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Twice a year, the Middle Georgia Master Gardeners hold their biannual plant sale, giving Middle Georgians the opportunity to purchase plants for their yards while raising funds for the organization at the same time.
The master gardeners have several ongoing projects in the area, including the trial gardens at Wesleyian College and the Junior Master Gardener program in local elementary schools.
One source of plants is the Seeds of Hope Gardens, located next door to the New Hope Center at the corner of Elbert Road and Story Road. Seeds of Hope is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to noon.
At Seeds of Hope, volunteers like to say, "We grow more than plants." That's because the beautiful plants that are grown at Seeds of Hope are secondary to the main goal of the nursery, which is to provide therapy to the clients of NAMI (National Alliance of the Mentally Ill).
"Being close to the soil and working with plants has therapeutic value," explained Cindy Spencer, volunteer and former board member at NAMI. "Horticulture has long been known to relieve tension, improve physical and mental conditions, and promote a sense of accomplishment and well-being."
According to Spenser, the first greenhouse at NAMI was dedicated in 1995, with the second being built a few years later. But in 2003, the gardens sat unused until Spencer and Pearlie Tackett volunteered to restore the gardens and began growing plants. "I had never worked much with plants in my life," said Spencer. "But we had a wonderful facility that offered employment for mentally ill people. I didn't want to see the gardens lost forever."
Seeds of Hope grows everything from vegetables to herbs to flowers. Their primary market is wholesale, but individuals are welcome to purchase plants also.