ASCENSION PARISH, La. (WAFB) – Usually, it’s John Johnson getting his hands dirty in the garden, but on this Memorial Day, he has quite a few helpers.
“They know where to find me. When they’re looking for me, I’m right here playing my music,” Johnson says. “I love to grow different things and just let people experience, you know, what I can do with my hands and things like that, you know, I’m pretty good.”
The 75-year-old was raised on a farm but now lives at Ascension Oaks nursing home, where he has cultivated a garden full of vegetables, fruits, and herbs over the last three years. Over the weekend, someone tore up all his hard work and took most of his plants.
“I had tomato plants and cucumbers that was about to come up with the little yellow leaves and all that. Whoever messed with it, damaged them, so I just decided to pull them all up and replant.”
One of the frequent volunteers, whose mother also lives at the home, posted about it on Facebook, asking for plants, soil, and anything to help him rebuild. The response was far beyond what they expected.
Josh Montague is a grower at Bonnie Plants. He says he saw the Facebook post and knew he could help.
“I loaded up a truck full of plants, and we’re here to help Mr. John today. We’re gonna get him back right,” Montague says. “I’ve got the plants to do it. I’ve got the means, I physically can help him, and we’re gonna do it, and I feel like it’s gonna make him happy on this Memorial Day.”
Now, Johnson has more plants than he has places to plant them. He says he may have to expand the garden here soon. Montague brought a variety of plants for him, some already potted, and some that he planted for Johnson. Johnson says he feels so loved, and now he won’t have to start completely over.
“They’re doing a lot for me, you know, they’re doing good. I appreciate everything,” Johnson says. “They’re bringing more stuff that I know I ain’t ever gonna get to plant, you know, but “m gonna try.”
For now, Johnson is good on donations. He says he’s looking forward to keeping up with these plants throughout the growing season.
Senior resident gets garden upgrade after plants were stolen and destroyed(WAFB)
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