Growing up, the garden was a central part of Raymond’s home. He and his siblings would often help his mom with weeding and planting, nurturing both produce and vibrant flowers.
When Raymond moved from his family home, he dreamed of creating a garden filled with red geraniums and canna lilies—his mom’s favorite flowers. However, since the program he was at was specifically designed as an HCO house with newly laid sod, digging up the ground for a traditional garden wasn’t an option. Undiscouraged, Raymond and the staff got creative and purchased large tubs filled with soil for his flowers. He loved tending to these containers, planting not only flowers but also some vegetables. One memorable year, he grew tomatoes—donated by Mark Zimmerman from HCO’s board—surrounded by cheerful marigolds, creating a stunning display.
Over time, the containers began to crack and deteriorate, and as Raymond got older, bending down to garden became more challenging. Eventually, the broken containers were discarded, and he settled for just one or two geraniums each year in pots.
At the end of summer 2023, staff introduced Raymond to the idea of raised garden beds, showing him pictures to gauge his interest. Excited by the prospect, he joined staff on trips to Bronk’s Gardens and Fleet Farm, where they selected the raised beds, soil, flowers, and vegetables together. He eagerly assisted with the planting, taking on most of the work while the staff supervised. The raised beds now allow him to garden safely while standing!
Recently, Raymond picked out some beautiful mums with the staff, as his tomatoes had finished for the season. He helped plant them and is thrilled with the vibrant colors they bring to his new garden!
