From Seed to Harvest Across Our Homes

There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of growing your own vegetables and watching the flowers you planted from seed begin to bloom. Across our care homes, gardening has become such a valued part of our communities, offering purpose, connection and plenty of fresh produce for the kitchen.

This year, our homes have really embraced gardening. A courgette growing competition is running across all our homes, with harvest day set for the end of August where residents will present their crop on a group-wide online meet-up. We’re growing all kinds of fruits, vegetables and herbs that go straight to the kitchen, with residents helping our chefs prepare delicious nutritious meals.

Bill tending to his seeds at White Ash Brook Care Home in Oswaldtwistle.

Watering plants each day and checking in to see how they’re growing is something our residents really look forward to. They’re embracing sharing their knowledge with each other too. Many have been gardening for decades and our gardening clubs have become places where this experience gets passed on and we are proud of how we’re learning from each other across our homes. At Benholm Care Home in Forfar, Scotland, the team have created a beautiful bee garden where wildflowers attract butterflies and bees, inspired by resident plant-lover Richard who has taught us the benefits of biodiversity not only for our gardens but for the environment too.

Research also shows how much time outdoors can help with wellbeing by reducing anxiety and improving focus, especially for people living with dementia.

We spend quality time reading in our gardens, listening to the bird song and spotting wildlife, but they not just used quieter moments. We host garden parties and outdoor music festivals where families and friends come together and these spaces have become the heart of our shared home communities.

We’re proud to see our gardens becoming places where we set new goals, make new friends and bring meaning and structure to our days. From passing down knowledge to trying something new for the first time, our outdoor spaces show how much we can grow when we support each other. Thank you to every resident, team member and loved one who’s helped make our gardening projects flourish, this is what community looks like here at Each Other Care.