Sensory Gardening
Spring is here! Spring is a wonderful time to start a sensory garden. Sensory gardens are designed to stimulate our sensory systems and provide safe opportunities for exploring new sensory experiences through interaction with the environment (Moreno, 2024; Seattle Children’s PayGarden, 2020).
Sensory gardens can benefit individuals of all ages, especially those with sensory processing disorder (SPD). SPD is a condition that impacts how our brains process sensory input through our eight senses (Jones, 2024). For example, individuals with SPD may feel uncomfortable or distressed by loud sounds from a busy highway or bright sunlight, while others may be under-sensitive to stimuli and seek out extra sensory input (Moreno, 2024).
Tips for Creating a Sensory Garden
Sensory gardens can encourage exploration and stimulate our eight sensory systems in various ways. While each person’s sensory preferences will differ, here are some components to add to a sensory garden:
Plant a variety of colorful plants, either with complementary or contrasting colors, to provide differing stimuli (Moreno, 2024; The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Promote visual and spatial planning by spacing out plants and objects using varying distances (Edler, 2016)
Encourage visual tracking by placing colorful pinwheels throughout or adding plants to attract birds and butterflies (Moreno, 2024)
Use plants with varying heights or widths, such as climbing vines or short shrubs, to promote visual attraction to new planes and promote overhead reach (Moreno, 2024; The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Implement objects that reflect light, such as mirrors or water fountains (Moreno, 2024)
Remember that some children may only want to enjoy the view! (Moreno, 2024)
Add non-plant elements that make different noises, such as bird feeders, wind chimes, or water fountains (Hubbard, 2023; Moreno, 2024; The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Use plants that attract birds, butterflies, or bugs, such as tall sunflowers or butterfly weeds (Hubbard, 2023; Moreno, 2024)
Use plants that make varying sounds in a breeze, such as tall grasses or bamboo stems (The OT Toolbox, 2015; Stalter, 2023)
Add elements that create noise while interacting with them, such as crunching leaves under feet while walking or seed pods that rattle while shaken (Stalter, 2023)
Sensory garden pathway created by SENSE-ational Spaces
Encourage participation from your child while building and tending to the garden - they can experience touching a variety of textures, including mud, water, worms, rocks, leaves, and more (Edler, 2016; The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Walk barefoot through the garden to feel different textures, such as dirt, water, or grass (The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Create a sensory walking path with various textures, such as flagstone, sand, woodchips, and more (Moreno, 2024)
Use plants with a variety of textures, like fuzzy leaves, smooth tree bark, cool moss, or rough seed pods (Moreno, 2024; The OT Toolbox, 2015; Stalter, 2023)
Plant various fragrant vegetables, herbs, or flowers, such as mint, tomatoes, or lilacs (Hubbard, 2023; The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Promote playing in the dirt and provide hardy plants that can be crushed, as crushing leaves and flowers can release stronger scents; for individuals who prefer not to use their hands, providing shovels, scoops, or other tools for crushing items can provide opportunities for sensory exploration (Moreno, 2024)
Make sure that plants and treatments are non-toxic and edible for increased safety (Hubbard, 2023)
Plant edible plants with a variety of flavors, including sweet, spicy, or tart vegetables, fruits, or herbs (The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Encourage food exploration within the garden and cooking with the produce harvested (Moreno, 2024; The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Encourage jumping in water or mud puddles (The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Encourage getting down on the ground to dig, plant, and harvest (The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Add a swing or trampoline for more opportunities for sensory input (Stalter, 2023)
Encourage heavy work, such as digging, pushing a wheelbarrow, or pulling weeds (Edler, 2016; The OT Toolbox, 2015; Stalter, 2023)
Plant vegetables that require heavier work to harvest, such as potatoes or carrots (The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Pull hoses around the garden and wind up when finished (The OT Toolbox, 2015)
Include climbing structures within the garden (Hubbard, 2023)
While in the garden, check in with how your child is feeling to process their emotional responses to the sensory experiences
Help your child find words to identify the sensations they are experiencing - are they feeling hot in the sun? Does something feel soft or prickly on their skin?
Encourage water intake if your child is outside in hot weather for a long time
Sensory gardens can also provide opportunities for learning about science and cooking, promote social interaction and creativity, and enhance motor skills and self-confidence (Moreno, 2024; Stalter, 2023). A sensory garden may also help your child regulate their emotions, as being outdoors can be calming and relaxing (The OT Toolbox, 2015).
To create a sensory garden, check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map to identify what plants will thrive in your location and learn more about gardening!
References
Edler, B. (2016, May 6). Sensory garden: Why gardening helps emotional grounding and sensory integration. Integrated Learning Strategies. https://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-05-sensory-garden-why-gardening-helps-emotional-grounding-and-sensory-integration/
Hubbard, P. (2023, July 5). Creating a sensory garden. Penn State Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/creating-a-sensory-garden
Jones, K. B. (2024, January). Sensory processing disorder (SPD). Family Doctor. https://familydoctor.org/condition/sensory-processing-disorder-spd/#:~:text=Sensory%20processing%20disorder%20(SPD)%20is,that%20other%20people%20are%20not
Moreno, C. (2024). Creating a sensory garden. Penfield Children’s Center. https://penfieldbuildingblocks.org/2017/03/01/creating-a-sensory-garden/
The OT Toolbox. (2015, May 6). Sensory gardening with kids. https://www.theottoolbox.com/sensory-gardening-with-kids/
Seattle Children’s PlayGarden. (2020). Gardening with kids with sensory sensitivities. https://childrensplaygarden.org/portfolio/gardening-with-kids-with-sensory-sensitivities/
Stalter, K. (2023, November 20). Creating a sensory garden: A unique approach to learning differences. Miriam School and Learning Center. https://www.miriamstl.org/aboutmiriam/news/post-details/~board/blogs/post/creating-a-sensory-garden