Garden of the Month - Planting Seeds, Growing Faith (Advent Lutheran Church Community Garden, Arlington)

For the past 5 years or so, Advent Lutheran Church in Arlington has been developing a community garden with the help of several community partners.  Currently there are 7 raised beds that have been built by local Boy Scouts and Eagle Scout projects.  Other school and youth groups have also contributed at various times.  There are 3 other growing beds, several fruit trees and a compost pile.  For the past several years there has been an ongoing relationship with the Tucker Head Start Center of the Tarrant County Child Care Associates.  Families and staff from the Head Start Center help to plant, maintain and harvest produce grown in the garden.  The produce from the garden is shared with the families at the Head Start Center.  This year Advent received several flats of seedlings including tomatoes, squash, peppers and broccoli through the Tarrant Area Food Bank which were shared with the Head Start Center.  The goal of this partnership is to offer an opportunity for pre-school children and their families to experience the planting, growth and harvest of fresh vegetables; particularly when they have a limited opportunity for this experience.

Maintaining a garden is a constant challenge.  There is a small group of church members who loyally weed and water the beds.  For more information about this garden or how you may help, please contact Karen Riley: kriley18@outlook.com.