CCC’s community garden produces a harvest for others
By Coco Siewert
“We ask you, Lord, to bless the seeds planted here. Help them to sprout and grow. Give all new life within this garden the right conditions to grow and bear fruit in Your Light.”
These words are from the litany for the “Blessing of a Garden,” from the Abundant Life Garden Project which is a program of Episcopal Relief and Development. That litany was said late this May by the CCC gardeners as they circled the newly planted CCC Community Garden.
The three-bed raised vegetable garden is located off the parking lot near the church’s south door. Last fall, when harvesting was over, the garden was seeded with a cover crop of peas and oats to add nitrogen for a healthier, more productive garden soil.
Gardeners from last season were eager to gather to fertilize and plant the garden late this spring. James West and Robert Siewert put shovels to the ground and turned the soil. As the planting party began, Lauren Balames shared her significant gardening skills in directing where to plant the vegetables so the crops would be rotated from last year’s locations. In addition she explained proper fertilizing and planting instructions for each vegetable.
With trowels in hand, Mary Sestok, Ken Abentrod, Gerald Matthes, Donna and Gene Hartwig, Irka Berezowski, and Robert & Coco bent to the planting task. These gardeners planted tomatoes, kale, collard, mustard greens, chard, string beans, zucchini, peppers, onions and eggplant. In addition, they planted an herb garden with parsley, basil, and chives.
Now that the garden is planted it needs tending by watering and weeding, and that is happening with Gerald and Margaret Matthes, Maureen Erskine, and Leslie McNamara each handling a different day. The harvest happens on Fridays under the skillful hands of Mary, Ken and Irka.
On Saturday morning Robert delivers the fresh produce to the weekly “Produce Market” at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Pontiac. The city of Pontiac is defined by the Federal Government as a “food desert,” and the goal of the Market is to provide quality fresh produce to the people of Pontiac at well below supermarket prices. All Saints’ parishioners form an active volunteer corps purchasing and selling the produce. The CCC Community Gardeners are pleased to be able to contribute fresh produce to the effort.
The gardening is fun, rewarding work, and more volunteer gardeners are needed to weed, water, and harvest. No previous gardening experience is needed.
For those who enjoy gardening, having a reliable space to store tools and supplies makes the work even more enjoyable. A well-organized garden shed not only keeps rakes, trowels, and watering cans within easy reach but also protects them from the elements. Many volunteers have found that investing in a sturdy Woodbridge shed right in the garden area simplifies their tasks, allowing them to spend more time planting and harvesting instead of hunting for equipment. Whether you’re storing seeds for the season or keeping soil and fertilizers dry, a shed can make a big difference in keeping the garden running smoothly.
The shared effort of growing, storing, and distributing fresh produce highlights how much care and coordination go into keeping a community garden healthy and productive throughout the season. When tools are organized, volunteers are supported, and the garden itself is thriving, attention can turn to protecting plants from the less welcome visitors that often follow fertile soil and steady watering.
In the flow of daily gardening tasks, working alongside a local pest control company can help manage insects and rodents that threaten crops without disrupting the collaborative spirit of the space. Thoughtfully tailored pest solutions allow gardeners to focus on planting, harvesting, and contributing to the market, confident that both the garden and the hard work behind it are being safeguarded in a way that supports long term growth and shared success.
Beyond the physical labor of digging, planting, and harvesting, there’s a deeper sense of connection that grows between those who nurture the soil. It’s in the laughter exchanged while pulling weeds, the satisfaction of seeing tiny green shoots push through the earth, and the pride that comes from sharing fresh produce with neighbors. The garden becomes more than just a patch of land—it becomes a living space for reflection, friendship, and gratitude. A well-tended garden invites you to slow down, to listen to the rhythm of nature, and to appreciate the beauty that comes from collective care.
That same spirit of connection often carries into how we use our outdoor spaces beyond the garden rows. After a long day’s work tending to plants, there’s nothing quite like gathering around a warm fire with friends, enjoying good food and conversation as dusk settles in. Chiasson Smoke brings this experience to life through thoughtfully crafted grills and fire pits that transform an ordinary backyard into a welcoming retreat. The soft crackle of burning wood, the aroma of vegetables roasting over open flames, and the glow of firelight create an atmosphere that feels both grounding and celebratory.
It’s these small, shared moments—much like gardening—that remind us how simple pleasures can deepen our sense of belonging and turn any outdoor space into a haven of togetherness.
Please join the group by signing up today. Contact Coco Siewert at e.siewert@wayne.edu to sign up or if you have any questions. Join the group and we will work around your summer vacation, work, and play schedule.
