deanne Thompson , 52 , signed up for a free grouping gardening class through the University of Florida ’s Wilmot Botanical Gardens , she did n’t realize the emphasis relief benefits and societal outlet she would gain .

“ I needed to do something for me ; a rocking horse that ’s pore , ” Thompson said . “ It ’s calming to be out there and mess up around with plant . I care the chumminess with the other womanhood vet . I do n’t meet a lot of them . It ’s nice being with women who have have the same things I have – we can relate . ”

Homer Armstrong Thompson is one of five women veterans who on a regular basis wait on a weekly sanative horticulture program designed just for them at Wilmot Botanical Gardens , a program assort with the UF College of Medicine and Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences ( UF / IFAS ) . therapeutical horticulture is the participation in horticulture activities facilitated by a horticultural healer .

Typically , a horticultural healer gains an discernment of the group ’s goals and needs before developing activities for the participant . These action admit study unexampled skills in horticulture that participants can do at home , socialize with fellow participant and introducing novel plants and growing techniques to participant . destination can treat physical and mental health concerns .

“ A lot of military men and women deal with post - traumatic stress upset issues , ” Thompson said . “ horticulture is a swell outlet because you ’re in touch with nature , which is very calming . you could do as much or as little as you like . I tell everyone at the ( Veterans Affairs ) clinic about it . ”

For the last six year , Leah Diehl , director of alterative horticulture at Wilmot Botanical Gardens and reader with the UF / IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department , has been operate with a grouping of male veterans who have various health issues . After earning proceeds from a Wilmot Botanical Gardens plant cut-rate sale , Diehl wanted to add a therapeutic gardening group for women veterans .

“ When I first started work with the gentlemen ( male veteran ) , there was n’t a caboodle of facial expressions that were happy nor was there any talking , ” Diehl said . “ The longer we ’ve function with them , the more conversations and smiles we see . I really do feel like we ’ve been successful in form them experience they belong here . ”

As the daughter of a veteran , Diehl ab initio became tortuous in working with stager populations through the local HONOR Center for Veterans , which provide homeless veteran healthcare and housing . After helping design a garden for the building with veteran , she visualise the positive impact horticulture had on veterans .

Greg McGann , a UF / IFAS Florida Master Gardener and certify clinical social worker , regularly voluntary at the HONOR Center . With other Master Gardeners , McGann added to the gardens Diehl plan by making the garden fully accessible to veterans with Alice Walker or wheelchairs .

“ My most rewarding experience are when the magic of horticulture – from constitute seeds and tending plants , to harvesting organic vegetables – resonates with a veteran and they assume responsibility for regular garden maintenance , ” McGann said . “ Many of the vets who get together us had their own gardens or tend the gardens of parents or grandparents , so returning to the dirt often seems to have an immediate tranquillise result , and that ’s a tremendous thing to see . ”

Diehl said VA clinics all over the land have begun to recognize the stress - excuse and calming burden of these garden on their patient . By working with VA counselors , Diehl was able-bodied to promote her gardening groups to vet .

Future goals Diehl has for the veterans ’ therapeutic gardening groups include apply column gardens . “ They love to construct stuff and come up with solutions , ” she said . “ It ’s something new and innovative , which is what they like . ”

oldtimer who would care to join a therapeutic horticulture group through the Wilmot Botanical Gardens cansign up on the   website . voluntary are welcome to aid at the gardens and canfill out   this interest var. .

germ : University of Florida ( Dana Edwards )