The poet May Sarton beautifully expressed how “a garden is always a series of losses set against a few triumphs, like life itself.” Gardeners everywhere can feel this truth in their bones. Even with all of the losses, we still garden because this activity encompasses more than the fruits and flowers that signal the end result of our labor. Whether our efforts culminate in the perfect peony or we lose our favorite vegetable plant to hungry deer, our time gardening and giving it our best shot is worth it. We have all been touched by the many different forms of loss that are part of being human, but if you can find your own inner stone pathway that leads to a garden, you just might find some respite from grief.

When we garden, we spend time clearing. Whether we are removing “weeds” or invasive species (such as honeysuckle) or creating more room on the porch for pots, the act of clearing is a way to open up space to move and breathe, to look at our yards or patios or sunny windowsills in a new way and envision what is possible. Interestingly, rich soil contains a natural antidepressant called Mycobacterium vaccae, so as we nurture the soil and seeds in whatever type of garden we choose to grow, we can tend to our own emotional interior gardens with care.

Plants are also fascinating. It’s hard not to be mesmerized by the sheer variety and unique attributes that plants embody. Bamboo, for example, can grow up to 35 inches in one day. On the inside of a cranberry, there is a small pocket of air that........

© Psychology Today