BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Backyard gardens are becoming popular all over the country. However, one garden is so special the owner hopes it will land him in the record books.

After retiring from the hotel industry as a caterer nearly ten years ago, Marion McCrea suddenly found himself with a lot of time on his hands.

He decided to start a garden, but he only wanted to grow one type of plant. Mr. McCrea began his garden by setting out collard greens in buckets. When the plants reach a certain size, he plants them in the ground.

Mr. McCrea, who is 77 years old, said when he gets ready to start a new plant, he crops a portion of an existing plant. Today, he has plants that have reached the height of more than 12 feet high.

As the plants grow, he supports the stalks with sticks to prevent them from breaking. But, he doesn’t have to cover the taller plants to protect them from the cold.

Each morning he goes outside and spends time with his plants. “I talk to them just like people talk to other plants. I like being outside so I spend a lot of time with them.

A native of Cane Tree, South Carolina, Mr. McCrea moved to Clearwater in 1955 and then to Tampa 4 years later. He obtained employment in the hotel industry catering banquets, conferences, meetings, family reunions, and other large gatherings. He retired after 38 years of service.

Mr. McCrea said he doesn’t sell the greens, but gives them away from time to time. On other occasions, he may cook some of the greens.

When asked what other types of vegetables are in his garden, Mr. McCrea said, “Just collard greens.” He attempted other plants on different occasions, but did not have the same results.

“Since I retired, I had nothing to do so I started a garden. Now, I have been told I have the tallest stalks in Florida. I would like for people to see what I do,” Mr. McCrea said.