For recent community garden enthusiasts and longtime Elm Court residents Jill Warrington and Hilary Ziff, the community garden at Elm Court has become a source of connection, generosity, and creativity, along with a source of impressive harvests. Since moving into the senior affordable housing community developed and managed by Princeton Community Housing 12 and 17 years ago respectively, both residents have embraced the garden as a vibrant extension of home. Over the years, they have watched the garden flourish, and last summer, they helped bring its bounty to more residents in an inspiring new way.

When several garden plots went unclaimed in recent summers, Hilary, Jill, and a few fellow gardeners met with a supportive Elm Court staff member to brainstorm solutions. While the original idea of a full-fledged “farmer’s market” was considered, the group landed on a simpler and deeply personal initiative. Volunteers took on extra plots with the goal of sharing free vegetables and flowers with neighbors who were unable to garden themselves. Five or six times throughout the 2024 season, residents set up informal sharing tables in the lobbies of Elm Court and Harriet Bryan House. Fellow residents were invited to take a sample, maybe a handful of herbs, a mini head of lettuce, or a bouquet of fresh blooms.

Knowing that Elm Court is home to residents from diverse backgrounds, the gardeners took the extra step to print out translated signs about the produce into four languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, and Russian, using online tools and feedback from multilingual neighbors. The effort underscored a deep commitment to community-building. The gatherings became a joyful way to bring the garden inside and introduce residents to both the garden’s abundance and to each other.

Although no extra plots were available this year, with 48 of 49 garden beds fully assigned in 2025, three shared flower beds continue to beautify the space and provide blooms for lobby vases. Elm Court’s garden, originally gifted by a horticultural donor two decades ago, includes raised beds, wheelchair-accessible terraces, and a welcoming gazebo made possible by another generous benefactor. With the support of maintenance staff and a shared set of gardening guidelines, the space thrives as a peaceful refuge and lively hub. Jill reflected, “The value of such a garden space is incalculable… it brings joy, fresh air, fresh vegetables, and a deeper connection to the passing seasons.”