There's A Spot At The Harvest Of Hope Community Garden For You

MARIETTA, OH — You might have noticed a community garden on the back streets behind Big Lots. If you haven’t, at the intersection of Sixth and Hart Streets in Marietta there is a fenced-in garden where locals garden everything from tomatoes to hot peppers. This garden is through the Washington County Harvest of Hope, and you can be a part of it if you want.

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Theresa Efaw is the Assistant Garden Manager at the Harvest of Hope’s community garden. It’s free to anyone who wants their own little garden in Marietta. You just sign up for space and then, “You maintain your garden and plant vegetables.” They have both small plots of land and raised garden boxes. “All the ground spots are claimed, but we still have beds.” All you have to do is fill out an application. She says the older folks like the raised garden beds because they don’t have to bend down as far to tend to their plants.

But just because you apply and get a community garden lot doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want with it. “You have to help keep it clean and maintain it.” Efaw says they have clean-up days where they just casually clean up, chill and socialize. “You have to keep the weeds out.” She says this garden is great for people like her, who can’t have a garden at her house.

Whatever you grow in the garden is yours to do with what you want. However, many people choose to donate some or all of their fresh produce to those less fortunate. “We donate to the food pantries. You don’t have to, but if you have extra.” She says on days where the food pantries are closed, she and her sister will just put the produce they gather on a chair with a sign that says free. “Then people come along and pick it up.” They’re all about giving back.

She likes donating to the Gospel Mission on the Westside. “Because when you go there you don’t have to say ‘well this is how much money I make.’” You just go in and get what you need. “Because some of the places you go you have to say ‘this is how much money I make.’” She feels that if you’re going to a food pantry, it’s probably because you need it. “You don’t want to feel any lower not having a job and having a family.” She says some places make people feel lower because of all the questions, but not Gospel Mission. “You just go in and it’s hi how are you what do you need.”

Some people garden there themselves. Some families get their own space. Some families share a space. “If someone wants just a half a garden we can do that, just to please them.” Efaw says they work hard to accommodate the community here. The community gives back to them too. Last year the City of Marietta dropped off a load of dirt for them. Their water is even donated. “Mr. Huddleson here, he pays for it.” She says he owns a nearby RV park and his generosity is greatly appreciated. “I know it’s a lot. All these gardens here, they need a lot of water.”

New spots open up every year because farmers have to re-apply for gardening spots. But Efaw says as a tomato lover, it’s worth it.

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