How Gardens Heal

I remember talking with a fellow gardener about 20 years ago. He was telling me how the garden saved him after his divorce. “There I was,” he said, “down on my knees, literally. Having my hands in the dirt kept me sane.”

My friend was not alone. Many of us turn to the healing powers of the garden in times of stress and loss. There are many examples of Cape Cod communities coming together to build a garden in memory of a child who has died far too early in life. Others build memorial gardens or put in special plants in their own yards as a place to remember loved ones. We use the life-affirming nature of plants to comfort us, and to celebrate that growth continues even in the face of loss.

Whether planting a garden in memory of another, as a way to heal from difficult circumstances, or as a means to celebrate life itself, our landscapes sooth our spirits while they delight the eye.

Take a deep breath, and dig in.