Cultivating Joy: How Gardening Connects Residents at Holly Creek

For many older adults searching for the right retirement community, finding a place that feels like home is just as important as the amenities or location. At Holly Creek, residents like Eve Glesne and Karen Ramsey have discovered that home can grow right alongside tomatoes, zinnias, and basil — in the community’s six raised garden beds.

Both Eve and Karen have deep roots in gardening, and their stories showcase how the simple act of nurturing plants brings joy, connection, and purpose in this next chapter of life.

An Interest in Gardening Takes Root

Eve Glesne moved to Holly Creek two years ago after living in Genesee, Colorado. She was drawn to Holly Creek’s warm, welcoming atmosphere. “I chose Holly Creek because it felt like home,” she shared. “It felt like a mountain lodge when I walked in. The people are wonderful.”

Karen Ramsey, who has called Holly Creek home for the past ten years, felt a similar connection. After touring several retirement communities, she chose Holly Creek because of its caring and inclusive people. “The staff and residents made the difference,” Karen said. Before moving, she lived in Centennial on Jasmine Street, where she had a large garden and orchard and loved canning and freezing her harvests.

Their passion for gardening started early. Karen fondly remembers spending time in her grandfather Wiggens’ Kansas garden. “Gardening was part of life,” she said. That love has now been passed on to her children and five granddaughters. Eve’s gardening story began in Alabama, where her father tended a Victory Garden during World War II. Later, after moving to Iowa and eventually Colorado, she always felt a pull back to the soil. “I was so happy to come to Holly Creek because I could start gardening again!” Eve said.

Garden Plots Showcase Residents’ Creativity & Heart

Holly Creek’s gardens are as diverse as their gardeners. Karen’s raised bed is a testament to her adventurous spirit and love of variety. Everything she plants starts from seed in her apartment using an AeroGarden system. This year, her bed includes tomatoes, leeks (grown cleverly in PVC pipes), butternut squash, fennel (a new experiment), thyme, rosemary, sweet and spicy peppers, zucchini, Japanese cucumbers, and her favorite — zinnias.

“I love to cook and will use everything I grow,” Karen explained. Her patio is also a lively oasis filled with flowers and plants that attract hummingbirds, especially her beloved Salvia. “I could never live at a place where I couldn’t garden,” she added. “Gardening is a part of me.”

Eve’s plot showcases her appreciation for both flowers and vegetables. She has tomato plants, green beans, and cheerful daisies she hopes will return next season. Some of her flowers and basil started from seeds brought by the Koebel Library, while others came from the local Plum Creek Market.

Connecting with Nature through Gardening

Eve describes gardening as a “joyful activity” that allows her to let go of worries and connect with the earth. “There is a beauty in the natural world and getting to be a part of that,” she said. In a piece for the Holly Creek writers journal, Eve compared gardening to fishing, noting that both require optimism and a belief that something good will come from your efforts.

Both Eve and Karen believe gardening offers important life lessons, and encourages others to jump in without fear. “I’m still learning how to garden,” Eve admitted with a laugh. “Don’t think about it, just do it.” Karen agrees: “You learn by doing.”

For Karen, gardening is more than a hobby; it’s therapeutic. “You can forget everything else,” she shared.

At Holly Creek, residents find that gardening offers more than just fresh vegetables or beautiful blooms. It’s an opportunity to stay active, connect with nature, and form meaningful friendships with fellow gardeners. Whether you’re a lifelong gardener or simply curious to try your hand at growing something new, Holly Creek’s supportive community and inviting garden beds provide the perfect place to dig in.

As Eve and Karen show, it’s never too late to plant new seeds — in the garden and in life.