 Home | Recent News | Fort Scott | Gardeners Not Worried | Printme 28 Jul 2008 Gardeners not worried about a little dirt under their fingernails |  | Bringing in the harvest is one of the most anticipated activities in the garden. Velora Wallenberg and Marge Bailey check for lettuce that is ready to pick. | |
Gardening has been gaining in respect as an excellent way to get exercise without a lot of physical stress. But you don’t have to tell gardners that it’s a healthy hobby. Gardening can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and keep away problems with heart disease, diabetes other diseases related to inactivity and excess weight. Additionally, gardening and yard care are beneficial for mental health. It provides relaxation and most gardners report it being very therapeutic to think through something that’s been on their mind or get away from daily stresses.
|  | | Seeds and onion sets planted in April and May are growing well with the steady spring rains. |
With several residents interested in gardening, Presbyterian Village maintenance employees built raised garden beds last year. This year, the gardners started in the brisk April weather getting the seeds planted for a variety of vegetables. You’ll find anywhere between six and ten residents tending the garden during the growing season. Lois McKinnis, Reba Mason, John Holmes, Hazel Maxwell, Barbara George,Velora Wallenberg, Marge Bailey, and June Bolton, are the core group tending the vegetable garden getting their Vitamin D and just a bit of dirt under their fingernails.  | | Taking a break from gardening on the veranda outside of the Village's dining room is an opportunity to visit with neighbors. | |
The vegetables are growing nicely, despite frosty early spring temperatures, but with plenty of rain through June, the lettuce, onions, radishes, tomatoes and other vegetables are well on their way to harvest. Organic gardening methods are used, with limited use of pesticides. Residents will share in the bounty as the different vegetables are harvested. Village employees Rita Peck, activities director, and Wilma Melton work alongside the residents and were responsible for getting the seeds and onion sets for planting. “I like getting out in the garden,” said Wallenberg. “It’s good exercise and I enjoy being outdoors.” Maxwell added that she’s looking forward to enjoying the fruits of her labor in the garden. For older gardeners, especially women, gardening can also help reduce problems with osteoporosis. As with any form of exercise, especially if you haven’t been exercising regularly, it’s recommended to check with your doctor for guidance on gardening tasks that are appropriate for you. Thought the gardners at the Village find that perhaps the best part is visiting with their neighbors as they weed and care for the beds.
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