Cultivating connections
Dementia Gardening Potato Harvest and Summer Gardening Tips
Published: 22/08/2024
On 1st August, Right at Home Havant and Petersfield’s Dementia Friendly Gardening group joined members of our staff team at Emsworth Community Centre to harvest potatoes in the August sunshine. There was eager anticipation as the group – armed with gardening forks, trowels, gloves and high spirits – unearthed the tubers from the growbags they’d planted earlier this year.
In spite of a rather wet spring and the recent summer heatwave, both the crop and the afternoon were a huge success. Potatoes of all sizes filled a number of plant pots and members of the gardening group all went home smiling, each with the fruits of their labour ready to prepare for tea.
Our own Duncan Cameron commented on how engaged the group was – not only in the task at hand, but in their interactions with each other and everyone taking part. “There was a real sense of community,” he said.
Summer gardening tips
August may seem early to start harvesting potatoes, but according to the RHS, early potatoes are ready to lift in June, July or August and main crops from late August to October, depending on when they were planted. They recommend digging up potatoes with a fork, “taking care to loosen the soil to one side of the potato plants”, and also advise to “leave the potatoes in the open to dry for a few hours before storing”. In addition to potatoes, don’t forget to pick French beans, runner beans and peas. They will be ready for eating and sharing – and harvesting them will make room for more to grow. Check out the RHS Campaign for School Gardening for more tips to follow and share with loved ones of any age.
Get involved
Since its launch in January this year, our Dementia Friendly Gardening Group continues to grow as a community and in size, so much so that we are now looking for volunteers to help out at our monthly meet-ups!
The group provides support and a safe space outdoors for people with dementia to connect with each other and enjoy the benefits of gardening and communing with nature. They meet from 14.00-15.00 on the first Thursday of every month at Emsworth Community Centre, so please do get in touch if you are available and interested in lending a hand: 02393 878 777. Green fingers are not required.
