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Can just anyone participate?

Last Saturday, I visited the Holistic Gardens that are located on the West side of the Texas A&M campus.

I found myself thinking about gardens and the idea that "anyone can participate."

Flower bed

Can just "anyone" participate in gardening? Well, most of us can enjoy the beauty and the fragrant smells associated with gardens.

But, what about those that have disabilities?

Well, the Holistic Gardens have a special section called the Enabling Gardens. The Enabling Gardens are used to demonstrate special gardening techniques that allow those with handicaps or disabilities to enjoy gardening.

For example, different heights of raised beds can be utilized for - for people that can not bend over. Maybe they require a walker or a wheel chair.

They also had a wheel chair assessable A frame bed for plants that grow on a vine.

Another concept demonstrated was a wheel chair accessible bed. With this type of flowerbed, the person can get closer to the garden by rolling their wheel chair under the bed - almost like a table. Each bed is designed to drain towards the back, so that the person doesn't have water dripping on them.

Wheel Chair Beds

I was also able to visit with Louis Castillo who explained horticulture therapy. In his position prior to joining the TAMU staff, he developed and implemented a therapy program for persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Downs Syndrome. It sounded very rewarding for everyone that was involved.

Louis Castillo He has some really interesting plans to develop a workshop to teach others how to conduct similar types of programs. (Look for upcoming posts for additional information about Louis's work)

Today, my visit of the Holistic Teaching Gardens also made me really question - just what is the impact of flowers and plants in various people's lives?

Holistic Gardens

Cool color flowering plants

For more information, go to:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/holisticgarden/

Photographed,

written and posted by

Sondra Meyer CPA/Real Estate Broker

United Country Brazos Valley Realty

1275 Flying Ace Ranch Circle

College Station TX 77845

979-575-2700

Posted by Sondra Meyer on 08/05/2008 09:20 AM

Comments (17)

garden, holistic teaching gardens, texas am

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17 Comments on Can just anyone participate?

AUG

2008

Looks fun. I love to walk thru Gardens. There are always new ideas.

Wonderful pics Sondra, I also have some very beautiful pics of flowers I will be sharing with one of my groups. I am looking forward to hearing some of your happy stories.

Believe it not, I also have a group called SAD.

And I have a very SAD post that I would like for you to read,

VERY STRANGE DREAM I HAD THE NIGHT BEFORE BEFORE 9/ 11

Thank you!

Robert

Hi Sondra, Thank You for your encouraging and inspiring post! Thank You for your beautiful pictures!

Hummm, wasn't thinking about gardening, but interesting topic.

Sondra, ANOTHER "excellent" post by you showing your generous heart. I am so glad you got to meet Louis and learn of his story. The Enabling Gardens section is an amazing idea to allow those who are physically challenged to enjoy the plants and flowers. There is a famous quotation by Ralph Waldo Emerson that says, "Earth laughs in flowers." I think colorful flowers brighten up all our lives and have a strong impact on our positive well being.

Sondra, I know how therapeutic I find gardening to be so it is wonderful that the holistic garden makes it easy for those that have handicaps also.

Carol, I too get ideas. Each time I visit this garden, different flowers are in bloom.

Robert, thanks for the compliment on the pictures. I'll probably try to avoid your Sad group as much as possible, but I try to think about the postive things. However, I will read that post that you mentioned. I'm a Happy Group sort of person.

Dan, thank you for stopping by. What these people are doing for others is very inspiring to me.

Gary, I too was amazed at the Enabling Gardens and it did make me think about how much we take for granted.

Marchel, I too find gardening theraputic. I hope you all aren't getting too much rain. I like what we are getting here.

Sondra, loved the eye candy and the post. It looks like a wonderful place to relax and spend some time in.

Sondra, How great that people in wheelchairs and with other disabilities can enjoy gardening with the raised beds. I had never thought of this but what a wonderful thing. Gardening has always been a relaxing and calming job for me and I love it so much. Glad someone is making a way for others that normally could not do this to enjoy it to. Thanks for such a great post.

AUG

2008

Hi Sondra, thanks for your note on Gary's post. This post about the gardens is very inspiring today. I think flowers affect our world & our lives, tremendously. I can't imagine a world without their beauty, color & variety... just like friends....

Thanks for sharing this Sondra The healing that nature can provide is wonderful.

That place is awesome! Both of my grandparents are Master Gardeners...and I dabble a bit with it. Id like visit there...Nice post. Thanks!

AUG

2008

I would love to visit this place sometime. As you know we are gardening nuts.

Sondra - again, great pictures, I like the concept of an enabling garden. I do use some of those techniques (due to my osteoarthritis). My master gardener class spent some time on them. An Aggie passtime more important that football. (OK, maybe I'm a heretic).

Mara, you are in my prayers. Flowers are comforting and a way of rejoicing also.

Ricki, I"m just absolutely awed about the things that the TAMU Horticulture Department is doing to help enable people to enjoy gardening and life in general.

Clint, when I visited the gardens last weekend, the Texas Master Gardeners were having one of their big meetings there. I"d like to become a Master Gardener myself one of these days.

Trey, I'll let you know when they have their big Fall Plant sale. That would be a ideal time for you to visit because you and your wife could enjoy the gardens and purchase some high quality plants at the same time. My tomato plant that I bought there this spring is still going strong.

Mike, I'll admit that I spend more time gardening than I do watching football. lol. Are you working towards becoming a Master Gardener yoursef?

Great Photos! I wish I had more time for gardening! I'm big on growing things I can eat though! :)

AUG

2008

Hi Sondra...What a wonderful idea. I wish there was a holistic garden near my mom. She is in a transport chair when she goes out. She enjoys the flowers anyway.

Thanks for telling us about this.

Kate

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