A little gem of a garden will awaken from its winter’s nap when fourteen, or so, volunteers of the Garden Ministries begin to till the soil in January and plant healthy vegetables and fruits raised from either seeds or plant slips.

Nestled in the acreage of the 1^st United Methodist Church of Richardson, a winter Green House stands watch over five raised beds that will soon produce such garden varieties as okra, sweet potatoes, squash, kale, watermelon and cantaloupe.

A brimming salad bowl of lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and green beans cap off the produce that this small plot of land will yield – last year alone, the garden produced over 1,000 pounds of produce, which was donated to the Network of Community Ministries in Richardson.

Developed and organized over five years ago by the members of the church, the volunteers, when not tending the garden, take field trips to other community gardens, exchange ideas with fellow gardeners, and expand on their knowledge of plant life.

In mid-March, the church members hold a tomato and herb plant sale as well as give tours of their thriving garden.   They also welcome all volunteers who want to get their hands in the soil for a most beneficial cause.

Please visit their Facebook page at Garden Ministry FUMCR for posted gardening articles, sales and events.  See you in the garden.