Ghost of Midnight

#VT gardeners pitch in to help neighbor in need

Robin posted this on Westford’s Front Porch Forum yesterday…

Dear friends, neighbors, and fellow gardeners – I have been an avid gardener for years. But last fall I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I am undergoing chemotherapy treatment every four weeks, which leaves me feeling very weak and sick. So this year I will not be working in my gardens. (I will try to grow some vegetables in containers on my porch, though – I HAVE to have a garden!)

So, my greenhouse and raised beds will lie fallow this season. And I need help to put my garden beds to sleep. I would like to have fertilizer put on the greenhouse beds and cover them with weed mat and my raised beds covered with weed mat before the spring weeds start growing.

The greenhouse has three raised beds that are 4′ x 18′. The outside garden has fifteen raised beds that are 4′ x 4′. All the work could probably be done in one Saturday morning.

Is there anyone – teen or adult – who would be interested in helping me put my garden beds to sleep this spring? Once I find a willing gardener, we can discuss compensation.

Followed by her posting today…

Thank you so much to all my neighbors – many of whom I have never met – for all the offers to help me with my garden! There has been an overwhelming response to my request for help, and as I told some folks already, it truly humbles me and warms my heart! What a community we have – I treasure it!

I have accepted an offer from a local 4-H group to help with the job, so I wanted everyone to know that my need is being met. And again I want to thank all of the kind folks who have offered to help me. It was extremely kind and generous!

She does live in a wonderful town, full of good neighbors.  And so do most people in most places.  The challenge is unlocking that neighborliness in this era or busyness, individual isolation, and distraction.  Reading stories like Robin’s above gives me heart that FPF is succeeding in fulfilling its mission… helping neighbors connect and build community.