Kentish Express Ashford & District
Green-fingered Ron turns yard into garden paradise
sawilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk Summer rays have been shining down on a new garden at a care home for the elderly, designed by a fellow resident.
Green fingered Ron Smith, 92, has been a resident at the Singleton Nursing Home for the last five months.
However, bored with being cooped up inside, active Ron took it on himself to start his very own project.
He said: “I don’t like being trapped indoors. So I asked if there was something I could do and I’ve always liked gardening.”
Assisted by staff nurse Judith Foster, Ron made several trips to B&Q to buy all the equipment he needed, including compost, plants and seeds.
Now, the once plain courtyard at the Hoxton Close home is lined with flowers, vegetables and herbs.
“I pretty much live out here now, tending to the garden and watering the plants,” Ron said.
As well as hanging baskets and wall troughs filled with sweet peas, the garden features chives and tomatoes.
Ron, who lived in Kingsnorth for the past 30 years with wife Jean, added: “It makes the place bright and cheerful and everyone can enjoy it.”
When he isn’t outside, Ron likes to watch TV and do puzzles. Before retiring, the father-of-one worked as a jeweller in London, and before that he served in the army for 20 years.
Julie Laidlaw, manager of the care home, said: “We are thinking of putting Ron on the pay role. The garden is only a lit- tle space but it is looking really good and all the residents tend to congregate out there. Plus, I now get fresh sweet peas in my office every day, which is so lovely.”
Ron is working on plans to extend the garden next year.