New garden offers public appeal, variety testing

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

June 3, 2004 -- May 21 marked the opening of the Heritage Garden of Hunt County in downtown Greenville.

The garden is the result of joint efforts from several groups in the area. The Hunt County Master Gardeners are responsible for a significant amount of the garden project. The Master Gardeners are volunteers that are associated with the Texas Cooperative Extension. Master Gardeners receive 60 hours of training then to stay in the Master Gardener program, members are required to offer volunteer service back to the community.

Master Gardeners in the Greenville area decided to make the Heritage Garden of Hunt County part of their volunteer work. Plans for the garden began taking shape in 2002, and two years later the final product is being revealed.

"It's a culmination of a lot of hard work and dreams," said Master Gardener Barbara Brooks.

Master Gardeners, Extension agents, and community supporters gathered at the garden on May 21 to enjoy refreshments and listen to notable speakers.

Lamont Cunningham is a member of the Hunt County Master Gardener program. Cunningham spoke at the opening of the garden.  

"I feel a sense of joy that volunteers in cooperation with local governments can create the green spaces that we need in our communities."

Cunningham went on to say that he has visions of expanding the garden, but wanted to celebrate what has already been accomplished before planning the future.

The garden will be used for research as well as beauty. Several varieties of tomato plants are already being tested on the site. The tomatoes are being tested to see which varieties produce higher yields, which exhibits the best overall plant health, growth within wire fence cages, and growth without a cage support.

The general public can visit the garden, walk through, or sit and relax. The garden will offer a site for several education classes on topics such as irrigation and bed preparation.  

The garden floor is adorned with bricks from an old building that once stood where the garden now grows. The steps leading to the garden are the same steps that once led to a residence in the same location on Washington Street in Greenville.

The opening ceremony concluded with Master Gardener Kim Quimby cutting a garden hose as other Master Gardeners surrounded her in celebration.