Developing a Sensory Garden for Adults with Disabilities

10 steps to success:

1. Ensure the whole space is set out to be a positive sensory
experience.
2. Use a mix of raised beds for ease of access/working height.
Ideally the beds should not be more than 2m wide so people can
reach to the centre from either side.
3. Grow plants that the people like to eat.
4. Include a BBQ / fire pit so you can celebrate harvests with a
community dining-in event.
5. When laying out planting beds think in terms of organic
gardening principles: companion planting both deters pests
and attracts beneficial pollinators.
6. Utilise the vertical and provide for experiences of light and shade
by training beans, grapes, pears over arches over a pathway to
create a tunnel.
7. Include a water feature to cool the air, calm clients and encourage
wildlife – which provides additional pest protection as well as
enhancing the sensory experience.
8. Add seating to the space – it is vital in any garden that you can
rest, admire your handiwork, ‘stop and smell the roses’.
9. Vary path surfaces both to provide interest underfoot, and
different habitats to encourage bio-diversity
10. Ensure the garden includes both sheltered and exposed areas to
allow clients to experience rain on their skin, wind in their hair,
sun on their face, cooling shade.