The gardening project at Ashmead Care Centre in Putney, South London, has had its second successful year, with residents and staff getting their hands dirty to grow a variety of different vegetables for the home’s kitchens.
Organised by the home’s activity co-ordinators, the gardening project runs in stages from March to the end of September, offering residents the chance to learn about different vegetable varieties and how to grow them.
The first stages of the project focuses on planting seeds, monitoring their germination and re-potting if necessary. This was a joint effort between residents and the activity co-ordinators. Once the seeds are ready, they are moved outside to be planted in the home's garden. With regular watering and nursing, the harvest is collected in September. What is produced is then taken to the kitchen, where it is prepared and cooked for everyone to enjoy.
One resident had never tasted chard and was curious as to how it would taste. The kitchen staff at the home tailored her meal that night to include the chard that she had picked, giving her the opportunity to try what she had grown.
Nathalie Plaisance, activity co-ordinator, says “Our residents are very proud of the end result and each of them played an important role in the process. Their effort and determination to nurture the vegetables was the reason behind the project’s success.”
