Cary community garden a place for learning and sharing with those in need

A community garden at Cary’s Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church allows members to save money and gain valuable life experience.

Church members and community volunteers work together to increase the bounty of everything from asparagus to zucchini, depending on the time of year and the value to the the surrounding community.

Master gardener Rich Woynicz explained, "One reason we didn’t grow sweet potatoes is because they are relatively inexpensive compared to other things like peppers or tomatoes or herbs which can be very expensive."

Whatever they grow in their many boxed garden beds thrives, but only if carefully nurtured, says retired minister and garden ministry founder Willem Massink. "This place is so perfect because it has the sun for eight hours, nine hours a day."

Both men call it an outdoor classroom for all who want to learn.

"Give people an idea of what things to grow, how to grow it, what things do well and then how to start their own gardens," said Woynicz.

One garden bed is raised up on stilts. "This particular bed is for people on wheelchairs," said Massink. "So they can get the wheelchair under here and still work in the garden."

A central commitment of the garden is to donate healthy produce to those in need or to help others start their own backyard garden. Members donate hundreds of pounds of fruits, berries, herbs and vegetables within the community every year.

The goals may vary person to person says Woynicz. "(You can) supply food for your entire family. A lot of times it’s supplementing or it’s just the joy of growing food."

Woynicz added, "We also teach people how to start small. We have really small containers here that we show people you can do gardening in a very small (space), in a pot in your backyard, on your deck."

Massink says this garden mission is a great example of what a community-minded church is all about.

"Show the world that caring for your neighbor is important," Woynicz said.