028 - How to work in the Therapeutic Horticulture industry
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
Release Date: 08/31/2022
Journeys of Learning and Discovery with Anna Baker Cresswell
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
In this episode I'm joined by my friend and business partner Anna Baker Cresswell for a conversation in The Wellbeing Garden. Last year we formed to provide worldwide journeys of learning and discovery for professionals in the field of therapeutic horticulture. In this episode we discuss our inaugural tour starting at the end of September 2025 from London. Read more about this year's Tour, and download the full itinerary In 2017 Anna joined me for the first time in The Wellbeing Garden to chat about her work with HighGround and her journey into Therapeutic Horticulture in the UK. Listen...
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A Conversation with Fiona Thackeray
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
Welcome to The Wellbeing Garden. In this episode I’m joined by Fiona Thackeray for a wonderful conversation in The Wellbeing Garden. Fiona is the CEO of Trellis Scotland and founder of World Therapeutic Horticulture Day, held on May 18th each year. In this conversation, Fiona shares her journey into therapeutic horticulture, establishing Trellis and her inspiration to launch World Therapeutic Horticulture Day. Fiona is a great leader in TH and an inspiration for anyone wanting to pursue a career in this field. Find more information on Trellis and get involved in World Therapeutic...
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Overcoming Digital Dependency to Reconnect with Nature
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
Welcome to The Wellbeing Garden. In this episode I’m joined again by my friend, Rachel Marley-Tree, for a conversation in The Wellbeing Garden. We discuss an interesting topic of the effects of a dependency on devices and social media, and ways to overcome this to reconnect with others and nature. This conversation was inspired by my decision to step away from social media to live a more meaningful life and allow a deeper connection with nature and others. I wrote an article on this topic, if you’re interested to know more about my journey away from social media. To stay connected,...
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Conversations with Academy Alumni
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
Thanks for joining me in The Wellbeing Garden. In this episode we begin our series of conversations with other professionals in the field of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture. The first conversations are with my friend and colleague, Rachel Marley-Tree, and she chats with Anita, Kate and Melissa about their journey into The Wellbeing Garden Academy and therapeutic horticulture. It’s lovely to hear of their journey into therapeutic horticulture and the wonderful services they offer in the garden. Please find more information on our programs at To stay connected, please join the Soil to...
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A New Season in The Wellbeing Garden Podcast
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
I’m excited to be back in The Wellbeing Garden Podcast after a very long time away. We begin the journey into a new season full of wonderful ideas, inspirations and with special friends and guests joining me in the garden. Thank you for listening, and I hope you’ll join me again soon! To stay connected, please join the Soil to Supper Club Newsletter Thanks to the team at Honeybee Creative for producing episodes for The Wellbeing Garden. Find out about their amazing programs at "Together, let's grow wellbeing in the garden" Cath 💚
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Five Fun Tabletop Activities
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
I’ve been working through a few updates to our Growing Together Program and have added some new activities to each season. The more programs we deliver, the more fun activities I keep finding, so I decided to share a few with you in this short and sweet episode. In my article you’ll gather ideas for tabletop activities that can be enjoyed in any weather condition. In this episode I share a few others that are suitable for any gardener to enjoy at anytime! Find some extra ideas in these links… · How to keep gardening through bad weather - ...
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Tools of the Trade
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
Cultivating joy in a garden is one of our goals in therapeutic horticulture. And to make sure that we achieve our goals for all of the participants involved in our programs, or for yourself in the garden, there's a few things that we really need to have in place to make sure that we achieve positive outcomes for everyone involved. In this episode I share a few of my favourite tools of the trade and the ways that these are used to get the most out of our time in the garden. Find more great ideas in these resources; · Grab a copy of my free download with...
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Growing a Tea Garden
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
Imagine stepping into the garden and being surrounded by delightful fresh herbs. You’re gathering a few sprigs to make a brew of peppermint, lemon balm or tulsi tea. Packed with flavour, a delicious aroma and loads of vitality. Sounds nice…and it’s definitely achievable in any garden space in your home or a communal garden setting. Today, we're digging into a topic that's not only fragrant and soothing but also incredibly rewarding – "Growing a Tea Garden." Yes…we're exploring the methods of cultivating your very own tea plants in any garden setting! So grab your favourite cuppa,...
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Growing Food in Aged Care
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
Most aged care homes have space available to create gardens to grow fresh food. These spaces require some resourceful planning and willing participants to establish garden areas for residents, staff and visitors to access and enjoy. By having access to seasonally grown food, meals can be improved nutritionally and also taste delicious. In this episode I’ll share a few ways to grow healthy food for residents in aged care to enjoy. · Grow food in any home - · Gardening for Dementia wellbeing - ...
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How to Get Plants for Free!
The Wellbeing Garden with Cath Manuel
Do you like getting things for free? I don't know anyone who doesn't love to get something for free or for a great bargain! And for gardeners when we get free plants we love them, we grow them , we nurture them and then we love sharing them with others. I've got a few great ideas for you to get free plants for your garden or for your gardening participants. Are you ready to get growing? Here’s extra information for all gardeners to try… · Harvest tips for re-growing common foods · Learn the steps to successfully sow seeds ...
info_outlineEpisode 028 – How to work in the Therapeutic Horticulture industry.
Therapeutic Horticulture is the process of using plants and garden-based activities to improve the health and wellbeing of people of all ages and abilities. It’s a holistic approach to wellness as garden-based activities help to connect with the mind, body and soul.
It’s also known as Horticultural Therapy, Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, Therapeutic Gardening or Garden Therapy. This will depend on the programs that are provided and your location. In Australia we call it Therapeutic Horticulture.
A person who delivers therapeutic gardening activities is known as a Horticultural Therapist or Therapeutic Horticulturist.
Therapeutic Horticulture is definitely an emerging industry around the world. In some countries it’s more well known and many organisations are providing wonderful programs for their participants.
In this episode I’ll share ways to work in this wonderful field.
I’ll cover;
- What is Therapeutic Horticulture
- Benefits of gardening for health and wellbeing
- Running a business in the field of TH
- Types of programs
- The aims of gardening programs
- How to get started delivering programs as your own business or working for an organisation
- Risk management
- Measuring outcomes
- And a few more tips to guide you along your journey in TH
Enjoy!
Here’s extra ideas that you may find helpful…
- Therapeutic Horticulture Training - https://soiltosupper.com/therapeutic-gardening-training/
- Seasonal Gardening Program - https://soiltosupper.com/learn/
- Podcast episode 026 - What is Therapeutic Horticulture - https://soiltosupper.com/episode-026-what-is-therapeutic-horticulture/
- Example of the therapeutic gardening program I provide - https://soiltosupper.com/therapeutic-gardening-program/
- Podcast episode 025 – How to run a successful gardening program - https://soiltosupper.com/episode-025-how-to-run-a-successful-gardening-program/
- Article – How to Promote Your Business - https://soiltosupper.com/how-to-promote-your-gardening-business-program-or-community-organisation/
- Article - Simple Ways to Starting a Gardening Program- https://soiltosupper.com/simple-ways-to-starting-a-gardening-program/
- Article – How to Stay Safe in the Garden - https://soiltosupper.com/how-to-stay-safe-in-the-garden/
- Maggie Beer Foundation – https://maggiebeerfoundation.org.au/
- Therapeutic Horticulture Australia - https://tha.org.au/
- The Well Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart-Smith – https://www.suestuartsmith.com/book
- 365 Nature by Anna Carlile - https://violadesign.com.au/365-nature/
Looking for guidance in your garden or to help others?
Here’s three ways I can support you now!
- In my FREE Program I share 5 simple ways to enhance your health and enjoy time in the garden. Boost physical and emotional wellness, learn ways to keep gardening, grow therapeutic plants and delicious healthy food. JOIN HERE
It’s also a great place to connect with other gardeners and share your gardening wins.
- Join the Gardening Community. This is the one location online to help you with success in the garden! From gardening guides, masterclasses, courses, videos, other resources and our member forum, you’ll connect, learn & grow with confidence. Plus access one-on-one support from me.
Find out more here…www.soiltosupper.com/community/
Helping you learn, grow and thrive.
The Wellbeing Garden episodes available HERE
Thank You for joining me in The Wellbeing Garden.
Enjoy a fabulous day,
Cath xx