Natalya’s backyard garden is full of beautiful vegetable and herb plants. This year, she is growing habaneros, jalapenos, cucumbers, tomatoes, cilantro, and parsley. Last July, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Gardens For Everyone program built Natalya a raised-bed garden box and helped her kickstart her gardening adventure. The Gardens For Everyone program helps local individuals and families access fresh and affordable produce right outside their own homes and experience the joy of growing their own food. Since its inception, this program has created more than 128 garden boxes!
The Gardens For Everyone project is for anyone interested in having a home garden in Wake or Durham County. Priority is given to low- to moderate-income households, as well as organizations in this area that want to grow food for their community. Applications are accepted year-round. We process applications on a wait-list system. To make the program accessible to all, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle has a pay-what-you-can policy with a minimum contribution of $25 from individuals or families. Because we have limited funding, we ask that you contribute as much as possible toward the full cost of materials and labor, which is $200 per bed. We ask that organizations pay the full cost of each bed. Those who can’t afford to pay are still encouraged to apply and we will cover the cost through scholarship.
Natalya’s garden illustrates that the program is not just for seasoned gardeners. She explains that she did not have any previous gardening experience: “I do not have a green thumb. I’m a city girl from Boston, we didn’t have a backyard growing up. It’s great for my little one, that he can grow up with a backyard.” Natalya says that her husband and son also love their garden, and that caring for it is a family activity.
When asked her favorite things about gardening, Natalya exclaims, “Everything! I just find gardening to be amazing. It’s like having a baby all over again. You get to plant it and watch it grow…The energy you give it, it will give back to you.” She adds that gardening will “push you to get out of your comfort zone a little bit.”
Natalya is quick to share the tips and tricks that she has learned in her two summers of gardening. She has taken three gardening classes with the Food Shuttle so far and learned about topics including preparing her bed for new seedlings and grid planting. She calls these classes “extremely helpful” and says she would like to take a class on controlling insects and other garden pests in the future.
“I think it’s a great program. I think what you all are doing is great for anyone and everyone,” Natalya says. “I tell everybody about it..”
To learn more about Gardens For Everyone, and to submit an application for your own garden box, visit our website. Garden on!
