Norwich rallies together to grow gardens as part of COVID-19 response

By NORA DOYLE-BURR
Valley News Staff Writer

Jacqueline Springwater, of Norwich, Vt., moves soil delivered to her home one bucket at a time on May 15, 2020. Springwater, 86, is growing a garden this summer for the first time because travel is limited due to the coronavirus pandemic. Springwate…

Jacqueline Springwater, of Norwich, Vt., moves soil delivered to her home one bucket at a time on May 15, 2020. Springwater, 86, is growing a garden this summer for the first time because travel is limited due to the coronavirus pandemic. Springwater will be growing herbs and greens for dishes she likes to cook.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new hobby is taking root for Jacqueline Springwater.

The 86-year-old retired arts consultant is one of at least 100 Norwich residents to join a town-wide effort to plant “victory gardens” this year.

As she spoke by phone last Thursday, she was preparing to fill her new raised bed with a recent delivery of topsoil and gearing up to don her new gardening hat and gloves from Gardener’s Supply.

“I’m playing garden,” she said. “The reality of playing in the dirt is ahead of me. The anticipation is so much fun. It’s a new adventure at an advanced age.”

Springwater is one of many people around the country who are taking up gardening for the first time this year, or whose interest in growing food has been deepened by the pandemic.

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