Pastor Reuben Middleton

The unassuming white structure named Solomon’s Porch Ministries at the corner of E. 3rd Street and Fifth Ave, un-deliberately conceals a piece of paradise. Pastor Reuben Middleton spiritually cares for his parishioners and has lately propelled himself into creating a garden ministry.

In early August, it was the six-feet and higher stalks of corn, flanked by pine logs that attracted neighbors and me to rubberneck and double-park on the property. I had driven pass this corner many times and never gave it a second thought.

The corn has been harvested since, and now, Pastor Middleton is growing sorrel, which according to Wikipedia is known as “common sorrel or garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa) – is a perennial herb that is cultivated as a garden herb or leaf vegetable (pot herb).

Other names for sorrel include spinach dock and narrow-leaved dock.” In addition to sorrel, one can find pumpkins, cantaloupes, watermelons, cucumbers, carrots, sweet potatoes, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, bananas, plantains, papayas and radishes. A neighbor and fellow parishioners supply seedlings, plants and perspiration.

In June of this year, on Father’s Day weekend, Pastor Middleton started working on his dream of planting an edible garden. After three years of planning, he said it all came to fruition that weekend.

Solomon’s Porch provided the land and Fitzroy (Roy) Beckford, an agriculture and natural resources agent from Florida Extension Services, provided the expertise.

The passion was already present. Using half an acre of the property, Pastor Middleton thought out of the box when he designed his vegetable beds. He felled many pine trees and aesthetically used the logs for the beds and edging. The pastor is quick to inform you that he comes from a large city of Belize, Central America, and does not have the schema for planting. As he put it, this is one big experiment for him.

Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange has selected the garden at Solomon’s Porch as the Garden of the Month because of Pastor Middleton’s tenacity and dedication. For someone who has never gardened before he has proved that with purpose and passion one can successfully enjoy the fruits of the land.

Pastor Middleton moved to Cape Coral in 2001 and continued his Adventist Ministry in Lehigh in the same year. Recently, he bought a home across from Solomon’s Porch because as he put it, he needed to be closer to his garden. To visit the garden at Solomon’s Porch, go east on Leland Heights Blvd., make a left on Richmond and take a right on E. 3rd Street, it’s at 406 E. 3rd Street.

The Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange meets monthly. For meeting details, email ilovelehighacres@gmail.com or call 239-206-3373.