By Brandy Centolanza
Contributing writer
A pair of families in Carrollton were recently shocked to find that what they believed to be a rather large rock in their shared garden was instead a massive sweet potato weighing 17.2 pounds.
In November, ahead of the first frost of the season, Carey Byrd and James Hardin, friends who took up gardening together a few years ago, were digging up vegetables at night wearing headlamps when they made the discovery.
“It was such a surprise,” Byrd said. “Our kids thought it was just the ugliest, funniest thing they’ve ever seen.”
Byrd began gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her in-laws had allowed her to utilize space on their property for her garden, but then they decided to downsize.
“I was so happy for them for so many reasons, but I was also sad to lose my garden,” she said.
The Hardins, who live in the same neighborhood as the Byrds, offered up a portion of their back yard for another garden. The two families, who have four children between them, decided to share in the responsibilities and care for the garden while teaching their kids about the benefits of gardening.