Boy scouts from Westlake Troop 208 came together on June 2 to create a Raised Rain Barrel Garden for the residence of the Emerald Village Assisted Living Community in North Olmsted.

Seamus Dunphy was the Scout who came up with this project for the residence.  Seamus began Scouting career as a Tiger Cub in first grade and will be going into the tenth grade next year.

The raised garden will give the elderly residents an opportunity to experience gardening once again. The garden is raised 36” off the ground and allows for wheel chair and walkers to fit underneath. Seamus incorporated the help of a number of local businesses to donate supplies for the project.

Two big contributors were Rain Barrels & More, 30791 Center Ridge Road, Westlake and Purely Hydroponic, 1507 Lear Industrial Parkway, Avon. Grodan provided the Grow Blocks and the Starter Plugs, Also, General Hydroponics provided the nutrients to feed the growing plants.

The project is an example utilizing green technology with the rain barrel and hydroponic flood tables for the garden. There is no soil and the plants grow in a fibrous martial called Grodan, surrounded by small water absorbing pellets called Hydroton.

The design of this "high-tech" garden has all the seniors talking! 

A special Thanks to the Scouts from Westlake BSA Troop 208 and The Emerald Village Independent Living Community.