natchaug hospital master gardener outreach pproject

Natchaug Hospital Outreach Project2010

University of Connecticut Master Gardener Program

By Master Gardeners

Ron Beaudoin & Ed Sawicki

Background• Natchaug Hospital is the primary provider of a

regional system of care for children, adolescents and adults with mental illness and substance abuse problems.

• Services are provided at ten locations from Enfield to New London

• Our focus was the main hospital campus, located in Mansfield Center, Connecticut, which provides inpatient, outpatient and residential care.

The Project

• The outreach project began in April and was to include 5 separate areas of one larger court yard. There is a small garden by the entrance gate, a composting and melon area, a long perennial garden, raised vegetable beds and a perimeter courtyard garden.

The Mission

• The existing courtyard with a barren play area, sparse grass and colorless landscape did not reflect the hospitals vision that every client and co-worker, were embraced for their inherent worth and uniqueness, and acknowledged the dignity of each. Our mission was to create an atmosphere that was welcoming, pleasing to the eye, connected to nature and learning. At the same time our efforts were to support the construction of a recreational field.

Test & Prep Soil

• Soil testing was done first. The results returned showed the need to raise pH in the Perennial garden and to add a small amount of phosphate and potassium to the vegetable beds. MooDoo Organic fertilizer was used for each raised vegetable bed.

• Rototilling and conditioning of the new perennial patch in front of the boiler room  (to the left of the sidewalk facing south) was done next. Eight bags of fertilizing Compost were given to us from Earthgro and were used only in the flower gardens. Bulk Compost was also added to amend the soil.

Preparation of Soils

Plantings• A private home allowed us to dig up as many daylilies as we

wanted. They were used to border all areas of the Master Gardeners gardens at the Hospital. Other non vegetable plantings included Hosta, Ornamental grasses, Viburnum, Hydrangeas, Mountain Laurel and a host of others.

• The raised vegetable beds included: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Radishes, Green Beans, Egg Plant,

Lettuce, Oregano (Origanum Vulgare), Chive (Allium Schoenoprasum), Purple Sage, Leeks and Peppers.

• Other plants that were spread around the garden were Squash, melon, and Potatoes. Companion plants included Marigolds, Lambs ear, Mugwort, Nasturtiums, and Sun Flowers.

Compost Cedar Bin

• A cedar compost bin was also constructed.

• We implemented a successful composting program with leftover greens etc from the Hospital kitchen and dining room meal preparation.

Recreational AreaBefore & After

Perennial Court Yard GardenBefore and After

Raised Garden BedsBefore & After

Enticing Wildlife with a fountain seems to work:

Summary Phase 1 In many instances, clients helped in soil

preparation, spreading compost, starting seedlings, planting vegetables, harvesting and many other activities. (We were not allowed to take photos of them due to privacy laws.)

There were several meetings with the clients to help determine their ideas for improving the area.

Since this a hospital setting safety for the clients was always imperative in our plans and designs.

The FutureAs the second and third phases or our program

continue at the Hospital, the Master Gardeners will be asked again to contribute their gardening talents to various aspects of both old and new projects .

Future projects will include: A butterfly Garden Natural Habitat area Removal and re-planting an area of invasives Creating a water feature and bird feeding area National Wildlife Habitat certification for the

entire Campus.

Journey House Projects

Adult Courtyard

Main Entrance Courtyard

Master Gardener Outreach Team & Hospital Volunteers