KEEPING HER ROOTS
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By Heidi Morales
This is the latest in a series of Journal profiles of NYCHA's resident gardeners as part of the celebration of the 50th year of the Authority's Garden and Greening Program.
Barbara Ward likes to speak of an old Staten Island. "I remember when there actually were farms in Staten Island," said the New Lane Shores resident.
Despite its transformation from farming town to a small metropolis, Staten Island has enabled Mrs. Ward to keep her farming roots alive by planting vegetables, plants and flowers next to her building for the past six years. "I started a small garden in the back of the building with some vegetables," she said.
Now her gardens cover the front and back of the buildings three seasons a year. "I like to see things all year round - bulbs in the spring, summer flowers and fall gardens -- ever-changing gardens," Mrs. Ward said. "I've gotten positive input from residents. They leave me potted plants and I plant them in my garden."
A mother of three and grandmother of six, Mrs. Ward described nurturing her flowers with the same love and care as if they were her offspring. "It's like waiting for your children. You're planting them; you're feeding them and watering them," she said. "Of course, when you fail you're disappointed."
But Mrs. Ward's gardens are a big hit. They have helped to build a bridge between long-time English-speaking residents and new non-English-speaking residents who have been moving into New Lane Shores. "We communicate via the garden. They'll stop and express their appreciation for the garden," she said. "It's a good icebreaker."
Mrs. Ward attended this year's 10th annual NYCHA Grows with its Gardeners Conference, which also had a special focus on the 50th anniversary of NYCHA's Garden and Greening Program. She praised NYCHA's gardening staff for their unwavering support of her and her gardens, and for sharing their gardening expertise, which has allowed her to learn more about different types of flowers, dealing with pests and general maintenance. "The conference was very informative," she said. "I always go to the gardening awards dinner. We like to support each other."
Many people believe gardening benefits the physical and emotional health of seniors -- a sort of therapy for the body and soul. "Being a senior resident, it's a reason to get up and get out," Mrs. Ward said. "It keeps me moving." Mrs. Ward encourages all NYCHA residents to become involved and create a garden of their own at their developments. "It's our home; it's beautifying our home," she said. "I love to see the color. I think it does the residents well and the buildings well. You can't say anything bad about flowers."