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By Kamryn Findlay
Program Manager, Extended Learning

When Karen Spackman began planning for her retirement, she had a clear goal: to enroll in a Master Gardener program. Her passion for growing food and flowers had been a part of her life since childhood, growing up in a large family with a garden.

In the early 2000s, Karen and her husband visited a local plant sale and noticed a community garden. Their tiny, north-facing backyard had its challenges, so they asked to join. 鈥淭hey welcomed us,鈥� Karen recalls. 鈥淲e gardened there every summer, and now I鈥檓 the coordinator.鈥�

Initially, their focus was on growing healthy food for themselves and their neighbors. Over time, it expanded to include donations to the local Food Bank. 鈥淚t felt great to share what we grew,鈥� she says.

However, tragedy struck when Karen lost her husband of 35 years in the fall of 2019. They had planned to retire together and enjoy their passion for gardening. The subsequent COVID-19 pandemic added to her sense of isolation.

鈥淚 had to reassess everything,鈥� Karen explains. To cope, she joined an online grief group and continued working until her retirement in spring 2021. During the pandemic, she connected with two other bereaved seniors at the community garden. 鈥淲e met every week, socially distanced, and it became a healing space for us,鈥� she shares. 鈥淕ardens truly promote emotional healing.鈥�

Gardening has always been important to Karen. 鈥淜nowing where my food comes from makes me feel self-reliant in this uncertain world,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 love experimenting and interacting with nature to grow interesting plants.鈥�

Through the Alberta Master Gardener Training Program, Karen experienced many enlightening moments. 鈥淚 had a real 鈥榓ha!鈥� moment while studying,鈥� she recalls. While working on a paper called 鈥淕ardening for Birds,鈥� she discovered the crucial role of native plants in supporting the food web. 鈥淔or years, I had bird feeders, but I never considered what birds eat without them,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t connected all the dots for me regarding the importance of native plants.鈥�

Another pivotal experience came during her first course, 鈥淪cience of Gardening.鈥� 鈥淟earning about soil health made me rethink my practices,鈥� Karen explains. It prompted her to convert her personal gardens to no-till and encourage others to do the same.

Now the Coordinator of the Mill Woods Wagner Community Garden, Karen is committed to improving the space. A mentor from the Master Gardeners Association of Alberta plans to visit this season to brainstorm ideas for enhancement. 鈥淭he mentorship program bridges the gap between learners and Certified Master Gardeners,鈥� she notes.

At Mill Woods Wagner, Karen oversees a garden for the 鈥業nteractions Class,鈥� which includes local high school students with autism. 鈥淭hey engage in picking and digging vegetables, which they then use to make soup,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 want to include more sensory plants and build on last year鈥檚 successes.鈥�

Karen also maintains a 鈥渃ountry garden鈥� on the outskirts of Beaumont, where she practices no-till gardening. 鈥淢ost of what I grow there is donated to friends, family, and the local Bread Run,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚 see it as my way of contributing to nutrition in my community.鈥�

Karen's 'country' garden near Beaumont

The Alberta Master Gardener Training Program opened new doors for Karen, introducing her to topics like fruit trees, pruning, and growing flowers from seed. 鈥淚t gave me enough information to explore these areas further,鈥� she says.

For those considering the program, Karen offers this advice: 鈥淔ind what interests you and expand on it. Keep notes, but focus on what sparks your curiosity. That will keep you engaged for a lifetime.鈥�

Karen's first attempt at a no-till garden in 2022.聽 From six plants, she harvested 59 spaghetti squash

鈥淲hat I love most is seeing the light in someone鈥檚 eyes when they start asking questions in the garden,鈥� she adds. 鈥淚t鈥檚 magical to watch that curiosity grow.鈥�

Through her journey, Karen Spackman not only cultivates plants but also nurtures a community, transforming grief into growth and sharing the joy of gardening with others.