Gardening as Meaningful Occupation. Gardening at Disability North – Adrian Simpson

Gardening is one of the most common and productive means of interacting with nature and is enjoyed as a popular pastime in many countries throughout the world.  With nearly ½ million hectares of land in the UK being comprised of gardens, there are estimated to be as many as 27 million people, an incredible near 40% of the total population, who actively engage in gardening activities (Bisgrove and Hadley, 2002); (Davies et al., 2009); (Mathieu et al., 2007); (Shanmuganathan-Felton et al., 2020).

Over the past few decades, there has been a growing body of evidence for the positive effects of gardening on health and well-being.  Particularly with increasing pressures on health resources worldwide, including in the UK, such findings are of great importance.  Contemporary research illustrates that gardening can improve physical, psychological, and social health, with both short and long-term benefits, both for individuals and society at large.

Below are some of the primary positive effects of gardening, particularly of communal gardening activities, such as we are developing at Disability North.

Physical – gardening encourages participants to undertake physical exercise, which in turn, contributes to improving both the physical and psychological health of gardeners (Park et al., 2009); (van den Berg et al., 2010); (Zick et al., 2013).

Park et al. (2008) pointed out that if adults participated in gardening on a daily basis, they could readily achieve the recommended physical activity levels (at least 30 min of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days).

Physical exercise through gardening can reduce blood pressure, pulse rate, and muscle tension.  The body stretches, can build muscle and increase flexibility through purposeful occupation in this environment (Rothfield, 2024).  Meanwhile, gross and fine range of movement, awareness of self in space (proprioception), balance, core and peripheral strength, mobility and respiratory function can all be positively impacted through horticultural occupation (Rothfield, 2024).

Mental Health – reductions in stress, anger, fatigue, depression and anxiety symptoms have all been frequently documented (Rodiek, 2002); (Wichrowski et al., 2005; (Wilson and Christensen, 2011); (Wood et al., 2016).

Even small doses, such as five minutes of contact with green spaces, is considered to improve self-esteem and mood (Barton and Pretty, 2010).  In fact, gardening can provide greater benefits than simply physical activity or even improved physical exercise benefitting mental health.  For the direct contact with nature also contributes to improved mental health and well-being in itself, in a holistic relationship (Rogerson, 2020).

In research on gardening with people with learning disabilities, the University of Cumbria reporting to the NHS found gardening significantly reduced anxiety, whilst improved mood, concentration, social skills and team working in participants were documented (Taylor 2015).

Notably, in large scale systematic review of literature and research on the subject of gardening and well-being, Gonzalez et al., 2010, Gonzalez et al., 2011a, Gonzalez et al., 2011b, observed that improvement of patients’ health states (e.g. depression severity, life satisfaction, cognitive function) persisted at three months’ follow up after the therapy,  This indicating that gardening has a persisting influence on health.  Seven in-depth research studies that focused on daily gardening, found that those who participated had better health than did non-gardeners, such as reductions in stress and BMI, as well as increases in general health and reported mental health and life satisfaction (Park et al., 2009); (Sommerfeld et al., 2010); (van den Berg et al., 2010); (Waliczek et al., 2005); (Wilson and Christensen, 2011); (Wood et al., 2016); (Zick et al., 2013).

In consequence, engagement with gardening is increasingly being recognized as not only a cost-effective physical health intervention (Clatworthy et al., 2013) but also as part of a holistic treatment or occupational therapy for those with psychological health issues, so-called “horticultural therapy” (Gonzalez et al., 2010); (Gonzalez et al., 2011a).

Meanwhile, the social and physical health benefits of community gardening, alongside the cognitive stimulation of this activity, have shown to help delay the progression of dementia symptoms (Simons et al., 2006).  This is of great importance, as nearly 1 million people over 65 in the UK alone live with dementia now (NICE, 2026).  This represents a massive figure, which is expected to rise by over 50% by 2040 (NICE, 2026).

Of notable importance for people who are neurodivergent, a gardening environment can provide relaxation, life balance, time out from sensory and processing overload (Sensory Integration Education, 2026).

Educational – for example, using flowers for solving maths questions, examining plants for biology lessons and for displaying directly how life and the environment are interconnected.

Linked to this is the power of gardening as an encouragement to understand the importance of (re-)connecting with nature, both for human and planetary well-being (Hartig et al., 2014); (Keniger et al., 2013).  Gardening can also help ensure people have a healthier diet, rich in fruits and vegetables (Langellotto and Gupta, 2012).

Gardens, especially allotment and community gardens like ours, provide opportunities to interact with other members of local communities.  They can forge and reinforce social ties, community networks, and provide a sense of community pride (van den Berg et al., 2010); (Wakefield et al., 2007).  Feelings of helplessness and loneliness, so tragically common in modern society, can be addressed to an effective degree, as part of a multi-faceted approach, through engagement in meaningful communal gardening activity (Rogerson, 2020); (Shanmuganathan-Felton et al., 2020); Wood et al., 2016).

It is increasingly evident through research then, that gardening has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being.  An important direction for future research meanwhile, is to determine the shape of the relationship between the duration and frequency of meaningful gardening activity and health outcomes.  Given these widespread benefits coming from gardening, we should consider gardens as an important health resource for local communities (Hartig et al., 2014); (Keniger et al., 2013).

At Disability North, our garden has developed greatly over the past 18 months.  Following an impressive landscaping effort, this year we are hoping to be well on the way to proving a space for the sowing, growth and picking of both fruit and vegetables in an attractive arena.

The garden and its associated activities aim to create social bonds among participants and a feeling of community through relaxed engagement.  We have goals of empowerment, confidence building, maximising independence, health and well-being, social and community development through inclusive meaningful gardening activities for all!

The Disability North garden is aimed to suit all individual needs and skill levels in a purposeful manner and in a welcoming environment.  We hope you agree and find this to be of great interest, with our garden on its way to becoming a great local facility and resource!

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