Inside the Resident Gardens at John Knox Village
If you walk through the garden area at John Knox Village this time of year, you’ll find residents checking tomato plants, sharing gardening advice, and comparing notes on what they’re growing this season.
Some are planting familiar favorites like cucumbers, peppers, and lettuce. Others are experimenting with unique vegetables like kohlrabi and heirloom melons. No matter what’s growing in the beds, one thing is clear: gardening continues to be a favorite pastime for many residents.
It’s also one more way residents can stay active, connected, and engaged while enjoying the outdoors.
On a recent episode of MyKC Live on KCTV 5, host Shane Konicki stopped by and caught up with several of John Knox Village’s most dedicated gardeners to learn what they’re growing this season and the gardening tips they’ve picked up along the way.
A Garden Community Built by Residents
One of the things that makes gardening at John Knox Village unique is that it is resident-driven.
The John Knox Village Gardeners Association meets every month to plan projects, maintain the gardens, discuss improvements, and prepare for upcoming growing seasons. Residents work together to care for the garden spaces and ensure they remain productive, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone involved. There is also a wonderful partnership between the gardeners and the Village’s grounds department, who helps maintain the garden, build raised beds and provides overall care for the area.
The gardens themselves are impressive in both size and variety. Throughout the growing season, the beds are filled with vegetables, herbs, flowers, and specialty crops that reflect the interests and experience of the gardeners who tend them.
Spend a few minutes walking through the garden area and you’ll quickly find it to be a place where neighbors connect, knowledge is shared, and friendships grow alongside the vegetables.
What’s Growing in the Gardens This Summer?
Residents Paulette and Garth are among the many gardeners helping the community gardens thrive this season.
Their plots are filled with:
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Several varieties of peppers
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers
- Seasonal vegetables and herbs
- And much more
Like many experienced gardeners, they’ve learned that success often comes down to consistency.
Their number one gardening tip?
Tend to your vegetables often and consistently.
Whether it’s watering, harvesting, or simply spending time observing how plants are growing, regular attention can make a big difference throughout the season.
It’s simple advice, but one that experienced gardeners at The Village return to year after year.
Gardening Wisdom from Lifelong Gardeners
One of the benefits of having a vibrant gardening community is the opportunity to learn from people who have spent decades developing their skills.
One resident, Judy, is one of those gardeners.
Her garden is beautiful, productive, and practical. Over the years, she’s developed a philosophy that focuses on working with nature rather than creating unnecessary work for herself.
Stop Cultivating So Much
Many gardeners automatically till or cultivate their soil every season. Judy takes a different approach.
“You don’t need to cultivate because all that does is put weed seeds right back in the dirt,” said Judy. When soil is constantly disturbed, dormant weed seeds are brought to the surface where they can begin growing again.
Judy prefers to plant, pull weeds, and leave the soil structure intact.
Pull Weeds, Don’t Chop Them
When weeds appear, Judy recommends removing them completely rather than cutting them off at the surface.
Pulling weeds by the root helps prevent them from returning and reduces the amount of time spent managing weeds throughout the season.
Let Nature Help
Another one of Judy’s favorite gardening techniques is using mulch, which is decomposed dried leaves and grass around garden beds. The leaves help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil quality over time.
Find the Right Tool
Ask experienced gardeners about their favorite tool and you’re likely to get a passionate answer. For Judy, it’s the CobraHead weeder.
“It digs, cuts, and it’s the best weeder I’ve found in 80 years,” said Judy.
Sometimes the simplest tools become the ones gardeners rely on most.
Sharing More Than Gardening Advice
The harvest at John Knox Village extends beyond individual garden plots. Members of the Gardeners Association regularly share extra vegetables and herbs with fellow residents throughout the community.
Anything gardeners have left over is often brought to the gazebo, where fresh produce is distributed to residents who may not garden themselves but still appreciate homegrown vegetables.
It’s a tradition that reflects the generous spirit of the gardening community at John Knox Village.
The program also helps support future improvements. Proceeds from donated produce are reinvested into the gardens and used to help build and maintain garden beds for future seasons.
For many residents, the opportunity to share what they’ve grown is just as rewarding as the gardening itself.
Why Gardening Remains a Favorite Activity
For Wendell, a fellow John Knox Village resident, gardening has been part of life for as long as he can remember. Having grown up on a farm, he continues to maintain a large garden plot at John Knox Village and enjoys spending time outdoors caring for his crops.
“It means a lot to me to be able to continue gardening,” Wendell says. “It keeps me from being a couch potato. I can get out and work and feel good.”
His sentiment is one shared by many throughout the senior living community. Gardening offers a unique combination of physical activity, mental stimulation, time outdoors, and personal satisfaction. It encourages movement, provides a sense of accomplishment, and creates opportunities for meaningful social interaction.
For residents who have gardened all their lives, it allows them to continue a lifelong passion. For others, it provides a chance to learn something new and discover a rewarding hobby.
Unique Vegetables Growing at John Knox Village
While tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are perennial favorites, some residents enjoy experimenting with crops that aren’t commonly found in the grocery store.
Wendell is one of those gardeners. Among the unique vegetables growing in his garden is kohlrabi, a member of the cabbage family that’s often described as a cross between cabbage and turnips. According to Wendell, it’s sweeter, milder, and especially tasty when harvested fresh.
He’s also growing banana cantaloupe, an heirloom melon variety known for its elongated shape and sweet flavor.
These unusual crops often spark conversations among gardeners and introduce residents to vegetables they may never have tried before.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening at John Knox Village
Does John Knox Village have resident gardens?
Yes. John Knox Village offers resident-maintained garden spaces where gardeners grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, and specialty crops throughout the growing season.
What vegetables are grown in the gardens?
Residents grow a wide variety of produce, including tomatoes, peppers, basil, lettuce, cucumbers, kohlrabi, melons, and many other seasonal vegetables and herbs.
Why do people enjoy gardening?
Gardening allows people to stay active, spend time outdoors, continue lifelong hobbies, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the satisfaction of growing fresh food.
About John Knox Village
John Knox Village is a leader in senior living services in Lee’s Summit and the greater KC region. The community boasts a diverse range of living options from freestanding homes and apartment homes to villas. With more than 700,000 square feet of common space across the beautiful campus, you’ll find more opportunities and experiences right outside your door.
If you’re exploring Life Plan Communities in Lee’s Summit or the Kansas City area, we’d love to show you all that John Knox Village has to offer. Contact us today, call (816) 251-8000 to schedule a visit, or register to attend one of our upcoming events.
