The pictures don’t show the real size of these beds but at just over 2.5 feet in depth and three foot wide and a lengthy 8 foot long they are pretty huge. And believe me filling them certainly had Alan and Brian cursing after numerous barrow loads of top soil before adding the quality stuff for our vegetables. The reason we have gone for this height is nothing to do with the needs of the plants. It is to provide accessibility for people who may use a wheelchair or have a reduced ability to stand for what ever reason. Accessibility is the key issue and particularly as it is likely that people we will be providing courses and training to will be having real hands on horticulture. There is nothing better than the sense of achievement and we plan to use Social and Therapeutic Horticulture to transform the lives of those affected by mental health and disability.
The benefits of a sustained and active interest in gardening include:
Better physical health through exercise and learning how to use or strength muscles to improve mobility, Improved mental health through a sense of purpose and achievement , The opportunity to connect with others – reducing feelings of isolation or exclusion , Acquiring new skills to improve the chances of finding employment , Just feeling better for being outside, in touch with nature and in the ‘great outdoors’
Better physical health through exercise and learning how to use or strength muscles to improve mobility, Improved mental health through a sense of purpose and achievement , The opportunity to connect with others – reducing feelings of isolation or exclusion , Acquiring new skills to improve the chances of finding employment , Just feeling better for being outside, in touch with nature and in the ‘great outdoors’
So watch this space to see what will be on offer at The Secret Garden