Gardening builds a community in Mass.

There is something special in this corner of the sprawling campus of historic Tewksbury Hospital, four greenhouses with foundations that date back to the 19th century, recently restored to grow hope community and some pretty impressive red peppers. My name is Bob Baden. I am the founder of the grow program. This crop is the fruit of seeds hand planted. This year. We grew Italian large leaf this year regular and uh cinnamon. The seeds of this program were planted much earlier 27 years ago. I quit drinking and uh I felt very isolated, very, very alone. I sort of just jumped into my garden. Nature is everything to me. And I had just lost touch with that. It worked, time spent tending his garden was therapeutic for Baden. And when he discovered *** collection of abandoned greenhouses in 2019, he saw an opportunity to share his passion, but the space needed some work. I knew what it was going to cost to get this done. Uh We had *** small fraction of that amount of money and *** lot of goodwill in our favor. He also had *** perfect partner in the not for profit justice resource institute or JR I. And really, it’s looking for families that have *** need where social justice is not happening for them. And then we come in partner with them and the community to find *** way to open those doors so they can have the opportunity they need. For long term success work started to restore these buildings in 2019. And the main were the first two houses that we had done. Now, all four buildings are complete *** small but dedicated staff runs multiple programs that are literally grass roots. So I know you already know this right. But we’re looking for one of these beautiful blooms over here. Emily Sherman is director of Therapeutic Horticulture. I think that we all have an innate connection with nature and we’ve really gotten away from that, you know, with all the new technology. But I think that when we go back to our roots, it feels like *** place of home for all of us. That feeling resonates with students in the vocational program. I don’t ever really want to just like sit at *** desk all day. It’s nice to just come out and enjoy nature. I clip the top off the basil. Baden believes the program works for everything from substance use recovery to therapy and skills training. Because the lessons learned in the greenhouse are universal. If you look at *** huge garden that needs all this clean up work, it’s an overwhelming project break it down into little pieces, get them done and step back and you’ve created this whole thing. Everyone has *** place in the garden. Hold on to anything. Walk hill florist in Mattapan boasts some serious staying power. Since 1942. It was started by my grandparents was originally farmland, all farmland and it was *** dirt road. When they actually settled here, the family would see the area grow even posing for pictures with the first street light on American Legion Highway. Though owner Linda Mazzella has simpler memories. I remember, you know, I was in diapers and peddling peddling tomato plants and my grandma would be like, go ahead, go sell that dozen at tomato plants. 25 cents. Masa’s parents are gone now but not forgotten. You have customers that come in. He still ask about my dad and they tell me he taught me how to plant and you know, my dad’s been dead like 29 years now. So I think it’s *** great testament to him and what he believed in. MLA also learned from her parents and shares that knowledge freely with *** new generation of customers. And her niece, Jenna. My niece is the last of the Mohegans. Jenna has taken those lessons, heart tending to the family goats that still live on the property as well as their vertical garden tucked into the back of the shop. And I feel like the cucumbers have less yellow spots because they’re not on the ground. And while Jenna’s passion is art evident in the paintings she’s made of her late grandmother. The fact that this florist has lasted so long is proof that *** love of nature can be passed on to future generations. Most of the garden centers are gone across the street. There were two. But, um, you know, we persevered, I guess I had great teachers.

In Mass., gardening and plant care are building a community

The GROW Program in Tewksbury and Walk Hill Florist in Mattapan use their green thumbs to connect the community

Updated: 8:20 PM EDT Sep 10, 2024

The GROW (Gardening Resources of Wellness) Greenhouse program on the historic Tewksbury Hospital campus is aimed at harnessing the therapeutic benefits of gardening for vocational training, mental health, and outdoor education. GROW is sponsored by the Justice Resource Institute (JRI), whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals, families, and communities through programs focused on community-based support and healing.Since 1942 Walk Hill Florist has served Roslindale and surrounding communities. They offer beautifully crafted bouquets for various occasions, along with specialized floral designs for events and holidays.

TEWKSBURY, Mass. —

The GROW (Gardening Resources of Wellness) Greenhouse program on the historic Tewksbury Hospital campus is aimed at harnessing the therapeutic benefits of gardening for vocational training, mental health, and outdoor education. GROW is sponsored by the Justice Resource Institute (JRI), whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals, families, and communities through programs focused on community-based support and healing.

Since 1942 Walk Hill Florist has served Roslindale and surrounding communities. They offer beautifully crafted bouquets for various occasions, along with specialized floral designs for events and holidays.