Gardening friendship blooms at United Helpers Adult Home

WHO: Two friends and residents of United Helpers Adult Home in Ogdensburg, Irene J. Smith and Bea H. Hartmann, this year purchased and planted flowers and vegetables for five gardens that surround the Route 68 facility. The beds are a mixture of ornamental plants, herbs and vegetable crops, including corn, peppers, lettuce, squash, carrots, onions, rosemary, sage, roses and marigolds.

The gardens are being enjoyed by residents, staff, family members and friends.

Mrs. Smith owned a farm with her husband, Lawrence J., in Canton, for 50 years. He died in 1993. She has lived at United Helpers Adult Home for the last three years.

Mrs. Hartmann is from the San Francisco Bay area. This is her first year at the residence. The pair became good friends after realizing their mutual interest in gardening.

I understand this is the first year for these gardens. What gave you the idea for your creations?

Irene: I have lived at the United Helpers Adult Residence for three years. For the last two years the beds have been fairly empty. I wanted something to do and enjoy gardening, so I asked if I could take care of the beds and plant some vegetables and flowers.

Bea: I really enjoy gardening. So when I saw Irene gardening, I jumped right in and asked if I could help.

Why the five gardens? It sounds like a lot of work.

Irene: The five beds were here so I thought that we should do something with them. There are a lot of residents here that I thought would enjoy the flowers and vegetables.

Bea: Initially, Irene was the one who started the seeds and began the planting. I joined in later.

How many hours a week are involved?

Irene: We check the garden every day. The raised beds dry out quicker than a regular garden so they need to be checked to make sure that the beds don't need water.

Bea: We spend a lot of time in the gardens. Irene spends all her free time in the garden, while I help out whenever I have time.

Was there a lot of planning involved? There's quite the variety, from radishes to marigolds.

Irene: Over the winter, I studied gardening catalogs and planned out where I was going to plant everything. I knew that I wanted a mixture of flowers, herbs, and vegetables.

Bea: Irene did most of the planning. Everybody seems to enjoy the gardens. People are always stopping to look at them.

What's being done with the vegetables. Do you cut the flowers?

Irene: Bea and I pick the vegetables and share them with all the residents and staff.

Bea: Irene and I are the only ones who pick the vegetables to ensure that the plant doesn't get harmed.

Irene: We are not planning on cutting the flowers and giving them away. The flowers are there for everybody to enjoy. Some of the flowers that we planted are pansies, carnations, johnny jump-ups, roses, marigolds and Martha Washingtons (geraniums).

Bea: We also planted the nine hanging baskets that are around the United Helpers Adult Residence. I have planted hanging baskets before when I owned my own home, however this was Irene's first time.

Describe your previous gardening experiences.

Irene: I have been gardening all my life. My husband and I owned a farm for 50 years in Canton.

Bea: I am from the San Francisco Bay area in California. I have been gardening since I was a young girl. I started with my grandmother. I grew vegetables, flowers and fruit trees when I owned my own home.

What do you like about gardening?

Irene: It gives me something to do. It's fun and the beds look nice.

Bea: I like to watch others appreciate the gardens and it also gives me something to do.

Do you receive comments on your efforts?

Irene: We are always getting compliments. Everybody seems to enjoy the gardens.

Bea: People tell us all the time that the gardens look nice and that the vegetables taste good.

Any plans for next year's gardens?

Irene: I would like to do this again next year. I have some new ideas on what to plant and where to plant them.

Bea: I am just the helper. Irene is the main gardener. I would like to do this again next year with Irene.

If you have a suggestion for a Times Q&A, contact staff writer Chris Brock at cbrock@wdt.net, or write to him at Watertown Daily Times, 260 Washington St., Watertown, N.Y., 13601.