Horticultural Therapy Program


Growing Gardens’ Horticultural Therapy Program serves seniors and people with disabilities in the community. The goals of the program are to increase motor, cognitive and psychological functions. This program creates social and intergenerational gardening activities and increases nutrition of participants through daily access to fresh organic produce. The program also empowers seniors and people with disabilities through experiencing the pride of successful gardening and working with others in the community to produce beautiful and bountiful gardens.


Weekly classes and activities include: garden planning, soil preparation, propagation, transplanting, container gardening and growing organic vegetable and flower starts for the home and Market. Students also participate in activities using plant material in cooking, artistic displays and crafts.


Seniors and individuals with disabilities may experience improvements in several different areas through the Horticultural Therapy Program:

  • Cognitive - offers new skills and/or the opportunity to regain past skills, increase attention to task and concentration, make decisions and follow directions.
  • Physical - provides exercise focusing on both gross and fine motor skills.
  • Psychological - gives an individual a sense of worth, promotes nurturing attitudes and taking responsibility for something.
  • Social - increases/improves social interaction with others and working toward common goals

Our partner agencies include: The Academy, Bella Vista, Employment Link, Expand, YMCA of Boulder Valley and Imagine!.


New in Summer 2013!

Organic Gardening for Seniors


Growing Gardens has teamed up with The YMCA of Boulder Valley for a six week gardening series. Sessions are designed to give participants a fresh look at planning garden spaces for maximum production and efficiency. Learn the basics of organic gardening on the Front Range through discussions and practical, hands-on activities in the garden.

SUMMER SESSION
This session will focus on a summer vegetable garden, organic gardening and pest control techniques, the importance of pollinators in the garden, water conservation and soil fertility. The session will culminate in a potluck celebration of the garden harvest.

Arapahoe YMCA
Mondays June 17-July 22 9:00am-10:00am


Growing Gardens
Tuesdays June 18-July 23 9:00am-10:00am

For registration information, please contact the YMCA.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 303-443-4474 x4651.
 
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