MY NEIGHBORS GARDEN

I drove into the circular drive of church on Easter morning and although I had done it numerous times, the impact of the floral display greeting me added a bright new punch to the morning. I thought back to last fall when 10 volunteers planted over 800 bulbs on a drizzly cold day.  Everywhere you looked this Sunday morning, flowers brightened the landscape.

 As a member of Jacksonville Presbyterian, I knew about the work the volunteers had done in the gardens of my church. I started thinking about all the churches in Jacksonville that have garden volunteers putting in hours and doing the mowing, trimming, weeding, planting and often the donating of  plants.  This May column is a tribute to the unsung and silent church volunteers that add so much beauty to our community churches.

Jacksonville Presbyterian has two facilities, the “Old Pink” Historic church on California Street and the new facility in Pheasant Meadows.  When the new facility was built, the required landscaping went in.  Trees, shrubs, grasses, cedar trees, and groundcovers were planted with the vision that in years to come, the church would be set in a sea of natural soothing green, tucked among the surrounding fields and wetlands.  With planting done, the funding for all its maintenance was an issue to be reviewed each year.  A plan was hatched to have all the beds sectioned into “adopt- a- plots.”  A different family or individual would adopt a bed and keep it weeded, nurtured, trimmed and taken care of.  Most beds were well cared-for and if a bed was neglected it seemed the weeds would disappear and new soil was turned up!  What amazes me is that born gardeners can’t walk by a weed or a bush that needs attention anywhere, without stooping over and tweaking it.  Iris plants were added, a new plant would appear, and volunteers weeded, trimmed lavender, planted more and all the plots pretty much held their own.

Today, with established plantings, the professionals handle most care but volunteers still emerge.  Last fall, a volunteer decided to have a “bulb shower” and within a few weeks, over 1000 bulbs were donated from church members to add color to the church beds!   The volunteers, some cheering on, and some digging, planted away on that dreary cold wet morning last fall! Fast forward to Easter Sunday with a glorious spring show!  As I drove-in and noticed blooming rosemary to the left and the brilliant fuchsia-colored azaleas flanking the entry to the right, I was amazed at the results of those volunteer gardeners and the impact they had made.  At the entrance, sectioned mass plantings of daffodil yellows fan-out in a wheel around three large crosses with sea green tulips. The anticipation of continued color throughout spring was exciting, knowing that 800 bulbs were planted all over the grounds, and would be showing their glory in the weeks to come.  Hundreds of red tulips in random punches were already coming up within the ground cover closer to the church buildings.  Under a young tree by the main building, someone has placed an edging of pavers forming a cross and filled with shrubbery and red tulips.

Another volunteer group has adopted the beds surrounding the “Old Pink Church” as well.  Shrubs, worn from years, are being nurtured, pulled, replaced, or reshaped, to celebrate the historic church and to honor its history. With no budget, the team kicked into action dividing, sharing, moving, making phone calls to fellow gardeners, and hitting sales.  Soon, old-fashioned flowers of the past began filling the beds, Shasta daisies, pink iris, lemon thyme, and seeds of peach alyssum began filling the new cover of soil.  The journey continues as those beds evolve and the ongoing plan plays out.

Other churches are offering gardening gifts, too. Calvary Church on 5th street is another amazing volunteer story.  Pastor Brian Stellar said that in the ten years he’s been at this church, 10-12 volunteer gardeners have maintained the entire grounds. They vary and change, but the gardening group continues.  The benefit volunteer offer is not lost on him.  From mowing lawns, to trimming and plant care, to raking fall leaves, all is done by a group of dedicated volunteers.  New plants show up, usually donated by the volunteers, and the property continues to beatify the community.

What’s amazing about the impact of this type of volunteer work is that others see the work, and the wheels begin spinning… and another volunteer steps forward.  It’s in our blood! Rain or shine, we work in our gardens.  It is a joy.  We benefit not only from the beauty, but from the rewards and therapy gardening provides.  But for the hours of volunteer gardening on church beds and grounds, and the continued dedication that takes, I salute all of you.  Thank you for the beauty you provide, and the gifts you give to our community and the congregations you are part of.

Kay is the owner of Blue Door Garden Store, located at 155 N Third St.  Specializing in paraphernalia for the home gardener; she carries garden gifts, decor, and a wide variety of pots, tools, gloves, and organic product.