Have a question?

Email us at:
HealthcareGardenatUVMHealth [dot] org (HealthcareGarden[at]UVMHealth[dot]org)

Or give us a call at:
802-847-3833

Learn to Garden for Your Health

Join the UVM Medical Center's nutrition and gardening experts for Gardening for Health. Located at the UVM Medical Center's Main Campus Rooftop Garden, this free, nine-week program offers you the opportunity to learn how gardening can improve your health!

Primary Care and Nutrition Services at the UVM Medical Center are pleased to offer guided instruction for the workshops with technical and program assistance from local partner, the Vermont Community Garden Network. Funding for this program has been provided by the UVM Medical Center Auxiliary, Integrative Therapies at the UVM Cancer Center Fund and the UVM Comprehensive Pain Program.

Program Details

Gardening for Health is a comprehensive health program with a gardening focus. Our aim is to improve patient health by teaching participants how to grow their own food and how to use those fresh, whole foods in simple, delicious, seasonal recipes. The program connects concepts of physical activity, healthy eating and nutrition education with gardening in a supportive environment that encourages social interaction and skill building. The Gardening for Health Program runs for a total of nine weeks, starting in late April. 

Funding has been provided for a select group of UVM Medical Center patients for spring 2022. Please check back for updates on future program offerings. 

Email HealthcareGardenatuvmhealth [dot] org (HealthcareGarden[at]uvmhealth[dot]org) or call the Garden Educator at 802-847-3833 with questions or for more information.

The program includes:

  • Five small group workshops held at the UVM Medical Center Main Campus, Rooftop Garden
  • Four at-home activities relating to lessons learned in the garden
  • Program notebook containing gardening lessons and activities, recipes and nutrition education and physical activity guides

On-site workshops at the Rooftop Garden will meet every other week, on Tuesday evenings from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

The on-site workshops will include a light physical and mindfulness activity, gardening instruction, and nutrition education, with time for questions and discussion.

Eligible participants should be able to commit to the full nine-week program, which will require access to the internet for at-home activities and email communications.

Who Can Join?

Candid photo of Gardening for Health class participants in the UVM Medical Center garden.

This program is for beginner and novice gardeners. Participants must also be patients of either the UVM Cancer Center or be alumni of, or currently participating in, the UVM Comprehensive Pain Program.

How Much Does the Program Cost?

There is no cost for this program. All supplies and program materials are provided.

This program is generously supported by: UVM Medical Center Auxiliary, UVM Cancer Center Fund, UVM Medical Center Comprehensive Pain Program.

How Do I Sign Up?

If you're interested in this fun opportunity to help improve your physical and mental health, please ask your health care provider if this program is right for you.

We are offering two nine-week sessions of this program in 2022. Sign up for the session that best fits your schedule below.

Session 1

Every other Tuesday beginning April 26, 2022, please join us at 4 p.m. in the Rooftop Garden for Gardening for Health. Each workshop will focus on a specific set of gardening topics followed by a hands-on activity, a culinary demo and nutrition discussion. We will also practice a short meditation and light stretching routine that can also be done at home. Remember to bring a large tote bag with you to each on-site workshop, as there will be something to take home with you each week, whether some vegetables grown in the garden or supplies for your at-home activity.

Instruction and supplies for the following week (at-home) will be provided at the end of each workshop.  Further information and links to important resources will be delivered via email after each workshop, so be sure to keep an eye out for these communications.
Register Now

Session 2

Every other Tuesday beginning May 3, 2022, please join us at 4 p.m. in the Rooftop Garden for Gardening for Health. Each workshop will focus on a specific set of gardening topics followed by a hands-on activity, a culinary demo and nutrition discussion. We will also practice a short meditation and light stretching routine that can also be done at home. Remember to bring a large tote bag with you to each on-site workshop, as there will be something to take home with you each week, whether some vegetables grown in the garden or supplies for your at-home activity.

Instruction and supplies for the following week (at-home) will be provided at the end of each workshop. Further information and links to important resources will be delivered via email after each workshop, so be sure to keep an eye out for these communications.
Register Now 

*Please note that registration is limited to 14 participants. If you would like to be added to our waitlist, please email the Gardening for Health team at HealthcareGardenatuvmhealth [dot] org (HealthcareGarden[at]uvmhealth[dot]org). We thank you for your interest and will notify you if a space becomes available.


Hear what previous attendees have to say:

"I loved the combination of learning information, actually doing hands-on gardening, stretching/exercises/meditation, tasting delicious and healthy food. This program exceeded my expectations."

"What truly came through from each of [the instructors] was the link between gardening and freshly grown fruits and vegetables and how much [they] could contribute to our health and well-being."

"It was comprehensive in scope and full of details needed to be successful in class and at home. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and no one felt out of place or afraid to ask questions."

"I found myself motivated to eat more fresh food and incorporate different vegetables into breakfast and snacks where I might not have opted to prior to taking this class."

"I have much more confidence in gardening after this program."

COVID-19 safety protocols for the Gardening for Health program:

  1. All participants will need to engage in entrance health screenings prior to making their way to the Rooftop Garden.
  2. Do not enter the garden if you are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
  3. All frequently touched surfaces, tools and equipment will be cleaned and disinfected at the beginning and end of each class.
  4. All participants must maintain a minimum physical distance of 6' from others.
  5. All participants must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth.
  6. Hand sanitizer will be available.
  7. Shared tools will be disinfected between each use.