Recovery Garden recovers after decline

SUPERIOR – For one Superior man and woman, a garden helped them recover from years of substance abuse.

After a few years of decline and decreased output, the garden itself has recovered after one of its caretakers returned this year after a hiatus due to health concerns. Richard Halseth said he credits the garden with helping him stay clean and sober for the last five years.

“We started this garden five years ago and it’s been a major part of my recovery from alcohol and drugs,” Halseth said. “When I first came to the mental health center, I was in pretty bad shape. In fact, the people here were all in agreement, when I first came in, I wasn’t going to make it.”

Halseth said before he started the recovery garden, he had no experience in gardening. He said it has been an experience of learning, trial and error and a few missteps along the way. But now, the garden is expected to produce over a ton of food this year, most of which will go to the local food pantry.

Halseth said there are many reasons the garden helped him recover. He said being outside and having a goal of making something grow from what once was a vacant lot were a few of the ways it has helped.

“It feeds the soul,” Halseth said. “It keeps your hands busy. It keeps you busy and keeps your mind busy. I had some health problems last year and production was down but I think now we have it back on track.”

Halseth isn’t alone in his devotion to the recovery garden, to staying sober and in the belief that the garden played a vital role in doing so. His gardening partner, Maureen Hotchkiss, said when Halseth came down with health problems, she stepped in to keep the garden going.

Hotchkiss said being involved with the recovery garden helped prevent her from relapsing at a time when she was vulnerable.

“I had been in treatment for drug and alcohol abuse,” Hotchkiss said. “When I came home, I was recovering but I live alone. I wasn’t doing well all alone and I was thinking about using again. Someone mentioned the garden up here and I said OK, I like to garden and it has been a really good thing for me.”

Halseth said most of the fruits and vegetables in the garden including onions, tomatoes, squash, corn and watermelon will go to feed those less fortunate in the community. He said while over a ton will go to the local food bank, he will sell some produce to sustain the garden.

“I have to be able to buy seeds and other things,” Halseth said. “We’ve spent the grant money we had.”

Halseth said in addition to feeding people in the community, local children will also benefit from his and Hotchkiss’ green thumbs. He said the garden will provide an essential ingredient for a popular fall holiday.

“We grow pumpkins for the kids,” Halseth said. “They are doing really well. In October, the kids will be able to come and pick out their pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns.”