Honoring Veterans Through Gardening: A Healing Connection with Nature

As we honor the dedication and sacrifice of our veterans this Veterans Day on November 11, we also acknowledge the journey many take to find peace and healing after serving. For centuries, connecting with nature has offered a unique path for veterans seeking calm, resilience, and reconnection. Gardening, in particular, has been a profoundly transformative activity for many service members, providing a natural means for managing stress, healing trauma, and rebuilding a sense of purpose.

Historically, gardening has been a powerful tool for healing in times of recovery and reflection. Let’s explore some notable ways veterans have turned to the earth over the years to find restoration and grounding.

World War I and “Victory Gardens”

During World War I, nations encouraged citizens, including veterans returning from combat, to create “Victory Gardens.” These were personal and community gardens that served dual purposes: they helped supplement food supplies and provided a therapeutic space for soldiers. For many veterans, the simple act of planting seeds, tending to the soil, and watching life grow again helped them cope with the emotional toll of war. The physical work and quiet time spent outdoors served as a powerful, restorative force as soldiers adjusted back to civilian life.

The Evolution of Horticultural Therapy

Horticultural therapy was formally introduced as a treatment for veterans during World War II. Doctors noticed that patients who worked with plants showed marked improvements in their physical, emotional, and psychological health. Many VA hospitals incorporated gardens into their recovery centers, providing patients with the chance to rehabilitate through gardening activities. This approach to mental health recovery soon gained momentum, showing that nature could offer a sanctuary where veterans could process experiences, handle trauma, and start their journey to healing.

Vietnam Veterans and the Peaceful Power of Gardens

During the Vietnam War, many veterans struggled with reintegration upon their return. Seeking ways to manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), some Vietnam veterans found a path to recovery through gardening. Planting a seed or nurturing a flower bed became a metaphor for rebuilding life after trauma, as many veterans found solace in growing things. Today, these gardens continue to serve as safe spaces for peace and reflection, allowing veterans to work through their experiences in a natural, nonjudgmental setting.

The Proven Benefits of Gardening for Veterans Today

Studies have repeatedly shown that spending time outdoors is beneficial for mental health, lowering stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. For veterans, gardening can uniquely address the mental and emotional wounds associated with service.

Here are a few ways gardening continues to impact veterans positively:

1. Stress Reduction and Mental Health Benefits
   Working with plants has been shown to lower cortisol levels, easing feelings of anxiety. The rhythmic, repetitive actions involved in gardening are grounding, making it a mindful activity that helps veterans remain present and focused.
2. Sense of Purpose and Achievement
   Many veterans find that gardening provides a renewed sense of purpose. Watching plants grow and flourish offers a tangible achievement, helping veterans regain a sense of agency and accomplishment.
3. Building Community and Connection
   Gardening fosters connection, whether through community gardens or sharing harvests with others. Veterans often find solace in connecting with people who understand their experiences, and gardens can be a space for conversation, camaraderie, and support.
4. Physical Health Benefits
   Gardening is a low-impact physical activity that offers great benefits for physical health, including improved mobility and strength. The simple act of moving and working in the garden supports overall wellness and is especially helpful for veterans working through physical challenges or disabilities.

Honoring Veterans Through Gardening Initiatives and Organizations

Many organizations recognize the unique benefits of gardening for veterans and actively work to make these opportunities accessible to more veterans across the country. Let’s highlight a few that are making a real impact:

• The Home Depot Foundation
  Known for its dedication to veterans, The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans. Beyond providing home repairs and improvements, the Foundation has supported the creation of veteran-friendly gardens and green spaces, making it possible for veterans to enjoy therapeutic gardening experiences. Through partnerships with local organizations and nonprofits, The Home Depot Foundation helps veterans establish gardens at their homes or in community spaces, creating places of peace and restoration.
• Farmer Veteran Coalition
  This organization connects veterans with careers in agriculture, encouraging them to transition into farming and gardening after military service. By offering educational programs, grants, and mentorship opportunities, the Farmer Veteran Coalition has helped thousands of veterans find purpose in farming. The organization fosters a powerful sense of purpose by helping veterans reconnect with the land and find healing through agriculture.
• Heroes to Hives
  Focusing on the therapeutic power of beekeeping and gardening, Heroes to Hives provides veterans with training in apiculture and agriculture. This unique approach encourages veterans to engage with nature through gardening and beekeeping, a combination that has been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms and promote mental well-being.
• Semper Fi & America’s Fund
  This nonprofit organization offers assistance to wounded veterans and supports various forms of horticultural therapy. Through programs that provide resources and opportunities for veterans to explore gardening, Semper Fi & America’s Fund encourages veterans to find peace and healing in nature.

The connection between veterans and gardening has deep roots, reaching back through history to remind us of nature’s innate ability to heal and restore. This Veterans Day, we celebrate those who have served by honoring the therapeutic role of gardens in their lives. Through gardening, veterans find a place of solace, reflection, and hope—a quiet yet powerful reminder of life’s resilience.

To all veterans: thank you for your service and sacrifice. May your path to healing be filled with growth, peace, and the beauty of nature.