The Master Gardeners of Greenbrier Valley have been working with some of the residents at The Seasons, Senior Community, in Lewisburg to develop a raised bed gardening project. Five raised beds were constructed this past spring (and two the year before) by volunteers Russell Hughes, Jim Smith and Jim Creasman in the courtyard of The Seasons facility. The raised beds are about three feet off the ground which make them reachable either from standing or from a wheelchair.
The beds were planted with a variety of flowers and vegetables with help from the Master Gardeners and from the Junior Master Gardeners at Lewisburg Elementary School (under the direction of Emily Shirey and Mary Ann Mann).
The garden boxes have been regularly tended this summer by the residents at The Seasons. Kim Thompson, director of Guest Services at The Seasons, has been instrumental in establishing and overseeing the program which has resulted in a variety of fresh vegetables gracing the dining room tables at the facility. Thompson reflects the enthusiasm of the residents for this gardening project and has plans to expand the number of raised planting beds next spring.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Master Gardeners of Greenbrier Valley and their various projects can contact the WVU Extension Office in Fairlea at 304-647-7408.