2006 Special Project: Enabling Gardeners A MAMGA horticultural therapy outreach program to assist the disabled community

John Werblow, John Cannon and Ric Schwichtenberg at WMARS Field Day 06

In 2006, the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association presented

to teach its members a constructive skill they can easily learn, then take as an educational project to the community.

With so much emphasis on horticultural therapy in our society lately, the first project researched was a "raised bed" for the disabled. It would be a beneficial project that a homeowner, a school, care facilities and community centers--and even city parks-- could easily construct on a budget. After a lot of research, an

was decided to be the best "bang for the buck". John Werblow, MAMGA's first Practical Education Specialist, estimated the cost using various woods that could withstand such damp conditions, yet be safe for plants grown for consumption.

A group of master gardeners met at John's home to learn how to build these units. The units were taken to the West Madison Agricultural Research Station, on Madison's far west side, just in time for their "Field Day" on August 19, 2006. John Werblow, along with fellow MAMGA members John Cannon, Renee Mabry and Ric Schwichtenberg, answered many questions posed by the visitors.

One of the tables was planted with flowers and vegetables, to show what types of short-rooted plants could best use the shallow growing box, while another planting table was left unplanted so visitors could see the construction methods.

Some references:

• Information from the American Horticultural Therapy Association
• The Buehler Enabling Garden at Chicago Botanic Garden
• Van Dusen Gardens, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Create an Enabled Garden article by Joyce Schillen

Did you know that horticultural therapy isn't new? Try 1699, when Leonard Meager advised of the health benefits of gardening! How about the early 1800's, when Dr. Benjamin Rush believed such gardening could help the mentally ill.