Thanks for the update. May I suggest a 'tool' for the older gardeners? A garden stool/kneeler helps get up and down wi/o undo huffing and groaning.

Would it be possible to 'pave' the aisles between beds with tree trimmer mulch [usually FREE] I love how soft and spongy my deeeeep mulched pathways are. Will keep the weeds at bay.

Do you have a shaded sitting area near to the garden, so that oldsters can get vicarious pleasure from watching the garden grow? I'm 73 yrs old and make use of several chairs in shady nooks in my garden to sit and rest up from some strenuous job.

Do you suppose you could start a bit of vermiculture along with the gardening? The kids would enjoy them, and the compost is a 'magic elixer' for gardens.

I love the whole concept of pairing youngsters & oldsters around gardening. It has layers of benefits physical & emotional. Best wishes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden stool/kneeler

Thank you for the suggestions! :) We have community mulch that is free, which is usually available later in the summer after the city has been trimming etc. I will add this to our to-do list during the summer.

The kids already have done a little vermiculture, which they added to the corners of the beds. We'll keep at it!

Regarding seating, the site is quite sunny and there is a good hill leading down to our area. Perhaps as our project develops, we can work on seating and stools/kneelers.

The management of the facility appears to think that the residents won't be interested in being in the garden area, but as you mention and from what we saw today, I think the management is going to be proved wrong. :)

cheers,
Norabelle

Do you suppose that a local garden club would pitch in a few of the kneelers? Or the local nursery/big box might give a special deal? May I suggest Boy/Girl Scout troops who might need a project to help with the seating area? Our local service clubs have built all of the playground and picnic tables in one of our parks. Nice little plaque giving credit. I'm sure that you are keeping the local newspaper/media up to date on your progress...maybe showing a work party of the local scout troop or Elks club. With so much bad or contentious news these days, a bit of good news gets attention.

BTW ... my beloved 93 year old Mother is in a retirement home for dementia patients. Trust me, this garden and exposure to youngsters will get a lot mileage with the residents of that home. I hope that the management will use some of the pictures on their website or brochures. It is a genuine 'quality of life' thing.

One other suggestion, albeit silly-sounding, how about adding a bird feeder or two? I know that the residents at the nursing home here spend the majority of their time where they can watch the birds.

Oh, wait, I have one other thing before I hush for the night, I have tons of extra seed left from year to year, mostly heirloom seeds that can be saved. If you would be interested, I would more than happy to see someone get some good use out of them next year if you want the extras. Some of these varieties have been handed down for centuries, and have wonderful stories to go with them. It would be a great project to make some "seed-story" markers that tell the history of some of the varieties. For example, there is a corn variety (i would have to look up the name again) that a man shared with his best friend under the strict condition that he use it only for himself. The best friend sold the seed for a very large sum of money and this action ended their life-long friendship. Although, if you were to do this, you would probably want more of the local varieties that would have a regional history, but my offer still stands. Just let me know, and I will hook you up for next year.
Norma

As soon as I read the mention of a seating area I thought about scouts. There are lots of scouts looking for Eagle projects. You might contact a local troup leader and give them the suggestion. Usually the scout either gets local business contribution or does their own fund raiser to purchase materials.

My nephew did picnic tables for a rest area outside their small town (by small I mean less than 1000). That was about 15 years ago and they are still there.

Other scouts over the years have used painting the picnic tables as their projects.

And you are right about the residents getting involved. They are going to love it. A gentleman I work with has his 88 year old mother living with them. He just purchased a raised bed for a SFG. It is on a platform about 3-4 ft tall. His mother spends hours on a stool next to it tending the garden. That might be another project for another year for you.

What a lovely garden-to-be, and what a lovely idea. I do hope everyone appreciates the thought, effort, and tenacity you have shown in getting this in the ground.
The nursing home management will come around. With the residents happy and involved, and the relatives seeing the results, they will have to admit that you have a fantastic idea there!
The children will benefit, also. Surrogate grandparents, great role models, a learning experience--wow, you have it all!

Everyone, everyone, thank you, thank you for your encouraging words, suggestions, and offers. Norma, I just may send you an email. I love heirloom seeds for the stories they contain. Is the corn variety you mention Stowell's? Seed Savers has a story about the corn similar to what you describe. The idea of incorporating a writing opportunity into the garden, as well as the science and math skills, is an excellent connection to make with the school's ongoing project.

Right now, we are looking to make a connection with a local Scout Troop, and the comment about the bird feeder is excellent, too. There are seagulls, pelicans, geese, herons, and ducks that are around the facility and garden, since it is right on the river. We had a cookout with the residents to celebrate the garden, and two residents remarked to me during the afternoon how they love to watch the birds. Feeders are an excellent idea.

We are having a fundraiser selling plants that the students grew, so maybe some of the money we earn can go to a bird feeder or two.

This is such an exciting venture: inter-generational gardening! :)

cheers,
Norabelle

Oh I bet it is! I have just returned from vacation, so if you have emailed me and I haven't responded, please don't think I have forgotten you. I will be catching up on my email when I get home tonight and I will look for one from you.