Photo courtesy of Wayland Community Garden.

Free produce, fresh air, and a chance to get to know new people, all are benefits of the Wayland Community Garden.

All ages are invited to volunteer at the garden, located across from WACO High School in the new housing development, on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m. The local church organizers have expanded the garden this year to plant a greater variety of vegetables which volunteers can take home for no charge. Recent precipitation has made for a successful growing season so far, as they already have radishes and asparagus harvested.

Volunteer Anita Swartzendruber shares why she helps in the garden, “I really like fresh things, they’re really healthful for one thing, and tasty. And it helps with your grocery bill, gee, if you don’t have to buy that produce in the summer. And also for me it’s good exercise and it’s a social time.”

Residents can help plant, weed, and harvest, learning from veteran gardeners and then get to take fresh produce home. For updates on the garden visit the Wayland Community Garden Facebook page.