GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING
Harnessing the healing power of nature
With the increase in ‘social prescribing’ aimed at easing the burden on the NHS, there is renewed focus on the health benefits of gardens, and particularly on the physical act of gardening, among healthcare professionals and those within the care sector. Joshua Clark, Estimator from landscaping contractor, Gavin Jones, part of Nurture Group, explores existing research into the health benefits of horticulture, recommendations for planting, and how Gavin Jones has helped support several hospital projects in creating a garden space for patients, visitors, and staff.
The health benefits of gardens have long been supported, even as far back as Florence Nightingale, who refers to the benefits of outdoor space in her book published in the 1800s, Notes on Nursing. Outdoor spaces should be accessible for everyone in the care setting, whether it be patients, their carers, or the staff who work on the premises. They offer a welcome refuge, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy ward, providing peace in some of life’s most challenging times. They also provide a chance for social interaction for those who may not be able to leave the hospital, or for groups of friends to meet while one is a patient. The pandemic taught us the importance of outdoor space more than ever before, and The National Garden Scheme and National Trust saw an increase in footfall to properties as a result. Gardens and health continue to be championed by the National Gardens Scheme, which provides funding for gardens that offer therapeutic support, including those in NHS healthcare settings, Horatio’s Garden, and Maggie’s cancer centres. The NHS and some local government bodies have begun ‘social prescribing’ and ‘green social prescribing’, to ‘connect people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social, and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing’.1 The aim is to give people more control over their lives,
and the evidence so far suggests that the schemes have decreased pressure on NHS services, reduced GP consultations, and meant fewer A&E attendances and hospital bed stays.2
better for people, without the use of drugs.3
Evidence for ‘wellness gardens’ Scientific evidence for the direct effects of gardening on the brain is hard to come by, but many studies have shown improvements to health. Some research has found that exposure to simple pictures of greenery and plants can help to reduce the need for medical intervention, and that views of trees and plants from post-op wards can reduce the need for analgesics, and improve the mood of patients.
A recent study, published in June 2024 at Edinburgh
University, has found that time spent gardening reduces cases of dementia up to the age of 80, regardless of wealth and education.4
The long-term study tracked participants throughout their lifetimes, and 43% of the 467 This supports the notion that we can do
people tested who said they regularly gardened showed greater lifetime improvement in cognitive ability, compared with those who never gardened or rarely did so. There have been many more studies over the past 10 years, including one by Exeter University,5
that showed
that people who moved near to green space reported an immediate improvement in their mental health, whilst those who moved to a built-up area suffered a drop in mental health.
Gardens and planting, particularly of trees, can also
improve air quality, which can impact a wide range of physical and mental health issues. Air pollution has been shown to exacerbate respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer, as well as to impact mental health, including depression and anxiety. The creation of a garden offers those involved a sense of achievement, satisfaction, and pride, helping to support community spirit, particularly when the garden is a result of fundraising.
The physical act of gardening The physical act of gardening is well known for improving strength, endurance, and flexibility, which can reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Digging, de-weeding, planting, and raking, are some of the best forms of exercise that use the majority of a person’s muscle groups. Interestingly, calories burned in just 30 minutes of
March 2025 Health Estate Journal 67
The new maternity bereavement garden at this King’s Lynn hospital was created as a bereavement and memorial garden for parents and carers who have suffered the loss of a baby. The garden needed to be a safe space, with a high level of privacy, and accessibility for all.
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