Horticultural therapy is on the rise and more people are seeking this type of therapy for various reasons. You won't have to pay hundreds of dollars in therapy when you can get it all for free from the comfort of your home. Creating a horticultural therapy environment is easy once you know what to do. With a few simple steps, you too could be benefiting from this underrated therapeutic method. Best of all, creating a horticultural therapy environment is no different from tending to an herb garden in your backyard but has several added benefits. To create your own horticultural therapy environment at home, simply follow the following steps:
Find A Design That Works For You
The design of the horticultural therapy environment is the first thing you will need to work out. Seeing as this therapy environment will be in your home, it is something you will encounter daily, so, you need to be comfortable with it. There are numerous designs available if you like, or you can go with something original if you are feeling inspired. The design of the horticultural therapy environment will set the tone for how effective the system will be. Once you have selected a design that works for you, then you can proceed with the rest of the plans.
Select the right plants
There are many plants that can be used for horticultural therapy and you may not like all of them. You are hound to have personal preferences of plants that you would like to implement in this therapy. There is a lot to consider when choosing the right plants including the fragrance, lifespan and water requirements. Be sure to choose plants that you find pleasing otherwise this process may be unsuccessful. You will also need to consider how much attention the plant of choice needs, to ensure you can cater to it. Once you have found a plant that matches all specifications and requirements, then you can move on to the next step.
Choose the ideal location
Where will the plants be located in your home? This question carries a great significance when it comes to horticultural therapy. Most people tend to consider plant location in terms of aesthetics, but that isn't the most important thing to consider. The plants will need to be ideally placed to ensure that they get enough light, which is one of the most important factors in plant growth. Grow lights are another way to ensure your plants get the needed amount of lights to grow. LED grow lights have made it easier to site the plants without worrying about getting adequate sunlight. You can control the intensity and amount of light your indoor plants get. You can therefore ensure that each plant gets the appropriate amount of light needed for its growth.
Maintaining The Plants
When selecting the plants for horticultural therapy, you may want to consider how easy it is to maintain. Some plants are easier to maintain than others, requiring little effort from you. Others, on the other hand, will require constant care otherwise, they won't survive. If you cannot commit to providing constant care for the plants, you may be best served to choose one that doesn't require too much effort. For example, using the benefits of ambient sensing to get information about any changes in environmental conditions. Plants will require water amongst other things which you will need to provide. Once you can maintain the plants properly, you can enjoy horticultural therapy in your home for a long time.
Get Nutrient-Rich Soil
The kind of soil the plant will need is also another factor you will need to consider intensely. Certain soil types are ideal for plant growth but some plants have special soil requirements. The kind of plants you have chosen will have a large bearing on the choice of soil. The soil will need to be rich in nutrients to ensure the plant has all its requirements. You can also use a growth medium that is specifically formulated with all the requirements for plant growth. Consider the growth medium carefully to ensure it is the right one for the plants you intend to grow before buying it.
Conclusion
Horticultural therapy is very effective, not to mention cheap and accessible. With more people switching to this therapy, you too can have one in your home. Simply follow the instructions above and soon, the benefits will be evident.
Disclaimer: The thoughts and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author and Rolling Nature doesn't take any responsibility for the same.