Rooted in Renewal: How the Gardens Help Heal
The Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening and Daily Routines at The Wheelhouse
On the grounds of THE WHEELHOUSE campus in Deer Park, TX, are two places where healing begins quietly. They are not counseling rooms or meeting spaces.
Our prayer garden, as well as our vegetable garden, are peaceful, living spaces where men begin to rebuild their lives through daily care, fresh air, and a sense of purpose.
For men in recovery, these gardens are more than just places to pray and meditate or grow food. They serve as reminders that change happens over time. Watering plants, growing flowers, harvesting vegetables, and working with others in the soil helps men find a sense of grounding during a time of rebuilding.
A Steady Place to Start Again
Many come to The Wheelhouse feeling uncertain or disconnected. In our gardens, they find something tangible to focus on. There’s work to be done. Plants to tend. Progress to notice. These daily activities offer something solid and reliable.
Getting hands in the dirt, learning how to grow flowers, vegetables, and herbs, and showing up every morning all become part of a steady routine. The results are visible. There’s pride in watching something thrive because of the effort you put in. That feeling matters deeply when someone is starting over.
How Routine Supports Recovery
Structure brings stability. At The Wheelhouse, daily routines are part of the foundation of recovery. When men wake up and know what’s expected of them, it builds a sense of control and responsibility.
Working in the garden gives men a meaningful job. Pulling weeds, feeding flowers, and checking on crops creates a rhythm that’s easy to follow and rewarding to complete. It teaches patience, focus, and the value of follow-through.
Gardening as a Tool for Mental Wellness
Spending time outdoors has real health benefits. Studies show that gardening can help lower stress, improve mood, and support mental clarity. At The Wheelhouse, men often talk about how peaceful the garden feels.
“The tomatoes are really good. They taste better.” says one of our men, Richard H.
“This place gives us a chance to slow down and be present,” says Richard.
Gardening helps reconnect men with the world around them. They learn to pay attention to details, to be gentle, and to stay committed. This builds resilience and confidence—two qualities that support long-term recovery.
There’s a lot to learn from the way a garden grows. Seeds don’t turn into vegetables overnight, and flowers don’t bloom in a day, that’s for sure. It takes time and effort; daily effort. One Day at a Time! Men start to see that same kind of change in themselves.
Working alongside others in the garden also creates opportunities for connection. Men learn to work together and to take turns. These skills help build trust and cooperation, both of which are important in a recovery community.
Our Prayer Garden: The George Anne Bedford Garden
Addiction often leaves behind a trail of chaos, guilt, and emotional scars. The prayer garden offers something that clinical therapy alone cannot: sacred stillness. In this peaceful outdoor space, surrounded by the beauty of nature, men can reconnect with a sense of purpose, forgiveness, and a power greater than themselves.
The garden is named in memory of George Anne Bedford, a longtime supporter of The Wheelhouse. Her commitment to helping men in recovery continues to grow through every seed planted and every moment spent in that space. The garden reflects her belief in second chances and quiet strength.
Benefits of our Prayer Garden:
Spiritual reflection and reconnection – A safe space to talk to God, seek forgiveness, and find peace
Emotional release – Many find tears come more easily under a tree than under a roof.
Stress reduction – Exposure to nature has been widely shown to have a positive effect on reducing stress, both perceived and physiological. [1]
Building a rhythm of solitude and prayer – Establishing spiritual habits that carry into life after rehab.
Here, healing doesn’t need words—it grows quietly between prayers.
Our Vegetable Garden: Good Food Grown with Purpose
Recovery is not just about letting go—it’s about growing something new. The vegetable garden gives our men a chance to nurture life with their hands and see the tangible results of patience, consistency, and care.
The vegetables and herbs grown in our vegetable garden are used in the kitchen at The Wheelhouse. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, and greens are picked and prepared by the same hands that planted them.
This connection between work and nourishment reinforces the importance of healthy living. Men see that what they do each day has a direct impact on how they feel. It also shows them that simple things like a home-cooked meal can be part of feeling whole again.
Benefits of our Vegetable Garden:
Responsibility and structure – Gardening requires routine, commitment, and follow-through—vital life skills for sobriety.
Physical health – Fresh air, exercise, and organic vegetables all contribute to improved physical wellness.
Sense of accomplishment – Watching something grow because you cared for it can be a powerful reminder: you can rebuild your life, too.
Planting seeds becomes more than an activity—it’s a metaphor for our recovery journey.
Two Gardens. One Mission: Healing.
When men enter our program, they often feel disconnected from their families, from God, and themselves. These gardens offer more than just quiet corners of greenery. They offer hope. They offer purpose. They offer a reminder that growth is always possible, even after seasons of deep pain.
To learn more about how The Wheelhouse supports men in recovery through community, structure, and hands-on healing, or how you can assist in this program, call 281-478-4488.
[1] “Effect of nature exposure on perceived and physiologic stress: A systematic review” National Library of Medicine, July 17, 2020, Effect of nature exposure on perceived and physiologic stress: A systematic review - PubMed