Pictured, Marge Nichols of Tomball tends to her plants. Nichols said she has been gardening at the Helping Hands Community Garden for four seasons. Photo by Justin Elbert

The Helping Hands Community Garden, located behind the West Montgomery County Community Development Center (CDC), at 31355 Friendship Drive, has been in operation since March of 2000 and in that time has helped hundreds of families learn basic gardening skills.

The garden’s director, Judy Rose of Tomball, is the leader behind the community garden.

“The garden is totally organic and is free for the public to use,” Rose said.

Beds are free to use in the garden, as are the supplies. The only thing Rose asks is that you garden your bed regularly and also spend at least one hour a month doing general maintenance in the garden.

The garden teaches the techniques needed to garden organically, kill fire ants organically and more.

She also said the garden is an approved location for working community service hours and encourages anyone needing service hours to call and schedule a time to help out.

The garden will be hosting its annual “Mega Garage Sale” April 3 and 4. Proceeds from the sale will be used to help offset the cost of a rainwater collection system Helping Hands’ wants to install at the garden. The fundraiser will be held at the Old Community Center, on 422 Melton in Magnolia from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Anyone wishing to donate to the sale may bring their items (plants, clothes, house wares, furniture, toys, books, magazines, crafts, etc) to the Old Community Center April 2 from 2 to 7 p.m. or on either day of the sale.

Rose said the garden wants a rainwater collection system because it “just makes sense.”

“We want the rainwater collection system so we don’t have to rely on the county for water anymore. The system will also save money,” Rose said, citing the cost of the garden having to operate its own well.

She added that the system would allow the garden to use “safe, untreated water.”  According to Rose, the water from the well is chlorinated and isn’t conducive to the “organic garden” atmosphere.

For additional information on the Helping Hands Community Garden, visit their website at www.magnoliatexas.org/helpinghands or contact Judy Rose at 281-356-8743.

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