BY AMANDA MOSES
Community members celebrated the start of the Autumn Solstice and the first community harvest at the Spring Creek Learning Garden on September 19th.
The garden, located behind 1430 Freeport Loop, was bursting with ripe vegetables and fruit, ready for the picking. Farmer Jesse pulled out his sheers, clipped fresh eggplant, lemon grass, peppers, and even chopped up a watermelon—all grown in Spring Creek Towers.
Passersby wandered into the event, surprised to what has been available in their very own backyard. Shernette Miller threw her hands in the air, jumping with excitement when Farmer Jesse offered her free produce planted by members of the SCT community.
“This is awesome! I walk around here during my lunch hour every day, and always wondering, who runs this. Last week, I scanned the QR code, registered online, and then came out to see the signs.” Miller said. “You don’t get to see this naturally grow out of the earth. This is awesome.”
Miller gushed and shared she always dreamed of having her own garden, feeling that the Spring Creek Learning Garden had made that dream a reality.
In addition to the enjoying the garden, attendees participated in workshops led by Field Meridians and Tea, Arts & Culture, sign making and learned how to make pickles.
Kelebohile Nkhereanye led the Tea, Arts & Culture workshop, where she discussed different types of teas and how drinking tea can be a meditative experience to the residents who attended.
“We are learning about the history of tea, and I love being able to share this knowledge with my community,” Nkhereanye said. “The garden is well taken care of and stands as a vibrant representation of the community. For me that is important because we have a diverse community and they to get to see themselves in that space and reflect on shared experience.”
Nkhereanye admired the harvest of okra, lemon grass and sweet watermelon. She hopes more locals stop by and take part in the community garden.
