I will admit its taken me a while to read this book but that was more because I majorly lack time to read the books I want to read rather than the book its self. If you have an interest in the effects of gardening, horticulture, working with nature and having you hands in the earth has on the mind then please do read this book. A beautifully written book about the holistic healing qualities of gardening and nature. The book invites us to reflect on the life changing impact of sowing and nurturing a seed, growing a plant, a garden, calmness and healing. Plenty analogies between growing plants and growing ourselves. Well written and very readable this books covers the benefits of gardening from a scientific and psychology point of view (but never too heavy that you switch off) and the real life practical evidence.
Based on the author's fascinating research among prisoners, hospital patients and people with long term mental health challenges it covers the benefits of gardening on returning and convalescing soldiers cope with the effects of war, patients in hospitals where gardens have been built that they can enjoy while healing, gardens in prisons where it has categorically been proved to have an effect on re-offending in released prisoners and the effects of community gardens on the living conditions and crime rate of inner city communities.
The author explores the significant psychological and physiological benefits of sowing, watering, weeding or simply spending time in a garden. As she says in the book: 'When we work with nature outside of us, we work with nature inside of us.' . We are also encouraged to reflect upon the importance of just simply 'being' rather than always 'doing'. . There is much to be learned from the book and hopefully much will be implemented in the future. It is reassuring to hear that horticultural therapy is beginning to be more widely prescribed by doctors. Lets hope that continues.
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Sue Stuart-Smith is a prominent psychiatrist and psychotherapist, working in the National Health Service for many years, becoming the lead clinician for psychotherapy in Hertfordshire. She currently teaches at The Tavistock Clinic in London. She is married to Tom Stuart-Smith, the celebrated garden designer, and, over thirty years together, they have created the Barn Garden in Hertfordshire.
ISBN 978-1476794464
Publisher : Scribner Book Company; Illustrated edition (7 July 2020)
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