Summer and Gardens
Go Together at Lakeview
Delaware Valley University horticultural students are amplifying the “happy hum” evident each day at Lakeview by inviting residents to take pleasure in gardening.
“Five of our students have buddied up with the Lakeview residents to conduct horticultural therapy activities as a part of their experiential course work,” said Professor Nancy Minich, a registered horticultural therapist who teaches DelVal’s certificate program. “They loved digging in the dirt together, smelling the variety of herbs, and planning ahead for the tomato, pepper and cucumber harvest in August. The hearty plants were sprouted in the greenhouses at DelVal in early spring, and with all of the rain so far this season, the beds are beginning to spill over with greens!”
Thanks to the addition of a new raised garden, the “green thumbs” have more space this year to navigate around the bed and to trowel the soil. “Flat access to the garden, and the waist-high level of the soil, is compatible with the needs of most of our residents,” enthused Maureen Riley, director of life enrichment at Lakeview.
“Being in tune with the garden makes everyone feel good,” agreed Sharon Smith, director of dining at Lakeview. “Our culinary team is taking snippets of dill for carrot dishes, along with rosemary and thyme to rub on roasted chicken and lamb. In August, residents will savor homemade sauces, and I thought they may also like to try some cheese appetizers topped with the lavender they grew and a sweet honey drizzle.”
