The SOG program during the non-growing season consisted of horticultural therapy activities to stay in contact with the seniors in our various groups.
Unfortunately, in February-March, the COVID-19 pandemic began, forcing the cancellation of in-person programming. SOG pivoted quickly to continue to offer programming. Virtual Zoom-based workshops were set up with Gloucester 50+, the Bronson Hub, SNMC, Brain Health Group and SNMC. To support gardeners at OCH buildings who were not able to participate virtually, the SOG Manager got a local Scouts group (104th Ottawa) to volunteer to grow seedlings for participants in the scouts’ homes. 12 scouting families volunteered and produced over 700 seedlings. Remaining funds from OCF and the Seniors’ Community Grant were put to use to provide seeds, soil, pots, and grow lamps. Some of these supplies were delivered to seniors who were stuck at home as well, allowing over 100 seniors to grow their own seedlings or receive seedlings once they were grown. At 395 Somerset Ave, twenty-six very isolated seniors received large pots, soil, fertilizer and seedlings to grow peppers and tomatoes on their balconies. Seniors’ Group Jami Omar participants (25) received seedlings, Grow Containers from the Growing Connection, soil, fertilizer and seeds. Other seniors received individual supplies as they requested.
Online workshops included seed starting, taking and rooting cuttings, growing vegetables from kitchen scraps, compost, weed identification, potato buckets, repotting and more. As well, the SOG manager produced a number of you tube videos on garden topics which were shared with seniors and others.
In June 2020, our Gardening Coach, Christine moved on, but hired two Garden coaches to fill the position: Chelsea and Brigitte in order to manage the 2020 growing season program. The groups involved are listed below.
Model 1: Community Groups
Russell Manor-1909 Russell Rd, OCH, 1455 Clementine Blvd, OCH Building, 300 Lacasse, Ottawa Community Housing
Gloucester 50+ Centre, Bronson Community Centre- Dalhousie Courtyard Community Gardens, Ottawa Community Immigration Services Organization- Diverse Seniors Group/Jewish Family Services, OCH Building, 205 Gladstone- Blair House, OCH Building, 125 McLeod – Brooke Towers, OCH Building, 395 Somerset, Nepean Rideau Osgoode Community Resource Centre (NROCRC) Tanglewood Seniors’ Group, Brain Health Seniors’ Group (NROCRC), South Nepean Muslim Centre (SNMC, Barrhaven, Seniors’ Group Jami Omar Mosque, West Ottawa Christian Community Church Gardens.
These groups were scheduled for a full SOG program but due to the pandemic, none of the Ottawa Community Housing groups were allowed to meet and most did not have internet connection for ZOOM workshops.
Model 2: Residential Backyard Gardeners
Grouped for meetings, shared presentations: East Orleans and Celebration Ave Garden- Friends
The pandemic in 2019-2021 presented SOG with a number of challenges not unlike many community groups. Seniors had the added challenges of learning not only to use technology for communication but also the challenge of comfort level and overcoming fear of dangers of technology! Many overcame these concerns but several diminished their involvement due to fear of technology. ZOOM fatigue also loomed high on the horizon so phone calls and deliveries which are labor-intensive provided some relief. The addition of Surprise Garden Bags delivered to seniors’ homes in Model 2 were the most popular aspects of the program and brought a few more seniors back online to participate in a new way. Seniors in their homes who have no devices and no access to the internet are cut off from communications in a special way. One could say it is self-inflicted but sometimes the challenge is financial… the cost of devices, internet connection, technical assistance costs and service when things go wrong and the fear of having any tech experts in home to assist are all obstacles to be considered.
Gardening Groups also suffered a number of challenges. OCH buildings were not allowed to have active gardens due to the possibility of COVID spread. Some ZOOM events attracted a goodly number of participants however other seniors simply went into hibernation from technology!
