IN-PERSON and virtual sessions
Horticultural Therapy
Horticultural Therapy is a practice that uses plants, horticultural activities, and the garden landscape to promote well-being for its participants. There is growing research on the physical, mental & emotional health benefits of engaging people in garden and nature activities.
Sample

Why it works
Current research validates the benefits of people-plant engagement, which include:
- Reduces stress & anxiety
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Protects and preserves mental health
- Boosts the absorption and retention of Vitamin D
- Increases social connections
- Helps to maintain a sense of purpose and worth
- Aids in the development of positive coping strategies

Populations that can benefit
- Seniors
- Autism, Learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD
- Alzheimer’s Disease/other Dementias
- End of life, palliative care
- Developmental or physical disabilities
- Mental Health, mental illnesses, anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD
- Veterans
- Cancer or other illnesses
- Chronic pain
- Corrections
- Addictions
- Loss, death, grief, divorce
- Fears and phobias
- Sleep disorders and sleep problems
- LGBTQ+ community
- TBI, Brain injury/strokes
- Everyone!

Where it takes place
- Long-term care homes
- Retirement homes
- Community gardens
- Schools
- Community centres
- Private homes
- Hospice
- Assisted living facilities
- Correctional facilities, halfway houses
In-person Therapeutic Horticulture
Sessions for individuals or groups of up to 8 people:
- $185 per half-day (3 hour) session
- $145 per 1.5 hour session
- Session materials included
Virtual Therapeutic Horticulture
Sessions for individuals or groups of up to 20 people:
- One hour interactive sessions with materials (pots, soil, etc) – $90 per session (materials not included)
- 30 minutes sessions with no materials – $70 per session
"We had eight Root in Nature sessions with a group of 10 seniors. It is wonderful activity for seniors to engage and learn how to plant and grow vegetables. Andrea is an amazing instructor and seniors had a lot of fun hands on. This group is looking forward to donating the vegetables to community food centre. "
Aging in Place Program Participant
"I want to thank you so much for getting Dad into gardening. He loved his gardens over the years, mostly vegetables, and just loves to get his hands dirty. I was always worried about Dad at the Perley because other than his exercise classes, he didn’t join anything, even though he was once quite gregarious. Definitely keep his garden pots going.... it will give him a spark he needs."
Sue Andrew
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We had eight Root in Nature sessions with a group of 10 seniors. It is wonderful activity for seniors to engage and learn how to plant and grow vegetables. Andrea is an amazing instructor and seniors had a lot of fun hands on. This group is looking forward to donating the vegetables to community food centre.
— Aging in Place Program Participant

I want to thank you so much for getting Dad into gardening. He loved his gardens over the years, mostly vegetables, and just loves to get his hands dirty. I was always worried about Dad at the Perley because other than his exercise classes, he didn’t join anything, even though he was once quite gregarious. Definitely keep his garden pots going.... it will give him a spark he needs.
— Sue Andrew
Daughter of resident at The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre

Best Ottawa Business (BOBS) Award Winner
Root in Nature was recognized for Best Performance in Social Entrepreneurship by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal in 2022.

Coralus Venture
Root in Nature is grateful to be selected as one of the Ventures working on the World’s To-Do List by Coralus Activators! We will be receiving support from radically generous Activators, including funding, connections and relationships to grow our impact.