Once someone reaches retirement they can enjoy the hobbies that once were neglected by a career.
Now there is time for knitting, reading or scrapbooking.
John Richards’ hobby, gardening, has grown into a full-time activity.
Gardening was a staple in his childhood. His green thumb appeared when he was 12 years old and he managed a garden for his 4-H project. In 1976 he moved to Oregon to pursue a business venture. His Kansas homecoming in 2009 was brought on to take care of his mother.
Back in Kansas, Richards looked for something to keep him busy. The Kansas State Southwind Extension District offers a Master Gardening Program and in 2010 Richards decided to enroll.
“I thought I knew a lot about gardening until I took the course,” Richards admits with a chuckle.
The volunteer program gives classroom training for volunteer time. Richards said he must put in 15 hours of volunteer time to keep up with his certification. Master Gardeners help county agents spread information in communities. His mentor is Extension agent, Krista Harding.
As part of his volunteer hours, Richard teaches youngsters at SAFE BASE, USD 257’s after-school program. Being around children is not a foreign concept for Richards. He is the grandfather of 19.
SAFE BASE has a garden on Lincoln Street, where Richards instructs the kids on how to plant, fertilize and maintain the produce.
Richards said the kids love getting their hands dirty and trying new foods. “It’s enjoyable for me, too.”
On top of gardening with the SAFE BASE kids, Richards has a garden at home and plots at the Elk Creek Community Garden. Through K-State, Richards is working on field trials on hot peppers and sweet peppers at the community garden. K-State provides a variety of peppers designed to create a new pepper.
“I don’t have names for them; they are just test numbers,” Richards said. “Last year they tasted like mowed grass.”
The plants are still in the early stages of growth. Cold weather this spring pushed back planting dates. There are six plants of each variety. He plants them in blocks so the plants will support each other when they grow. Richards said another Master Gardener is growing tomatoes for K-State.
The buckets of rain the area has received recently has been helpful in the gardens’ growing process.
“I enjoy raising it and watching it grow,” he said.
