Garden Therapy

Abstract Flower Painting by Bella Cosa Art - Deana Mattos

Spring has Sprung here in Western Montana. Summer will soon be upon us but maybe in name only. Our weather has been unique in the past years. Unusually wet and cold last year. It is a glorious albeit busy time of year, it helps that it is one of favorites. The only stress is it is time sensitive. I am trying to ignore that element and take things one day at a time and remember it can always happen next year.

This Spring I inherited a bunch of plants from a neighbor who is residing her house and putting decks in. She had so many of green babies that needed a new home. I was one of the happy recipients. It took hours of digging. I put them in buckets with a fair amount of dirt in the shade and watered them a lot.

They all stayed happy until I was ready to plant. It took weeks to do this as all my beds needed to be cleaned from three years of neglect while I didn’t have the energy to take care of things. I also dug new beds too as I created little vignettes to enjoy around the yard and a new flower bed for me to enjoy around back where the vegetable garden is. With hard work my gardens have been redeemed. Nature always has a way of enduring and with a little nurturing is more than willing to give back. I am already seeing the hard work and muscle aches pay off. My mental status is happier and more content, my gardens are prettier than the have ever been. Lastly it has been great PT and more fun than my traditional PT. My balance and endurance have come up for sure.

Garden Therapy….Works