They're interested!

I work up this morning with the thought of having a raised garden at my mother's nursing facility. I had a meeting with them today, and yes, they are interested!

They already have a weekly 'Garden Club' but I don't know what they do. There is one herb in awful dirt, one overgrown gardenia, and some low growing flowering cover. Most everyone is in wheel chairs, so they really need one or more raised beds. There is also a small window box with three little plants (it was across the yard).

The activity director was looking for an Eagle Scout to do exactly that. I also suggested to her Master Gardeners, and SFG teachers, who also need projects for their credentials.

They have a problem with cats...how do you keep them from using the garden box?

What kinds of plants would be best? Flowers? I couldn't get the dietician to think of using the veggies for the kitchen. It's a big facility...but it would be cool to be green and growing some of their own food.

Anyone in Orange County, CA need a project for their credential?

that sounds SOOOO great
I have read many articles on longevity and how those with gardens they were still working with stayed so much younger than those who did not.
I set up my raised beds with the hopes that my mother could come and garden with me some time, we measured up the height that they would have to be so that she could reach from her wheelchair.
However her nursing facility is several hours away and she had grown very nervous about leaving there....
But to have a place for people to putter around in would be pretty cool.

Good on YA

That sounds awesome. My aunt is a Master Gardener and some of her volunteer hours were spent working with residents at a local nursing home (before I learned about SFG). I wish I knew half of what she knows, but I am that unskilled inexperienced person Mel talks about in the book who has no preconceived ideas and so is readily accepting of such an unusual method. Maybe you can find a Master Gardener interested in SFG who will also volunteer.

cut flowers would be awesome so they could bring some inside each week. I am not a cut flower expert but I'm trying some this year because my wife loves fresh flowers and I hardle ever buy them. I am trying zinnias, dahlias, and gerbera daisys.

Each box could have a different concept; aroma/ herb, colors, cut flowers, edibles, etc.

landarch wrote:cut flowers would be awesome so they could bring some inside each week. I am not a cut flower expert but I'm trying some this year because my wife loves fresh flowers and I hardle ever buy them. I am trying zinnias, dahlias, and gerbera daisys.

Each box could have a different concept; aroma/ herb, colors, cut flowers, edibles, etc.

Thanks for the great suggestions! They do have fresh flowers on the dining tables and such that some bring from their gardens. It would be cool to have them grown right there!

Good for you for growing flowers to please your wife!

I don't do much with flowers either, except roses. My DD got a few pansies & violas this year. Some of those ended up on her bd cake last weekend.

Any flower growers to add more details? Perennials? Annuals? We can grow pretty much year round.

Anything colourful or scented. As an ex-florist I'd suggest gerberas, lillies, iris, chrysanthemums, lavender, sweet peas, forget-me-nots, cornflowers. They all do well as cut flowers.

I think this is a wonderful idea, if my grandmothers were still around I would have loved to do something like this.

Good news!

A local scout leader called and has an Eagle Scout candidate that is interested! There may be a conflict with the home be 'for profit' and that is being looked into. Scouts have to do all the fund raising, advertising, etc. I promised I would work with them to get the TT at the needed height etc.

AND...the activities person that oversees my mother's wing is also the 'garden club' coordinator. We went on a grand tour of all the garden spots (all in ground, except for a few containers). She had submitted a proposal for TT on an inside patio (perfect - protected from elements, in full sun, available to all residents). They did get her a big bag of miracle grow for her container gardening she's doing so far. She wants a 10x12 tables, and helped her see how 10x4 would be much better!

AND...I wrote to all the SFG teachers in the area. One from LB has replied...

It's coming together! Everyone is very excited.

Ava