After the winter storm, gardeners ready for spring
Each spring Houston gardeners get excited about all the flowers and vegetables they’ll plant, and Google data shows that interest in gardening has increased threefold since the beginning of the pandemic around March 2020. After Winter Storm Uri’s freezing temperatures swept across the state and nation, many area gardens will be needing some extra attention.
“For many people here, gardening is a wonderfully therapeutic way to enjoy some sunshine and camaraderie while also dressing up the rich and historic grounds here at Treemont,” said Kelli Walleck-LeLacheur, Health Care Center admissions director. “We have two gardening clubs. ‘Gardening Angels’ in Independent Living, is led by activity director Rose Lau. ‘Gardening Gals’ in the Treemont Health Care Center is led by health care’s activity director Jeanette Mitchell. Thanks to the combined efforts of our activity professionals and the generosity of a few donations, we have multiple raised flower beds that our residents can plant. They plant everything from seasonal and perennial flora to plants that supply us with herbs and vegetables to enjoy all summer.”
Walleck-LeLacheur said that in addition to raised planters, they have some garden areas that residents have enjoyed upkeeping, with staff backing them up and tending them when they are out of town or the weather becomes dangerously hot. Some of the hibiscus blossoms in the gardens next to the Independent Living “A” building are as large, or larger, than an iPhone.
Many at The Abbey at Westminster Plaza community love to garden as well.
“Our residents maintain a garden with herbs, and the community shares in its abundance. I took pictures of the herb garden prior to the recent freeze,” said Maria Alvarado, marketing director at The Abbey at Westminster Plaza. “Our courtyard is filled with brightly colored flowers, which our residents love.
“Taking a walk out there is a
wonderful sensory experience.”
Benefits, tips
Gardening itself offers a variety of health benefits, easing stress, helping you stay limber and even improving
overall mood. Some tips include:
• For location, choose a sunny spot for a garden. Nutrients and/or organic materials may need to be added to the soil, which should be crumbly when putting your hands into it. Use natural mulch around plants to help reduce weeds and necessary watering.
• It’s wise to start slowly at first. For those who have been indoors a lot during winter, many muscles may not be used to the stretching and digging activities.
• Plants and bulbs usually come with helpful care cards about how deep to plant the item, amount of sun needed, how much to water and how tall the plant will get.
Spring is approaching, so flower bulbs are currently in many plant nurseries and home stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot.
A study in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning shows gardening boosts people’s moods by as much as activities like walking or cycling. The reasoning is people receive the benefits from being in the sunlight, as well as physical activity.