After standing vacant for years, including the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the greenhouse at Hartford HealthCare’s Institute of Living (IOL) is now lifting spirits and filling bellies.
When he saw the abandoned greenhouse, David Krause, recovery support specialist at the IOL Family Resource Center, thought of his green-thumbed mother. He set out to restore the greenhouse and establish a community garden, joking that “she would never forgive me if we didn’t get something growing in there.”
Over the course of the next several months, other IOL staff members and clients volunteered their skills, time and passion to the project.
Beginning in late February, participants selected flowers and vegetables they wanted to grow. Then, the group nurtured the crops from seed to maturity. During the busiest times, staff and clients from seven IOL programs were busy sowing seeds and watering crops.
From its inception, Krause said, the project was designed to be patient centered.
“The mental, physical, social, and emotional health benefits that come with gardening are real,” he said.
IOL residential client Diemen Duvermont waters the garden every Saturday. He said the gardening experience has helped him commit to the task and enjoy working with a team.
“Seeing the fruits of your labor is very rewarding and makes you feel good about yourself,” said Tinisha Hall, who tends the garden with her wellness group.
Recovery Support Specialist Beau Triba said working in the garden was soothing for staff members as well. “I could feel the therapeutic value afterward,’’ Triba said.
In addition to brightening the campus with colorful flowers, such as sunflowers, the garden is producing a bounty of vegetables including cucumbers, green peppers and squash.
In the spirit of community enrichment that drives the project, the harvest will be donated to clients, their families, and other members of the IOL community throughout the growing season.
Raymond Michaud, a former client who has become a certified recovery coach and is now on the IOL staff, used his well-honed woodworking skills to construct a tidy vegetable cart on wheels where produce from the greenhouse will be on display. For now, veggies will be harvested and offered free to anyone who would like or need them.
Looking to the future, Krause and his IOL colleagues say they would like to consider sales options for the garden, while maintaining a patient focus. “I think the possibilities are endless and exciting,” said Krause.