Over the course of several months, the NC State Extension Master Gardeners of Union County, Class of 2024, partnered with the staff and residents of the Jesse Helms Nursing Center to breathe new life into their outdoor space. Through careful planning and community collaboration, the ambitious project resulted in a vibrant teaching and sensory garden that has fundamentally changed the landscape of the facility.
A Monumental Effort
Transforming the grounds was no small feat. The Master Gardeners and nursing center staff worked meticulously to define distinct areas within the garden. They created new planting beds, arranged 25 container pots, and planted a cheerful row of sunflowers directly beneath the residents' windows to brighten their daily views.
The physical effort was substantial. The team hauled in and strategically placed over one ton of dirt to prepare the beds and containers. To fill these new spaces, the gardeners generously donated and cultivated flats of herbs and flowers, ensuring a rich variety of textures, scents, and colors for the sensory garden.
A Joyful Collaboration
The true magic of the project blossomed on planting day. Residents worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the Master Gardeners, actively selecting plant arrangements and getting their hands in the soil. The atmosphere was described by participants as a joyful day filled with profound delight and significance.
For many residents, the act of planting was deeply personal. Mary, a resident at the center, was particularly moved when she discovered the gardeners had brought coleus—her late husband Harold’s favorite plant. Mary shared that Harold used to visit the local nursery specifically to seek out a particular color combination he was fond of. In a beautiful moment of serendipity, the gardeners had brought that exact variety for her to plant.
As she dug the hole in the fresh soil and carefully pulled the vibrant coleus from its pot, Mary lifted the plant into the air.
