Citing research is an important way to demonstrate that therapeutic horticulture is an evidence-based discipline backed with peer-reviewed studies that prove the benefits of different interventions across many populations and many settings. As practitioners, it's important to keep up with the research findings to stay current and ensure that the sessions we plan are based on effective methods.

Be sure that part of your practice involves keeping up with the latest findings, methods, and best practices from your peers and colleagues. In TH, we are able to conduct research on existing groups in order to demonstrate efficacy, and we have several excellent databases collating recent studies so that you can both stay up to date and cite the research in your proposals, session plans, and articles.

The following links can help you get started finding relevant studies to show how therapeutic horticulture appears in the scientific literature:

Databases:

Florida Horticulture for Health Network maintains and updates the free Resource Hub , with eight primary categories including an overview, health, social, landscape, food/nutrition, specific populations, and ethnobotany. The Specific Populations category includes studies on twelve populations, and the database contains over 3,000 research citations of recent, relevant research.

Root in Nature of Canada has released their free Research Database which allows access up to 10 free papers when you add your email. The database includes summaries of each cited work.

General Efficacy of Therapeutic Horticulture:

Summary by the American Horticultural Therapy Association on Research on Benefits of Horticultural Therapy and Therapeutic Gardens.  (see page 2)

Science Daily - search for Articles on "Horticultural Therapy" or "Therapeutic Horticulture"

Google Scholar - search for Articles on "Horticultural Therapy" or "Therapeutic Horticulture"

Barnicle, Tom and Karen Stoelzle Midden. 2003. The Effects of a Horticulture Activity Program on the Psychological Well-being of Older People in a Long-term Care Facility. HortTechnology  13(1) 81-85

Relf, Paula Diane and Virginia Lohr. 2003. Human Issues in Horticulture. HortTechnology 38(5) 984-993

Shoemaker, Candice A., Paula Diane Relf, and Virginia I. Lohr. 2000. Social Science Methodologies for Studying Individuals’ Responses in Human Issues in Horticulture Research. HortTechnology 10 (1) 87-93

Studies are published frequently to support therapeutic horticulture and the use of people-plant connections, nature-based therapies, and other ecotherapies to effect positive change in numerous populations: children, adolescents, college students, elders, persons with mental/physical/cognitive/emotional challenges, physical changes and challenges, veterans, refugees, persons processing trauma, and those who are just coping with everyday life.

Google Scholar is a good first step in locating abstracts and PDF-accessible peer-reviewed research on efficacy, specific interventions, and study results that are applicable to your practice.

Because therapeutic horticulture is an emerging field, practitioners and facilitators are encouraged to conduct responsible field studies in their own practice and report their findings. More information on conducting research is available through the American Horticultural Therapy Association.