1. What is Plant 4 Good all about?
Plant 4 Good is a plant shop and so much more - it's a mission-driven hub connecting people with therapeutic benefits of horticulture. Through a curated selection of plants, supportive guidance, hands on workshops, and meaningful community collaborations, we inspire growth and connection. Our program aims to provide workshops and classes that help people discover the benefits of plants and gardening, and to encourage them to incorporate these practices into their lives. Our HT program focuses on bringing the benefits of horticulture to the general public.
2. What population do you work with?
Adults from the local community.
3. Why did you choose to develop this program, or how did you get into this population?
After completing my certificate, I considered starting a business that utilizes TH in senior communities and schools. However, I thought about the benefits plants and gardening brought to me as a mother, a daughter of aging parents, and a person with a busy career. I thought, why not bring these benefits to everyone, not just people in an identified community? I decided a retail shop could provide support and supplies to people looking to tap into the benefits of plants, while also hosting workshops to dive deeper, or to help people new to plants to gain skills and confidence.
4. What is innovative about your program?
There are certainly many plant shops around, but I think mine is unique in that I have this TH background and am looking to prioritize instilling a love of plants and gardening over sales. Many established TH/HT programs target a specific group, while my goal is to reach all people in my community to help them see the benefits of horticulture.
5. What kinds of activities do you do?
We host classes to teach people about vegetable gardening, seed saving, flower arranging, creating natural products, and houseplant care. Workshops can include floral centerpieces, making lip balm or salt scrubs, planting terrariums or succulent gardens, starting seedlings, and creating herb gardens, among others!
This fall, we are kicking off a more formal program for cancer survivors. I was an oncology nurse prior to retiring last year and specialized in survivorship and patient education.I am really excited to partner with an HTR to provide a workshop series for women finishing breast cancer treatment as a pilot program. It is a wonderful way to tie my two careers together!
6. How is your program evaluated?
To date, it is all anecdotal and personal feedback. This fall I plant to send evaluation forms to all workshop attendees. I don’t know what kind of response we will get, but I know it can help improve the programs.
7. How can I get more information about your program?
Visit my website at www.plant4good.net or follow us on Instagram at @plant4goodpa
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