Each June, Fox Hill Village residents and guests gather at the Resident Garden for our annual Garden Party. It’s a special occasion in a beautiful setting where residents show off their garden beds, connect with family and friends, and enjoy the scenery. But it doesn’t happen without the planning and support of the Garden Committee and the work of resident gardeners who tend their own garden beds with care, purpose, and a sense of pride.
It all starts in January when resident gardeners decide what they want to grow during the coming year. At that time, new gardeners are also offered the opportunity to sign up for a bed. In February, the Garden Committee assigns beds, and gardeners order compost. When March arrives, outdoor activities begin: Compost is delivered and distributed to individual beds and a temporary water barrel is available for early-season gardeners. By mid-April, preparation for the growing season is in full swing. Supplies are brought in, hoses are reconnected, pathways are refreshed, and more than 30 clematis plants growing along the perimeter fence are pruned and fertilized.
April is also when tulips, daffodils and hyacinths announce spring’s arrival. It’s a busy month for gardeners eager to get their flowers and vegetables planted. As the days grow longer and temperatures rise between May and July, clematis and peonies bloom. Spring crops of lettuce go from baby leaves to full heads. Peas climb trellises. Flower beds shift to bold colors with zinnias, marigolds, and black-eyed Susans brightening the scene. And what were once tiny green tomatoes become full-size.
With more than 60 raised garden beds, there’s a wide variety of colorful plants and flowers to enjoy. A shady pergola with a bubbling fountain and comfortable seats offers gardeners and visitors a place to rest, connect, and watch the birds, butterflies, and bees flit from flower to flower.
Discover the many health benefits of gardening.
Whether you’re a first-time gardener or haven’t held a trowel in years, the Resident Garden at Fox Hill offers an opportunity to exercise your green thumb, spend time outdoors, and connect with neighbors who are always happy to lend a hand or share gardening tips. If you’re new to organic gardening, they’ll show you how to keep the weeds out of your bed and your plants healthy without resorting to pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
If you love flowers, growing them yourself can provide a steady supply of arrangements. In addition to brightening your living space, research shows that flowers improve mood, reduce stress and strengthen your connection to nature.
Studies in the UK have found that allotment gardening like that practiced at Fox Hill lowers cortisol levels, fosters social interaction, provides a sense of purpose, and improves strength, stamina and flexibility.
Resident gardeners at Fox Hill can also look forward to enjoying the fruits of their labor. Nothing beats the taste of a vine-ripened tomato, fresh-picked lettuce or sugar snap peas grown in our organic garden beds.
To learn more about how Fox Hill Village residents enjoy the great outdoors, and the health benefits that go with it, visit the Outdoor Living page on our website.