The Rev. Phil Beck likened the Tarentum community garden to a mini-farm that provides fresh, free produce to anyone.

But farms need lots of labor to yield healthy crops.

Beck encourages people to get their hands dirty and turn out for spring prep day, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 9 at the Greg Blythe Friendship Garden near Dreshar Stadium.

“It is an important way to start the new season off on the right foot,” said Beck, pastor of First United Presbyterian Church of Tarentum, which has been involved in the garden since its start eight years ago.

Volunteers will tend to raised beds, plant seeds, move some of the current plants and add mulch to the pathways. There are also plans to replace the shed and add benches for people to sit and socialize.

Anyone can volunteer, but they are asked to bring their own tools and gloves.

The garden first sprouted in 2015. It is a partnership with First United, Abundant Joy Fellowship and the borough and is run by a group of dedicated volunteers in the local community and beyond.

The property has been able to flourish each year with the simple goal of providing fresh fruits and vegetables to anyone in need.

In 2019, it was named in honor of Blythe, a former pastor of Abundant Joy Fellowship who died in 2018 at the age of 62.

Notably, there are no fences around the perimeter of the garden because, as Beck said, the mission is to “grow community.”

Volunteer Gretchen Brauch said opening day is always “super exciting.”

She sees the time as a learning experience for her children, who enjoy helping pull weeds or plant seeds.

“We go there as often as we can,” Brauch said, “and I think it helps give them a sense of giving back to the community, but also helps them realize that there are some people who don’t have enough to eat at home and this garden provides for them.”

Over the years, a garden planning committee has reviewed successes and failures to move the garden beds forward most productively.

This spring, crops will include spinach, Swiss chard, cabbage, peas, lettuce and radishes, among others.

Volunteers will be tasked with building four new raised beds to replace ones where the lumber has worn out.

“The garden is a labor of love for many in our community,” Beck said. “Each year we look forward to the possibilities and promises found in the community garden. It is a space where all are welcome.”

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