Conant students dig in to help elderly garden at Elk Grove home

It was 45 degrees on Saturday morning, but the chilly weather didn’t keep 10 dedicated students from an outdoor service project at a local Memory Care Community. The students are members of Conant High School’s Horticulture Club and they lent their service to Arden Courts of Elk Grove.

They weeded gardens, planted more than 30 perennials for two “heirloom gardens,” and winterized the vegetable beds. They executed exactly what the resident members of Arden Courts’ Garden Club had planned — and had the abilities to accomplish these physical tasks.

By the lunch hour, the temperature had climbed enough for resident Harriet Lassota to don her coat and shades to “supervise” the students’ progress. Needless to say, she liked what she saw and said so.

“It’s a relief. They do all the heavy lifting. So good! Looks so much better and now it’s ready for fall,” she said.

“At Arden Courts, we strive to maintain strong community ties and we’re very fortunate to have the support of this nearby high school,” said Kelly Fritz, program services coordinator, Arden Courts. “It’s so refreshing to present an idea and have a group of students dig right in to accomplish it! The students that aided us could have easily spent their Saturday morning sleeping late, but instead came to get their hands dirty and demonstrated a work ethic which our residents relate to. We very much appreciate Conant Horticulture Club for their time and service.”

Tanya Pinto, the club sponsor, said she was pleased with the results.

“It’s been a great day. A project like this is a perfect example of what we should be doing as a club. Volunteering, this service, it demonstrates a larger understanding, a relationship to the community that we’re all a part of. Sometimes it’s just hard for people to know where to help and it’s good to be presented with a specific project.”

“Our goal is to keep residents actively engaged in productive activities and take into account their individual habits and interests previous to their to Arden Courts,” said Kelly Fritz, the public relations representative for the home. “We are fortunate to have two lovely — and most importantly, secure — courtyards and the residents definitely use them to their fullest potential. They start the plants from seed back in March and April, nurture them until outdoor planting in May, and then maintain full vegetable gardens in our raised beds through the summer months.

“They do all the planting, weeding and have enjoyed collecting the produce each week, including: pumpkins, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, green peppers, lettuce, and even an eggplant! When they aren’t outdoors, this group reminisces about their former gardens, they discuss plans for the change in season — what should be put where, when they should be split, etc. — gardening it’s truly a therapeutic activity for the involved residents.”