ISHS Acta Horticulturae 639: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Expanding Roles for Horticulture in Improving Human Well-Being and Life Quality
A GARDEN TO LIVE AND TO LEARN FOR SOCIALLY DEPRIVED ADOLESCENTS |
| Author: | B. Steininger-Hotwagner |
| Keywords: | human issues, horticulture, horticultural therapy, healing garden, vocational training, disadvantaged adolescents |
| Abstract:
Horticulture may improve the quality of human life, throughout all age-groups. The Sozialpädagogische Jugendwohn- und Ausbildungszentrum (Socialeducational Boarding School and Vocational Training Center) in Korneuburg provides multiple opportunities for socially deprived adolescents with special needs to gain social skills within cared housing. A garden, which covers an area of 3000 m2 and is situated within the school grounds, is part of this program. It was built and is managed by the students of the landscape gardening school and was designed to meet five different goals: (1) learning of basic skills of landscape gardening in vocational training; (2) creating a habitat for local flora and fauna by ecological and sustainable gardening; (3) communication with other schools; (4) inclusion of students in different therapeutic activities; (5) identification with the school by students. The garden includes the following elements: Orchard, vineyard, wildflower meadow, four raised beds to present: texture, color, taste and smell, pond, natural brick wall with barbecue place, gravel pile, seating arena, berry hedge, flowering shrubs with perennials. The students gained vocational skills during construction and maintenance of the garden. Solving difficult tasks and presenting the garden to other students improved their social and communication skills. Thus, vocational and social skills of students with special needs may be improved by the construction of a garden specifically designed for their needs. | |
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