RESEARCH

Teaching Gardening To Grow Incarcerated Youths’ Mental And Physical Health

The gardening program led to increased physical activity, healthier eating habits, and better moods among participants. Overall, the study showed that learning to garden can be a simple but effective way to support mental and physical health.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: Children/Youth, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Corrections/Justice-Involved, Master Gardeners

Setting or Context: Jails/Prisons

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Greater Sense of Purpose, Improved Stress Management, Improved Physical Health, Better Nutritional Awareness, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Social Work, Counselling, Education

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Meal/Diet-Based Activities, Growing Plants from Seed, Environmental Education, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Case Studies, Anecdotal Evidence/Testimonials

Measurement and Evaluation: Patient-Reported Outcomes, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This study looked at whether teaching people how to garden could help improve their mood and physical health. Volunteers participated in gardening classes, learning how to plant seeds, care for vegetables, and eventually harvest what they grew. Researchers found that joining this gardening program motivated people to spend more time outside, eat more fruits and vegetables, and become more physically active, all of which are good for health.

Importantly, people in the gardening classes also experienced noticeable improvements in their mental wellbeing. Many said gardening helped reduce their stress, gave them a sense of accomplishment, and made them feel more connected to nature and their community. This suggests that gardening can be an enjoyable way to boost both mind and body, not just provide food.