Introduction to a Healing Hobby
As autumn turned chilly, housemates Barry, Matt, and Steve harvested the final vegetables from the garden they began in spring. What began as a simple backyard project has blossomed into a valuable form of therapeutic gardening for adults with disabilities, providing joy, purpose, and fresh food.
Planting the Seeds of Support
The garden project began in May 2022 at the men’s home in northeast Fort Wayne, supported by Easterseals Northeast Indiana. With the guidance of team member Kennard Taylor, the small plot became a powerful opportunity to build skills, confidence, and community. (Easterseals Northeast Indiana Community Living)
What started with just a few square feet of soil grew into a diverse and fruitful garden. Vegetables included potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, asparagus, corn, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplants, shallots, bell peppers, and jalapeño peppers. Although their attempts to grow pumpkins and watermelons didn’t succeed, they gained valuable knowledge for future seasons.
A Garden with Personal Roots
For Kennard Taylor, gardening is more than a task—it’s a connection to his roots. “It connects me with my grandfather,” he shared. “He always had a garden, and I’ve kept that tradition alive.”
Taylor carefully planned the garden around what the men liked to eat and what was easy to grow. His choices created not only a nourishing harvest but also a therapeutic experience. Gardening encourages movement, mindfulness, and self-reliance—especially beneficial in programs that support adults with disabilities.
Therapeutic Gardening Builds Community
This effort has brought people together. The roommates not only enjoy the fruits of their labor but also share extra produce with others in the Easterseals Northeast Indiana community. Barry, a big fan of the peppers, especially loves “taking the peppers out,” while Matt already has ideas for next year: “We should have carrots, too!”
Taylor agreed, “We could have some carrots next year,” already thinking ahead to new possibilities.