In 2021, 17,466 Kentuckians age 12 and older were admitted to drug and alcohol substance use centers, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).   This substance-use epidemic touches all areas of the Commonwealth, and treatment programs use creative, research-based approaches to assist those impacted.

The Daviess County Extension Agent for Horticulture partnered on a therapeutic garden with Owensboro Regional Recovery, a Recovery Kentucky men’s substance-use recovery program.   Garden skills were taught to clients as possible due to safety precautions because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the center’s policies during the growing season of 2022 ending in October 2022.

Therapeutic horticulture is defined as a practice that uses living plants and gardening to improve people’s spiritual, mental, and physical health. The professional staff at Owensboro Regional Recovery reported that 15 people participated in the garden through planting vegetables, watering the plants, removing weeds, or harvesting the produce.  The garden consisted of cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and green beans grown in 5 raised beds measuring 16 feet by 4 feet.  

At the end of the season, 65 pounds of vegetables were harvested, yielding 195 cups according to USDA calculations.  The vegetables had a total value of $140.70 as adjusted for inflation, which was used to supplement the food dollars for the center.

The professional staff at Owensboro Regional Recovery observed that the garden program taught some of the participants how to grow vegetables.  The staff also reported that everyone liked the garden, giving them time to be outside and participate in physical activity.  In addition, the garden served as a source of pride and meditation for participants.