Soil to Supper delivers simple ideas, solutions and support to help people enhance their health by successfully growing thriving gardens in all locations.
“Our purpose is to make gardening accessible for everyone, in any garden setting”
We believe that people of all ages and abilities need a connection with nature and to experience a sense of joy and the health benefits gained from gardening activities and growing food.
Our mission at Soil to Supper is to support and guide people to care for themselves, others and the earth by growing fresh food and enjoying good health.
Soil To Supper was developed in 2011 after Cath realised the need for information delivered in simple methods to support people to grow and enjoy fresh food in any location.
Our Programs and Services provide simple techniques, information and inspiring ideas to grow thriving gardens, enjoy gardening activities and harvest fresh food.
Our services…
The Soil to Supper Therapeutic Gardening Program includes training and one-on-one programs to assist with the delivery of in-house gardening activities for participants of the NDIS, residents of aged care, disability support and community services.
Soil to Supper Learn Online offers courses and online learning to gather skills and knowledge to enjoy and provide garden-based activities for good health.
Onsite Consultations are available for the home gardener, aged care and community service organisations. I’ll share with you my extensive knowledge of horticulture and therapeutic gardening to support you to establish and maintain thriving gardens. Please contact me directly for more information.
With extensive experience as a guest speaker/workshop presenter I am available to present at your events upon request.
Please contact me directly HERE to discuss your event.
The benefits of Cath Manuel’s therapeutic gardening groups can be seen on the faces of our residents who attend her weekly sessions in our Memory Support Unit. Living with dementia can make daily activities challenging and frustrating, so it is beautiful to watch the group laughing and interacting together, reminiscing about gardens they have tended to in the past.
For many of them, the feel of the soil between their fingers has unlocked gardening skills that have remained hidden in recent years. To have seedlings to care for and gardens to water has provided a purpose for them again. The feedback from staff and relatives has been incredibly positive.
Cath you have helped me immensely with my garden since I decided to go organic. You’ve helped me work out what is best for my garden as I find it very confusing how things are worded as organic but sometimes aren’t actually natural.
I never thought I would love making compost but with the set up that you teach it’s easy and fun to watch the soil that it produces for my garden!
Being a member I also get great knowledge of what to do with the monthly guides and can’t wait for the latest podcast episodes as I learn more that way than just reading. I also like the notes to follow in case I missed something!
Thanks Cath for all your help.
Dear Cath
I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful service you’re offering our community. I’m not really a “green thumb” but your passion and knowledge has got me started!! I enjoyed your workshop very much, it was informative, fun and tasty!!
You are inspirational and I am working toward having a sustainable garden where my family can eat their ‘fill’ of fresh fruit/veggies and salad stuff just like yours does. I can’t wait till your next workshop or should we call it a PLAYshop….fun fun fun!!!
Hi, I’m Cath Manuel, the founder of Soil to Supper
Many years ago I followed my dreams and turned my love for gardens and gardening into my profession with qualifications in Horticulture.
My passion to support others to enjoy gardening for improved wellbeing began as I realised gardening was supporting my physical and emotional wellbeing.
So now as an experienced Horticulturist, specialising in the field of Therapeutic Horticulture, I support people from all walks of life to grow thriving gardens, engage in meaningful gardening activities and nurture wellness.
With over 25 years’ experience in the horticulture industry, delivering services to individuals, professionals and organisations, I access my vast skills and knowledge for the development of garden spaces to accommodate the needs of all users.
I love to learn more about this industry, so by gaining a Diploma of Horticulture, Diploma of Community Services, Certificate in Horticultural Therapy, Permaculture Design Course, as well as further training in community services and Social and Therapeutic Horticulture at Thrive, UK, I know I’m equiped with knowledge and experience to guide others in the garden and also into this wonderful field of work…although it never feels like work.
From 1999 I ran a successful Landscape Gardening Business on the Sunshine Coast before switching to sustainable growing practices in 2011 and therapeutic horticulture in 2014.
I believe in nurturing our physical, emotional and social wellbeing, and the best place for this is in nature , so by developing a training program (The Wellbeing Garden Academy) to teach others all aspects of therapeutic, organic gardening, we can then share our collective knowledge and experiences to inspire and support others.
I’m also deeply interested in growing and cooking fresh food, gaining a deeper understanding of the health benefits from gardening and also plants and their uses.
I became a full member of Therapeutic Horticulture Australia and present for THA through conferences and online webinars, and also enjoy sharing my extensive knowledge through various publications, conferences and events.
Each week on ABC Sunshine Coast radio I enjoy chatting about many fun gardening topics and having great conversations with many who call in!
If I can support you into the wonderful field of Therapeutic Horticulture, or support your organisation to engage people in the garden, please contact me and let’s arrange a chat.
Join me on LinkedIn!
© cath manuel march 2012