SOUTHWICK — Turning over that first spade of dark, moist soil to start a garden, for many, marks the end of the long, cold winter and the return of longer days as Mother Nature rises from her temporary slumber and paints the landscape green.

To mark the return of spring many choose to play a part in the production, and the Community Garden at the Sofinowski Preserve offers everything fledgling and master gardeners need to literally enjoy the fruits of their labor, plenty of sun and water.

“A large part of gardening here is carrying water, and watching out for ticks,” said Sandy Heap as she walked toward the pitcher pump on the edge of the garden, which is located on Mort Vining Road, carrying two plant-water containers.

Only feet from the pump, she stopped and called out to her husband Pete.

“Look, it’s a mama turtle laying eggs,” she said in a hushed voice.

On the moist ground was an Eastern Painted turtle slowly moving away from a freshly dug hole where she was laying eggs, the soft eggs’ mucus coverings still glistening silver in the shaded sun.

Each stood quietly making sure to not startle the reptile so she could return and complete her part in Mother Nature’s cycle of life.

As Pete walked back to their garden and Sandy finished pumping water, he pointed out the other small patches of soil gardeners are tending.

“He’s a lot more ambitious,” Pete said, pointing to a neighboring garden with corn already a foot and a half high.

“But, I just like the idea of growing something,” said Pete who retired after a career as an EMT in Springfield, as he pointed to the growing tomato plants.

Just peeking out of the dark soil were shoots of green and yellow beans, zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers, and lettuce.

Sandy, who retired as an administrative assistant for a financial firm, said she enjoyed gardening for a pretty simple reason.

“It’s fun. It makes me feel good,” she said pointing out where zinnias are growing.

Pete was quick to point out where the dahlias are planted.

“They won’t be up until late August,” he said.

Pete said they have always enjoyed growing things, but at one of their homes there wasn’t enough sun, and when downsizing after they retired and their children, Dan and Moria, left the nest, they had moved to a condominium with no place to plant.

With an “Oh, darling,” from Sandy, Pete offered why tending a garden soothes the soul by reciting a verse of poetry from Minnie Aumonier.

“When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always gardening,” Pete quoted.

An obvious proponent of using the town’s community garden, he wanted any fledgling gardener to know it’s not too late to start planting.

And getting involved is easy and cheap — $20 for a 12- by 24-foot plot. Applications are available at tinyurl.com/eu5k3rn2. They can be printed out, filled out and returned to Town Hall in person or emailed to jnilsson@southwick.net.

For more information, email the garden’s caretaker Agriculture Commission member Burt Hanson at burthanson@comcast.net.