Garden workday at library harbinger of springtime
By Laura Collins
Published in News on March 14, 2010 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MITCH LOEBER
Carol Parker, left, and her granddaughter Naideja Parker, 6, volunteer to pull weeds from the Wayne County Public Library during the library's Spring cleaning of the community garden on Saturday.
Taking a look around the community garden Saturday morning, Shorlette Ammons was happy with what she saw.
Not only was the community garden at Goldsboro Library getting prepped for a new season, but the "Spring Workday" brought out a variety of people, ranging in ages and backgrounds, willing to help.
"What it looks like out here today, is what we had envisioned for the community garden when we started it four years ago," said Ammons, head of children's services at the library.
Starting shortly before 9 a.m., adults and children began weeding, setting up a weed barrier and clearing the pathways.
Ammons said the community garden has a few goals, one of which is bringing people together.
"Part of the library's mission is to create spaces where people can come together and learn about different cultures," she said.
Ammons said the community can help decide what to plant. They are starting with carrots, beets, radishes, broccoli, cabbage and spinach to start with.
"The idea would be similar to the library. People come in and lend the time and in turn can harvest anything we grow," she said.
Brenda Wilkens and Connie Kammler, both Master Gardener volunteers, said they came out to help Saturday morning because they enjoy spending time in the garden.
"It's been a good learning experience for the children. They've already found worms and ladybugs," Kammler said. "This is good for the community too because they'll have somewhere to get vegetables that are locally and organically grown."
Rose Arrunategui brought her daughter and a friend to help with the gardening.
"I knew the girls would want to do activities and this is a fun activity," she said. "We like to learn extra stuff and we're learning a lot here."
The library will continue having community garden workdays at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month. For more information contact Shorlette Ammons at 735-1824 ext. 5104 or by e-mail at shorlette.stephens@waynegov.com.