Gardening as a way to help PTSD

Healing in the Soil: How Gardening Helps Veterans with PTSD

For many veterans, coming home marks the start of a different kind of battle - one that’s often invisible. Living with PTSD can make it hard to relax, connect, or feel at ease in everyday life. While therapy and medication are important, there’s something surprisingly simple that’s making a big difference for some veterans - gardening.

Gardening isn’t just about growing veggies or pretty flowers. It’s about getting your hands in the dirt, focusing on something real, and being in the moment. The simple, repetitive tasks such as digging, planting, and watering can be incredibly calming. They give the mind a break from stress and help bring a sense of routine and peace.

Spending time outside, in the fresh air and sunlight, has its own healing power too. It helps lower stress, ease anxiety, and lift your mood. And when something you planted starts to grow, it’s a reminder that change and growth are always possible, even after tough times.

Gardening can also bring people together. Whether it’s through community gardens or programs just for veterans, it creates space to talk, laugh, and connect with others who’ve been through similar things.

Veterans' Growth is a UK charity that offers horticultural therapy to military veterans dealing with mental health challenges like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Located on a peaceful 5-acre site in Westfield, East Sussex, the charity provides a supportive environment where veterans can engage in gardening and nature-based activities. Through structured programs, participants not only learn horticultural skills but also build social connections, gain confidence, and find a renewed sense of purpose. The charity's mission is to support every veteran in the UK who seeks help, aiming to make a positive impact on their mental well-being. For more information check out their website: https://veteransgrowth.org

For more information about the benefits of gardening for mental health, particularly for the Armed Forces Community check out this blog post: https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/resource/from-battlefield-to-garden-a-veterans-path-to-healing/

Thank you to Amelia for drawing our attention to this helpful resource.