COVID-19:  Screening, updates and safety protocols: 

Growing the Beez Kneez

Therapeutic Sustainability Garden Fundraiser
Foundation - Beez Kneez
Published Date

Help Support our Therapeutic Garden!

In the Fall of 2021 the Beez Kneez Therapeutic Sustainability Garden was installed at Ontario Shores! The eco-friendly garden features rain barrels, composters, wheelchair-accessible raised-bed planters, bird feeders, wind chimes and a honey-producing bee hive maintained by Alvéole.

Patients at Ontario Shores contributed to the garden design including naming it "Beez Kneez" and painting the new sign. Together with Recreation Therapists patients planted peas, carrots, beets, lettuces and kale, and used the garden community bulletin board to share information and communicate garden tasks.

Donate Directly to the Garden Today!

A Multi-sensory, Therapeutic Space

The Beez Kneez is a working community garden where patients and staff work together to share a common purpose in a natural therapeutic space where everyone can learn about horticulture and sustainability. We are looking forward to a busy spring planting season. 

Two Ontario Shores Recreation Therapists, who have completed courses in Horticulture, will be using horticulture as a therapeutic tool to implement several brand new patient programs within the space of the garden to:

  • Establish meaningful therapeutic goals related to horticulture
  • Develop specific life, social and community integration skills, and
  • Incorporate the seven dimensions of wellness (physical, spiritual, cognitive, emotional, social, creative and environmental)

Why We Need Your Support

The garden requires ongoing maintenance, tools and plant materials to support patient programming. Donations may also support garden-related crafts and other therapeutic horticultural activities. Please support the garden through: 

  • Monetary Gifts
  • Plants (young vegetable plants, bee-friendly perennials and native species) 
  • Garden Centre store credit or gifts cards - to support hands-on education/experiences in selecting plants and garden materials through community outings to local nurseries

To donate gifts-in-kind soil, plant materials or gift cards, please contact Maureen Patterson e: @email / t: 905-430-4055 ext. 6520

Donate Directly to the Garden Today!

See more content on related topics
Annual Harvest Celebration
In the fall of 2021, Ontario Shores celebrated the first Harvest Celebration in the Beez Kneez!
Beez Kneez - Raised beds
Raised Flower and Vegetable Bed
Used to grow various native flowers, vegetables, herbs and berries for weekly programming.
Sharing the passion of Horticulture
A Day of Celebration
The day's events included a guided garden tour, nature based activities and refreshments.
Therapy Garden - the team
Meet the Team!
Noelle, Maureen and Emily led the team on coordinating the festival.
A Wonderful Day for Patients
Sharing a Passion for Nature
Nine units and over 30 participants attended the event.
Therapy Garden - Contest Winner
And the Winner Is...
Congratulations to the FPRU unit for putting forward the Beez Kneez name and were the successful winners!

How Gardening is Therapeutic for Mental Health

Therapy Garden - Connectedness
Therapy Garden - Hope
Therapy Garden - Identity
Therapy Garden - Meaning
Therapy Garden - Empowerment