In addition to providing wholesome produce, gardening is a great way to keep your body and brain active and engaged. Whether you’re growing veggies or flowers, there’s a lot of planning and learning that happens continually throughout the year. Constantly changing weather conditions and new varieties of plants promise to always have you on your toes. You’ll get in plenty of steps—and side bends—every day while tending your garden and some say there are microbes in the soil that act as natural antidepressants. In fact, horticultural therapy has been dated back to the 19th century and today is used to help individuals improve memory and cognitive skills, strengthen coordination, balance and endurance, learn problem solving skills and actively make connections and socialize with others.

As the outdoor growing season winds down, things are still hot inside. If you enjoy houseplants, our climate-controlled, indoor greenhouse/solarium is where Landscape and Garden Professional Catherine Lyons and the Duncaster Greenhouse Committee care for a variety of lush and lovely plant specimens. Residents visit the greenhouse regularly to see what’s in bloom and enjoy a variety of interesting plants like our night blooming Cereus and orchid cactus. During the long, chilly winters, our greenhouse becomes an inviting, green oasis.