Town's Community Garden Needs Volunteers

The Parks & Recreation Department is putting out a call for volunteers to help with the town's first community garden.

A few "cold weather" plants are already in the ground, thanks to participants in the recent "Gardening 101" workshops, but there's a full garden that needs to planted and taken care of, said Director Larry Bailey.

"Even if it's just an hour a week, whatever time you have, we'd like you to come out and join us," Bailey said. "We're ready to go right now, and it's going to be an ongoing thing."

The garden is located at the new Clayton Community Center on Amelia Church Road. It includes a tilled area, as well as several soil-filled containers built through an Eagle Scout program. Bailey said organizers need help with all the gardening chores, including planting, watering, weeding and harvesting.

If enough volunteers come together, the town could qualify for a $3,000 grant through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Insurance company to help with expenses.

"It's an educational tool as well," Bailey said. "We're developing a place where groups and individuals can see different growing techniques. It should be educational and fun, too. Experience in gardening is optional, but a desire to get outside in the fresh air and get your hands dirty is required!"

At different times during the summer, experts from the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Service and other agencies will join in to teach and help, Bailey said.

For more information or to volunteer, please give Bailey a call at 919-553-5777.