Volunteer Tomato Planting

[alabill]

I want to plant and care for tomatoes for older folks who have a tough time gardening. I will have enough to plant a cherry and a full size for 16 people. My plan is to plant them and come by once a week for pruning/staking etc.

If you wanted to do this how would you go about finding folks who would want this service?

[dipchip2000]

I do this at 6 different nursing homes in my area. Cherries work the best in 5 gallon buckets. Usually 3 plants per nursing home depending on location availability. I find the residents love to help take care of them in what ever way they are able. I started this two years ago and am very pleased with the results.
Its been kinda fun for me also.

ron

PS I drill holes in the sides of the buckets about 3 inches up from bottom on 3 sides so that they cant be over watered.

[Pappi]

This is where the bulk of my plants and produce go every year. Not just the elders, but to anyone who appreciates, wants to learn gardening, or can't afford it themselves. Most the people I give buckets to are from word of mouth. But in the past I have put a flyer in the local senior center where they have daily meal service and distribute commodities, local blood lab because most elderly people have regular blood draws, veterinarian or animal hospital because if you care for a pet and are willing to take it to the vet then you can usually keep a plant alive, local head start programs to teach the kids to garden and provide produce for their meals and families, work with local advocates and master gardeners to target those who have expressed interest, people who require in home care, etc.

Another thing to do if it interests you is raising seedlings for local fundraising and community gardens. The majority of mine are sold to raise funds for our local SAR which helps provide training, equipment, and operational funds. Which ultimately translates to saved lives or a recovered body. The leftover is given to community garden managers and master gardening program. They will distribute them to those who want to grow them but may not be able to afford them. In the past I've also raised plants for 4-h, the scouts, cancer, church, disabled, and other organizations. There's always an entity or person in your community that's happy to take seedlings or a grow bucket off your hands.

Hope that helps and I encourage you to look at more than just community elders for giving to if that interests you. The disabled in all forms, elders, children, and anyone who can appreciate fresh produce.

Pappi

[alabill]

Thanks for the great ideas.