Chris Wigent envisions all people learning how to grow their own food in their own yards. His garden, on Weeping Willow Lane, in Navarre, is a vibrant vision of all things green, even in March. Wigent’s love of gardening comes from his grandfather. Wigent did not enjoy the labor of his father’s garden, but his father’s father had much enthusiasm for gardening and shared it with his grandson. Wigent found he too, had a love of growing, harvesting and eating the garden’s yield.

Two years ago, he shared his organic vegetables from his side yard garden with others at a farmers’ market and began to invite people to his garden. That first year, he had more than 100 people visit and realized his passion for sharing his love of gardening with others. He says, “Gardening is infectious. There are many reasons why people want to grow their own food. It’s very fulfilling to inspire the people around me.”

Wigent offers one-on-one gardening classes in which he covers all the information needed to get started growing food; classes usually last from three to four hours. “This is a hands-on class, so participants should bring gloves and boots,” states Wigent. “This is not a classroom experience, although there is a lot of information, and I answer questions. We will stir a compost pile and build a four-by-six-foot cypress box that goes home with the participant to begin their own garden.”

Wigent notes the most common questions asked are about which plants will do well in this area, how to overcome sandy soil and what to plant each season. Says Wigent, “If you plan to have a garden this spring, you need to start your preparations now.” His own preparations include expanding his garden to the front yard; Wigent has installed 21 four-by-six-foot raised boxes, and rather than using hybrid plants or seeds, he will be growing more heirloom plants this year. “I really enjoy the taste of heirloom plants, and I like knowing the outcome of the seeds that I keep and will plant next year,” he explains

Wigent enjoys combining gardening with photography and invites interested gardeners to view his photos on his website.

For more information, call 850-516-1397 or visit TheSideyardGarden.com.