When Gardens Grow More Than Vegetables

 

The doorbell rang, but by the time I got to the door, the only thing I could find was a bag full of tomatoes. I’m not sure which neighbor had reached out to share their bounty—it could’ve been any number of green thumbs on our block. It was a kind and generous gesture, and the tomatoes were beautiful. 

But I couldn’t help feeling like something was missing.

It wasn’t the tomatoes. It was the connection.

Sharing without contact, while appreciated, leaves something a bit hollow. It was a small moment, but it made me realize something bigger: our gardens have the potential to grow more than food—they can grow community, too.

In an age when most of us are more familiar with our neighbors’ cars than their names, garden abundance is a built-in excuse to knock on a door, linger on a porch, or strike up a conversation over the fence. A zucchini surplus can become a reason to talk. A basket of cucumbers might open the door to a story. A bag of tomatoes, hand-delivered instead of anonymously dropped, might become the beginning of a friendship.

There’s something deeply human about sharing the fruit of your labor. We see this clearly in the Bible, where food is never just sustenance. It’s hospitality. It’s communion. It’s invitation. Gardens, whether in Eden or in a suburban backyard, have always been places where God cultivates both growth and relationship.

So what if we saw our gardens not just as personal projects, but as community tools? What if we were intentional about sharing what we grow—not just the food, but the conversation that can come with it?

It doesn’t have to be complicated. A note with your name and address in the bag. A knock on the door and a smile. A question like, “Have you ever cooked with this before?” can turn vegetables into relationship seeds.

Of course, not everyone has a garden. But most of us have something we can share—time, talent, kindness. The principle is the same: the gifts we’ve been given are meant to be given away, not just dropped off but handed over with open hearts.

So next time your tomatoes come in by the dozen, don’t just leave them on a doorstep. Ring the bell. Say hello. Let the garden do what gardens do best—bring life. Not just to the soil, but to the soul next door.

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or burtond@missouri.edu. You can also visit his website at https://engagedneighbor.com.