The link between horticulture and health and well-being has been scientifically documented for centuries. In 1812, psychiatrist, professor, and Declaration of Independence signer Dr. Benjamin Rush reported in his book, Medical Inquiries and Observations, Upon the Diseases of the Mind, that patients “digging in the dirt” fared better than their non-gardener counterparts. Since then, hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies have been published documenting benefits of active (e.g., gardening/landscaping) and passive (e.g., viewing nature through a window, taking a walk in a park) interactions between people and plants and the value of plants in urban ecosystems.
This free publication is available by download.
This publication is best viewed using the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. You can download a free copy of the Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems Incorporated.