For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things.”
~ Zechariah 8:12
We are excited that our third summer with the Sue Sumner Herb Garden is underway. Located on the back of First Presbyterian Church’s campus (by the horse barns), the herb garden partners with The Cookery to grow herbs for use in their Saturday-morning meals. This season we are growing basil, dill, chives, rosemary, lavender, thyme, sage, parsley, and mint (along with zinnias, because who doesn’t love those?). It is such a joy to be able to dig in the dirt right here on the campus, and we’d love for you to join us!
How can I dig in?
Volunteer: Our garden will require a lot of love! Gather a friend, your family, your small group, a group of friends, or just yourself, we need it all! Don’t have a green thumb? Don’t worry, green thumbs not required. Interested in joining us? There’s a watering can with your name on it. Contact Ashley Higgins for more information. We’d love for you to come tend the garden with us!
Donate: If you want to donate herbs (plugs preferred over seeds), we are in need of lemongrass, rosemary, Italian flat leaf parsley, lavender, tarragon, chives and basil. We are also in need of tools (new or gently used) like kitchen scissors, hand shovels, garden gloves, and salad spinners. Please contact Ashley Higgins if you have any of these items to donate. If you would be willing to donate financially toward the cost of this year’s seeds and seedlings, please write a check to First Presbyterian Church, Nashville with “Herb Garden” as the memo.
Who was Sue Sumner?
Sue Sumner was a First Presbyterian Church member and lived next door to our church for almost 50 years! She had a love for horticulture and gardening. She cultivated an herb garden with over 150 species which she proudly shared with friends and horticultural organizations. Sue was also a founding member of the Herb Society of Nashville. Her daughter, Kim Hardin, and her family are current members of our church now. We are proud to name the Community Herb Garden in Sue’s memory, and we hope that will our church working together that we can cultivate a garden half as beautiful as hers!
What is The Cookery?
The Cookery is a Nashville restaurant focused on training formerly homeless students and equipping them with culinary techniques to prepare them for employment in Nashville’s food industry. In addition to operating The Cookery, the employees there serve breakfast to the homeless each Saturday morning in a partnership with Downtown Presbyterian Church.
