At the seven Cottage Homes sites across Adelaide, beautiful gardens brighten not just the environments, but the lives of our residents.
We aim to create spaces for our 130 residents to live safely and independently surrounded by pleasant and inviting grounds and gardens.
While the main grounds and communal spaces at each site are maintained by external contractors, residents have access to their own garden which many tend to lovingly.
You don’t have to dig very deeply to find some green thumbs across The Cottage Homes organisation and residents! There are some very dedicated volunteers among us taking care of gardens for all to enjoy.
Many of our residents are keen gardeners often working together to create wonderful displays as well as useful vegetable, herb and fruit gardens. Some give their time to growing produce to share, like the orange trees you’ll find at Prospect, and the multiple fruit trees at Toorak Gardens, where they’re also growing vegetables in some new raised garden beds.
Our Patron, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia opens the 5.6-hectare, 184-year-old Government House gardens to the public twice a year, which some of our Volunteers have explored at events there.
A love of gardening has led some residents to volunteering in community projects. Long-term Glenelg resident Joan has volunteered in the Michael Herbert Memorial Garden, which honours the local pilot who gave his life serving in the Vietnam War aged just 24. Fiona from Toorak Gardens has volunteered at The Monastery Garden in Glen Osmond for several years. Mitcham resident Faye who volunteers at Carrick Hill Garden highlighted her love of trees when she climbed a tall tree in a Tasmanian forest on a recent ‘significant’ birthday instead of having a party!
Many celebrations are held in The Cottage Homes communal areas including the pergola at Findon and the garden at Ascot Park which hosted the 90th birthday of resident Alice this year.
A group of volunteers from the Rosefield Uniting Church in Highgate used their collective gardening experience and talents to refresh garden beds at The Cottage Homes Mitcham. You can read more about that project here.
Some residents tend gardens or pot plants inspired by childhood memories. Glenelg resident Patricia fondly remembers helping her father to establish trees, preserve fruit and build a chicken coop in their family garden after the war. Patricia still enjoys getting out in the sunshine, feeling nature’s energy and having her hands in soil as she grows vegetables and flowers from seed including orchards and bromeliads.
For some no longer physically able to tend gardens, pot plants are now their focus. You may have noticed how much they brighten a walk around any of The Cottage Homes sites thanks to our green thumbs.
The Cottage Homes spoke to gardening expert and ABC presenter Sophie Thomson this year while she was busy setting up her display at the Royal Adelaide Show. Sophie passionately shared the benefits of gardening and all the ways it connects us.
“I might be biased, but I truly believe gardening can bring positive change into your life and give great pleasure,” she said.
“Gardens and gardening help improve physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. It is a form of exercise and an opportunity for relaxation and mindfulness. It can improve moods, relieve stress, stimulate the mind and increase energy levels.”
“Gardening can be a fantastic hobby as we age because it can be easily tailored to everyone’s needs and abilities. It can be made accessible through raised garden beds and tools designed to make gardening easier.”
Sophie said gardening gives a sense of purpose and is a great way to get to know your neighbours and build relationships with those in our community.
“Gardening can also give us great rewards when we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labour,” Sophie added.
Parkside resident Emilie does just that. She says her garden “gives her peace.” The Cottage Homes resident of almost 30 years has filled her garden with perennials and annuals; a vibrant mix of flowers, herbs and vegetables (including potatoes!) which she trades with her daughter for fresh eggs! Emilie says, “I enjoy my garden and it’s nice to live with others, so you have someone to talk to.”
Sophie left us with one last piece of gardening advice – “It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a pot or a garden bed – just get your hands dirty!” And many of our residents and volunteers do just that.
You can follow Sophie Thomson on Facebook, visit sophiespatch.com.au or catch her weekly segment on ABC TV’s ‘Gardening Australia’ which she has been a part of for more than 14 years. You can also find her advice in her weekly gardening column in the Adelaide Sunday Mail and on her weekly talk-back radio segment on ABC Radio Adelaide.
