By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
At a tenants’ meeting a couple of months ago, Fleming Heights residents were asked if there was anything missing that the Salisbury Housing Authority might be able to provide.
Someone mentioned an outdoor grill.
Others said a picnic table.
But one idea really excited the room: How about a community garden?
Now almost a dozen residents are tending to their rows in a beautiful vegetable garden behind Fleming Heights, a 32-unit complex off Lash Drive for seniors 55 and older.
“This has been one of the best things,” Property Manager Glenda Hopkins said. “It has given them a chance to all work together.”
Just back from an extended weekend vacation, Barbara and Herman Vercher couldn’t believe Tuesday that they had squash ready for the picking.
“I love squash,” Barbara shouted, almost running toward her plants.
The Verchers also planted egg plant, cucumber, cantaloupe, tomatoes, green pepper, onions and okra. Because she likes flowers, Barbara added some marigolds at the end of her rows.
She delighted Tuesday in seeing two young cantaloupes starting to grow under their spreading vines.
Barbara helped with a family garden as a kid, but hasn’t done much gardening since then.
“When I’m in doubt,” she said, “I ask either Robert or Vernie.”
Robert Givens Jr. has to be considered the group’s master gardener. He said he first gardened when he was big enough to pick up a rake.
In the community garden, Givens has planted six rows of vegetables, including lots of corn, which is about waist high.
“I’ll get what I want, and anybody else can have what they want,” Givens said. “I just like to put it in there and see what it will do. … I about went berserk.”
Givens uses a calendar in his apartment to keep track of when things will be ready to harvest.
Vernie Hulon credited Miracle Gro for leading to his tomato plants that are taller than he is and the envy of his gardening friends.
“I was raised on a farm down in Dillon, S.C.,” Hulon said, trying to explain his green thumb.
His wife is in a nursing home but thrilled about her husband’s gardening.
“She said the first ripe tomato you have, you bring it to me,” Hulon said.
He also has planted jalapeno and bell peppers, squash and cucumbers ó all of which seem to be thriving.
Other Fleming Heights gardeners include Mary Shelton, Shirley Wyatt, Ronnie Collins, Thomas and Hattie Johnson, Helen Reeves and Patricia Corpening.
To get them started, members of the Salisbury Housing Authority maintenance crew came by one day and turned over soil to create the community garden plot, which has about 20 good-sized rows. The crew also added a good layer of top soil.
Residents bought their plants and seed from places such as Godley’s Garden Center, Rufty’s Garden Shop, Bernhardt Hardware and Lowe’s.
They rely on a hose for watering and their own tools for weeding. The spring cooperated nicely with plenty of rain.
The biggest challenge has been keeping out the wildlife.
The Verchers spread some liquid fence around the garden to discourage hungry animals such as rabbits and deer.
Givens also bought a device that emits a high-frequency sound to keep varmints away. He attached it to a nearby tree, and it has settings for animals such as deer, skunks, rabbits, squirrel and foxes.
Thomas Johnson blames crows for destroying some of his plants.
When Hopkins shows prospective tenants Fleming Heights for the first time, she touts the community garden as a new amenity.
“Some people get really excited about it,” Hopkins said.
At the next monthly tenants’ meeting, the Fleming Heights gardeners plan to have plenty of snacks.
Fresh from the garden.