The gardens at Frazer Center are not only lovely to look at, but they provide wonderful opportunities for our adults and children, with all the benefits that come from playing in the dirt and connecting with nature.

Frazer’s inner courtyard has some raised garden beds that are available to any of our direct support professionals who are interested in leading a gardening project with the adult participants. And now, thanks to a partnership with Trellis Horticultural Therapy Alliance, our Adult Services department is getting more intentional with its gardening program. 

The mission of Trellis is to use “the power of gardening and nature to enrich the lives of people living with disabilities.” [trellishta.org] To that end, Trellis has come together with Callanwolde Fine Arts Center to create gardening programs and an “Ability Garden” on the Callanwolde grounds. The garden contains raised beds that allow for people using wheelchairs to participate. Trellis also has access to the Callanwolde greenhouse. 

Trellis staff member Lauren Ladov recently visited Frazer Center to lead a session in the courtyard garden. It was a bit rainy, but no matter. Lauren and the adults were starting some seedlings and could stay under the cover of the walkway roof. 

After a couple of weeks, a group of adults joined Lauren at the Ability Garden in Callanwolde to transplant some sprouted seedlings into the raised beds. They explored the greenhouse where they planted more seeds and watered the many and varied plants that are living in the greenhouse.

The plan is for Trellis and Frazer to get together twice a month—once at Frazer and once at Callanwolde. That way, our own courtyard garden can grow over time with veggies going from “farm” to table, and the adult participants can also enjoy being in the community while being outdoors and learning new skills.

All the while, Frazer's adults and staff can soak in the sun AND the research-based benefits of horticultural therapy, such as reduced stress, lower blood pressure, increased feelings of well-being, and the self-confidence that comes from trying new things, cultivating new abilities, and enjoying the (literal) fruits of one’s labor—or fun! 

As Trellis says, “A garden is a great place to outgrow limitations.”

If you would like to learn more about Trellis and their Ability Garden programs, visit HERE.