As the fall season has come, we reflect on our garden across the creek. In this the third year of Trinity’s community garden, we had 24 plots: 12 of these belonged to neighbors who lived nearby (five of whom were new to the program this year); and 12 plots were planted and tended by Trinity members. Many different types of vegetables were grown—all organically. Each gardener ate, froze, dried, or canned their produce. Many pounds were also given away! Each participant was thrilled to be able to share some of the bounty with which God blessed us.

One of the men reflected: I really enjoyed working in the garden this year—weeding not so much... I would like to know what was eating all of my beets. I’m not sure if it was a bug or a critter. I also ended up having bugs in my beans; ended up pulling them and replanting. I used Pastor Gerry’s spray which worked well. I enjoyed seeing all of the different vegetables growing—and particularly the unique ways that they were planted. I would still like to know how one gardener got tomato plants to grow to over six feet tall!

For everyone involved there was appreciation in getting to know our neighbors. There was fun in seeing the different ways that people garden, what they choose to grow, and how they cultivate the plants. It was funny to see where spilled seeds took root (mistakes can be good, too—stray potato or tomato plants pop up as a bonus).

O, and a gardener with the oversized tomato plants shared a tip. Tomato and pepper plants love powdered milk in the soil when transplanting, and then on top of the soil every couple of weeks. When you see tomatoes beginning, put a bit of sugar in the soil (we all like a little sugar on tomatoes, right?). As for getting rid of some buggy pests the suggestion is a cayenne pepper/water spray. If you have an ant problem, set out some Cream of Wheat.

During October the garden is tilled and winter rye is planted. The rye then comes up again in the spring and hangs on until we till up the garden again in preparation for our 2012 plots. Rye puts needed nutrients back into the ground. The two large compost bins filled during the summer are then tilled into the garden. In the spring, turkey poo will also be an added a fertilizer. This combination surely makes great soil conditions.

One person observed, with all of our talk of planting vegetables, when we planted tomatoes are we really introducing a fruit, too?

Friendships established. Tummys fed. And, all to the glory of God. Observation made: “Cannot wait until next year!”

A gardener presented this perspective:

We had joy, we had fun,

During our season in the sun;

We had bugs, we had weeds, way beyond our needs.

But, most of all,

We had joy, we had fun, during our season in the sun.