This summer, the Helping Hands Garden on our walking path, Prairie Trail, was overflowing with greenery and being tended to daily by staff and GlenFields residents.
The Helping Hands Garden was created as a space for residents and staff to spend time outdoors together, bringing back fond memories of gardening for many residents. The fruits and vegetables grown in the garden are also used to create special snacks or meals for the residents, so they may share in the fruits of their labor together.
“We were out in the garden almost daily,” said GlenFields Rehab Services Manager Shannon Alsleben, who’s been leading the efforts in the garden. “The residents have been excited to be involved and watch the garden change and grow.”
After Charles Alsleben, Shannon’s father-in-law generously built a set of custom garden boxes for the space, our team got to work, planning and planting. The residents were asked what kinds of fruits and vegetables they’d like to see in the garden, and the garden was planted with seeds from their suggestions.
“Some of the residents went out in the garden to pick vegetables, look at what’s growing, water the plants, and to reminisce,” said Abbie Hatlestad, a Rehab Services Aide who worked in the Helping Hands Garden. “When on trishaw bike rides, sometimes they stop at the garden, too.”
Even residents who have not wanted to tend to the garden have liked sitting in the sunshine with our gardening team, enjoying the fresh air and watching the gardeners work.
“It’s been a fun experience hearing the residents tell stories about their gardens, as well as sharing their tips about gardening and recipes we could make from what we’ve grown,” said Molli Cacka, GlenFields NAR, who also spent time watering and working in the garden.
Some of the residents picked vegetables to bring back to their rooms or share in their households, and some of the residents enjoyed salads made from the fresh vegetables they’d grown.
The group looks forward to the next growing season, in which they hope to add more perennials like rhubarb, raspberries, and a larger pumpkin patch. They’re also adding planters and vegetables with different heights, so everyone can enjoy the garden.
Plants were grown in this year’s garden:
- Banana peppers
- Basil
- Beans
- Beets
- Carrots
- Cherry tomatoes
- Chives
- Cucumbers
- Dill
- Green peppers
- Lettuce
- Mint
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Squash
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
Garden boxes were generously sponsored in honor of:
- Granville and Colleen Drew
- Herbert “Bab” and Ramona “Monie” Marsh
- The Miller Family: Karl, Jeanette, Craig, Heidi, and Fred
- Members of the VFW Auxiliary to Glencoe Post 5102
Original source can be found here.
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