Table A1.

Horticultural/gardening activities presented in the studies.

Study	Activity	Description of Activity
[31]	Horticultural therapy, 30 min per session, once a week for 9 weeks	The time of year when the activities were undertaken is not stated, but each group had horticulture therapy in more than one setting, depending on the summer heat (indoors, in a screened-in porch, in an outdoor area with raised beds). Two horticulture therapists with experience of working with older adults planned the sessions, some involving teamwork, others conducted individually in parallel activities. The care home staff were invited to help with the horticultural activity (during the sessions with individuals who needed one-to-one attention). Facilitators presented the activity, encouraged social interaction and reminiscencing with questions about participants’ social stories and past experiences of gardening, farming, cooking, and other related topics. Before each activity, the facilitators prepared the material for each participant, involving them in the choice of plants and containers. The activities were personalized. For example, individuals with a tendency to wander were instructed to fill watering cans for others who had more mobility issues, and those who were bothered by dirt were given gloves. Adapted gardening tools were used.
[43]	Indoor gardening, 1 h per session, twice a day for 4 weeks	The time of year when the activities were undertaken is not stated. Each individual was assisted by three registered nurses in the choice of their preferred plant and a name to give their container. The containers were located in the day room at the care home and could be accessed all day. Activities included: picking seeds, filling containers, planting roots or seeds, touching, watering, organizing containers, cleaning floors, harvesting, cutting, and washing. Participants had to make multiple trips to fill small watering cans and wash dirty cloths. They were encouraged to look at and touch their plants whenever they wished and, once harvested, the products were served as a side dish with their meals. The plants chosen were filipendula and soybean sprouts as they are familiar, affordable, edible, easy to grow and bloom, and require little space.
[32]	Horticultural therapy, 50 min per session, twice a week for 6 weeks	The time of year when the activities were undertaken is not stated. Two facilitators developed the activities, chosen for their simplicity, cost and versatility. When a group exceeded eight participants it was split into two to provide step-by-step assistance and a constant supply of materials to participants. Activities ranged from sowing to training topiaries to craft activities that included horticultural materials and themes. Participants were encouraged to interact and remember through questions about gardening and cooking. The activities depended on the plants in season. Participation was voluntary and proposed to elderly people who were told that the activity would involve gardening.
[37]	Horticultural therapy, 30 min per session, twice a week for 6 weeks	The time of year when the activities were undertaken and the type of trainer are not stated. Each session had a different theme (sowing, fertilizing, planting, caring for flowers).
[46]	Structured gardening program, 1 h a week, 46 sessions	From May 2009 to May 2010 Each session was arranged to include first some time to plan the activity and socialize, then an hour of gardening followed by a moment of reflection and discussion on the activities. There were 6 occupational therapists, a horticultural therapist, a psychologist, a volunteer, and a support worker at each session. A flexible and adaptive approach, based on positive reinforcement, was used. Activities: digging and planting spring flowering bulbs in the flowerbeds, removing leaves, sensory activities. Options were given where possible so that participants could have choice and autonomy. After each session, a diary was updated with photos and written information that participants used to communicate with their relatives.
[42]	Therapeutic gardening and cognitive behavioral therapy, 40/60-min sessions, 3–4 times a week, over 6 weeks	The time of year when the activities were undertaken is not stated. A weekly calendar indicated the day, time, and type of activity for the day to encourage a sense of autonomy and competence, and to promote a sense of readiness for the therapist’s arrival. It was sometimes necessary to encourage PWD to take part in the activity, to support their efforts in the garden as much as possible, involve them in discussions about their own care, and encourage their active participation, giving voice to the needs related to horticulture and other issues. Simple tasks: picking seeds, planting, taking care of the garden. Patients were encouraged to independently choose 8 flowers and plants to put in a flower bed. They chose the better-known ones and the therapist encouraged their memories with questions about their history and their family.