I have a 93 year-old uncle whose wife has just died and who is moving into a care home in Norfolk in a week's time. The management have kindly given him a small plot of land in the grounds, so that he can go on growing vegetables - something he has enjoyed doing throughout his hugely eventful life (he ran a leper colony in Nigeria in the 1950s). Some of his children and nephews/nieces will be helping him dig the plot at the end of February and we'd like to offer him some things to plant and sow.
I'll be supplying a few shallots, broad bean seeds and maybe some seed potatoes (although it's a little early to plant the potatoes). Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Sorry to here about your aunt. Your uncle sounds a very interesting gentleman. I do hope he will be happy in his new home. It sounds like agod start with his veg plot. How big will it be?
Janet
Quote from: grannyjanny on February 14, 2009, 14:40:19
Sorry to here about your aunt. Your uncle sounds a very interesting gentleman. I do hope he will be happy in his new home. It sounds like agod start with his veg plot. How big will it be?
Janet
Thanks Janet. I'm not exactly sure how big the plot will be. About a third or a quarter of a full-size allotment I would guess.
Quote from: hopalong on February 14, 2009, 14:42:40
About a third or a quarter of a full-size allotment I would guess.
Wow, are you sure its a care home he's going to , not a farm ?
I asked for similar when my mother went into a home and was allocated a bit of a border, about 2 yds long, 2 ft. wide.
She grows a few early broad beans followed by late runners when they finish; cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, a few peas, and mixed lettuce. Oh and a few carrots in a tub,which i sneaked on to a nearby patio.
Also I' not allowed to use any fertiliser, weed killer or manure - all to do with the homes health and safety - not even slug killer !
Thanks Pesky Wabbit. I think I'd better check! Perhaps having been the local GP for a couple of decades, and looking after the health of a lot of the residents already in the home, has helped get him a bit more land.
I've been thinking about this. Is the produce going to be used & if so what does your uncle like to eat. BTW if they are going to use it I hope he gets a discount.
Should have mentioned that everything grown is eaten by mum fresh, just washed and raw.
She's not allowed to cook anything (again 'Elf and safety) - although I can take it and/or her home and she can cook there.
It is very inspiring to read about folks in their 90s continuing to plant gardens. I hope
I'm one of them at some point in life. Our best to your uncle and if possible we'd enjoy seeing a picture of him hard at work!
Quote from: GrannieAnnie on February 14, 2009, 18:39:23
It is very inspiring to read about folks in their 90s continuing to plant gardens. I hope
I'm one of them at some point in life. Our best to your uncle and if possible we'd enjoy seeing a picture of him hard at work!
I'll take my camera when I go down there. He'll miss his own garden, which has a great apple orchard as well as a vegetable plot and greenhouse, but the plot at the care home will be some kind of compensation. He keeps fit by cycling as well as gardening - did a 30-mile sponsored cycle ride round Norfolk churches last year - but seems to have slowed down a lot recently.
Ray's grandad had to give up his chickens and riding his bike when he was 100, still dug his plot to 105, finally gave up the ghost at 107, amazing old chap ;D
I promised to post some pics of the digging party working on my 93-year old uncle's plot at the care home he's just moved into. Here we are, brothers, sisters and cousins - some working harder than others! Uncle's the one with the woolly hat and wheelbarrow. I'm the one with the dark red pullover and thinning hair. We dug over about 30 ft by 20 ft, took out some huge flint stones (this is Norfolk) and incorporated compost. He'll be starting with shallots,potatoes and beans. There's plenty of space to expand if he wants. He hopes to be able to supply veg for all 29 occupants of the home! This should keep him healthy and active for years to come.
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wow, what an active gentleman... I wish I had as much energy as he seems to have! He is very lucky to find such a good care home... I have poor memories of the care home my beloved grandmother was in until a few years ago...
mat
Everyone seems to be mucking in, except one geezer in a red top whose either leaning on a spade or got his hands in his pockets, you don't work for the council by any chance Hopalong. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Quote from: cornykev on March 05, 2009, 17:16:56
Everyone seems to be mucking in, except one geezer in a red top whose either leaning on a spade or got his hands in his pockets, you don't work for the council by any chance Hopalong. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
My cousin Peter - who has a fabulous garden in Maine, USA - thinks he's "managing" the rest of us! And NO, I don't work for the Council! ;)
You know, you are very well intentioned with this project but please remember the dignity of this man and ASK HIM what HE WANTS.
Stand back and give him time and let him organise the thing himself otherwise he will give up thinking that it is not his at all (quite rightly) it is yours.
Killing with love and kindness does happen.
Quote from: zigzig on March 05, 2009, 18:44:13
You know, you are very well intentioned with this project but please remember the dignity of this man and ASK HIM what HE WANTS.
Stand back and give him time and let him organise the thing himself otherwise he will give up thinking that it is not his at all (quite rightly) it is yours.
Killing with love and kindness does happen.
You are right of course and I'll try not to take offence! All we did was dig out a plot at his request, as he would have found that too hard. It was his idea to have the plot - he probably would not have moved to the home unless the owners had agreed to it - and he will of course decide what to grow and whether to expand it. This was all done over a weekend and we have now dispersed to our homes all over England and further afield, so there's nothing more we could do even if we wanted to.
veggies would be good to start Chinese cabbage, English spinach ,lettuces
It looks like you had a wonderful family get-together to remember for years as well as getting your uncle's garden started. Looking back at some photo albums reminds me that it is well worth the energy organizing some of these get-togethers because they glue us together over the years.
I imagine the other residents will also enjoy watching things pop up in the Spring even if they aren't out weeding your uncle's plot. A nice benefit to all.