Something exciting is happening at The Giving Garden. It’s a sight we haven’t seen for several years.
Many of you know the story of how The Giving Garden started. After the congregation purchased the property and before construction of the church building began, Michael Jones saw plenty of unused land which seemed perfect for planting. He wanted to plant pumpkin seeds to grow pumpkins for the pre-school children at church. And he did. We don’t know how many pumpkins he grew or how large (or small) they were that inaugural year. But that was the humble beginning of what later became The Giving Garden.
When The Giving Garden was named, it was decided the focus would be to grow fresh produce to share with the hungry in our community. So, we grew things like tomatoes, corn, okra, and potatoes. Over the years we’ve had many successes along with a few crop failures. But a successful pumpkin crop has eluded us for many years……until this year!!!
Pumpkins are BACK!!!!
We often talk about Michael and the inspiration he laid for us. We feel confident he would be proud of all the various vegetables we now grow. We think he would be happy to know we are once again growing pumpkins, and with success. Whenever we see these pumpkin vines reach out into new soil, we feel grateful that Michael’s life on earth left a legacy that encourages us to reach out in new ways and to not be deterred by failures along the way.
RIP fellow gardener!
And The Giving Garden continues to grow….
See you in the garden,
Marie Hurley, Giving Garden Volunteer