The Sharing Garden in Marshall will harvest hundreds of plants this fall as it wraps up its second growing season.
“It’s truly a community effort,” said Berna Huber, a representative of the Spring into Marshall Committee. “Lots of people come from the area to help with the garden, planting, watering and doing general maintenance.”
Read more: Marshall “Sharing Garden” builds community
Over 500 hills of potatoes, 135 cabbage plants, tomatoes, herbs, peppers, corn and anything you think might be in the garden, probably is.
“It’s about making connections. When people come down here—whether it’s students helping in the store or neighbours dropping by — it brings us together,” said Huber.
“When students come here and help, they take something with them. Even if it’s just butterflies in their stomach, they feel something.”
The garden wouldn’t be possible without the support of multiple community partners.
Spring Joy, Bloomers, Mike’s Oilfield Services, Classic Oilfield, Pioneer Landscaping and many more provide business support in the form of watering, discounts, seeds and materials for the project.
The group’s vision for the area is to make it a go-to place for people in the community.
Helping hands
Huber stressed the garden is not a buy-a-plot garden but a true community garden. She explained the seven-member committees hopes anyone who takes food away in the fall will help bring it back to life next spring and summer, but it’s not a requirement.
Anyone interested in helping can contact the Spring into Marshall Group on Facebook.
“People connect here. One guy, he used to pass by, now he comes, cuts grass and helps in the garden,” said Huber. “When people see you’re doing this to give back and you’re teaching the community, it makes a big difference.
“It’s such a positive feeling. I feel good just being here.”
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