Therapeutic Horticulture

This series will unfold in the medicinal herb gardens of the People's Medicine Project, as well as the surrounding land along the generous South River. With the help of PMP, this land and garden provide herbal supports to community members throughout the valley through PMP's free programming and herb distribution. Of its many interwoven impacts, our work on the land will help provide medicines to our communities.

Our time together will involve discussion and reflection on what practices support us in experiencing the magic of the present moment, as well as exploring such garden- and other plant-based practices. Invitation, choice, and shared experience (my practicing alongside you) are central.

Each session's activities will reflect a combo of garden/land needs, participant needs, and the group's focus. Depending on what's happening in the garden, we may practice presence through planting, discerning and making space for plants to grow (weeding or 'invasive' removal), smelling leaves, harvesting herbs...You will always have a few options to choose from, including solo practice time and rest/stillness.

Expanding our capacity to inhabit the present moment can help resource what matters to us--relating to ourselves and others with compassion, reveling in wonder, building capacity to be with complexity, and more.

Tending to the Present Moment is open to all adults who are interested in being outside in a range of weather, working with plants, and exploring ways to be in relationship to the present moment.

This group may also be a better fit if you are comfortable navigating the site (see "Site Accessibility" below) or are open to collaborating with me to make the site more accessible to you.

Below is a draft flow for each session. This may shift as the group finds its groove, shares feedback, or we adjust to weather or other factors.

9:00-9:30, opening circle: intros/ landing, brief presencing opportunity through movement and/or “meditation.” Setting/sharing intentions or dedications based on the day’s tasks and what folks brought for the circle center.

9:30-10:15, gardening task(s) or other plant-based activities, with options provided. 

10:15-10:30, intentional pause, check-in, break (with tea provided!)

10:30-11:00, garden or other activity, options provided, with option for silent/solo practice 

11:00-11:20, reflection circle

11:20+, closing and option for connection/schmoozing

Accessibility information 

-Terrain: Activities will take place primarily in the garden and surrounding flat grassed areas, which may be uneven (divots, etc.). Alleys between garden beds are fairly narrow, with wide grassed lanes between sections of beds. Depending on group interest and garden needs, some activity options may also be available in the surrounding woods, which may be flat or hilly.  

-Garden access: The garden is located at the bottom of a moderately steep hill. Folks park at the top of the hill (details provided after enrollment) and can access the space via an access road (approximately 200 yards down). 

-Sun/rain cover: We will prioritize gathering in the shade on sunny days, and will have access to a pop-up tent for additional shade and rain cover. There is no indoor gathering space. 

-Restroom use: There is a composting toilet available inside the house (the garden is part of a family homestead). The restroom is not wheelchair accessible (not large enough) and can only be accessed via stairs (1-2 steps or a couple of flights, depending on which entrance you use). If you're comfortable passing liquid waste outside/in the woods, that is welcomed/encouraged. 

-Plants and friends inviting caution: As a no-till and pollinator-friendly garden, there are abundant ants, spiders, bees, and other tiny animals around. The land does have some poison ivy, particularly at some woodland edges and along the road near the parking area; please be careful and aware (and feel free to ask if you're uncertain!). As a forested area in the Northeast, mosquitoes and ticks are unfortunately common.

-Being in the space: An orientation to the "lay of the land" will be provided in the first session. Options for activities and how to participate will be offered throughout, and you are always welcome to take a break, sit or lay down, stare into the sky, talk or be silent, have a snack or drink, or otherwise be present in the ways that you need. 

Additional site information 

-Dog: There is a small dog who lives on the homestead where the garden is. He is not particularly interested in people, but may be heard barking sometimes. He will not be included in the series, but it is possible that he may be around occasionally, and may come check us out if so. If you go inside to use the restroom, you may encounter him! 

-People: The garden is part of an active homestead, the center of PMP and also a family! There may be PMP volunteers or other folks on the land during some of our time. Depending on the vibe of our group, I can help protect/create a buffer between us and other folks in the space. 

-Sounds: The land is within a half mile of a gun range; the sounds of gunfire at that distance can occasionally be heard (less common on weekday mornings, but possible). Birds' voices are constant. Nearby mowing or other equipment may be present (generally not at the homestead itself). 

-Signal: The homestead is remote, with little-to-no cell service (depending on the carrier). 

COVID-19 +
-All activities will be outside. 

-Masks are warmly welcomed, and not required. 

-With consideration to each other and our larger communities regarding COVID and beyond, please skip a session if you (a) learn you have had a recent exposure to COVID or the flu or (b) are experiencing symptoms of respiratory or unexpected digestive illness. 

-If you learn following a session that you have or have been exposed to COVID or the flu, please let me (LB) know so that our group can take appropriate steps.  

We'll provide just about everything you need, including gardening tools and drinking water.

For your comfort and safety, you're also invited to bring:

-Weather-appropriate clothing and gear (e.g., sun hat and layers, sunscreen, bug spray)

-Refillable water bottle

-Personal or shareable snacks (optional)

-Extra long-sleeve shirt (optional--especially if sensitive to touching straw or other plants)

-Gardening gloves if you’d like to use them 

-Blanket and/or camp chair for discussion times and breaks (optional; there will also be access to some bench seating)

-Art or journaling supplies (optional)

-Medications, if needed/relevant