Karen Ventura, Executive Director of New Opportunities Dallas County Development Center, was given the honor of cutting the ribbon to official open the garden at 2810 1st Ave in Perry.
The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, with representatives from Hy-Vee, who provided seeds and starting cuts, also present, as were members from New Opportunities in Carroll, who oversee a seven-county area for the non-profit group.
Vegetables grown in the garden are given to low-income and needy families from the local area, with some shoots and bulbs shared with local gardeners.
Volunteer Dave Oliveira explained that some harvesting had already been done.
“Spinach is a June plant, so we have already finished with it this year, and kale has been planted in its place,” he said. “I am hoping for a Christmas harvest of kale, because it does well in November and December and can be picked in the snow.”
Sugar snap peas and green beans were climbing skyward on the trellis in the garden, with the hot peppers, sweet peppers and carrots all doing well.
Both winter and summer squash are currently growing in their respective beds, with a goodly supply of beets, onions and cucumbers also busily turning sunlight into energy.
“The heavy rains we had did not sit well with the squash, but they are recovering,” Oliveria, who also volunteers at the Iowa Arboretum, said. “Now we are getting into hot weather and we have to keep on eye on things and water as needed.”
Students from the Woodward Academy were instrumental in providing labor during the early stages of the project, but now volunteers are needed to keep things running — or growing — smoothly.
“Anyone who volunteered would not have to put it too much time,” Oliveira said. “Having five or six people who would devote an hour or two a week would be perfect.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact New Opportunities at 465-5185.
For more on Ventura and New Opportunities, click here https://theperrynews.com/all-in-your-business-3/.
