How to Build Healing Gardens

Healing gardens are a place for someone to visit and relax. Many factors come into play when planning a healing garden. Building a healing garden should be based on your personal preference of scents and landscaping. Seating should also be considered when planning the building of a healing garden.

The Layout

• Plan how you want your healing garden to look.


• Know the size of the area you are building your garden in.


• Consider slopes or hills and where they are located.


• Plan your construction around any existing trees or shrubs.


• Draw a rough draft of the complete layout of your healing garden.

Walkways

• Know what kind of walkway you want. Concrete, brick, gravel, or brick are commonly used.


• Decide the path of your walkway. You may want it to shape around various elements in your garden. Another option is to have it in a straight path.


• Consider the width of your walkway. Some are narrow, 2 to 3 feet in width, allowing only one person to walk on the path. Walkways can also be up to 5 feet wide to accommodate more than one person or one with a walker or wheelchair.

Seating

• Place benches or chairs strategically throughout your garden. 


• Consider how much distance you want between placement of benches or chairs.


• Plan whether you want your seating just off the walkway or further into the garden.

Plants

• Decide what kinds of plants you want in your garden. Scents play a big part of a healing garden and should be chosen to your individual taste.


• Research different plants. Learn about their scents and consider the look of the plant. Eye appeal is another important factor when choosing plants for your garden.


• Plan where the different types of plants will be planted. Some plants can be used as borders to your walkway or smaller flower beds.