Putnam plants seeds of hope

By Abigail Hunt  
    As Aroostook County welcomes spring into its midst, many residents are getting back outside and into the soil, taking advantage of those few summer months in which to plant and garden. But for Rachel Putnam, an unconventional landscaper, planting and gardening take place all year round.
    Putnam, a Houlton native, now resides in Bangor and after spending time in the Navy, she decided to go back to school and focus on a more land-based career.
    “In 2002, I went back to college for a landscape/horticulture degree,” said Putnam. “I’ve always loved plants, thanks to influences from my grandmother and parents. My mother and father always had gardens and plants and that was my motivation. I really wanted to get involved in a field I was interested in.” While pursuing horticulture, Putnam also incorporated therapy into her coursework. “I chose the landscape/horticulture program with an emphasis in design work, originally. But then [UMO] started offering horticulture therapy. I continued with design but branched out with therapy because I saw the benefit of knowing how to design therapeutic gardens.”
    Loosely defined, horticulture therapy is a treatment modality that uses plants and plant products to improve the social, cognitive, physical, psychological and general health of participants. Typical gardens created for people with disabilities are raised from the ground for easier access.
    “A lot of times you could build a four-foot elevated planter,” said Putnam, noting that the planters should only be about two feet long, in order to reach the plants on all sides. “Besides shrubs and bushes, you can pretty much grow anything in a planter like that. Beans, tomatoes, perennials … whatever the person would like.”
    Flowers and plants that stimulate the senses are worth considering. “Anything with a strong fragrance or bright colors can be used, rough and smooth textures of leaves can be incorporated for people who are individually impaired.”
 Therapeutic activities included trips to garden shows, creating flower arrangements and planting flowers in old shoes. Activities like pressing flowers can be accomplished during the winter, when the weather turns too cold for outdoor planting.
    The process of horticulture therapy has the ability to positively affect an individual’s physical, emotional and mental well-being. Since Putnam has spent most of her time working with elderly patients, she can see direct results from their involvement. Physical therapy can come from actively gardening and using tools, but working with plants offers emotional benefits.
    “[Gardening] makes [veterans] feel good about themselves — they’re accomplishing something and it’s something they can control and this is important especially in an nursing home where individuals can’t control much.” Even with mental health issues, horticulture therapy can provide help. “Some of the certified horticulture therapists are also psychologists,” said Putnam, carrying dual degrees that are used to help individuals focus, build self-esteem and work through many issues.
     Since graduating in May 2006, Putnam has helped write a grant for a greenhouse and is looking to increase her involvement at the veterans’ home. On Oct. 31, 2006, a grant was awarded by the American Horticulture Therapy Association and the Douglas J. Schwartz Foundation for a greenhouse to be built for the Dorothea Dix psychiatric center. Gardens have been planted at the Veterans’ home and there are five different sections contained in the greenhouse. Veterans are able to come in when activities are planned and some gardens are there for simple enjoyment.
    For residents of Aroostook County who may not have specific programs concerning horticulture therapy, Putnam offers some suggestions. “Having a sunroom to convert is a place to start, or creating elevated planters with cement walkways beside them. The challenge is that you have to make sure whoever you’re working with doesn’t eat the plants,” warned Putnam. “That’s the biggest caution.”
    Outdoor plants to avoid include the Azalea, Rhododendron, Daffodil and Lily-of-the-Valley, while specific indoor plants include the Calla Lily, Amaryllis and Mistletoe. Putnam notes that while these plants may be safe in some instances, putting them in a garden where there is risk of being mistakenly consumed can be a deadly choice.
    However, there are many plants that can be planted and are even edible, including the Nasturtium, Calendula, Marigolds or a salad mix, which includes a variety of vegetables. Planting shrubs and trees outside to attract birds can also be a way of observing nature during the winter months.