As some of you already know, I work at a group home as a nurse assistant and I take care of 4 mentally and physically disabled folks who live there. They each have different degrees of disabilities. One of the folks is a lady (Judy) who's pretty much in her own world. She's 62 years old and mentally retarded, with some other physical disabilities. It's very hard to interact with her, as she doesn't respond much to things, so finding something to keep her mind occupied has been pretty impossible. She does walk around tho, (not in a wheelchair like the other 3 folks), and she likes to sit outside in the grass as much as possible. She responds to smells and plants, and she LOVES chocolate! *lol* She also enjoys listening to the birds, so I've set up several bird feeders in front of her home where she likes to spend her time sitting in her swing or on the ground. Other than that, as hard as I've tried I just can't find anything else that seems to catch her attention or satisfy her need for something. (She walks around like she "needs" something to do, and it's really frustrating for me not to be able to figure out how to soothe this need) My heart aches for her. So, I've been working on this idea to make Judy her own garden area where she can enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds to her heart's content. All my spare time has been with working up this area and planting what I've bought so far. The owners of this group home say it's fine if I want to create this big garden area for her, but they won't pay for any of the stuff because they need to cut costs right now. Soooo....I've been buying things, ordering things with my credit card (SHhhh! Don't tell my hubby! He'd kill me! *lol*), etc, to create this garden for her. She loves all sorts of flowers, altho I need to be careful because she'll also eat them sometimes, so I don't want anything poisonous. I've also bought some fruit plants, and plan to buy her a couple apple trees too. (she loves apples) But, I'm not making much money by working there either because of my own household expenses, and you know how that goes, so it's getting harder to continue this....which is why I'm writing this request to you...
Do any of you have any plants you could donate for this project? I can't pay for the stuff, because I'm running out of funds too, but I (and Judy) would be forever grateful for anything you can donate for her garden. I don't really have anything specific that I'm looking for, except I'd like them to be perennials so I don't have to "re-plant" every year, and they'd have to be for my zone 3 area to survive our winters. I prefer plants because they'll be a more "instant" garden for her to enjoy. We have such short summers here. One small part of the area is in shade, so I am looking for some hostas and maybe some bleeding hearts or astilbes or something for that area too, but the majority of the area is in full sun. I made a little "pond" for her that sits at the bottom of the down-spout from the roof of the house, just so she can enjoy a little water feature without the fear of her falling into it and getting hurt, and I've got a bird bath, several bird feeders, and she already had a swing to sit in...so that's kinda in the middle of all this. Once this project is finished, I'll take some pictures of Judy in her new garden and share with you all if you'd like me to!
Well, I've rambled enough for now. I hope you don't mind me sending this request into the forums. Thanks to those of you who'll consider helping me out here. You can email me privately at:
auntyb@tds.net
Thanks a heap!
Luv; AuntyB
Can some of you help me out?
Aw, AuntyB, what a wonderful thing you are doing for her. It sounds like you've accomplished alot too. I wish I had some plants to share right now, and I'm in the right zone, but our spring has been so strange that my plants are very slow and are now snow covered again. If you are still needing things in a month or so, please contact me again. If I have some things that have survived and come back, I'll gladly share.
Since she likes to eat some of the plants and likes chocolate, maybe a chocolate mint plant that you plant in a pot so it doesn't spread, but she can enjoy? Just a thought I had while reading your post.
Good luck!
Thanks, Joan! With chocolate mint plants, I'd also bring them inside so she can enjoy them year 'round! ;-) Someone else was kind enough to let me know they'll send me some chocolate mint plants, so hopefully that goes thru cuz I know Judy will LOVE them! ;-)
AuntyB
I'm new here, AuntyB, but I'd love to participate.
Since you seem to have the choc. mint covered, I will send you a Lemon balm, four 2yr old strawberry plants (everbearing?), and I'll look around my property here for some wildflowers and vines. Perhaps Virginia creeper, blk-eyed susans, bee balm. Peppervine is beautiful but has a non-edible fruit -- is that a problem?
What about honeysuckle? It smells wonderful! And my son is always sucking on those silly flowers (or is it "silly son?")
I'll get back to you when I have collected everything so you can veto what you need to.
How about Peppermint and Lemon mint plants? I can send you both of these and you can put in pops also that they won't spread.
LMK
Ruth
AuntyB, I have literally hundreds of Marigolds that have self seeded all over the back of my yard. Marigolds are edible, and will give almost instant gratification. I also have some California Giant Zinnias that are up if you would like some of those for her. In addition, I have the seeds for these that can be planted directly 2 more times this year for continual bloom. Leet me know.
"eyes"
Wow! This is great! Thanks to all of you! I'll email you personally to give you the address.
AuntyB
Aunty B you have mail
Does she like tomatoes???? I can also send a couple of tomatoe plants, and you know the growth on those will amaze her, and are great for muching!! :o)
"eyes"
You've all got mail! ;-)
AuntyB,
I would Love to help with your project ! Please let me know if you are still needing plants.
HUGS!!
Shee
AuntyB, I have Dwarf Fernleaf Bleeding Heart-Pink, Lily of the Valley-White, Spiderwort-Lav., Astilbe-Lav. and Hosta-Green Leaf w/Lav. flowers. If you could use any of these, let me know. Thanks, Sandy
NOWeedSZ & hugeposiepatch....
You've both got mail! ;-)
AuntyB
AuntyB, have you thought about giving her Sugarfree Bubble Gum. It will keep her occupied and give her something to keep in motion sometimes this works. When she is sitting in the grass give her some blocks to build things with. Bobbie
I was going to post and got to the bottom and saw where my wife had posted. She worked with mentally retarded people until last year when she got sick. Yeah we know how spending money on them works. She would buy them things and take to work because the company said they didn't have any money. Let me know if you still need anything. I have tons of mint that smells so good. Ginger lilies that bloom late summer that smells like honeysuckles. Really a carefree plant and I have tons also. Minature carnation that smell so good but I haven't tried to separate them and don't know if I could or not. I'll be glad to send a sweet shrub this fall, it blooms in spring and smells out of this world. It needs shade. Would that be a problem???
What wonderful people you all are! I am just sooo overwhelmed by your generousity....I think I'm going to bust! ;-) You will never know what a God-send you all have been to me. Just when it seemed like all my doors were closing...you've all opened up new ones! I will be forever greatful for what you're doing for Judy. I have had so many responses, and private emails on this. God Bless you all! (and I know He's blessed me!!!) Judy is going to love her new garden! ;-)
Georgiaredclay;
Judy can't have gum because she'd choke on it. She doesn't know enough to chew correctly and I have to really watch her at meal times, etc. She can suck on something that dissolves....like chocolate kisses or chocolate chips....which are her favorites!!! *lol* But other than that, I would be afraid to try too much with her. If she didn't choke on the gum, she'd probably either swallow it or I'd find it in her hair or something. Thanks for the suggestion tho!
Georgiaredclay's Hubby;
Yes, I would LOVE more plants!!! I thought I'd have a section especially for mints so they could spread as much as they want, and they have such strong smells that I'm sure Judy will be sitting beside them a LOT! ;-) I haven't tried growing ginger lilies or sweet shrub before, but I'd sure be willing to give it a go! And actually, I'm not picky. Can't afford to be! *lol* So anything anyone has that they can spare would be great!
Hi I'd love to help you out,sounds like your doing a great job, God Bless you for your knidness. I have perennials, herbs,ornamental grasses,Daylillies,Peonies,Irises,just tell me what you might like or need and I'll send it to you if I have it. Thanks Rene~
hello auntyB (judy's angel) I've sent a big box of plants out today! if there is any plants that are not suitable for judy maybe you can trade for something else, as I stated in the letter! have fun planting.
Rene; You have mail. AuntyB
no1thumb; Thanks a lot! I can't wait!!!
Looks like Judy's got quite a few angels! ;-)
AuntyB
AuntieB I don't have any thing to offer except advise: There are numorous edible flowers as the nasturtium. so many aromatic mints that are pernniels, and spread quickly.I know that you will have success with your garden because of all the genrous friends here ,Good Luck & God Bless!
AuntyB
just a little note if you plant mint put it in a raised bed.
does not have to be huge about 2ft x 2ft and about 8inches high this will keep it contained and you will not have to worry so much about it getting out of control.
Sounds like you've already got quite a bit, but if you are still in need let me know. My herb garden is getting out of hand so I have lots of edible or scented plants that I could share. Some of the stuff that I will have to probably dig up anyway since they've run wild include - everbearing strawberries, mountain mint (smells wonderful!), wild bergamont, oregano and lemon balm. Although, not out of hand, I planted some lime balm and rose scented bergamont last year - I'll have to check to see if they have spread enough to share. Some others that are pretty but not necessarily scented or edible that I have plenty of to share include blue salvia, daisies, primrose, irises (several varieties), obedient plant and black eyed susans. Probably have a few more - let me know if you could use any of the ones I have listed.
AuntyB,
Haven't forgotten you and Judy. We've had SO MUCH rain down here ! Another 4" just last night. I've got two acres of SWAMP !! I will get as much of whatever survives all this , to you as fast as I can. Goodness ... my toes are becoming webbed !!
HUGS!!
Shee
Karen: You've got mail. ;-)
NoWeedSZ; It's either raining or snowing, ain't it? *lol* No problem if you have to wait a while. I've got plenty to keep me busy at the moment. Been putting in a LOT of hours at work, plus my (spare?) time preparing and planting parts of Judy's garden. Been running on empty this last week and I'm afraid it's starting to catch up with me! But, it will be worth it when it's finished and I get to see Judy sitting in the middle of it til her heart's content! ;-)
God bless you all for sharing with her!
Thank you to everyone soooo much for sharing your goodies for Judy's garden! I just wanted to let you all know that I've recieved several packages, and unfortunatly a few of them didn't include their email addy with the package, so I couldn't figure out who sent what to thank you personally! I would have liked to have sent personal thank you's for such generousity, and I did to those who sent me their email addy with the package, so if you sent me plants, please don't think I'm ungrateful for them just because you haven't heard from me, because that couldn't be further from the truth. I feel soooo blessed by all of you good gardening folk, and you're all Judy's angels in my book! I can't wait to get it finished so I can share some pictures with all of you with Judy in her new garden!
Thanks again, everyone! And God Bless You All!!!!!!!!!!!
I love people like you !! Do you still need more? =)
Lil_Pipsqueak.....You've got mail. ;-)
AuntyB, You have mail, too !! (Snail mail ) =)
WOO-HOO! I can't wait!!! Thanks, Lil_Pipsqueak! ;-)
Just wanted to pop in to say thank you to all the folks who sent me plants for Judy's garden. You've all been such a great blessing! Judy is enjoying it so much already...and things aren't even grown up very big yet! ;-) I've been spending a lot of my spare time in her garden trying to get this all done, and now this week will be spent trying to catch up on some wicked weeds that insist on popping up everywhere too! *lol*
As soon as things are looking a little fuller, I'll be posting some pics of Judy in her garden so you can all see that your time and efforts were well spent! ;-)
Thanks again, everyone! You've all been great!!!
Oh AuntyB, we can't wait to see the pics! I just know how much joy you and Judy are getting. Let us know, did she help plant? can she help care for her garden? I know how much you both will enjoy working together if possible!
Kathy
Hello everyone! Going to be taking some pictures pretty soon now. No, Judy didn't help plant....she's not capable. But, she did LOVE sitting beside me the whole time and following me around while I planted. Every time I work in her garden, she's with me and she's very content. In the center of this garden she has a glider swing that she also loves to sit in. There's a bird feeder next to that, and you wouldn't believe how many birds that are coming there now! She LOVES listening to the birds!!! The little chickadees will even land on your shoulder! ;-) Also, the birds like to perch on top of her glider swing all the time, so there's LOTS of birdie doo-doo on top too! *lol* (but Judy doesn't mind!) The little piece of chocolate mint (chocolate's her favorite smell!) that I recieved from one of you didn't take off tho....so I still don't have any of that. I was hoping to have plenty of it because she just loves the smell. Anyone know where I can order a bunch? Or maybe someone has some they can share with me? I know it's not for my zone 3, but I'll bring it inside in the winter so Judy can enjoy it year round! ;-) Well, better get going here. Almost time to go back to work! ;-)
Thanks sooo much to all of you for helping me out on this. I wish I could express to you how much happiness this has brought to Judy, as well as the other folks who live there...and the other employees too! They can't believe how loud all those birds can be! *lol*
Luv 2 U All!
AuntyB
I am so glad Judy's garden is a success! I am looking forward to the photos...
Kathy
AuntieB,
I am new to DG. I just read your post and would like to help. I don't know how many plants that I have in your zone, though. Can you use some iris? They really smell nice, too. I will be digging up some in the fall, but I could dig some up early if your winter comes early. Let me kow, and send me your address.
Evelyn