The Gardens Where We Gather

Master Gardeners work together to maintain a community garden. | Photo Credit: Alan Hale

By Mary Sirgo, Permian Basin Master Gardeners

When we talk about gardening, most of us picture spring wildflowers, summer storms, and the Texas sun warming our shoulders. But anyone who’s spent time in a community garden knows its impact stretches far beyond one season. These spaces don’t just grow plants, they grow connections. And that work doesn’t stop when winter settles in.

Even as the beds go quiet and the soil rests, the community around it keeps moving. Community gardens are gateways for people who may not have the space (or sometimes the confidence) to garden at home. They make stewardship feel welcoming instead of intimidating. And they remind us that everyone, from first-time gardeners to folks who’ve been tending soil for decades, has something valuable to offer.

Winter tasks aren’t usually anyone’s favorite. Scrubbing tools or repairing a splitting garden bed doesn’t quite have the same sparkle as harvesting tomatoes while pollinators buzz around you. But when you’re doing it side by side with people you trust, the work takes on a different meaning.

This is the season to clean and care for your tools: brush off the dirt, wash with soapy water, dry them thoroughly, disinfect with alcohol, remove rust with vinegar, and lubricate them to keep them in good shape. It’s the time to sketch out what you want your shared garden to look like next year and decide who’s taking on which roles. And when the weather cooperates, it’s a great window to repair beds, borders, gates, and anything else that needs a little attention.

It’s also the perfect time to slow down together. Swap seeds, share recipes built around last season’s harvest, or gather for a warm drink and talk about what you’re excited to try next year. Winter engagement isn’t about productivity; it’s about continuity. It’s about staying connected to the land and to each other, even when the days are short, and the soil won’t give much back.

Community gardens are one of our last true “third spaces”, places where neighbors meet as equals, where generational knowledge flows, and where environmental care becomes a shared responsibility rather than a solitary chore. They strengthen neighborhoods, nurture pride, and serve as living reminders that conservation starts locally and grows outward.

In winter, a garden isn’t dormant. It’s just teaching us something different. These are the gardens where we gather. And the communities we cultivate there? They’re what make the whole thing thrive.

If you’ve ever thought about joining a community garden (or starting one) winter is the perfect time. Use these quieter months to plan, dream, gather your people, and map out the season ahead.

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700. Additional information and access to past articles are available at westtexasgardening.org under “Resources”.