Just reading a recent article in the McKnights.con Daily Updates about the report about seniors creating the worlds largest tea cozy! “Residents at more than 300 Bupa care nursing homes from New Zealand to Spain to England sent in hand-made patches for the tea cozy—a padded covering for a teapot to keep the contents hot. Residents at Bupa nursing homes in Hertfordshire, UK, assembled the giant tea cozy, securing the seniors a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, according to the Watford Observer. The tea cozy reportedly measures nearly 13 feet tall, more than 36 feet in circumference and is comprised of 1,924 squares of wool which, if unraveled, would span more than 40 miles in length.” Think what would happen if we unleashed the gardening talents of seniors to help plant extra vegetables for the needy. This is the generation that grew up on ‘Victory Gardens’ and have the technical expertise to raise vegetables for good causes. Community garden programs are taking off in a big way. What can’t we enlist the help of older adults living in senior residences to plant tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers for people in need of help. The network of organizations is there is help collect and distribute the produce. Groups such as PhilAbundance (http://www.philabundance.org) are dedicated to ending hunger through programs called “Fresh for All”. Philabundance estimates that there are approximately 900,000 people in the Delaware Valley that may need help with food. Through our 600+ agency network, food is distributed to approximately 65,000 people every week. The Garden Writers Association (http://www.gardenwriters.org) have a program called Plant A Row for the Hungry. The purpose of PAR is to create and sustain a grassroots program whereby garden writers utilize their media position with local newspapers, magazines and radio/TV programs to encourage their readers/listeners to donate their surplus garden produce to local food banks, soup kitchens, and service organizations to help feed America’s hungry. PAR’s role is to provide focus, direction, and support to volunteer committees who execute the programs at the local level. Consider starting a Community Garden Program that will truly help the community. The benefits are many – for the community who will receive freash locally grown produce and for the older adults who continue to be a vital part of their community. Besides, what is everyone going to do with all of this zucchini during the summer! There are only so many door sills that you can deposit them on.
“Integrated Medicine looks at the body as a garden”, according to Birgit Rakel, MD, who was a keynote speaker at the Healing Gardens Conference held at Medford Leas CCRC, Medford, NJ on April, 23, 2009. Dr. Rakel is a board certified in family medicine and is a faculty member of the Jefferson Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. In her talk “Nature and the Prescription for Wellness”, Dr. Rakel shared her insights into the challenges that face an aging population and provided ideas for incorporating the benefits of nature into therapeutic programs and senior living communities. Her treatment strategies combine state-of-the-art conventional medicine with herbal and nutritional supplementation. A large part of Dr. Rakel’s practice has been to focus on the needs of older adults. “Complimentary and Alternative Medicine for Older Adults” is the recent publication that she and Elizabeth R. Mackenzie, Ph.D. have edited as a guide to holistic approaches to healthy aging. The book is a helpful guide to issues addressing a variety of treatments, including art and music, massage, acupuncture, meditation, homeopathy, ayurveda, aromatherapy and therapeutic gardens. The information provides reliable and authoritative information on complimentary and alternative therapies that older adults can use to improve their health and quality of life. Additional information on the publication can be found at: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=38055
According to a recent Wall Street Journal article by Neal Templin, growing our own vegetables is cost effective. The article “How much Green Can Growing A Vegetable Garden Save You?” (4-16-09) highlights the ability to achieve a sizeable return on your investment. “The nonprofit National Gardening Association just produced a study — sponsored by ScottsMiracle-Gro Co. — that found the average family with a vegetable garden spends just $70 a year on it and grows an estimated $600 worth of vegetables. George Ball, chairman and CEO of seed giant Burpee, can rattle off the savings for dozens of homegrown crops. Green beans will generate $75 worth of crops for each $1 you spend on seeds, Mr. Ball calculates. Even the lowly potato will generate $5 of spuds for each $1 you invest in seeds.” The trick is keeping your capital costs down. Lori Bushway of Cornell University’s Department of Horticulture says a garden can be as simple as digging up a few square feet of your lawn and sprinkling lettuce seeds in the dirt. Most anywhere grass can grow, lettuce will grow, she says. What about fertilizer? Not needed. What about weeds? Plant the lettuce tight enough, and there won’t be room for any. This simple garden will fill salad bowls for about six weeks. Ms. Bushway advises planting four square feet of lettuce per person in your household. “You can easily triple your investment,” she says. That’s better than any of my mutual funds have done lately. Break out the olive oil. The link to the article is at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123983924976823051.html
The NPR program “Talk of the Nation” this afternoon, April 2, focused on the Green House Program with Dr. Bill Thomas. Dr. Thomas discussed the many benefits of the ‘Green House’ communities, one of which is that people remain “in contact with nature and the smell of the outdoors.” The Green House web site indicates a goal to help “elders and others enjoy excellent quality of life and quality of care; where they, their families, and the staff engage in meaningful relationships built on equality, empowerment, and mutual respect.” The link to the NPR program Talk of the nation and the interview with Dr. Thomas is at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?verified=true&storyId=102656673#commentBlock I have visited the Green House in Lincoln, Nebraska and it is a very special place. The design of the house is to foster independence and help eliminate lonliness and boredom. The link to the Tabitha Green House Program is at: http://www.tabitha.org/services/campus_services/greenhouse_project.html One of the many important aspects of the Green House residences is the easy access to the outdoor environment. Elders can easily walk out the back door onto the patio and spend time talking with other residents or gardening. They can sit on the front porch and watch all that happens in the neighborhood. There is a great need to focus attention on creating appropriate outdoor environments for older adults and all of the activities that they will enjoy. Outdoor areas, such as patios, decks, vegetable gardens, butterfly gardens, etc. are as important as any of the interior rooms of a residence. There should be a seamless transition, visually and physically, between the interior and exterior areas of a home.
Spring is here and it is great to start spending more time outside. There are many reasons why being outside is good for us, be it relaxation, exercise, time to recharge or time to unwind. We all know that being outside in nature is healthy, whether that involves taking a walk, flying a kite or working in the garden (my choice for the way to spend ‘quality time’). What ever the reason why we we enjoy being outside, the sunshine offers us a way to absorb Vitamin D naturally. In fact, Dr. Andrew Weil’s web site (www.drweil.com) describes Vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies synthesize this vitamin by exposure to sunlight. Dr. Weil lists five reasons how this important hormone is used throughout the body: Helps to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Assists in the absorption of calcium and promotes bone mineralization, which may prevent or slow the progression of osteoporosis. Strengthens the immune system and protects against a number of serious diseases, including rickets and osteomalacia. May provide protection from hypertension, psoriasis and several autoimmune diseases (including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis). Plays a role in defending against cancer (studies link a deficiency of vitamin D to as many as 18 different cancers). It is recommended to get 20 to 30 minutes of exposure to the sun’s light each day (depending upon your skin pigmentation). Take care to wear the proper clothing to avoid over exposure. Additional information on Vitamin D and to see if you are getting your share, check out Dr. Weil’s web site at: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03255/5-Reasons-You-Need-Vitamin-D.html So, the next time someone asks you why you are spending so much time in your garden, remind them that you are getting your daily dose of Vitamin D. Enjoy!
National Horticultural Therapy Week is being held this week, from March 15 to 21 and focuses on the practice and profession of horticulture as therapy. The American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA), it”s members and everyone who want to host an horticultural therapy event or site visit can participate. Consider getting involved in your community – host an event that can promote horticultural therapy and therapeutic gardens on a local level as well as bring attention to horticultural therapy across the nation. AHTA is a champion of barrier-free, therapeutic gardens that enable everyone to work, learn, and relax in the garden. Horticultural therapists are skilled at creating garden spaces that accommodate people with a wide range of abilities. People with physical or mental disabilities benefit from gardening experiences as part of HT programs, and they learn skills, adaptations, and gardening methods that allow for continued participation at home. Some techniques include: Constructing wide, gently graded wheelchair accessible entrances and paths. Utilizing raised beds and containers Adapting tools to turn a disability into an ability Creating sensory-stimulation environments with plants selected for fragrance texture and color Utilizing accessible greenhouses that bring the garden indoors for year-round enjoyment To learn more about the Horticultural Therapy Week and the profession of Horticultural Therapy, visit: http://www.ahta.org/events/htweek.cfm
The interest in community gardens is growing. This has been shown by surveys conducted by the Garden Writers Association. It appears that there approximately 3 million people would like to participate in a community garden in 2009. To help meet this demand, the U. S. Department of Forestry has announced that it will create community gardens at all of it’s facilities world wide. According to the report, “the USDA community garden project will include a wide variety of garden activities including Embassy window boxes, tree planting, and field office plots. The gardens will be designed to promote “going green” concepts, including landscaping and building design to retain water and reduce runoff; roof gardens for energy efficiency; utilizing native plantings and using sound conservation practices.” Additional information on this program, and to find out if there is an opportunity to participate, go to the USDA’s web page for more information on their community garden program: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/02/0042.xml
Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, has taken an important first step in helping to recognize the importance of people creating their own vegetable gardens. The Secretary helped to tear up a driveway at the Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC to plant a garden. I assume that this is a part of the 19% increase in gardens being created in 2009, as reported by the Garden Writers Association. A special ceremony that was held on Feb. 12, 2009 for the beginning of the People’s Garden Project on the Bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth at the Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. The plans for the garden were unveiled and the press was there to record the event. Pictures of the event can be found on the USDA’s web site: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=garden_pg0004.xml According to the Collective Roots web page, “the new garden will add 612 square feet of planted space to an existing garden traditionally planted with ornamentals. The garden will showcase conservation practices that all Americans can implement in their own backyards and green spaces. The garden plot is adjacent to the site of the USDA Farmer’s Market. Additional information can be found on the Collective Roots web site: http://www.collectiveroots.org/usda_community_gardens I will be sure to visit when I am in Washington and I will post pictures on this blog. The next step is to create a Community garden on the grounds of the White House.
A study was conducted to see if gardening could help people in the transition from their home to a senior living community. The goal was to find ways to enhance the quality of life for people with an activity in which most people are familiar. Claudia Collins, Area Extension Specialist in Aging Issues and Angela O’Callaghan, Area Extension Specialist in Social Horticulture conducted the research at an assisted living residence in Las Vegas, Nevada. The study looked at how a variety of garden plots and raised planters would increase interest and participation. The raised planters were created in different heights to offer greater accessibility for a wider range of abilities. In addition, the plants that were selected for use were chosen because of their seasonal variation. The location of the gardens was equally as important. They were visible from the dining are as well as many of the residential units. These and other features of a well planned garden, such as benches and shade, worked to insure interest and participation. The study demonstrates how horticulture and gardening benefits older adults who are living in senior communities. The life-transitions that older adults face can be positively affected by incorporating nature based activities into their residential settings. Offering people the opportunity to manage and care for living things helps their self esteem and feeling of independence. The article appears in the Journal of Extension (Dec. 2007, Vol. 45, No. 6) and can be found at http://www.joe.org/joe/2007december/iw7.php
According to recent research data collected by the the Garden Writers Association, there will be a 17% increase in vegetable gardens in 2009 (www.gardenwriters.org). There were 36 million people in 2008 who had a vegetable garden in 2008 and it is anticipated that in 2009 the number of gardeners will grow to be 43 million people. The gardens that people are working in are not larger, either. The average size is 100 square feet and people are interested in raising primarily vegetables, herbs and fruit. People are interested in starting and maintaining a garden for a variety of reasons. Yes, one reason does have to do with the economy. However, this is not just a current need. The interest in having a garden has been growing stronger in recent years for many other reasons. People are looking for hobbies, this is a way to socialize and to also spend more time at home. There is also the interest in knowing where your food came from and growing it yourself is a way to insure that it is the best quality possible. Being able to grow organic produce is another big consideration. Whatever the reason or reasons, the trend is increasing significantly each year. An important consideration in being able to raise all of this produce is to be able to help others. The Garden Writers Association has created a program called ‘Plant A Row’. Gardeners are encouraged to plant an extra row for the homeless and needy. Food banks, soup kitchens and other service organizations who help the needy will benefit from your generosity. Please consider raising extra vegetables, herbs and fruits in your garden this year. Additional information on this program can be found at http://www.gardenwriters.org/gwa.php?p=par/index.html
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Jack Carman F.A.S.L.A.
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