Community garden ready for volunteers

Work has begun on Albany’scommunitygarden for this year with organizer RambyAnderson invitinglocalresidentsto join in the activity.

The garden occupies approximately 4,000 square feet behind the Ramco Insurance building at 9 S. Main St. just outside Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

“We got our seeds in early,” Anderson said. “We’vegottomatoes,peppers, squash, zucchini, okra, beans, and peas. It’s always an experiment, but we got some good rain and got things in early. Hopefully, we’ll have a good crop.”

Anderson said a mild winter should help, but the gardening doesn’t always wait for ideal weather conditions.

“It usually ends up being when people are available as opposed to what the soil temperature is or anything like that,” he said. “Hopefully, getting on it early is going to mean success this year.”

Anderson, who currently has three volunteers, has been working withtheprojectforseven years. He said anyone wanting to take part can contact him. All ages are welcome to join in.

“When my kid was back in day care, we used to get kids over and they would plant some stuff,”hesaid.“Ofcourse, they’ve lost interest and don’t care about harvesting vegetables.”

Anderson said the project is as much about personal fulfillment as producing food.

“I’m in it for the exercise and the fellowship,” he said. “I enjoy harvesting andgivingstuffaway. It’s here if anyone wants to participate.”