Free vegetables

Winged Deer Park in Johnson City has several raised vegetable beds as part of their community garden.  Currently they have growing a large number of tomato plants of various varieties, including some very nice heirlooms.  In addition, they have some great-looking squash along with cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, melons, and even corn.  As if that were not enough, there is an absolutely beautiful thornless blackberry bush, which is just loaded with ripening blackberries.  This community garden, which is also a certified Master Gardener site, is free and open to the public.  Anyone interested in free -- yes, FREE -- vegetables for their family need only to spend some time helping weed and keeping the beds cleaned.  Most community gardens will charge a rental fee, but this is not the case at Winged Deer Park. 

In these tough economic times, many families are growing their own vegetables.  However, not everyone has a place to grow fresh vegetables.  This community garden at Winged Deer Park offers area families a chance to serve fresh vegetables at mealtimes.  In addition, these same families are saving money.  These wonderful fresh vegetables will not cost them any money whatsoever.  Brad Jones, the naturalist at Winged Deer Park, only asks that those interested in sharing in the bounty contribute a bit of their time helping to maintain the beds.  Right now, children who are participating in the camps at the park are working in the gardens.  [See Dena's Excursions for more information and photos.]  They are also benefiting from their labors by harvesting some of the vegetables and taking them home to their families.  Other area residents could be receiving the same benefits.  In addition, this is a great project for the entire family.  Children can learn valuable lessons from working in these gardens, and parents and children can spend some quality time together.  Furthermore, they will be helping to maintain a community garden that was originally designed with the purpose of benefitting all members of the area. 

Winged Deer Park receives very limited funds from the government for its work concerning the community garden and is, therefore, very dependent upon volunteers.  It cannot be emphasized enough that volunteers are needed desperately for this community garden, so that this project can continue and flourish.  This is one time, too, that volunteering does have tangible rewards.  Volunteers in the community garden are encouraged to take some of the vegetables for their own use.  These volunteers are not only giving back to their community, they are also saving themselves money by not having to buy fresh produce.

Anyone interested in the community garden may contact Winged Deer Park at:  423-283-4815.  Winged Deer Park is located on the Bristol Highway in Johnson City, TN.  For additional information about the park, you may visit their web site at:  Winged Deer Park. 

Be sure to visit my garden at Dena's Garden and to follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Digg.  If you have any gardening questions or information on any upcoming gardening events, just send me an email at dena.bolton@gmail.com.  Also, you can send me your name and email address so that I may keep you informed of new gardening articles and any gardening events which may be of interest to you.