Seniors' Garden Project Update

Comments from Participants:

• I had a hard time during the pandemic. This group has been healing and I learned a lot.
• I’m amazed how quickly our gardens grow.
• I’ve been gardening for 40 years and have learned so many new things.
• The session on house plants was very informative.
• Thank you to everyone. I am from the Philippines and I didn’t know what I could grow here. Everyone is very kind and I am enjoying it a lot.
• I’ve met new people and made new friends.
• Being out in the fresh air is therapeutic.
• Talking to other gardeners is interesting. One gardener told us that the larkspur plants in her plot come from seeds her mother brought from the Ukraine many years ago.
• I recently lost my husband and this gardening group has given me a reason to get up in the morning and be with people who lift my spirits.
• I have learned that planting can be done without rototilling first. Even the very tiny seeds can grow when you just dig a shallow trench to put the seeds in.
• This gardening group is a lot of fun.
• The lunches provided are delicious and nutritious and allow time for chatting and laughter.
• The leaders of the group have a clear vision of what they want this group to achieve.
• Our side trips to gardening locations have been interesting and enjoyable.

The activities commenced in April with planning, recruiting, purchasing products. We have a planning team of 5 seniors who set out the parameters, approved the tentative budget, compiled the schedule of activities, recruited the project co-ordinator, arranged for promotion to attract the senior gardeners, received commitment from the Community Garden for rental plots, determined the cadre of lunch volunteers, and determined the evaluation process. This team communicates regularly regarding the progress of the project. In the meantime the coordinator purchased the required equipment and products for the gardeners, and planned activities for May-September 2022. 

To date, the results have been outstanding - the vegetables, flowers, herbs are all exceeding expectations, as well as the weeds and potato bugs of course.  In the event of inclement weather, sessions were held indoors at Lakeview United Church, for example a house plant demonstration, a flower identification "bingo".  Other activities included a tour of the Cherry Lane Greenhouse, Government House, a Participation Challenge line dancing, and future activities include a tour of the Sask Legislative Grounds, a composting session, a private greenhouse tour and flower arrangement session.  These activities are in addition to the hard labour at the gardens, weeding, watering, harvesting, etc.  During the lunches, the seniors mix and socialize and enjoy the camaraderie that has developed.