- How does a sensory garden work?<\/a><\/li>
- Benefits of a sensory garden<\/a><\/li>
- Who can benefit from a sensory garden?<\/a><\/li>
- How to mindfully enjoy a sensory garden<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ about sensory gardens<\/a><\/li>
- Get help starting your sensory garden<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
![\"Child](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/carrot-garden_800.jpg\")
Kindel Media<\/a> | Pexels <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> How does a sensory garden work?<\/span><\/h2>
A successful sensory garden inspires all of the senses using a variety of organic and inorganic elements. Whereas traditional gardens usually have a \u201clook, don\u2019t touch\u201d policy, sensory gardens are made to be touched and actively experienced. <\/p>
Nature is full of interesting sights and aromas already; sensory gardens capture and elevate these so they\u2019re easier to notice, and include spaces to rest or play in the outdoor space. <\/p>
Some common techniques for building a sensory garden include:<\/p>
- Taste: <\/strong>Vegetable gardens, herb walls, and edible flowers.
- Nasturtiums and pansies are great options for edible flowers. <\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Touch: <\/strong>Perennials with interesting textures and hardscaping that amplifies your sense of touch, like smooth rock surfaces and water walls.
- Lamb\u2019s ear and blue chalk stick are fun to feel. <\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Sight: <\/strong>A cutting garden<\/a> with beautiful blooms, native plants that invite butterflies, and plants that provide visual interest year-round.
- Native butterfly milkweed, bee balm, and trumpet honeysuckle invite flying pollinators. <\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Sound: <\/strong>Trees that attract birds<\/a>, water features, and wind chimes. Even a dried seed pod can provide music.
- Oak trees, dogwoods, elderberry, and holly trees are prime sites for songbirds.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Smell: <\/strong>Fragrant shrubs, flowers, and trees.
- Magnolia trees, honeysuckle, and lavender are fantastic places to start for creating a stunning olfactory experience. <\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
Another essential aspect to a sensory garden is designing places to actually experience it! That means well-placed benches, outdoor eating areas, and footpaths. There\u2019s plenty of room for creativity, and executing your own personal twist is key to actually enjoying your yard. <\/p>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_25044024495_5c5b6f2aa9_c.jpg\")
Faris Algosaibi <\/a>| Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Benefits of a sensory garden<\/span><\/h2>
A sensory garden has all kinds of benefits for you, your neighbors, and your environment. Here are just a few of the benefits of sensory gardens:<\/p>
- Attracts pollinators<\/strong> that benefit the local ecosystem. <\/li>
- Discourages the use of harmful pesticides.<\/strong> <\/li>
- Increases biodiversity<\/strong>, which benefits soil conditions. <\/li>
- Supports young childrens\u2019 cognitive development<\/a><\/strong> and nature education.<\/li>
- Safe place for elderly people <\/strong>to experience the outdoors. <\/li>
- Beautiful backdrop<\/strong> for social gatherings. <\/li><\/ul>
Who can benefit from a sensory garden?<\/span><\/h2>
A sensory garden makes the healing and educational benefits of nature available to people who might otherwise struggle to enjoy it. <\/p>
- Kids learning about the outdoors:<\/strong> A sensory garden appeals to the way kids like to learn, which is often through their hands, ears, and eyes. A dried seed pod can become a maraca; a lamb\u2019s ear leaf is like their favorite stuffed animal; a juicy cherry tomato is a sweet treat.<\/li><\/ul>
- People in wheelchairs or with limited mobility:<\/strong> A hike up a mountain might be the familiar way to immerse yourself in nature, but that isn\u2019t always easy for everyone. A sensory garden can give you all the delights of a weekend trip in the woods with the comfort and control of your backyard. <\/li><\/ul>
- Seniors with dementia: <\/strong>A sensory garden provides a safe, enclosed space to enjoy nature. Consider designing a walkway that starts and ends at the same point for people to travel on without getting lost. The sensory stimulation helps improve mental well-being and keeps people with dementia engaged and calm. <\/li><\/ul>
- People with autism spectrum disorder:<\/strong> People with sensory issues can greatly benefit from the safe exploration of a sensory garden. As exemplified by the space at the Els Center for Excellence<\/a>, a sensory garden specifically for ASD features a soothing layout, predictable patterns, and places to rest from overstimulation. <\/li><\/ul>
- Everyone:<\/strong> We can all benefit from a sensory garden\u2019s ability to ground us in the present moment through our five senses. <\/li><\/ul>
How to mindfully enjoy a sensory garden<\/span><\/h2>
You\u2019re welcome to enjoy your sensory garden however you\u2019d like \u2014 even a brief stroll through to check on the plants can be pleasant, or an outdoor dinner party with friends. <\/p>
If you\u2019d like to make the most out of your immersive experience, try taking a mindful moment while walking through or sitting still to center yourself before the day begins or melt your worries away at the day\u2019s end. <\/p>
Mindfulness<\/strong><\/a> can help:<\/strong><\/p>
- Increase our ability to learn<\/strong> new things and behave in new ways via neuroplasticity.<\/li>
- Recover better from injury<\/strong>, depression, and even illness like the flu by lowering cortisol levels.<\/li>
- Amplify creativity <\/strong>by thickening the prefrontal cortex.<\/li>
- Improve memory<\/strong> by thickening the hippocampus.<\/li><\/ul>
A simple, 5-minute moment of mindfulness can greatly improve your mood and stress levels. Try this exercise<\/strong> to begin or end your day with a sense of calm and gratitude. <\/p>
- Start by noticing the sensation of your own breath<\/strong>, setting aside any tasks or anxieties that might be buzzing around in your mind. <\/li>
- With your eyes closed or open, notice a sound that brings you joy<\/strong>, like a bird chirping or fountain gurgling. Explore its unique texture and quality. <\/li>
- Next, notice a sight that brings you joy<\/strong>, like a vibrant flower. If you have your eyes closed, remember one you saw earlier. <\/li>
- Notice a smell <\/strong>\u2013 a fragrant blossom or the scent of soil. <\/li>
- Notice a sensation<\/strong>. Maybe it\u2019s the cool stone beneath you or the air on your skin.<\/li>
- Finally, notice a taste.<\/strong> For this one, have a piece of something edible nearby.<\/li><\/ul>
You also can do this with one particular object, like a cutting of sage. Take a moment to appreciate any happiness, calm, and gratitude you feel afterward. If you enjoyed it, invite a friend to join you next time. <\/p>
![\"Coral](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/coral-honeysuckle.jpg\")
Coral Honeysuckle | Sarah Nichols<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> FAQ about sensory gardens<\/span><\/h2>
Do I have to redesign my whole landscape to create a sensory garden?<\/strong>Absolutely not. Work with what you have! A sensory garden can start as small as adding a few bird feeders or adding a pot of chives to your windowsill.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>
Can I still have a sensory space if I have a small garden?<\/strong>Yes. There are lots of ways to get creative with small spaces<\/a>, like vertical gardens, gutter shelves, and tiered flower carts.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>
Can I create a sensory garden in any climate?<\/strong>hat suit the weather. For example, a rain garden<\/a> is appropriate if you\u2019re no stranger to afternoon showers. A xeriscape<\/a> is great for desert-like conditions.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>
What are good sensory garden plants to start out with?<\/strong>The best plants are ones that multitask. These options can give you some ideas of what to look for:
Get help starting your sensory garden<\/span><\/h2>
If the idea of installing water features and flower gardens sounds overwhelming, hire help. A professional landscaping team <\/a> can design, build, and install your garden from hardscaping to plant installation. That way, all you have to do is practice relaxing. <\/p>
If you want to really kick back, hire a Lawn Love pro<\/a> to mow, edge, and maintain your lawn. <\/p>
- With your eyes closed or open, notice a sound that brings you joy<\/strong>, like a bird chirping or fountain gurgling. Explore its unique texture and quality. <\/li>
- Recover better from injury<\/strong>, depression, and even illness like the flu by lowering cortisol levels.<\/li>
- Increase our ability to learn<\/strong> new things and behave in new ways via neuroplasticity.<\/li>
- Everyone:<\/strong> We can all benefit from a sensory garden\u2019s ability to ground us in the present moment through our five senses. <\/li><\/ul>
- People with autism spectrum disorder:<\/strong> People with sensory issues can greatly benefit from the safe exploration of a sensory garden. As exemplified by the space at the Els Center for Excellence<\/a>, a sensory garden specifically for ASD features a soothing layout, predictable patterns, and places to rest from overstimulation. <\/li><\/ul>
- Seniors with dementia: <\/strong>A sensory garden provides a safe, enclosed space to enjoy nature. Consider designing a walkway that starts and ends at the same point for people to travel on without getting lost. The sensory stimulation helps improve mental well-being and keeps people with dementia engaged and calm. <\/li><\/ul>
- People in wheelchairs or with limited mobility:<\/strong> A hike up a mountain might be the familiar way to immerse yourself in nature, but that isn\u2019t always easy for everyone. A sensory garden can give you all the delights of a weekend trip in the woods with the comfort and control of your backyard. <\/li><\/ul>
- Discourages the use of harmful pesticides.<\/strong> <\/li>
- Attracts pollinators<\/strong> that benefit the local ecosystem. <\/li>
- Magnolia trees, honeysuckle, and lavender are fantastic places to start for creating a stunning olfactory experience. <\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>
- Benefits of a sensory garden<\/a><\/li>