Mindful Exploration of the Meadows Community Garden (August 23)
Fi Brown, therapeutic horticulturalist, tells us about her group visits to the garden:
The Eric Liddell Community (ELC) runs a regular wellbeing walk with a focus on nature and local history from their hub at Holy Corner. One of the most successful walks was to The Meadows, which was repeated in August. The group consisted mainly of carers ranging from their 40s to 80s, some of whom have lived in Edinburgh all their lives but never explored The Meadows prior to this. The highlight for everyone on the previous visit was to The Meadows Community Garden. One of the things I have tried to do on the walks is introduce the concept of mindfulness. Upon reaching the garden this time, I set out for us to explore it with each of our senses in turn. Initially, using sight, we visually explored the garden, and I made note of plants the participants recognised such as Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon) to Malus domestica (apple). A few that had been on the previous visit were eager to see the changes a few months had made. Noting new colours, shapes and sizes they saw. This was followed by touch – I passed around leaves of Stachys byzantine (lamb’s ear) to touch with their fingers and hands then encouraged them to try how it felt on their faces. Other plants were felt, and the final one, Helichrysum italicum (curry plant), then led to the sense of smell.
Other plants smelt included Aloysia citrodora (lemon verbena), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) and Mentha sp. (mint). Everyone loved the S. byzantine and A. citrodora – I have been asked to grow both at the ELC’s secret garden as a result! We then moved onto taste – Origanum vulgare (oregano) prompted memories of Italian food and holidays. One participant in her 40s, who is part of my garden project at the ELC, is still learning about plants as this year has been her first year growing anything. I handed her a leaf and asked her if it looked familiar, it did not but “it looks like a baby leek”. I asked her to taste it – “oh it tastes really oniony as I get into it”! The plant was Allium schoenoprasum (chives) and explained how right she was on both aspects as it is a close relative of both. Our final sense was sound – we looked at Papaver rhoeas (poppy) heads and watched them swaying in the wind. This was followed up by a look at Calendula officinalis (calendula) that we have planted in the ELC front containers. We all looked at their seed heads as I explained about seed collection and its importance. We decided to return and collect a few seed heads for our own gardens. The Meadows Community Garden may be small, but it provides so much to explore and for the senses to enjoy. Most of the participants said they’d return with family, including their cared for, and that the group must return in autumn to see what it brings.
Welcome any time, Fiona!
Meadows Community Gardens 