Mindful Gardening for the Queer Community
Description
Queers Mindful Gardening Program is an ongoing gardening and social connection group for people seeking community, nature connection, and a gentle, supportive gardening practice. Grounded in the principles of therapeutic horticulture, the program offers an ongoing safe space for participants to connect with nature and with one another.
Sessions combine hands-on gardening and creative activities with open conversation and opportunities to share stories, ideas, and lived experiences.
Our time together in the garden may be active and practical, or slow and reflective, responding to the needs of the group and the rhythms of the garden. Participants can expect to build gardening and food-growing skills, engage in nature-based art, strengthen observation and mindfulness practices, and grow confidence while also forming meaningful community connections. Open conversations are welcomed and held with care and respect, often taking on a healing quality through shared experiences and peer support in a nurturing environment.
The program is intentionally flexible and responsive. Sessions are guided by what the garden is offering, the changing weather, moments of inspiration, and, most importantly, what participants bring with them on the day.
FAQs
- Do I have to attend all sessions?
Although attending regularly is encouraged and contributes to building social connections as well as helping you with creating consistency anchors in your week, we all know life has a way of, well, lifing. The flexible and gentle nature of the group allows for missing sessions as well as coming as you are and participating at your own pace.
- What should I bring?
Please bring a water bottle and some gardening gloves if you have some. We also recommend making sure you have adequate sun-protection (the UV is really high this time of year, even if it's cool or overcast!), enclosed/sturdy shoes, rain protection if it's rainy, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
- Who is running this program?
This program is being run by Fawkner Food Bowls in partnership with Well Grown. It is funded by Australia Post's Community grants program.
- What happens at each session?
Queers in the Garden sessions are flexible and responsive to participant needs, weather conditions and gardening activities available.
A general structure you could expect: Morning mindful activity followed by group chat and sharing thoughts and experiences. We then explore the garden and map out activities for the day. Halfway through the session we will break for lunch then return to our gardening activities of the day. We will often have a couple of activities to choose from that can match your interests and energy. These range from hands on gardening to nature based art and incorporate learning about food growing and land care.N.B. Catering is provided so you can expect some delicious lunch and snacks.
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