Create A Healing Garden

A garden is not only a sanctuary because of its visual beauty, but many individual plants and herbs contain medicinal healing properties. A healing garden is a meditative place that brings you into nature and away from everyday problems.

"There are many types of healing gardens, for instance a Japanese Zen or a butterfly garden," said Maggie Kirwin, a local horticulturalist. "When creating your garden, decide whether you want annuals or perinnials, pots versus ground plantings, shade versus sun, or maybe a tiered garden. 

"You can grow herbs in pots just outside the kitchen door. They can  be used not only in cooking but for healing as well, for instance peppermints can be used for digestive problems and flat leaf parsley is not only a diuretic but a natural breath freshener."

When planning your garden make it your little corner of the world; it should be visually pleasing and environmentally sound. You  can make it a virtual kaleidoscope of color and potpourri of fragrance.

The Peconic Rivera Herb Farm in Calverton provides endless ideas for garden vignettes. Chris Spindler planted the first seed 25 years ago, and the place has grown into a magnificintly beautiful symphony of color, texture and aroma, with so many gardens  from which to gather inspiration.

"Plant things on your daily path," Spindler said, "flowers by your mailbox, add a bench or garden gate for visual interest. Working among raised beds gives you access from all sides and makes harvesting plants easy. You can mulch pathways to cut down on work."

On Saturday, April 23 at 11 a.m, Peconic Herb Farm is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt throughout the gardens. On Sunday, May 8, 11 a.m., you can enjoy the Mothers Day Tea. Both events are free to the public.

Long Island Hydroponics just cropped up in Rocky Point. You can grow herbs and vegetables without soil, organic if you choose, in water with nutrients.

"You can do this indoors all year long; you control the seasons," said proprietors Jen Smith and Louis Mitacek. "You can have an herb garden in a closet space."

Your garden can truly reflect who you are; you are the designer and you direct the show. You might choose a water feature like a pond or a waterfall to add gentle movement and sound that can be soothing and therapeutic. Add bird houses or butterfly boxes to attract wildlife. Buy ladybugs to keep pest away and earthworms to enrich the soil.

Plant and harvest flowers and herbs for the benefits of aromatherapy and choose medicinal plants and start your own natural pharmacy.

A resource that should not be overlooked in our community are the Master Gardeners trained at the Suffolk County Cornell Cooperative Extension. They are a group of volunteers trained and kept up-to-date on the latest in environmental horticulture and are at the ready to answer gardening questions. You can call 631-727-7850 if you have any questions , or better yet, take the course and become a Master Gardener yourself.

At the Holtsville Ecology Center you can sign up for a six week horticulture class to learn everything you need to know to start a garden from plant propagation to flower arranging.

If you don't have your own space to garden, the center offers 10' by 10' plots to Brookhaven residents to grow vegetables and flowers. Call for availability and to reserve a parcel: 631-758-9664, ext. 10.

An overlooked benefit to gardening is that it provides exercise and fresh air. So put away the noisy lawn mower, turn off the leaf blower, at least for the moment, and connect with nature on its own terms. Create a healing space and share it with family and friends.