Henry County, GA

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Gardeners planting seeds of hope
By Aisha I. Jefferson

As the second week of spring settles in, several Henry County gardeners will sink their knees into red clay to begin planting projects that will also benefit others throughout the county.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin will visit Henry County Tuesday morning as he plants the first vegetables of spring at the Heritage Village Community Garden at Heritage Park. 

The Heritage Village Community Garden at Heritage Park allows seniors who are at least 55 the opportunity to plant various vegetables that are healthy for them, socialize with fellow gardeners and exercise, Glenda Garris, president of Community Gardens of Henry County, the group that invited Irvin, said. Its gardening event will take place at 10 a.m. at Heritage Park.

"We wanted him to see what we were doing in Henry County with community gardening," said Garris. Tuesday will be the first time the agriculture commissioner has visited the Heritage Park garden, Garris said.

However, before Irvin joins the Community Gardens of Henry County, the Atlanta Community Food Bank will join the Henry County Master Gardeners Association Monday morning in a community garden to help plant a variety of vegetables that will go to local charities.

"I feel that when you garden and give back to your fellow human beings, it's a blessing," said Andrew Quintana, master gardener with the Henry County Master Gardeners Association.

The Food Bank will have volunteers along with those from Henry County 4-H and the Henry County Master Gardeners Association.

Meals on Wheels is one of the charities to which the Henry County Master Gardeners Association donate, Quintana said.

The garden is a year old, and at 50 feet by 120 feet, large by homeowner standards, said Quintana, who became involved with the garden through the Henry County Extension Services office.

"It's a very attractive garden," said Fred Conrad, community garden coordinator with the Atlanta Community Food Bank. "I give Andrew Quintana a lot of credit for doing a very nice job."

Because the vegetables are donated, Conrad said it is important to grow those that have a long shelf-life such as tomatoes, beans and peppers.

Like Quintana, Conrad said he enjoys gardening, and it is an activity he has been doing his whole life.

Conrad, who has been with the Food Bank for eight years, also said there is only one place to get really good tomatoes.

"If you really want a good tomato, you have to grow it," he said.

The Food Bank was founded 26 years ago and provides food and other donated items to more than 750 non-profit partner agencies.

The Henry County Master Gardeners Association will work in its community garden from 9 a.m. to noon Monday at the garden behind the Henry 

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