Preparing the garden for recovery

On Saturday county residents gathered at the Recovery Garden in Superior to participate in the annual garden planting party.

The party takes place at the beginning of each summer in an effort to not only begin transplanting and watering this year’s crop but to help the small team of regular volunteers at the garden with projects they normally wouldn’t have the manpower to accomplish – this year’s main project being dismantling a large greenhouse made of PVC pipe. However the number one reasoning behind the day is raising awareness.

“We are hoping to give everybody an opportunity to be aware of the garden and what we do,” Jennie Grace said. “It’s a good way to kind of give back to the community.”

According to Grace the goals of the recovery garden are two-fold – one being an invaluable tool in the efforts of residence to recover from addiction and mental illness and the other being to raise fresh produce to donate to the county Food Shelf.

“The hope is that we get people to eat healthier and incorporate that into their diet – maybe get people inspired to start their own garden,” Stephanie Quick, Adult Case Manager at Western Montana Mental Health Center, added.

“The overall picture is that this is a Recovery Garden for mental illness and addiction. It’s about getting out here and doing something healthy and positive for themselves.”

Throughout the day, the team of volunteers worked to prepare the garden for planting – enjoying the warm sun as well as the company of fellow volunteers.

“We want people to come here and find healthy avenues for spending their time and the fellowship with other people who are doing something healthy with their lives,” Grace said.

Grace added that engaging in fellowship with other people while participating in a healthy activity that gives back to the community is an important first step on the road to recovery.

“There’s something life giving about planting a good seed and seeing something good come out without it being a selfish thing but a selfless thing,” Grace said. “That is huge in recovery.”

Both Grace and Quick mentioned the garden is open to anyone who would like to work in it – stating that anyone interested could stop by anytime to “get dirty” helping out.

“There’s always weeding to do,” Grace said.

The Recovery Garden was founded four years ago by Richard Hasleth – who at the beginning of his journey to recovery form alcohol dependency as well as mental illness inquired about the vacant lot across from the Western Montana Mental Health Center.

The inquiry has turned into a great success, yielding both thousands of pounds of fresh produce for the Food Shelf as well as a fresh start for residents on the road to recovery.

All of the produce raised in the garden is given to the county Food shelf.

Every Friday from 10-12 and 1-3 in the vacant lot across the street from S and S in Superior county residents can come and get fresh produce free of charge.