Plants and gardens contribute to the health and vitality of our communities. The benefits of plants in places where we work, learn, heal, live, and play include fewer sick days, faster healing, more focused students, increased home values, and increased tourism. MSU Extension Master Gardener (EMG) projects increase access to plants and gardens to residents, boosts tourism, teaches employable skills, and helps communities become more sustainable.
Health and Wellbeing
Studies linking horticultural therapy to overall health have shown that it improves well‑being and quality of life. While MSU EMGs are not certified to provide therapy services, they can help create garden spaces that foster better health and well‑being.
Below are some resources to help you design and build garden settings that support these benefits.
To incorporate a stronger focus on the health benefits of gardening, consider partnering with organizations that specialize in this area. Be sure to contact your local MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture educator for guidance and support in planning these projects.
National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture – This website has several infographics detailing the benefits of plants to people, cities and the environment that can be shared with participants.
Planting Seeds for Health is an MSU Extension SNAP-Ed curriculum that blends nutrition, physical activity and gardening into six lessons that are typically taught in garden settings like community gardens. MSU Extension Master Gardeners who want to be a part of these classes can learn the gardening components of each lesson and provide educational support to our MSU Extension Community Nutrition Instructors who manage the course. The delivery of these classes varies across the state- reach out to your local MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture educator to get more information:
Michigan Horticultural Therapy Association – This organization seeks to promote and encourage interest in the development of horticultural and related activities as a therapeutic and rehabilitative medium throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes Region.
Reminder: MSU Extension Master Gardeners can teach gardening and highlight its potential benefits for physical and mental health; however, all medical questions from the public should be directed towards their health care providers.
Community Vitality
MSU Extension Master Gardeners (MSU EMGs) educate communities on creating landscapes that provide vital ecosystem services — benefits that nature provides to enhance the lives of residents and visitors. Examples of these services include public green spaces such as parks, athletic fields, and green architecture.
With growing interest in sustainable landscapes, many garden projects are shifting from purely ornamental designs to more natural settings that support biodiversity and resilience. For more information and resources — including guides on rain gardens, shoreline restoration, and native plants — visit the Environmental Stewardship resource page.
MSU Community Gardening newsletter- An MSU Extension newsletter focused on issues relevant to community gardening.
Smart Gardening tip sheets: The following resources are available to print and distribute at MSU EMG events. Refer to the Food Security resource page for more tipsheets on soil health, planning gardens, and more.
- Smart Gardening: Using Native Plants is a Smart Choice for Michigan Landscapes
- Smart Gardening to Deter Deer
- Smart Gardening: Identifying the Oaks of Michigan
- Smart Gardening to prevent oak wilt
- Drought-Tolerant Plants Save Water, Money and Time
Smart Gardening tip sheets on lawns: While MSU EMGs are encouraged to promote gardens that support biodiversity, lawns can be an important part of public spaces that replace impervious surfaces and provide play spaces. Here are some tip sheets that can help with developing healthy lawns:
- Shady lawn alternatives
- Raise the Mowing Height for Weed and Grub Defense
- Mulch Leaves into Turf for a Smart Lawn
- smart watering for lawns: Don't let the lawn squeeze you dry
- Smart Gardening: Smart lawn alternatives to protect pollinators
Working with Unique Audiences
Veterans:
Support the MSU Extension Veterans Therapy Garden Project – How to get involved with the Veterans Therapy Garden Project in Paw Paw, Michigan
Special Needs/ Disabilities
Gardening with special needs: The benefits of horticultural therapy- This article discusses a project that took place in a school for students with special needs and provides some additional resources.
Making gardening accessible for everyone- An article that discusses some considerations when planning an accessible garden
AgrAbility- Michigan AgrAbility 2024 updates- An article that discusses this program which seeks to support farmers with disabilities and limitations-relevant to gardeners as well. Search the assistive technology database called The Toolbox to find information on garden beds, tools and accessories.
University of Delaware Accessible Gardening Resources-Garden Smart, Garden Easy: A website providing great resources for gardening with disabilities.
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