Adaptive Gardens of the Lowcountry

Adaptive Gardens of the Lowcountry keeps growing by maintaining the idea that horticultural therapy can be used to enrich the lives of people in our community. Physical health, mental health, teamwork, and vocational and recreational skill sets are all some of the numerous benefits received from gardening and farming.

Participants of AGL have the opportunity to stretch & exercise their bodies through gardening practices. From the beginning stretches to sifting and shoveling compost to harvesting rows of vegetables or flowers, students are keeping active and will hopefully carry this active lifestyle with them throughout their lives. Had a rough day? Go pull some weeds to de-stress. Gardening connects you with nature and the rhythm of life. Gardening allows you to slow down. Studies have have shown that psychological benefits are received just by viewing a garden, not to mention the sense of satisfaction when you pick your first strawberry or tomato of the season!

Participants learn teamwork through most all activities. One student will mix soil, one will put soil into a pot and one student will transplant a seedling. They see the result of their teamwork with an entire table of plants rather than just a few! One student always tried to pull the wagon by himself, but quickly learned that with someone else's help in pulling, the activity was much more enjoyable, and he had a buddy to help him unload the waste into the compost pile.

With a myriad of activities on the farm and through AGL programming, students learn different skills. Students measure and mix and organic potting mix. These skills can be used in baking as well. Sanitizing & washing pots for re-use is a coveted job by the students. This skill can be carried into a workplace or to help out in the home.

The benefits of horticulture are immense and being able to teach youths healthy living through the food they grow and aid in their social development is Adaptive Gardens way of reaching out and improving our communities!