Benson House Gardens Thrive In the Hands Of Green Fingered Jo

The gardens at Benson House Care Home are a tonic for the senses when spring bursts through, followed by the colours and scents of summer - all thanks to gardener Jo’s commitment throughout the year.

Winter Work Pays Off in Springtime

Forward planning is part of every gardener’s DNA and as autumn turns to winter each year, Jo is hard at work in the Benson House garden. “Plants generally are resting”, Jo explained, “so it is a great time to prune while they are dormant, then trimming is less stressful to the plant. It’s a good time too to improve the soil with compost and then when the spring comes, the nutrients help the new growing season and the plants become stronger and healthier”.

Jo also gives her attention to plants that spend the winter months in the greenhouse. From edible Swiss chard and parsley to country garden favourites like sweet peas and Nigella, Jo cultivates plants and nurtures seedlings ready to transfer into the gardens when the time is right.

When spring comes around at Benson House Care Home near Wallingford, it’s full steam ahead planting summer seeds and bulbs and getting on top of garden maintenance. According to Jo, the spring bulbs are all in flower now and some will need lifting ready for next year. Weeds are already starting to appear and planters need extra water at this time if it’s dry – as it has been for much of April so far.

Soil and Sun Make All the Difference

Jo’s been gardening since she was around 8 years old. Growing up on the edge of Lancashire, her first little garden was a 2ft x 2ft patch under an ornamental cherry in her parents’ garden, and she started off with strawberry plants and Sweet Williams, given to her by her neighbour, Jim.

For over 20 years Jo has lived locally, just outside Didcot, and knows as well as any gardener that the soil you have to work with makes a big difference to what grows. She acknowledges that Benson the area has poor soil so she takes inspiration from plants she sees thriving in neighbourhood gardens as she knows they will do well at Benson House.

“Benson House has a great balance of light and shade in the garden”, said Jo. “We have full sun and some shaded areas - perfect for ferns who like shade and damp fertile soil. At present I’m looking into planting mainly British plants. I’ve also started compost heaps that will help the environment, improve the soil texture and give it extra nutrients over time”.

Residents Inspired By Changes in the Garden

When the garden shows signs of coming to life, residents eagerly await the opportunity to step outside and enjoy the early spring flowers. Once the warmer summer days arrive, residents and their families spend more relaxed time outdoors, surrounded by the colourful garden beds which thrive under Jo’s careful maintenance. Some of her favourites include Lavender (Lavandula), Rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus), Violets (Wild/Sweet), Poppy, Geraniums (Cranesbill), and Ornamental Onion (Allium).

Residents have already noticed the change in the garden at Benson House as it comes to life once again. Mrs Sixsmith said, "The garden is looking lovely, it’s going to be so nice to spend time out there in the summer" and Miss Loose added, "It’s wonderful to see the garden transformed into its real potential".

Knowing what a difference the garden can make is inspiring for Jo. “It’s wonderful to see and hear our residents in the garden enjoying the green surroundings, birdsong and sunshine. When I see how much enjoyment the gardens bring throughout the year, it makes all the hard work worthwhile”.

Welcome to Benson House Care Home

Our purpose-built luxury care home, Benson House in Wallingford, provides residents with high-quality nursing, residential and dementia care on both permanent and short-stay basis. We ensure peace of mind with a 'home for life', covering any dementia or nursing support when needed. Our fully trained nurses and care team are chosen for their compassion and expertise.

Benson House is centred around our residents, their needs and their wishes. With various social lounges, a cinema room, bistro area and hairdressing salon, there’s plenty to keep residents engaged. Our landscaped gardens and wind-proof glazed balconies provide outdoor seating all year round.

For more details about the care we offer, visit our Nursing Care and Residential Care pages. Learn more about our specialised Dementia Care. Call us today to arrange a tour or for more information on freephone 0808 169 8656