When Margaret decided to make Old Main Village her home, she found a place where neighbors become friends and shared activities create lasting bonds. 

Among the many ways residents connect at Old Main Village in Mankato, MN, a community managed by The Goodman Group, one has taken root in a special way: community gardening.

"When you move into Old Main Village, you are moving into a community," Margaret shares. "You get to know each other and care about each other and have lots of activities that we join in. I've got a garden that I take care of, and that's really fun."

Margaret's garden is a place where purpose meets pleasure and where the simple act of tending to living things brings joy to everyday life.

The Benefits of Gardening for Seniors

Gardening offers meaningful benefits for older adults, and science backs it up. Horticultural activities can improve brain function and reduce depression in seniors, including those with dementia. The activities create opportunities for reflecting on past experiences while exercising memory.

Gardening activities help seniors communicate better and stay more engaged. The physical movements involved such as planting, watering and harvesting provide gentle exercise that improves flexibility, strength and balance.

Gardening creates a sense of purpose that enriches daily life. Seniors who tend gardens report feeling more connected to their surroundings and their community. Nurturing plants from seed to harvest provides a tangible way to contribute and see the results of your efforts grow.

Building Community Through Shared Gardens

At Old Main Village, the community garden brings people together. Residents who might not otherwise cross paths find themselves working side by side, sharing gardening tips, celebrating successful harvests and supporting each other through the growing season.

Garden clubs create routines. Weekly meetings give members time to plan what to plant, discuss care strategies and decide how to use the harvest. Between meetings, residents check on the gardens independently, watering plants and pulling weeds because they care about them.

Watching seeds grow into a flower or food strengthens bonds and proves what they can accomplish together.

Getting Started with Community Gardening

If you live in a senior living community that offers garden spaces, getting involved is simpler than you might think. Many communities provide dedicated garden plots or raised beds for residents, along with the tools needed to get started.

For residents with mobility limitations: Raised garden beds get rid of bending or kneeling. Adaptive tools with cushioned grips and longer handles make things more comfortable. Container gardens on patios or balconies let you garden right outside your apartment.

Start with easy-to-grow plants: Herbs like basil, rosemary and mint need little maintenance and add fresh flavor to meals. Tomatoes, lettuce and peppers thrive in containers and give you the satisfaction of eating what you've grown.

Connect with your community: Talk to your life enrichment team members about garden opportunities. Join a garden club or start one with interested neighbors. Gardening as a group shares the workload and offers good company.

Cultivating Connection and Purpose

Margaret's experience at Old Main Village shows what's possible when communities create spaces for residents to pursue meaningful activities. 

Her garden provides fresh air, gentle exercise and a reason to step outside each day. It brings her closer with neighbors who share her interest in growing things. And it gives her something uniquely hers within the larger community she calls home.